NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI: Vocodia Secures Up to $3 Million to Advance Digital Asset Strategy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOCA RATON, Fla., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vocodia Holdings Corp. (OTC: VHAI), a provider of AI-powered customer engagement solutions, today announced it has secured up to $3 million in funding to support the company’s entry into the digital asset space.

    The capital will be used to acquire select digital assets, aligning with Vocodia’s long-term technology and investment strategy. The company’s proprietary Predictive AI tools, developed in collaboration with strategic partners, will guide asset selection and risk management to build a diversified portfolio.

    “This funding enhances our ability to strategically enter the digital asset space in a way that aligns with our core competencies in AI and data analysis,” said Brian Podolak, CEO of Vocodia. “We’re not just speculating—we’re applying real technology to make informed decisions and drive long-term value.”

    About Vocodia Holdings Corp.
    Vocodia is an AI software company that develops practical AI solutions, making them easily accessible for businesses through cloud-based platforms. These solutions are cost-effective and scalable to enterprise levels. Vocodia specializes in conversational AI, providing scalable enterprise-level AI sales and customer service solutions. Their Digital Intelligent Sales Agents (DISAs) are designed to sound and feel human, performing tasks that require human-like conversation, thereby reducing labor costs and enhancing communication effectiveness. For more information, please visit: http://www.vocodia.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,”, “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the risks and uncertainties more fully in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 related to the public offering (SEC File No. File No. 333-269489) and other reports we file with the SEC. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, our actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and undertake no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Investor Relations Contact: 
    ir@vocodia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Drone as a Service Market Well Poised for Sustained Growth in Commercial, Industrial and Civic Usage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Industry experts are expecting the Drone Service market to flourish. One such report from FACT.MR projected that the drone services market is valued at USD 8.66 billion in 2025 and the industry will grow at a CAGR of 14.3% and reach USD 32.96 billion by 2035. The report said: “In 2024, the drone services industry recorded dynamic shifts fueled by regulatory clarity, commercial adoption, and end-user digitization efforts. Fact.MR analysis found that demand surged notably in the precision agriculture segment, particularly across North America and Western Europe, as growers adopted drone-based imaging and multispectral analysis to improve field-level decision-making. In the mining as well as construction sectors, companies increased use of aerial mapping, which provided real-time volumetric analysis as well as site safety compliance. At the same time, drone-enabled monitoring made substantial progress in city policing and border security, with large pilot schemes initiated in the Middle East and South Asia. Commercial media organizations, event producers, and property agents also ramped up drone-based photography as well as filming in anticipation of increasing visual content needs. These trends reinforced a larger move away from use-case limitations toward operational adoption across industries.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR).

    FACT.MR continued: “As the sector moves into 2025, the environment is on the cusp of increased scalability. Business drone fleets are moving from pilot to standard operations, particularly in logistics and asset inspection. Fact.MR indicates that increasing adoption of AI-driven navigation, enhanced battery density, and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) capabilities will drastically enhance service accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Valued at USD 8.66 billion in 2025 and expected to reach USD 32.96 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 14.3%, the industry is well placed for sustained growth in industrial and civic usage. To stay ahead, companies must immediately pivot toward building integrated drone service platforms that combine AI-enabled flight autonomy, sector-specific analytics, and BVLOS capabilities. This intelligence highlights a shift from isolated deployments to enterprisescale drone ecosystems, requiring the client to reprioritize R&D toward modular, scalable solutions for logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Reports Nearly Double Revenue Year-Over-Year for the First Quarter of 2025 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces financial results for the first quarter 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights:

    • Total revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were $1.13 million, up 92% compared to $591,379 for the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth.
    • ZenaTech’s new Drone as a Service or DaaS segment grew from completing two acquisitions of land survey drone servicing companies ─ Oregon-based Weddle Surveying and Florida-based KJM Land Surveying. The Company also signed five LOIs (Letter of Intent) for additional acquisitions during the quarter.
    • The company acquired Othership, a UK workplace management software company supporting its enterprise SaaS software segment, where it plans to leverage workplace AI and quantum computing productivity solutions targeting business and government customers.
    • The company made investments in longer term growth and in new segment development that caused general and administrative expenses to increase to $5.75 million in Q1 2025 versus about $0.7 million in Q1 of 2024. This primarily consisted of sales and marketing activities, new hires, professional services, and finance expenses.
    • ZenaTech made investments in its subsidiary ZenaDrone’s UAE manufacturing capabilities during the quarter, including hiring 35 new engineers and technicians. Also announced was the opening of a drone testing facility in Turkey for beyond-the-line-of-sight drone testing.
    • Drone product highlights in Q1 include finalizing the third-generation design and “production model” of the ZenaDrone 1000 drone that will enable the start of scaling up of production. The company also announced the IQ Square drone has moved from prototype to manufacturing stage.
    • The commence of work on a heavy-lift gas-powered ZD 1000 model for longer fight times for US defense applications took place during the quarter. Testing also commenced on a new high-density drone battery and a proprietary communications system for this drone.
    • The company reported that ZenaDrone is preparing for Green UAS followed by Blue UAS certification required to sell to the US Military. Additionally, it is reviewing and putting in place cybersecurity practices, documentation, and internal controls necessary to apply for this certification.
    • ZenaTech further expanded its Taiwan drone component manufacturer─ Spider Vision Sensors, adding additional engineering and business development staff. It also announced the first Blue UAS-certifiable drone sensors are under development.

    “The first quarter of 2025 was a very strong and encouraging start to the year as revenue nearly doubled, up 92% primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth across both our software and drone segments,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “During the first quarter we launched our Drone as a Service or DaaS business segment with a vision to have a national footprint in the US and globally.”

    “Although expenses increased during the first quarter, these are investments intended to grow the company over the long-term, namely in marketing, manufacturing, product development and testing capacity, which we believe will yield future rewards.

    “We believe that this quarter’s performance demonstrates that our strategy to disrupt legacy businesses like land surveys via a DaaS business model is on track. Our momentum is strong, and we are well positioned to expand our range of drone services with a pipeline of over 20 acquisitions over the next 12 months,” concluded Dr. Passley. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Expands Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) Exterior Building Power Washing to Dubai Tapping into a Global Drone Cleaning Services Market Growing to USD 13 Billion by 2030 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announced it is expanding its United Arab Emirates (UAE) presence by establishing a new office to sell Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings based in Dubai. Initially this office will focus on delivering drone-powered cleaning services for building exteriors using the IQ Square drone tethered to a water pipe and electrical cord. The company is currently obtaining a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to begin power wash testing and operations. Supporting this expansion, ZenaTech will hire two business development managers and up to four additional drone pilots, with drones supplied from its subsidiary ZenaDrone which has a manufacturing hub in nearby Sharjah.

    The global drone power washing market falls under a broader drone cleaning services market category that was valued at approximately USD 4.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 13.2 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 17% according to market analyst Valuates Reports , fueled by increasing demand for safe, efficient and cost-effective maintenance solutions.

    “With rising demand for tech-enabled and efficient maintenance solutions, whether for power washing buildings, renewable energy assets, or public spaces, we believe AI-powered drones will bring new safety standards, cost-efficiency, and greater environmental sustainability to maintenance tasks. UAE’s openness to innovative technology makes it an ideal launchpad for these DaaS solutions that we hope to expand to all seven emirates in addition to the US and Europe,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, recently provided an operating update and released financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The first quarter 2025 results filing is accessible on the Company’s investor relations website.

    Stuart Simpson, CEO at Vertical, said: “2025 is on pace to be a transformational year for Vertical as we advance our piloted flight test programme and move into the final flight test phases. With the announcement of our hybrid-electric programme – opening up new high-value markets – and the expansion of our partnership with Honeywell to certify critical flight systems, we are deepening our technical and commercial edge. With growing regulatory confidence in the VX4 and a strong team behind us, we’re well positioned to deliver a scalable, certifiable aircraft to the global market.”

    Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC) (“Unusual Machines” or the “Company”), a leading U.S. manufacturer of drone components, recently announced it will exhibit at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025, the premier event for autonomy and uncrewed systems, taking place May 20-22, 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

    Unusual Machines will host a booth on the expo floor, where the Company will feature its new U.S.-made FPV motors and its growing portfolio of Blue UAS Framework-approved drone components. These offerings underscore Unusual Machines’ commitment to delivering high-performance, NDAA-compliant drone technology for defense, commercial, and public safety applications.

    Attendees are invited to visit the booth for product demonstrations and to meet with representatives from Unusual Machines. The Company will be actively engaging with integrators, OEMs, and procurement professionals throughout the event and will be ready to take orders on-site.

    Vision software company Foresight Autonomous Holdings has integrated NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) Jetson Orin generative AI computing modules into its 3D-perception system.

    Foresight is using Nvidia’s Jetson Orin Nano and Jetson AGX Orin modules to improve the capabilities of its perception systems deployed in various use cases, with a major focus on autonomous drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.

    The Jetson modules, which are used in generative AI, computer vision and advanced robotics, upgrade Foresight’s vision system with the computing power needed for autonomous drones and UAVs, according to Foresight.

    Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) recently announced operating and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company issued a shareholder letter discussing those results, as well as its second quarter 2025 estimates.

    Commenting on first quarter 2025 results, Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, said: “Archer’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and reshaping the future of aviation for years to come. This quarter, the team made strong progress across our civil and defense efforts as we continue to deepen our strategic partner relationships and prepare for commercialization in the UAE later this year.”

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

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

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: UK government must immediately close Wethersfield mass containment site for asylum seekers

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    • A new report released by MSF shows how people staying in Wethersfield mass containment site in the UK are experiencing severe mental health distress.
    • Wethersfield continues to be used as an accommodation site for asylum seekers despite the government promising to end its use.
    • We call on the UK government to end the use of mass containment sites for asylum seekers and encourage the use of dignified and safe accommodation within communities. 

    For over one year, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in partnership with Doctors of the World (DOTW) UK, ran a general healthcare mobile clinic outside the main gates of the former Royal Air Forces base at Wethersfield, in the United Kingdom (UK). Between November 2023 and December 2024, we documented how the isolated site, which accommodates up to 800 men aged between 18 and 65, causes immense harm.

    A new report based on medical data and interviews with the men held at Wethersfield in 2024 highlights mental health distress amongst our patients and protection concerns at the site.

    “A Lonely Place” How Wethersfield is harming asylum seekers pdf — 1.6 MB Download

    “When I first saw the military camp, it was a reminder of the military camps in my home country. Very isolated atmosphere. You can’t socialise and you can’t learn,” says a resident at Wethersfield in 2024.

    The top five countries of nationality of patients attending our mobile clinic were Iran, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan. As such, many have fled violence, persecution and conflict and will go on to be recognised as refugees by the UK government.

    “Most of the consultations were for psychological problems. Many people felt anxious and stressed and said Wethersfield reminds them of previous difficult experiences such as imprisonment, torture or living in areas of conflict,” says Emma Withycombe, MSF’s medical activities manager. “It seems very cruel that people who have experienced so much hardship are now living here. The government has chosen to accommodate people in a place that causes harm.”

    In the absence of safe alternatives, many people seeking safety are forced to risk their lives and take dangerous journeys to reach the UK.

    The report reveals:

    A lack of safe routes to the UK

    Everyone who accessed our services had crossed the Channel by small boat. In interviews, participants described dangerous journeys to get to the UK. Three quarters of patients disclosed previous experiences of violence or abuse in their countries of origin and on their journeys to the UK.

    Mental health impacted by the site

    The men we interviewed spoke about the major impact the site was having on their mental health, as well as on the mental health of those around them. 62 per cent of those accessing our service presented with severe mental distress and 30 per cent reported suicidal ideation.

    Serious failures to protect and safeguard

    Our medical team observed that many individuals were accommodated onsite despite being ‘unsuitable’ according to the Home Office’s own guidance. We made a total of 226 safeguarding referrals due to concerns about individual patient safety and wellbeing.

    “People are dying at the UK borders, dying in camps and hotels. Our patients in Wethersfield have survived conflict, persecution, and harrowing journeys to the UK with no safe route to asylum. The government should not be putting refugees into camps once they arrive here,” says Simon Tyler, Executive Director of DOTW.

    Despite evidence that mass containment causes immense psychological harm and suffering, and the government’s own promises to end its use, Wethersfield remains open. In April 2025, Prime Minister Starmer refused to set a date for when the site would close.

    “It is beyond comprehension that Wethersfield remains open, a site which has been the source of intense suffering for people who came to the UK in search of safety. From MSF’s work at the site, we know many of the individuals accommodated here have experienced violence and trauma and will have complex psychological needs,” says Jacob Burns, project manager for MSF. “We had hoped this Labour government would establish a dignified and compassionate asylum system. Instead, we are witnessing a continuation of the same inhumane and restrictive policies, that are fundamentally failing those who are most in need of care and protection.”

    MSF calls on the UK government to:

    • Close Wethersfield immediately and end the policy of mass containment for people seeking safety in the UK.
    • Place people seeking safety in the UK in dignified and safe accommodation in the community.
    • Ensure access to specialist mental health support for asylum seekers in the UK.
    • Home Office accommodation sites must have clear and transparent safeguarding pathways in place before opening.
    • Open new and expand existing safe routes for people seeking safety to reach the UK.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US safety net helps protect children from abuse and neglect, and some of those programs are threatened by proposed budget cuts

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Todd Herrenkohl, Professor of Social Work, University of Michigan

    Safety net programs protect children in many ways. Energy/E+ via Getty Images

    President Donald Trump and Republicans in the House of Representatives have put forward budget proposals that would slash spending by hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade on several programs that support low-income U.S. families with children.

    If those cuts are in the version of the 2026 budget that clears Congress, and Trump signs it into law, funding for early childhood education, support for grocery purchases and an array of programs that help keep children fed, housed and cared for would decline sharply.

    As professors who conduct research about child welfare, we are alarmed by these proposed cuts and concerned about their potential impact on children and families. We are particularly concerned that steps taken to reduce costs will make children less safe and more susceptible to the consequences of abuse and neglect.

    Help for low-income families

    Our research has shown that increasing access to programs that support low-income families decreases child abuse and neglect while improving parents’ well-being. Examples of these programs include subsidies for child care and the earned-income tax credit, which supplements the earnings of many low- and moderate-income Americans.

    Other researchers have found further evidence that policies that help low-income families put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads and obtain health care also provide for children’s basic needs, such as food and education, and keep children safe.

    The proposed budget cuts could cost all taxpayers down the line because child abuse and neglect is costly for not only the people who are mistreated as kids but also for society.

    What’s more, a series of cost-benefit studies have found that providing a safety net for families not only helps the families who receive assistance but also society as a whole.

    Child abuse and neglect

    In 2023, child protection agencies received 4.4 million reports for suspected abuse and neglect, and 546,159 cases were confirmed. As high as these numbers are, they drastically underestimate the number of abused and neglected children in the U.S. because many acts of abuse and neglect are never reported.

    Research documenting the consequences and costs of child abuse and neglect has led many experts, including us, to recommend programs and policies that can reduce risks.

    Without attempts to reduce these risks, more children would suffer or die. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services found that 2,000 children died from abuse and neglect in 2023. Nearly half of these fatalities were among children under the age of 1.

    Parents experiencing high levels of stress can be more prone to abusing their kids.
    salim hanzaz/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Risks tied to poverty

    Some of the most helpful programs to prevent child abuse and neglect focus on reducing poverty.

    Poverty can place children at risk of abuse and neglect. When families can’t afford the bare necessities, it can add to the stress that makes parenting more difficult.

    Poverty isn’t the only cause of child abuse and neglect, but it is high on the list of risk factors. And its harms can be hard to reverse.

    A recent campaign by Prevent Child Abuse America, a nonprofit, posits that child abuse and neglect are not a “bad parent problem” but rather “a lack of resource problem.” Researchers have found that child abuse and neglect often come from the social and economic issues that lead families into crises.

    For example, parenting stress rises and children’s basic needs can go unmet when parents don’t have jobs, lack high-quality child care and generally struggle to make ends meet.

    When families’ basic needs are met, children are safer.
    Jackyenjoyphotography/Moment via Getty Images

    Government programs that help everyone

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that improving public health requires government programs that can reduce harm to children and promote childhood development and well-being.

    These programs include efforts to improve parenting skills, expand access to high-quality child care and early education, and strengthen the financial resilience of families.

    And yet the Trump administration initially sought to eliminate Head Start, a successful federally funded preschool program for low-income children, and dismantle many essential services. Evidence indicates that children who participate in Head Start are more likely to finish high school and college, which is important for employment and financial security.

    The CDC and our own review of the research point to big improvements in children’s health and fewer cases of child abuse and neglect with economic policies such as the earned-income tax credit, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

    We believe these programs are worth investing in because children’s lives are at stake. Especially when the economy appears to be in trouble, the consequences of weakening the safety net are dire.

    Todd I. Herrenkohl has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Justice, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is affiliated with the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and serves as an editor for Child Abuse & Neglect and the Journal for the Society for Social Work and Research.

    Kathryn Maguire-Jack receives funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Triple P America, and Wisconsin Children’s Hospital.

    Rebeccah Sokol receives funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.

    – ref. US safety net helps protect children from abuse and neglect, and some of those programs are threatened by proposed budget cuts – https://theconversation.com/us-safety-net-helps-protect-children-from-abuse-and-neglect-and-some-of-those-programs-are-threatened-by-proposed-budget-cuts-255763

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Unprecedented cuts to the National Science Foundation endanger research that improves economic growth, national security and your life

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Paul Bierman, Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Vermont

    The National Science Foundation funds America’s next great innovations, including space-related research. Heritage Space/Heritage Images/Getty Images

    Look closely at your mobile phone or tablet. Touch-screen technology, speech recognition, digital sound recording and the internet were all developed using funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation.

    No matter where you live, NSF-supported research has also made your life safer. Engineering studies have reduced earthquake damage and fatalities through better building design. Improved hurricane and tornado forecasts reflect NSF investment in environmental monitoring and computer modeling of weather. NSF-supported resilience studies reduce risks and losses from wildfires.

    Using NSF funding, scientists have done research that amazes, entertains and enthralls. They have drilled through mile-thick ice sheets to understand the past, visited the wreck of the Titanic and captured images of deep space.

    NSF funding supports research to help minimize risk and harm from natural hazards, including wildfires.
    FEMA/Michael Mancino

    NSF investments have made America and American science great. At least 268 Nobel laureates received NSF grants during their careers. The foundation has partnered with agencies across the government since it was created, including those dealing with national security and space exploration. The Federal Reserve estimates that government-supported research from the NSF and other agencies has had a return on investment of 150% to 300% since 1950, meaning for every dollar U.S. taxpayers invested, they got back between $1.50 and $3.

    However, that funding is now at risk.

    Since January, layoffs, leadership resignations and a massive proposed reorganization have threatened the integrity and mission of the National Science Foundation. Hundreds of research grants have been terminated. The administration’s proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2026 would cut NSF’s funding by 55%, an unprecedented reduction that would end federal support for science research across a wide range of discipines.

    At my own geology lab, I have seen NSF grants catalyze research and the work of dozens of students who have collected data that’s now used to reduce risks from earthquakes, floods, landslides, erosion, sea-level rise and melting glaciers.

    I have also served on advisory committees and review panels for the NSF over the past 30 years and have seen the value the foundation produces for the American people.

    American science’s greatness stemmed from war

    In the 1940s, with the advent of nuclear weapons, the space race and the intensification of the Cold War, American science and engineering expertise became increasingly critical for national defense. At the time, most basic and applied research was done by the military.

    Vannevar Bush, an electrical engineer who oversaw military research efforts during World War II, including development of the atomic bomb, had a different idea.

    He articulated an expansive scientific vision for the United States in Science: The Endless Frontier. The report was a blueprint for an American research juggernaut grounded in the expertise of university faculty, staff and graduate students.

    The National Science Foundation funded some of the earliest weather equipment on satellites. The gold sphere is the Navy Vanguard (SLV-3) satellite, launched in 1958 to monitor cloud cover.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

    On May 10, 1950, after five years of debate and compromise, President Harry Truman signed legislation creating the National Science Foundation and putting Bush’s vision to work. Since then, the foundation has become the leading funder of basic research in the United States.

    NSF’s mandate, then as now, was to support basic research and spread funding for science across all 50 states. Expanding America’s scientific workforce was and remains integral to American prosperity. By 1952, the foundation was awarding merit fellowships to graduate and postdoctoral scientists from every state.

    There were compromises. Control of NSF rested with presidential appointees, disappointing Bush. He wanted scientists in charge to avoid political interference with the foundation’s research agenda.

    NSF funding matters to everyone, everywhere

    Today, American tax dollars supporting science go to every state in the union.

    The states with the most NSF grants awarded between 2011 and 2024 include several that voted Republican in the 2024 election – Texas, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania – and several that voted Democratic, including Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and Colorado.

    More than 1,800 public and private institutions, scattered across all 50 states, receive NSF funding. The grants pay the salaries of staff, faculty and students, boosting local employment and supporting college towns and cities. For states with major research universities, those grants add up to hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Even states with few universities each see tens of millions of dollars for research.

    As NSF grant recipients purchase lab supplies and services, those dollars support regional and national economies.

    When NSF budgets are cut and grants are terminated or never awarded, the harm trickles down and communities suffer. Initial NSF funding cuts are already rippling across the country, affecting both national and local economies in red, blue and purple states alike.

    An analysis of a February 2025 proposal that would cut about US$5.5 billion from National Institutes of Health grants estimated the ripple effect through college towns and supply chains would cost $6.1 billion in GDP, or total national productivity, and over 46,000 jobs.

    An uncertain future for American science

    America’s scientific research and training enterprise has enjoyed bipartisan support for decades. Yet, as NSF celebrates its 75th birthday, the future of American science is in doubt. Funding is increasingly uncertain, and politics is driving decisions, as Bush feared 80 years ago.

    A list of grants terminated by the Trump administration, collected both from government websites and scientists themselves, shows that by early May 2025, NSF had stopped funding more than 1,400 existing grants, totaling over a billion dollars of support for research, research training and education.

    Most terminated grants focused on education – the core of science, technology and engineering workforce development critical for supplying highly skilled workers to American companies. For example, NSF provided 1,000 fewer graduate student fellowships in 2025 than in the decade before − a 50% drop in support for America’s best science students.

    American scientists are responding to NSF’s downsizing in diverse ways. Some are pushing back by challenging grant terminations. Others are preparing to leave science or academia. Some are likely to move abroad, taking offers from other nations to recruit American experts. Science organizations and six prior heads of the NSF are calling on Congress to step up and maintain funding for science research and workforce development.

    If these losses continue, the next generation of American scientists will be fewer in number and less well prepared to address the needs of a population facing the threat of more extreme weather, future pandemics and the limits to growth imposed by finite natural resources and other planetary limits.

    Investing in science and engineering is an investment in America. Diminishing NSF and the science it supports will hurt the American economy and the lives of all Americans.

    Paul Bierman receives funding from the National Science Foundation.

    – ref. Unprecedented cuts to the National Science Foundation endanger research that improves economic growth, national security and your life – https://theconversation.com/unprecedented-cuts-to-the-national-science-foundation-endanger-research-that-improves-economic-growth-national-security-and-your-life-256556

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Congress began losing power decades ago − and now it’s giving away what remains to Trump

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Charlie Hunt, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Boise State University

    Where did Congress go? Julia Nikhinson/Bloomberg Creative via Getty Images

    Republicans in Congress have been making behind-the-scenes efforts to pass major domestic legislation via the federal budget process. They include potential cuts to Medicaid and extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts.

    But even though it’s Congress’ job to pass a budget and set tax policy, most media outlets have been content to frame key elements of the legislation as being driven not by Congress but by the president.

    So the news media say that the purpose of the bill is to “deliver Trump’s agenda” or to pass the “Trump tax cuts.” Many have even adopted President Donald Trump’s trademark name for the legislation: his “big, beautiful bill.”

    Along with Casey Burgat and SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, I am co-author of a textbook titled “Congress Explained: Representation and Lawmaking in the First Branch.” In that book, it was important to us to highlight Congress’ clear role as the preeminent lawmaking body in the federal government.

    But since Trump’s inauguration, Congress has ceded huge swaths of its policymaking responsibility to the president. That makes the media’s focus on Trump unsurprising. And there’s no denying that Trump has had enormous impact during his first 100 days in office.

    During that time, Congress has been unwilling to assert itself as an equal branch of government. Beyond policymaking, Congress has been content to hand over many of its core constitutional powers to the executive branch. As a Congress expert who loves the institution and profoundly respects its constitutionally mandated role, this renunciation of responsibility has been difficult to watch.

    And yet, Congress’ path to irrelevance as a body of government did not begin in January 2025.

    It is the result of decades of erosion that created a political culture in which Congress, the first branch of government listed in the Constitution, is relegated to second-class status.

    President Donald Trump holds one of the many executive orders he has signed during his second term.
    Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images

    The Constitution puts Congress first

    The 18th-century framers of the Constitution viewed Congress as the foundation of republican governance, deliberately placing it first in Article 1 to underscore its primacy. Congress was assigned the pivotal tasks of lawmaking and budgeting because controlling government finances was seen as essential to limiting executive power and preventing abuses that the framers associated with monarchy.

    Alternatively, a weak legislature and an imperial executive were precisely what many of the founders feared. With legislative authority in the hands of Congress, power would at least be decentralized among a wide variety of elected leaders from different parts of the country, each of whom would jealously guard their own local interests.

    But Trump’s first 100 days turned the founders’ original vision on its head, leaving the “first branch” to play second fiddle.

    Like most recent presidents, Trump came in with his party in control of the presidency, the House and the Senate. Yet despite the lawmaking power that this governing trifecta can bring, the Republican majorities in Congress have mostly been irrelevant to Trump’s agenda.

    Instead, Congress has relied on Trump and the executive branch to make changes to federal policy and in many cases to reshape the federal government completely.

    Trump has signed more than 140 executive orders, a pace faster than any president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Republican Congress has shown little interest in pushing back on any of them. Trump has also aggressively reorganized, defunded or simply deleted entire agencies, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

    These actions have been carried out even though Congress has a clear constitutional authority over the executive branch’s budget. Again, Congress has shown little to no interest in reasserting its power, even during recent budget talks.

    Many causes, no easy solutions

    Even so, Congress’ weakening did not begin with Trump. There’s no one culprit but instead a collection of factors that have provided the ineffectual Congress of today.

    One overriding factor is a process that has unfolded over the past 50 or more years called political nationalization. American politics have become increasingly centered on national issues, parties and figures rather than more local concerns or individuals.

    This shift has elevated the importance of the president as the symbolic and practical leader of a national party agenda. Simultaneously, it weakens the role of individual members of Congress, who are now more likely to toe the party line than represent local interests.

    A participant holds a sign during a GOP town hall meeting with U.S. Reps. Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy on March 20, 2025, in Salt Lake City.
    AP Photo/Rick Egan

    As a result, voters focus more on presidential elections and less on congressional ones, granting the president greater influence and diminishing Congress’ independent authority.

    The more Congress polarizes among its members on a party-line basis, the less the public is likely to trust the legitimacy of their opposition to a president. Instead, congressional pushback − sometimes as extreme as impeachment − can thus be written off not as principled or substantive but as partisan or politically motivated to a greater extent than ever before.

    Congress has also been been complicit in giving away its own power. Especially when dealing with a polarized Congress, presidents increasingly steer the ship in budget negotiations, which can lead to more local priorities – the ones Congress is supposed to represent – being ignored.

    But rather than Congress staking out positions for itself, as it often did through the turn of the 21st century, political science research has shown that presidential positions on domestic policy increasingly dictate – and polarize – Congress’ own positions on policy that hasn’t traditionally been divisive, such as funding support for NASA. Congress’ positions on procedural issues, such as raising the debt ceiling or eliminating the filibuster, also increasingly depend not on bedrock principles but on who occupies the White House.

    In the realm of foreign policy, Congress has all but abandoned its constitutional power to declare war, settling instead for “authorizations” of military force that the president wants to assert. These give the commander in chief wide latitude over war powers, and both Democratic and Republican presidents have been happy to retain that power. They have used these congressional approvals to engage in extended conflicts such as the Gulf War in the early 1990s and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan a decade later.

    What’s lost with a weak Congress

    Americans lose a lot when Congress hands over such drastic power to the executive branch.

    When individual members of Congress from across the country take a back seat, their districts’ distinctly local problems are less likely to be addressed with the power and resources that Congress can bring to an issue. Important local perspectives on national issues fail to be represented in Congress.

    Even members of the same political party represent districts with vastly different economies, demographics and geography. Members are supposed to keep this in mind when legislating on these issues, but presidential control over the process makes that difficult or even impossible.

    Maybe more importantly, a weak Congress paired with what historian Arthur Schlesinger called the “Imperial Presidency” is a recipe for an unaccountable president, running wild without the constitutionally provided oversight and checks on power that the founders provided to the people through their representation by the first branch of government.

    Charlie Hunt 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. Congress began losing power decades ago − and now it’s giving away what remains to Trump – https://theconversation.com/congress-began-losing-power-decades-ago-and-now-its-giving-away-what-remains-to-trump-254984

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: What Trump Means for Europe: A Discussion Between Luis Vassy and Zaki Laïdi

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    On 28 April, a round table of the monthly “LUNDIS DU CEVIPOF” (Sciences Po’s Centre for Political Research) brought together Zaki Laïdi, Director of Research at CEVIPOF and Former Special Adviser of the High representative of the European Union (2020-2024), Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po and Kevin Arceneaux, Director of CEVIPOF.

    The event was titled “What Trump Means for Europe“.

    By its very nature, the Trump project aims to build, beyond the United States, a new world order dominated by illiberal powers. Those who, in spite of their differences, agree on a certain number of values, which clash head-on with those promoted by the European Union. 

    This is why Trump sees Europe as a major political obstacle in his path. This is one of the reasons why he shows a thinly veiled hostility towards it. That involves political support for illiberal forces, economic retaliation and a potential strategic abandonment for which Europe is not really prepared. 

    Will this project really see the light of day? Does Europe have the means to face it in order to defend its values, its economic interests and build its strategic autonomy? Are EU countries really unified to face this challenge?

    > Watch the video replay now:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Kenya has a bold new disability law: now to make it work

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amani Karisa, Associate Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center

    Kenya has long recognised the rights of persons with disabilities in law. The 2010 constitution guarantees access, dignity and inclusion for people living with disabilities.

    Two years earlier in 2008, Kenya ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. And Kenya’s 2003 Persons with Disabilities Act formed the legal foundation for promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.

    But these legal promises remain largely aspirational. Their provisions are rarely translated into everyday realities. Many Kenyans with disabilities still face stigma, inaccessible environments, unequal education opportunities and limited access to employment.

    Many schools remain exclusionary due to inaccessible physical infrastructure. This includes classrooms and latrines that lack ramps or hinder mobility for children with disabilities.

    Public transport is often unusable for wheelchair users.

    Employers continue to overlook applicants with disabilities. Between 2019 and 2023, for instance, persons with disabilities faced higher unemployment rates at around 10.4% against a national average of 5.2%.

    The fact that there are disputes over the number of Kenyans with disabilities is also telling. The 2019 census recorded 2.2% of the population – fewer than 1 million people – as having disabilities. This is far below the World Report on Disability’s estimates of an average of around 15%. This undercount reflects both cultural stigma and systemic gaps in how disability is understood and reported.

    As someone who has spent more than a decade researching disability in Kenya, I have seen how the promise of rights is often undercut by structural and social barriers. This has come through in my own research and that of others.

    The persistent failure to translate rights into tangible outcomes for persons with disabilities created urgency for change.

    The Kenyan government has finally acted. In May 2025, the country’s parliament passed the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025.

    The new law expands the definition of disability to encompass a broader range of impairments. This ensures more individuals are recognised and protected under the law. The law also mandates accessibility across sectors such as education, employment, healthcare and public services, requiring reasonable accommodations and prohibiting discrimination.

    In my view, the new law reflects a broader move from symbolic recognition to legal obligation. But passing a law is just the beginning. Implementation will be the real test.

    What’s been missing

    In my research, and that of others, the question of why the 2003 law did little to shift everyday exclusion has been addressed. A few things were apparent.

    First, employment quotas were suggested but never enforced. Discrimination in hiring and promotions was prohibited in theory, but was common in practice.

    Second, there has been little support for caregivers.

    Third, there was minimal access to assistive technologies (which are tools designed to help persons with disabilities perform tasks and improve their quality of life, such as mobility aids, communication devices and adaptive software).

    Fourth, children with disabilities in Kenya have faced significant barriers to education. Their enrolment and completion rates are consistently lower than those of their non-disabled peers.

    Rather than disability being the problem, it is the lack of accommodation, inclusive policies and public understanding that creates exclusion. This is a core insight of the social model of disability, which views disability as arising from the interaction between individuals and an unaccommodating society. This perspective explains that people are disabled not by their bodies but by barriers in society – like stairs without ramps or employers who won’t adapt.

    What the new law promises

    Some key changes in the new law stand out:

    • Workplace inclusion: public bodies must now ensure that at least 5% of jobs are held by persons with disabilities. This provision, although previously suggested, now comes with clearer oversight requirements. Private employers are both mandated and incentivised to create inclusive workplaces. Reasonable accommodations, such as accessible workstations or flexible hours, can be counted as deductible expenses.

    • Access to public services and spaces: the law requires that buildings, roads and services be made accessible. Hospitals must have trained sign language interpreters. Schools must adapt their admission criteria, curricula and facilities to include learners with disabilities. These requirements signal a move away from treating accessibility as optional or charitable.

    • Tax relief and registration reforms: caregivers can now qualify for tax exemptions. Additionally, persons with long-term disabilities now receive permanent registration, ending the need for repeated reassessments – a process many found tedious, involving hospital visits, missing forms, long delays and limited assessment centres.

    • Stronger institutional framework: the National Council for Persons with Disabilities has been given more robust powers, including enforcement, monitoring and management of disability-related funding. The law also recommends the use of affirming and respectful language in public communication – a subtle but essential step in reducing stigma.

    The law incorporates disability considerations into sector-specific practices. For example, the law requires justice sector actors to consider disability when arresting, detaining or trying someone.

    What needs to happen now

    The government must act swiftly to implement supporting regulations. Funding is needed to retrofit public buildings, hire staff to support individuals with disabilities, and subsidise assistive devices. Without proper budgeting, the law risks becoming another unfulfilled promise.

    Employers and institutions must do more than comply: they must transform their attitudes. Disability inclusion should be built into human resources practices, school policies and service design. Training will be key.

    Public awareness must improve. Many Kenyans still see disability through a medical or charitable lens. There need to be national campaigns on radio, TV and social media that shift public understanding toward inclusion and equality.

    Finally, persons with disabilities must be central to the law’s implementation. Inclusion must be driven by those who live the reality of exclusion. Their insights are essential to making services responsive and respectful.

    The 2025 Act is an important step. But if it is not backed by funding, political will and public education, its potential will remain unrealised.

    The real question is not whether the law is good enough, but whether Kenya’s institutions, communities and leaders are prepared to make it work for those it was designed to serve.

    Amani Karisa works for the African Population and Health Research Center. He receives funding from Gates Foundation and Echidna Giving.

    – ref. Kenya has a bold new disability law: now to make it work – https://theconversation.com/kenya-has-a-bold-new-disability-law-now-to-make-it-work-256646

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis drew inspiration from Latin American church and its martyrs – leaving a legacy for Pope Leo

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo, Associate Professor of Catholic and Latin American Studies, Wake Forest University

    A mural of Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero decorates a wall in Panchimalco, El Salvador, May 21, 2015. AP Photo/Salvador Melendez

    Pope Leo XIV’s election marks a historic moment: the first pope from an English-speaking country, and the first from the United States. Even more significant than these “firsts,” I believe, is a “second”: Leo follows in Pope Francis’ footsteps as a priest shaped by the Latin American church.

    The new pontiff served the church in Peru throughout the late 1980s and ‘90s. Francis called him back to serve from 2015-2023 as bishop of the northern city of Chiclayo – where Catholics today are rejoicing over the election of one of their own, “un papa Chiclayano.”

    As a Catholic theologian, I believe the College of Cardinals’ decision to elect another pontiff with such strong ties to Latin America reaffirms the continent’s influence on the global church’s sense of mission: to be a church that defends the marginalized and stands in solidarity with the oppressed.

    This vision is embodied by the continent’s many Catholics who have given their lives for speaking out against repression, violence and poverty over the past 50 years – most famously St. Oscar Romero, whom Francis beatified in May 2015.

    Having studied Latin American martyrdom closely, I would argue that Francis’ pontificate was at least partially inspired by these martyrs’ example, forged in blood. His decision to officially recognize this form of martyrdom adds to the legacy that many Latin American Catholics are hoping Leo will continue.

    ‘Church of the poor’

    The Second Vatican Council, a series of meetings of bishops from around the world that took place between 1962-65, brought about a number of reforms in the Catholic church, including greater focus on the poor and vulnerable. During the council, a group of bishops gathered in the Catacombs of Saint Domitilla to sign a pact in which they committed themselves to renouncing wealth and privilege and becoming a “church of the poor.”

    Many of these bishops were from Latin America, and in 1968, the Latin American Bishops’ Conference met to implement the council’s reforms. The documents that emerged from this meeting in Medellín, Colombia, encouraged closeness to people living in poverty and placed the promotion of justice and peace at the heart of the church’s evangelizing mission. In particular, they emphasized the church’s call to help liberate the oppressed from unjust social structures that produce poverty and violence.

    Pope Francis, then a cardinal, kisses a man’s foot during a Mass with youth trying to overcome drug addictions in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2008.
    AP Photo

    Not all Latin American bishops embraced this vision of the church’s mission. But many took the call to solidarity very seriously, denouncing economic injustices and human rights violations. These bishops and other socially committed Christians promoted causes like land reform, agricultural cooperatives, workers’ rights and access to health care and education.

    At the time, many Latin American countries were marked by vast inequalities, military dictatorships and violent political repression. These regimes, many of which were backed by the United States, often labeled any opposition as “communist” and a threat to national security.

    Some Latin American bishops – along with many priests, nuns and laypeople – paid for their faith-inspired commitments to justice and peace with their lives. Thousands of Christians were assassinated during the late 20th century because they stood up for the rights of the poor, or they spoke out against oligarchs for hoarding wealth, land and power. Others were targeted after denouncing military regimes for massacring, torturing and “disappearing” civilians.

    Within some sectors of Latin American Catholicism, these women and men are remembered as “martyrs”: people who, like Jesus of Nazareth, gave their lives for following what they saw as God’s mandate to speak the truth and practice compassion, justice and peace.

    Pope’s recognition

    During Francis’ pontificate, he officially recognized several of these Christians as martyrs, moving their cause for sainthood toward beatification and canonization. Beatification officially declares a person to be “blessed” and allows them to be venerated locally, while canonization makes them a full saint for the global church.

    Students hold up art depicting slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as they walk to the chapel in San Salvador where he was shot and killed.
    AP Photo/Salvador Melendez

    For example, Bishop Enrique Ángel Angelelli was assassinated in 1976 for his solidarity with the poor and defense of workers’ rights during Argentina’s Dirty War – a violent campaign of state terrorism against critics of the military junta. Francis declared him a martyr in 2018. The following year, Angelelli was beatified, along with two priests and a lay leader from the same province who were all similarly martyred just weeks before.

    Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero was equally committed to defending the poor of El Salvador during the years of armed conflict leading up to the Salvadoran Civil War. In his Sunday homilies, he named people who had been imprisoned, tortured and disappeared by military and paramilitary forces, and drew on the Gospel and church teaching to challenge the violence and oppression of the day.

    His promotion of human rights and his demand that the military “stop the repression” led to his assassination while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980. Francis declared Romero a martyr and beatified him in 2015, then canonized him in 2018.

    Pope Francis views an image of Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero during a private audience at the Vatican in 2015.
    L’Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP

    These actions placed a stamp of approval on how leaders like Angelelli and Romero embodied the church’s mission in their own time and place. But Francis’ recognition also made a broader statement about how the church should relate to the “powers and principalities” of the world. Throughout his papacy, Francis continued these martyrs’ commitment by standing with people on the “peripheries”: washing the feet of prisoners, defending the rights of migrants and demanding care for the Earth.

    Martyrs of the Earth

    In the 21st century, care for the Earth is producing a whole new generation of martyrs like Angelelli and Romero. Land and environmental defenders in Latin America and around the world are being assassinated for their work to mitigate harm from industries like fossil fuel extraction, mining, logging, ranching and more.

    In September 2024, Francis signaled his awareness of this phenomenon when he lamented the murder of Juan Antonio López. López was a lay Catholic leader in Honduras whose faith inspired him to defend local communities, lands and rivers from open-pit iron oxide mining.

    The Latin American bishops’ conference has taken note of this resurgence in violent persecution. In December 2024, it launched a campaign called “Life is hanging on by a thread,” promoting solidarity with the work of ecological and human rights defenders like López.

    As a former vice president of the Peruvian bishops’ conference, Pope Leo XIV is likely aware of this campaign and the violence that it hopes to disarm.

    The new pope had a close relationship with Francis, whose legacy looms large. A key inspiration for that legacy, however, is the witness of Latin American Christians whose blood has been shed for justice, peace and the environment.

    Only time will tell if this new pontiff’s leadership continues their indomitable solidarity with people whom, in Francis’ words, this world has deemed to be “disposable.”

    Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo 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. Pope Francis drew inspiration from Latin American church and its martyrs – leaving a legacy for Pope Leo – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-drew-inspiration-from-latin-american-church-and-its-martyrs-leaving-a-legacy-for-pope-leo-255582

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov: Russian mechanical engineering sectors demonstrate stability

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Denis Manturov took part in a joint meeting of the bureau of the Union of Mechanical Engineers and the association “League for Assistance to Defense Enterprises”

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov took part in a joint meeting of the bureau of the Union of Mechanical Engineers and the League for Assistance to Defense Enterprises association.

    The event was also attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, the Chairman of the Union of Mechanical Engineers of Russia, General Director of the Rostec State Corporation Sergey Chemezov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Union, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade Vladimir Gutenev, General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation Dmitry Bakanov, heads of regions, members of the bureau – heads of corporations and large industrial enterprises.

    Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Denis Manturov noted that today the Russian mechanical engineering industries are demonstrating resilience and readiness to respond to the most difficult challenges.

    “The development of a number of strategic areas depends on the dynamics of qualitative changes in this sector of industry. I mean, first of all, the country’s defense capability, its energy and food security, transport connectivity, and sovereignty in the field of space services. In the same vein, we consider the importance of mechanical engineering for the fundamental renewal of the production base of the entire industrial sector,” the First Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    The implementation of specialized national projects contributes to the enhancement of the technological status of the designated areas. Hundreds of mechanical engineering enterprises participate in them, ensuring the development of components and the supply of finished products, forming new cooperation chains.

    “In the current challenges, Russia continues to demonstrate high resilience. Enterprises are coping with the tasks set by our President. Manufacturing production in the first quarter showed growth of 4.7% in annual terms. The tasks of strengthening the economy, increasing industrial potential, ensuring the country’s defense capability are not just a priority for the near future. These are permanent, strategic goals that determine our development for years to come,” said Sergey Chemezov.

    The report was delivered by the president of the league, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade Vladimir Gutenev. The parliamentarian emphasized that the union and the league are in constant dialogue with the real sector and the expert community, and the Government is considering initiatives aimed at supporting defense industry enterprises. Among them is a draft law on deferment from military service for graduates who have found jobs in the defense industry in targeted areas, as well as a law on protecting accounts involved in state defense procurement from automatic write-offs based on writs of execution.

    Anton Alikhanov drew attention to the current issues of providing the industries with personnel. “We are well aware of the main obstacle to the rapid replenishment of personnel. This is the extremely low level of employment in the specialty of university graduates and the claims of enterprises to the level of their training. We have well-established work with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Education on advanced engineering schools and educational and industrial clusters. Therefore, I propose that those companies that have their own corporate universities and basic departments provide an opportunity to train specialists at the request of the cooperative enterprises. We can consider the possibility of creating industry databases under the wing of Soyuzmash, connecting potential employers and applicants. Such a resource already works well in the military-industrial complex,” the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted.

    The Minister of Education and Science, Valery Falkov, outlined systemic steps aimed at developing engineering education at universities and higher education in general. According to the Minister, today 42% of budget places are allocated for engineering and technical specialties. In order to improve the quality of education, work is underway to revise the list of specialties and areas of training, the mechanism of targeted admission is being improved, and a pilot project for industrial postgraduate studies will begin this year. Also, on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the flagship project of the Ministry of Education and Science, Advanced Engineering Schools, has been continued. Valery Falkov noted that from this year, only those applicants who are applying for priority specialties, including engineers, will be able to use a preferential educational loan at a rate of 3%.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURKINA FASO – The JNIM group intensifies attacks in several towns in the Country

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) – The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a Sahelian jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda, has intensified its attacks against military and civilian targets in Burkina Faso. The jihadist offensive began on May 11 with an assault on the Djibo military camp in the province of Soum, in the north of the country. According to local reports, the jihadists managed to take control of the camp and looted the facilities. The attacks have also affected towns in the north-central, east-central, and southern regions of the country. In videos posted on its media channels, JNIM claims to have caused the deaths of around sixty regular soldiers and a dozen paramilitaries of the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). Local sources also report the deaths of around 20 civilians and several structures such as homes and health centers have been destroyed. In Diapaga, in northeastern Burkina Faso, jihadists took over the military camp, killed dozens of soldiers, seized the arsenal, and freed prisoners from the local jail. Images released by the group show fighters dressed in military uniforms, some of whom wear Malian army insignia. JNIM openly opposes the governments of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Although local authorities have not confirmed these events, the so-called Patriotic Pact of Burkinabe Media (PPMB), promoted by the High Council of Communication (CSC), was apparently signed on May 14 in the capital, Ouagadougou. The objective of the pact is to “support defense efforts through coherent communication, promote the actions of the Defense and Security Forces, strengthen civic education, and preserve social cohesion.” The Council of Ministers also announced the creation of a military college to “train a strategic elite, adapted to national and regional security challenges.” Finally, unverified reports are circulating on social media about the presence in the country of some 700 North Korean special forces, allegedly sent to support the Burkinabe government. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PAKISTAN – Between Kashmir and Baluchistan: “Now is the time for unity and peace”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Mostafameraji – Wiki Commons

    Karachi (Agenzia Fides) – “Now is the time for unity and peace. I would like to recall the words of Pope Leo XIV: Peace be with you. We address this message to India, to our Indian brothers, with whom we are called to build coexistence, and also to our brothers in Baluchistan, which is an integral part of Pakistan,” Father Mario Angelo Rodrigues, a priest of the Archdiocese of Karachi, told Fides. In recent days, tensions have flared between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region, a conflict for which a truce has been signed. In the west of the country, the situation has also worsened with the intensification of the conflict in Baluchistan, one of the provinces that form the Pakistani territory, in which an irredentist movement has been present since the time of Pakistan’s independence. Recently, civil society leader Mir Yar Baloch declared that “Balochistan is not Pakistan,” calling for independence from Pakistan and appealing for support from India and the international community. He has denounced decades of violence, forced disappearances, and human rights violations in the region. Father Rodrigues, who began his pastoral work in Balochistan as a young priest, recalls: “There I met peaceful, hospitable, life-loving people. We defend human dignity, fundamental rights, prosperity for all, and reject all forms of violence. Unfortunately, when terror erupts in the region, the military intervenes, and I can imagine the suffering this causes for the civilian population.” Today, Balochistan represents a concern for the Pakistani government. Despite this, the priest insists on the importance of promoting national unity and including all ethnic and religious groups and launch an appeal for the unity of Pakistan and for peace,” says the priest. “In Karachi, the Baloch communities are well integrated. We have Baloch children in our school, who live in complete harmony with their classmates. That is the model to follow,” says Rodrigues, currently principal of St. Patrick High School, a Catholic institution with more than 4,000 students.The local population continues to report serious human rights violations committed against civilians and those who oppose the policies of the Pakistani government, considered repressive. The Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), an insurgent group active in the region, has carried out violent attacks. On March 11, it hijacked the Jaffar Express passenger train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with at least 380 people on board. The hijacking ended after the intervention of the Pakistani army. The province of Baluchistan has been involved in insurgencies and conflicts by Baloch separatists since 1948.An estimated 7 million Baloch people live in Pakistan, mainly in the province of Baluchis, although there are also significant communities in Sindh and Punjab. They represent about 3.6% of the national population. Baloch communities are also found in Iran and Afghanistan. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/5/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – The opening of new churches in China: a sign of perseverance on the path of faith

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    xinde.org

    Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The opening of new churches in the People’s Republic of China is a concrete sign of the perseverance of Chinese Catholic communities on the path of faith that continues under the varied circumstances of history. This is what the Chinese bishops, priests, and lay people are convinced of.”The 33-meter-high bell tower of the new church is like a sign that helps us to fix our gaze on the Kingdom of Heaven, and it also reminds us of the urgency of putting down firm Christian roots in the fertile soil of Chinese culture, in order to express our faith through the witness of Christian life,” said the Bishop of Hankou/Wuhan, Franciscan Father Francis Cui Qingqi, in his homily at the inauguration of the new Church of Christ the King in the city of Xiaogan, in the Chinese province of Hubei.The solemn inauguration liturgy, which took place on May 10, was attended by 32 priests as concelebrants and about 1,000 faithful from the local Catholic community. Representatives of the local authorities were also present at the Holy Mass. The new church complex includes a rectory and a parish center for pastoral activities. The church has an area of 525 square meters and can accommodate more than 500 worshippers. It is a “place of prayer and a source of grace,” according to the bishop. With its 33-meter-high bell tower, the church will also become a new landmark for the city and will soon be known throughout the province. Also on May 10, after celebrating the election of the new Pope Leo XIV, the small but proud parish of Guzhai in the Archdiocese of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, consecrated the new church, dedicated to Our Lady of China in preparation for the patronal feast on May 13. Bishop Paul Meng Ningyou reviewed the history of the small rural parish and praised the pastoral and missionary zeal of the priest and parishioners. “You have experienced opportunities and difficulties, which always go hand in hand. It is true that we are facing an aging community. But thanks to the communion and synodality of the parish, which also includes migrant workers, I have seen a blessed parish full of life,” said Bishop Paul, who described the lay people as the “driving force” of the parish and invited them to participate in leading prayer and managing parish activities. Finally, everyone prayed for the help of Jesus and the help of the Virgin Mary on the path of growth and witness to which the entire ecclesial community is called. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 15/5/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Morien Announces Results of Annual and Special Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Morien Resources Corp. (“Morien” or the “Company“) (TSX-V:MOX) is pleased to announce its shareholders voted in favour of all items of business brought before them at the Company’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (“AGM”) held in Halifax on May 14, 2025.

    Election of Directors

    The number of directors was set by the Board at four, with John Budreski, Dawson Brisco, Mary Ritchie, and Beau White re-elected to the Company’s Board for the ensuing year.

    Following the AGM, the Board confirmed the appointment of Morien’s executive officers, namely: Executive Chairman – John Budreski; President and Chief Executive Officer – Dawson Brisco; Chief Financial Officer – Susanne Willett; and Corporate Secretary – Suzan Frazer.

    Appointment of Auditor

    MNP LLP was re-appointed as the Company’s auditor to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until its successor is duly appointed, at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board.

    Approval of Stock Option Plan

    The shareholders also re-approved the Company’s 10% rolling incentive stock option plan in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”).

    Continuance of Shareholder Rights Plan

    Shareholders approved the reconfirmation and continuance of the Company’s shareholder rights plan (“Rights Plan”), originally approved by shareholders in 2019. Under the terms of the Rights Plan, shareholders must affirm the Rights Plan every three years. The purpose of the Rights Plan is to provide the Board and shareholders with sufficient time to properly consider any future take-over bids made for the Company. The Rights Plan will mitigate undue pressure on the Board and shareholders, allow time for competing bids and alternative proposals to emerge, and ensure that all shareholders will be treated fairly and equally in any potential take-over bid made for the Company. The Rights Plan was not adopted, nor reconfirmed, in response to any proposal to acquire control of the Company.

    About Morien

    Morien is a Nova Scotia based, mining development company created in 2012 to be a vehicle of direct prosperity for Nova Scotians, its largest shareholder group. Led by Nova Scotians, Morien’s primary assets are a royalty on the sale of coal from the Donkin Mine in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and a royalty on the sale of aggregate from the permitted Black Point Project, in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. Morien’s management team exercises ruthless discipline in managing both the assets and liabilities of the Company. The Company’s management and its Board of Directors consider shareholder returns to be paramount over corporate size, number or scale of assets and industry recognition. The Company has 51,292,000 issued and outstanding common shares and a fully diluted position of 53,992,000. Further information is available at www.MorienRes.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Some of the statements in this news release may constitute “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable securities laws. These statements reflect Morien’s current expectations of future revenues and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to Morien. Morien cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Morien currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Morien with the Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) from time to time. Morien cautions that its royalty revenue will be based on production by third party property owners and operators who will be responsible for determining the manner and timing for the properties forming part of Morien’s royalty portfolio. These third party owners and operators are also subject to risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted herein including: volatility in financial markets or general economic conditions; capital requirements and the need for additional financing; fluctuations in the rates of exchange for the currencies of Canada and the United States; prices for commodities including coal and aggregate; unanticipated changes in production, mineral reserves and mineral resources, metallurgical recoveries and/or exploration results; changes in regulations and unpredictable political or economic developments; loss of key personnel; labour disputes; and ineffective title to mineral claims or property. There are other business risks and hazards associated with mineral exploration, development and mining. Although Morien believes that the forward-looking information contained herein is based on reasonable assumptions (including assumptions relating to economic, market and political conditions, the Company’s working capital requirements and the accuracy of information supplied by the operators of the properties in which the Company has a royalty interest), readers cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with such statements. Morien expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All dollar values discussed herein are in Canadian dollars. Any financial outlook or future-oriented financial information in this news release, as defined by applicable securities laws, has been approved by management of Morien as of the date of this news release. Such financial outlook or future-oriented financial information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such outlook or information should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed in this news release.

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

    For more information, please contact:

    Dawson Brisco, President & CEO
    Phone: (902) 403-3149
    dbrisco@MorienRes.com
    or
    John P.A. Budreski, Executive Chairman
    Phone: (416) 930-0914
    www.MorienRes.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DTST Reports 2025 First Quarter Financial Results and Provides Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Strong Q1 2025 Performance Driven by 14% YoY Revenue Growth in Cloud Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Services
    • CloudFirst International Expansion Accelerated Through Strategic Partnership with Pulsant
    • Conference Call to be held today at 11:00 am ET

    MELVILLE, N.Y., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) (“DSC” and the “Company”), a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and IT automation, with direct connection to AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • Revenue was $8.1 million, driven by 14% year-over-year growth in Cloud Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery services
    • Gross profit totaled $2.86 million, maintaining consistent margin levels
    • Adjusted EBITDA* reached $497,000, reflecting operational discipline
    • Cash and marketable securities were $11.1 million, with no long term debt

    “We are pleased to report our first quarter results, which reflect both solid financial performance and strategic progress,” said Chuck Piluso, CEO of Data Storage Corporation. “Specifically, CloudFirst Technologies continues to operate profitably on a standalone basis and serves as a scalable, recurring revenue engine. To support our international strategy, we recently partnered with Pulsant, a leading U.K. edge data center provider, enabling us to extend our IBM Power-based cloud offerings across their national footprint. This collaboration positions us to serve regulated and enterprise clients more effectively throughout the U.K. and Europe.”

    “Furthermore, CloudFirst recently completed a major infrastructure upgrade for a long-time enterprise client in the food distribution sector. We migrated legacy systems to high-performance IBM processors, allowing for direct connections with leading providers including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud—enhancing scalability, security, and cost-efficiency. This contract is an example of how our expertise in delivering complex IT transformations sets us apart in the market and fosters strong client loyalty, with customers consistently returning to us as their trusted partner.”

    Chris Panagiotakos, CFO of Data Storage Corporation, added, “Financially, our core cloud infrastructure and disaster recovery services remain strong performers, evidenced by a 14% year-over-year revenue increase. Our total revenue had a modest decline due to reduced equipment sales, however this aligns with our strategic focus to continue to build a stable high-margin, recurring revenue client base. Our adjusted EBITDA reached $497,000 for the quarter, reflecting our ongoing commitment to operational efficiency and margin discipline. Backed by a strong balance sheet and a growing client base, we are well-positioned to scale our platform, expand our market presence, and create sustained long-term value.”

    Mr. Piluso added, “Overall, we remain focused on growing our high-margin, recurring cloud revenue base, expanding our global partner ecosystem, and delivering the modernization, compliance, and resilience our clients require. These priorities reflect our long-term vision to build a scalable, differentiated platform in the enterprise multi-cloud space.”

    Conference Call

    The Company will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 15, 2025, to discuss the Company’s progress and the financial results for the first quarter of 2025, which ended March 31, 2025.

    The conference call will be available via telephone by dialing toll-free 877-407-9219 for U.S. callers or for international callers +1-412-652-1274. A webcast of the call may be accessed at  DSC Q1 2025 Earnings Call or on the Company’s News & Events section of the website,  www.dtst.com/news-events.

    A webcast replay of the call will be available on the Company’s website (www.dtst.com/news-events) through November 15, 2025. A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately three hours following the call, through May 22, 2025, and can be accessed by dialing 877-660-6853 for U.S. callers or + 1-201-612-7415 for international callers and entering conference ID: 13753165. 

    About Data Storage Corporation
    Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) through its subsidiaries is a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, fully managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, IT automation, and voice & data solutions.

    Recognizing that data migration is a critical step in transitioning from on-premises systems to the cloud, DSC provides comprehensive migration services to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient data transfer, minimizing downtime and optimizing performance.

    Built on IBM Power servers, DTST’s subsidiary owns their cloud platform manages the platform with the Company’s 24×7 technical team. The Company delivers high-performance, scalable, and secure cloud solutions with interoperability across its infrastructure partners, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

    With data centers supporting its CloudFirst platform deployments across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, DSC provides mission-critical solutions to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations.

    As a leader in the multi-billion-dollar cloud hosting and business continuity market, DTST is recognized for its expertise in cloud infrastructure, IT modernization, and data migration, enabling clients to transition to their cloud infrastructure with confidence and operational continuity.

    For more information, please visit www.dtst.com or follow us on X @DataStorageCorp.

    *Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered as a substitute for GAAP. Please refer to the Company’s financial disclosures at the end of this press release for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

    Safe Harbor Provision

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and include statements regarding CloudFirst Technologies continuing to operate profitably on a standalone basis and serving as a scalable, recurring revenue engine; the collaboration with Pulsant positioning the Company to serve regulated and enterprise clients more effectively throughout the U.K. and Europe; and being well-positioned to scale the Company’s platform, expand its market presence, and create sustained long-term value; the Company building a scalable, differentiated platform in the enterprise cloud space; and the opportunities ahead and the potential to drive continued growth and success. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include CloudFirst Technologies’ ability to continue to operate profitably; the Company’s ability to grow its presence in the U.K and Europe, the Company ability to create sustained long-term value and drive continued growth and success. These risks should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was initially made. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Crescendo Communications, LLC
    212-671-1020
    DTST@crescendo-ir.com

    DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
             
        March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS                
    Current Assets:                
    Cash   $ 705,557     $ 1,070,097  
    Accounts receivable (less allowance for credit losses of
    $17,121 and $31,472 as of March 31, 2025, and December
    31, 2024, respectively)    		     5,413,282       2,225,458  
    Marketable securities     10,406,912       11,261,006  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     858,490       859,502  
    Total Current Assets     17,384,241       15,416,063  
                     
    Property and Equipment:                
    Property and equipment     9,684,825       9,598,963  
    Less—Accumulated depreciation     (6,456,000 )     (6,159,307 )
    Net Property and Equipment     3,228,825       3,439,656  
                     
    Other Assets:                
     Goodwill     4,238,671       4,238,671  
     Operating lease right-of-use assets     550,653       575,380  
     Other assets     168,120       183,439  
     Intangible assets, net     1,360,220       1,427,006  
    Total Other Assets     6,317,664       6,424,496  
                     
    Total Assets   $ 26,930,730     $ 25,280,215  
                     
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                
    Current Liabilities:                
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 4,550,524     $ 3,183,379  
    Deferred revenue     290,827       212,390  
    Finance leases payable     —       17,641  
    Finance leases payable related party     —       33,879  
    Operating lease liabilities short term     102,246       98,860  
    Total Current Liabilities     4,943,597       3,546,149  
                     
    Operating lease liabilities     496,691       523,070  
    Deferred Tax Liability     39,031       39,031  
    Total Long-Term Liabilities     535,722       562,101  
                     
    Total Liabilities     5,479,319       4,108,250  
                     
    Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)                
                     
    Stockholders’ Equity:                
    Preferred stock, par value $.001; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,401,786 designated as Series A Preferred Stock, par value $.001; 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31,2025 and December 31, 2024     —       —  
    Common stock, par value $.001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 7,123,227 and 7,045,108 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively     7,123       7,045  
    Additional paid in capital     40,644,000       40,417,813  
    Accumulated deficit     (18,958,511 )     (18,982,589 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     3,579       (23,214 )
    Total Data Storage Corporation Stockholders’ Equity     21,696,191       21,419,055  
    Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary     (244,780 )     (247,090 )
    Total Stockholders’ Equity     21,451,411       21,171,965  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   $ 26,930,730     $ 25,280,215  
    DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (UNAUDITED)
        Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025   2024
             
    Sales   $ 8,083,756     $ 8,235,747  
                     
    Cost of sales     5,223,860       5,269,275  
                     
    Gross Profit     2,859,896       2,966,472  
                     
    Selling, general and administrative     2,952,405       2,752,677  
                     
    Income (loss) from Operations     (92,509 )     213,795  
                     
    Other Income (Expense)                
    Interest income     120,906       143,369  
    Interest expense     (2,009 )     (11,260 )
    Total Other Income     118,897       132,109  
                     
    Income before provision for income taxes     26,388       345,904  
                     
    Provision for income taxes     —       —  
                     
    Net Income     26,388       345,904  
                     
    Gain (loss) in Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary     (2,310 )     11,198  
                     
    Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders   $ 24,078     $ 357,102  
                     
    Earnings per Share – Basic   $ —     $ 0.05  
    Earnings per Share – Diluted   $ —     $ 0.05  
    Weighted Average Number of Shares – Basic     7,077,913       7,090,389  
    Weighted Average Number of Shares – Diluted     7,405,672       7,259,472  
    DATA STORAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (UNAUDITED)
             
        Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025   2024
    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:                
    Net income   $ 26,388     $ 345,904  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:                
    Depreciation and amortization     363,379       295,198  
    Stock based compensation     226,265       171,325  
    Change in expected credit losses     (6,995 )     —  
                     
    Changes in Assets and Liabilities:                
    Accounts receivable     (3,180,822 )     (3,177,694 )
    Other assets     15,319       —  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     2,936       (153,782 )
    Right of use asset     24,727       26,821  
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses     1,373,552       2,226,932  
    Deferred revenue     78,437       (26,078 )
    Operating lease liability     (22,993 )     (27,250 )
    Net Cash Used in Operating Activities     (1,099,807 )     (318,624 )
    Cash Flows from Investing Activities:                
    Capital expenditures     (67,519 )     (358,637 )
    Purchase of marketable securities     (120,906 )     (143,369 )
    Sale of marketable securities     975,000       200,000  
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities     786,575       (302,006 )
    Cash Flows from Financing Activities:                
    Repayments of finance lease obligations related party     (33,879 )     (66,280 )
    Repayments of finance lease obligations     (17,641 )     (101,078 )
    Net Cash Used in Financing Activities     (51,520 )     (167,358 )
                     
    Effect of exchange rates on cash     212       —  
                     
    Net decrease in Cash     (364,540 )     (787,988 )
                     
    Cash, Beginning of Period     1,070,097       1,428,730  
                     
    Cash, End of Period   $ 705,557     $ 640,742  
    Supplemental Disclosures:                
    Cash paid for interest   $ 489     $ 8,855  
    Cash paid for income taxes   $ —     $ —  
    Non-cash investing and financing activities:                

    The following table shows the Company’s reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA for the months ended March 31, 2025, and 2024:

    For the three months ended March 31, 2025
                         
        CloudFirst
    Technologies    		   CloudFirst
    Europe Ltd.    		   Nexxis Inc.   Corporate   Total
                         
    Net income (loss)   $ 1,077,591     $ (455,971 )   $ (7,243 )   $ (587,989 )   $ 26,388  
                                             
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                                        
    Depreciation and amortization     333,615       29,235       209       320       363,379  
                                             
    Interest income     —       —       —       (120,906 )     (120,906 )
    Interest expense     2,009       —       —       —       2,009  
    Provision for income tax     —       —       —       —       —  
    Stock-based compensation     89,665       —       6,429       130,171       226,265  
                                             
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,502,880     $ (426,736 )   $ (605 )   $ (578,404 )   $ 497,135  
    For the three months ended March 31, 2024
                         
        CloudFirst
    Technologies    		   CloudFirst
    Europe Ltd.    		   Nexxis Inc.   Corporate   Total
                         
    Net income   $ 914,372     $ —     $ (62,941 )   $ (505,527 )   $ 345,904  
                                             
    Non-GAAP adjustments:                                        
    Depreciation and amortization     294,793       —       211       194       295,198  
    Interest income     —       —       —       (143,369 )     (143,369 )
    Interest expense     11,260       —       —       —       11,260  
    Stock-based compensation     52,969       —       6,671       111,685       171,235  
                                             
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,273,394     $ —     $ (56,059 )   $ (537,017 )   $ 680,318  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: North America Drone Market Size Expected Reach $31 Billion By 2034 as Revenue Opportunities Jump

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The Drones-As-A Service market is expected to continue substantial growth in the coming years. The adoption of advanced technologies in drones, such as thermal imaging, gas detection, and loudspeakers, is increasing, particularly in public safety and emergency response. Drones equipped with these technologies are used extensively by fire departments, search and rescue teams, and law enforcement to manage disasters and enhance surveillance​. The primary reasons for the adoption of these technologies include the need for enhanced operational efficiency and safety in executing complex tasks such as infrastructure inspections, disaster management, and agricultural monitoring. The ability of drones to provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data is invaluable in these contexts, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation​. A report from Market.us projected that the North America Drone Market size is expected to be worth around USD 31,062.9 Million By 2034, from USD 11,445.1 Million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.The U.S. Drone market was estimated at USD 10,869.4 Million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2034. The report said: “The primary reasons for the adoption of these technologies include the need for enhanced operational efficiency and safety in executing complex tasks such as infrastructure inspections, disaster management, and agricultural monitoring. The ability of drones to provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data is invaluable in these contexts, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation​.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV).

    The Market.us report continued: “The North America drone market is characterized by a significant presence of small and medium-sized enterprises, with a considerable portion being small drone companies. This market is seeing growth in diversity with the entry of major tech companies like Alphabet and Intel. The integration of cutting-edge technologies by companies such as DJI, which recently introduced a LiDAR system for professional surveying, exemplifies the ongoing innovation within this sector. Several key drivers are propelling the North America drone market. Regulatory developments have played a crucial role, especially with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updating rules to allow more extensive commercial drone operations, including beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights​. Additionally, technological advancements in drone hardware and software are enhancing their capabilities, making them more appealing for commercial applications​.” It concluded: “The US Drone Market is valued at approximately USD 10,869 Million in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 11,999 Million in 2025 to approximately USD 29,233.5 Million by 2034, projected at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2025 to 2034. The presence of supportive government policies and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations has facilitated controlled commercial drone operations, especially in areas such as logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection. Moreover, consistent investment by the U.S. Department of Defense in military drones has further strengthened the market.”

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Reports Nearly Double Revenue Year-Over-Year for the First Quarter of 2025 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces financial results for the first quarter 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights:

    • Total revenues for the first quarter of 2025 were $1.13 million, up 92% compared to $591,379 for the first quarter of 2024 primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth.
    • ZenaTech’s new Drone as a Service or DaaS segment grew from completing two acquisitions of land survey drone servicing companies ─ Oregon-based Weddle Surveying and Florida-based KJM Land Surveying. The Company also signed five LOIs (Letter of Intent) for additional acquisitions during the quarter.
    • The company acquired Othership, a UK workplace management software company supporting its enterprise SaaS software segment, where it plans to leverage workplace AI and quantum computing productivity solutions targeting business and government customers.
    • The company made investments in longer term growth and in new segment development that caused general and administrative expenses to increase to $5.75 million in Q1 2025 versus about $0.7 million in Q1 of 2024. This primarily consisted of sales and marketing activities, new hires, professional services, and finance expenses.
    • ZenaTech made investments in its subsidiary ZenaDrone’s UAE manufacturing capabilities during the quarter, including hiring 35 new engineers and technicians. Also announced was the opening of a drone testing facility in Turkey for beyond-the-line-of-sight drone testing.
    • Drone product highlights in Q1 include finalizing the third-generation design and “production model” of the ZenaDrone 1000 drone that will enable the start of scaling up of production. The company also announced the IQ Square drone has moved from prototype to manufacturing stage.
    • The commence of work on a heavy-lift gas-powered ZD 1000 model for longer fight times for US defense applications took place during the quarter. Testing also commenced on a new high-density drone battery and a proprietary communications system for this drone.
    • The company reported that ZenaDrone is preparing for Green UAS followed by Blue UAS certification required to sell to the US Military. Additionally, it is reviewing and putting in place cybersecurity practices, documentation, and internal controls necessary to apply for this certification.
    • ZenaTech further expanded its Taiwan drone component manufacturer─ Spider Vision Sensors, adding additional engineering and business development staff. It also announced the first Blue UAS-certifiable drone sensors are under development.

    “The first quarter of 2025 was a very strong and encouraging start to the year as revenue nearly doubled, up 92% primarily due to acquisitions and organic growth across both our software and drone segments,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “During the first quarter we launched our Drone as a Service or DaaS business segment with a vision to have a national footprint in the US and globally.”

    “Although expenses increased during the first quarter, these are investments intended to grow the company over the long-term, namely in marketing, manufacturing, product development and testing capacity, which we believe will yield future rewards.

    “We believe that this quarter’s performance demonstrates that our strategy to disrupt legacy businesses like land surveys via a DaaS business model is on track. Our momentum is strong, and we are well positioned to expand our range of drone services with a pipeline of over 20 acquisitions over the next 12 months,” concluded Dr. Passley.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    In Additional ZENA News: ZenaTech’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) Expands Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) Exterior Building Power Washing to Dubai Tapping into a Global Drone Cleaning Services Market Growing to USD 13 Billion by 2030 – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announced it is expanding its United Arab Emirates (UAE) presence by establishing a new office to sell Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) offerings based in Dubai. Initially this office will focus on delivering drone-powered cleaning services for building exteriors using the IQ Square drone tethered to a water pipe and electrical cord. The company is currently obtaining a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to begin power wash testing and operations. Supporting this expansion, ZenaTech will hire two business development managers and up to four additional drone pilots, with drones supplied from its subsidiary ZenaDrone which has a manufacturing hub in nearby Sharjah.

    The global drone power washing market falls under a broader drone cleaning services market category that was valued at approximately USD 4.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 13.2 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 17% according to market analyst Valuates Reports , fueled by increasing demand for safe, efficient and cost-effective maintenance solutions.

    “With rising demand for tech-enabled and efficient maintenance solutions, whether for power washing buildings, renewable energy assets, or public spaces, we believe AI-powered drones will bring new safety standards, cost-efficiency, and greater environmental sustainability to maintenance tasks. UAE’s openness to innovative technology makes it an ideal launchpad for these DaaS solutions that we hope to expand to all seven emirates in addition to the US and Europe,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.zenatech.com/newsroom/

    Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 and provides a corporate update.

    Recent Operational Highlights:

    • Announced the expansion of our multi-domain Family of Systems with a new line of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). This strategic move marks Red Cat’s official entry into the rapidly evolving maritime autonomy market and reinforces its position as a provider of comprehensive, interoperable unmanned systems for air, land, and sea operations.
    • Expanded our Red Cat Futures Industry Consortium to include Palantir and Palladyne to boost AI capabilities in contested environments, including visual navigation.
    • Introducing Black Widow™ and Edge 130 drones to the Latin American market at LAAD 2025 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in April 2025.
    • Introduced our Black Widow™ short-range reconnaissance drone and Edge 130 Tricopter to the Middle East market at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb 17-21, 2025.
    • Introduced Black Widow™ to the Asia Pacific Market at the AISSE conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia in January 2025.
    • Announced that the Black Widow drone and FlightWave Edge 130 were included on the list of 23 platforms and 14 unique components and capabilities selected as winners of the Blue UAS Refresh. The platforms will undergo National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) verification and cyber security review with the ultimate goal of joining the Blue UAS List.
    • Partnered with Palantir to deploy Warp Speed, Palantir’s manufacturing OS. This collaboration will transform our supply and manufacturing operations with Palantir’s AI enabled monitoring, process flow enhancement and comprehensive data analysis. Palantir’s Warp Speed will optimize Red Cat’s production and streamline its supply chain, change management, and quality assurance, ultimately reducing costs and improving margins.

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, recently announced the sale of 20 high-performance RedEdge-P cameras to Wingtra, a global leader in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone surveying technology.

    This transaction strengthens the partnership between AgEagle and Wingtra, combining AgEagle’s advanced camera technology with Wingtra’s innovative drone platforms to deliver unparalleled aerial mapping and surveying solutions. The cameras are designed for precision agriculture and environmental monitoring, water management, and geospatial applications, and support Wingtra’s ability to provide high-quality data collection for its customers worldwide.

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, recently announced its first quarter financial results. Key Financial and Operational Highlights for Q1 2025:

    • Revenue for the first quarter of 2025 was $1,547,715 which represents a 16% year over year increase. Product sales of $1,541,811 were up 24.5% over the same period last year.  
    • Gross profit for Q1 2025 was $310,088 up 10.7% from $280,011 for the same period last year. Gross margin percentage for Q1 2025 was 20.0% compared to 21.1% in Q1 2024. Gross profit would have been $271,422 and gross margin would have been 17.5%, not including a one-time non-cash recovery of a write down of inventory of $38,666. The decrease is due to the sales mix of the products sold.  
    • The comprehensive loss for the period of $3,433,712 includes non-cash changes comprised of a positive change in fair value derivative of $157,830, a recovery of a write down of inventory of $38,666, and an impairment gain on notes receivable of $25,951 and would otherwise be a comprehensive loss of $3,656,159 vs an adjusted comprehensive loss of $3,559,976 for the same period last year. Contributors to the slight year-over-year increase are increased research and development, office and miscellaneous, professional fees, share based payments, and wages offset by change in derivative liability.

    AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced a new contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) to modernize the Netherlands’ Puma™ UAS fleet with expanded capabilities for enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness.

    Under the contract, the Dutch MoD is modernizing its Puma 3 AE UAS fleet with advanced capabilities that empower forces to carry out mission-critical operations autonomously and securely—even in GPS-denied and contested environments. Upgrades will boost survivability, strengthen communications and add the option for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) to maximize operational agility. Deliveries are underway, with the upgraded systems set for rapid deployment at the squad and platoon levels.

    Additionally, the Netherlands is expanding its UAS portfolio with the acquisition of Puma LE, which delivers extended endurance and range. Both Puma 3 AE and Puma LE provide scalable ISR capabilities for tactical formations and civilian missions.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FMQs: Government action needed to regain trust of LGBTQ+ community

    Source: Scottish Greens

    15 May 2025 Equality

    We stand with the LGBTQ+ community: today, tomorrow and always.

    More in Equality

    Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP called on the First Minister to take action to restore the LGBTQ+ community’s trust in politicians.

    Just this week, Pride event organisers in Glasgow and across parts of England made the decision to suspend all political parties from attending, due to a lack of action and comment on the Supreme Court’s decisions that impact the trans community.

    Mr Harvie asked the First Minister:

    “This week it was announced by Glasgow Pride, in line with major pride events in England, that political parties are no longer welcome to participate. This is something that never even happened in the worst days of political homophobia in the 80s and 90s. 

    “And it’s a direct result of political attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, especially transphobia.

    “Does the First Minister acknowledge that the political landscape as a whole has betrayed the trust of our community? Does he understand that there are Scottish Government employees currently living in fear that their workplaces will be subject to segregation policies, as has already happened in Parliament? 

    “And what does the First Minister intend to do to begin restoring the trust that has been lost?”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi, DeSaulnier Lead Letter to Reinstate $19 million in Contra Costa Federal Funding Cut by Trump’s EPA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to immediately reverse its termination of the $19.1 million Community Change Grant awarded to Contra Costa County for its North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative. In a letter to the EPA, the lawmakers detailed serious violations of federal appropriations law, federal court injunctions, and expressed concerns over the Agency’s lack of transparency throughout the termination process.

    This funding came from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Community Change Grants Program—the largest national investment in environmental and climate justice—and was allocated directly into the community for the North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative. The project aimed to build a resiliency center for emergencies and natural disasters, and to plant 65 trees along the Verde Elementary schoolyard to shield students from pollution caused by a new distribution center.

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “Given the grave nature of these flagrant violations of federal appropriations law, federal court orders, and EPA’s contract with Contra Costa County, we expect that EPA will fully and quickly reinstate Contra Costa County’s Community Change Grant. In addition, we request your immediate attention regarding EPA’s lack of transparency and communication with Contra Costa County.”

    “The EPA’s decision to revoke critical funding for North Richmond’s environmental resilience without lawful justification or proper notice is a serious violation of Congress’s constitutional spending authority and federal law,” said Congressman Garamendi. “This funding was not a suggestion. Congress mandated that these funds be delivered to frontline communities like North Richmond, which continue to suffer the health impacts of extreme pollution. EPA’s actions are not only unlawful, but they endanger the health and future of some of our nation’s most vulnerable residents.”

    “The people of North Richmond deserve better. They deserve clean air, safe communities, and a government that honors its commitments. EPA must immediately reinstate this grant, comply with the law, and provide a full accounting of how such an egregious lapse in transparency occurred,” continued Garamendi. “We will not stand by as legally appropriated funds are withheld from communities who need them most.”

    “The Trump Administration’s cancellation of congressionally appropriated funds, like grant funding for a project in Contra Costa County, is illegal, unconstitutional, and harmful to our communities,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am proud to stand with Congressman Garamendi to demand that it be fully reinstated in order to protect the health and safety of the community.”

    “The EPA’s illegal cancellation of a $19 million grant for North Richmond robs the community of the benefits it would receive from these resources. This grant would improve the health, well-being and quality of life for the residents of one of the Bay Area’s lowest-income communities which is severely impacted by industrial air pollution,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who represents North Richmond.

    The full text of the letter can be found here and below. 

    The Honorable Lee M. Zeldin  

    Administrator  

    Environmental Protection Agency  

    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW  

    Washington, DC 20460  

    Dear Administrator Zeldin:  

    We write concerning the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) apparent cancellation of the $19.1 million Community Change Grant awarded to Contra Costa County for its North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative. We believe this termination blatantly violates federal appropriations law, recent federal court injunctions, and EPA’s contract with Contra Costa County. In addition, by failing to provide a written notice of termination to Contra Costa County detailing the reasons for termination, EPA has flouted the Code of Federal Regulations. We expect that you will immediately rescind the grant termination and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the lack of transparency in EPA’s termination process.  

    The North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative is one of 105 selected applications for the Community Change Grants Program, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L.117-169). Through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Congress issued a statutory mandate that the appropriated funds be distributed to communities with industrial facilities for the purpose of reducing air pollution. By terminating awarded Community Change Grant funding and failing to disburse these Congressionally appropriated funds, EPA is in clear violation of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L.93-344) and Congress’s spending authority as outlined in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution. In addition, multiple federal district courts have enjoined the Trump Administration, and specifically EPA, from canceling Congressionally appropriated funds. If EPA continues to proceed with the termination of federal funds, the Agency will be acting in contempt of court orders.  

    In addition to these violations of federal appropriations law and federal court injunctions, the cancellation of Contra Costa County’s grant breaches EPA’s own contract with Contra Costa County. An April 2, 2025, email from EPA’s Office of Congressional Affairs to the Office of Congressman John Garamendi states, “The agency determined that this application no longer supports Administration priorities and the award has been cancelled. We have already conveyed this information to the grantee.” Yet, Contra Costa County’s grant agreement with EPA, signed on January 6th, 2025, does not include a clause allowing termination on the grounds of a change in administration priorities. The EPA General Terms and Conditions applicable to Contra Costa County’s contract clearly state that termination can only occur:  

    If the recipient or subrecipient fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the award, including statutory or regulatory requirements;  

    With the consent of the recipient when both the recipient and the EPA agree upon the termination conditions, which include the effective date and, in the case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated;  

    If a recipient sends the EPA a written notification of the reasons for such termination, the effective date, and in the case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated;  

    Pursuant to the programmatic terms and conditions specified in the Federal award.  

    EPA’s cited reasoning for cancelling Contra Costa County’s grant does not align with any of the termination conditions outlined above. Thus, EPA is in breach of their contract with Contra Costa County.  

    Concerningly, Contra Costa County reports that the EPA did not provide them with a notice of termination for their grant prior to freezing their funding. This is a clear violation of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR 200.341), which requires Federal agencies to provide grant recipients with a written notice of termination, including a detailed justification for the reasons for termination. The Administration has repeatedly stated it is the “most transparent administration in history,” yet EPA failed to complete the most rudimentary notification of grant termination. EPA’s lack of communication with Contra Costa County is deeply alarming and provides further evidence of a greater culture of deliberate obscurity by EPA.  

    North Richmond is an unincorporated area of Contra Costa County, situated along the Bay Area’s “refinery corridor.” This community faces extreme air pollution exposure due to refining activity, port operations, freight traffic, a chemical plant and various industry and on-road emissions. Without prompt action, North Richmond will continue experiencing significant public health risks and environmental degradation. The North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative was intended to address this rising threat by reducing public exposure to harmful pollutants, improving air quality, increasing energy efficiency, and advancing emergency preparedness. Now, with the status of $19.1 million in federal funding for the Initiative in question, it is unclear whether there is a viable path forward for the Initiative.  

    Given the grave nature of these seemingly flagrant violations of federal appropriations law, federal court orders, and EPA’s contract with Contra Costa County, we expect that EPA will fully and quickly reinstate Contra Costa County’s Community Change Grant. In addition, we request your immediate attention regarding EPA’s lack of transparency and communication with Contra Costa County. Thank you for your consideration, we await your timely response.  

    ### 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Garamendi, Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Young, Rep. Trent Kelly Introduce SHIPS for America Act to Boost American Shipbuilding, Strengthen US Economy and National Security

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON D.C – Today, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) re-introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.

    There are currently 80 U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce while China has 5,500. The SHIPS for America Act aims to close this gap and boost the U.S. Merchant Marine by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S. maritime policy, making U.S.-flagged vessels commercially competitive in international commerce by cutting red tape, rebuilding the U.S. shipyard industrial base, and expanding and strengthening mariner and shipyard worker recruitment, training, and retention.  

    “With China’s growing influence in the global maritime sector, the United States can no longer afford to overlook our maritime industries. The SHIPS for America Act will give our shipyards and merchant mariners the tools they need to rebuild America’s maritime industry and create good-paying American jobs,” said Congressman John Garamendi. “I’m proud to lead this effort alongside Senator Kelly, Senator Young, and Representative Kelly to strengthen America’s national security, economic strength, and global leadership on the high seas.” 

    “After decades of dangerously neglecting our shipbuilding industry, we’re finally doing something about it. The SHIPS for America Act is the most ambitious effort in a generation to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries and counter China’s dominance over the oceans,” said Senator Kelly, a U.S. Navy veteran and the first U.S Merchant Marine Academy graduate to serve in Congress. “Building and staffing more U.S.-flagged ships will create good-paying American jobs, make our supply chains more resilient, lower costs, and strengthen our ability to resupply our military at times of war. We’ll keep working with our colleagues in Congress, this administration, and our partners in the industry to make our country safer and competitive by passing the SHIPS for America Act.”  

    “America has been a maritime nation since our founding, and seapower was a significant contributor to our rise to being the most powerful nation on earth. Unfortunately, the bottom line now is America needs more ships. Shipbuilding is a national security priority and a stopgap against foreign threats and coercion. Our bill will revitalize the U.S. maritime industry, grow our shipbuilding capacity, rebuild America’s shipyard industrial base, and support nationwide workforce development in this industry. This legislation is critical to our warfighting capabilities and keeping pace with China,” said Senator Young, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate.  

    The SHIPS for America Act would:    

    • Coordinate U.S. maritime policy by establishing the position of Maritime Security Advisor within the White House, who would lead an interagency Maritime Security Board tasked with making whole-of-government strategic decisions for how to implement a National Maritime Strategy. The bill also establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund that would reinvest duties and fees paid by the maritime industry into maritime security programs and infrastructure supporting maritime commerce.    

    • Establish a national goal of expanding the U.S.-flag international fleet by 250 ships in 10 years by creating the Strategic Commercial Fleet Program, which would facilitate the development of a fleet of commercially operated, U.S.-flagged, American crewed, and domestically built merchant vessels that can operate competitively in international commerce.  

    • Enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce by establishing a Rulemaking Committee on Commercial Maritime Regulations and Standards to cut through the U.S. Coast Guard’s bureaucracy and red tape that limits the international competitiveness of U.S.-flagged vessels, modify duties to make cargo on U.S.-flag vessel’s more competitive, requiring that government-funded cargo move aboard U.S.-flag vessels, and requiring a portion of commercial goods imported from China to move aboard U.S.-flag vessels starting in 2030.  

    • Expand the U.S. shipyard industrial base, for both military and commercial oceangoing vessels, by establishing a 25 percent investment tax credit for shipyard investments, transforming the Title XI Federal Ship Financing Program into a revolving fund, and establishing a Shipbuilding Financial Incentives program to support innovative approaches to domestic ship building and ship repair.    

    • Accelerate U.S. leadership in next-generation ship design, manufacturing processes, and ship energy systems by establishing the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation and supporting regional hubs for maritime innovation across the country by establishing a Maritime Prosperity Zone program.    

    • Make historic investments in maritime workforce by supporting a Maritime Workforce Promotion and Recruitment Campaign, allowing mariners to retain their credentials through a newly established Merchant Marine Career Retention Program, investing in long-overdue infrastructure needs for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and supporting State Maritime Academies and Centers for Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. The bill also makes long-overdue changes to streamline and modernize the U.S. Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credentialing system.    

    The legislation will be introduced in two pieces in the Senate, the SHIPS for America Act and the Building SHIPS in America Act.  

    Background:  

    Since introducing the SHIPS for America Act in December, the urgency to boost American shipbuilding has emerged as a priority of bipartisan consensus this year, particularly after the USTR revealed its findings regarding China’s shipbuilding dominance and President Trump’s signing of his shipbuilding executive order.  

    Sen. Kelly earned his B.S. degree in marine engineering and nautical science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and later an M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate School. He spent 25 years in the United States Navy as a pilot and is the first ever USMMA alumnus to serve in Congress. In 2023, he was elected chair of the USMMA Board of Visitors for the 118th Congress.  

    See a full list of endorsing statements from maritime leaders and stakeholders here.  

    ### 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Depot Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Q1 Revenue up 19% Year-Over-Year to $164.2 Million

    Q1 Net Income up Significantly to $12.2 Million Compared to a Net Loss of $4.2 Million in the Prior Year Quarter

    Q1 Adjusted Gross Profit up 92% Year-Over-Year to $33.1 Million

    Q1 Adjusted EBITDA up 315% Year-Over-Year to $20.3 Million

    Q1 Cash from Operations of $16.3 Million

    ATLANTA, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Depot Inc. (Nasdaq: BTM) (“Bitcoin Depot” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based Bitcoin ATM operator and leading fintech company, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Bitcoin Depot will host a conference call and webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET today. An earnings presentation and link to the webcast will be made available at ir.bitcoindepot.com.

    “Bitcoin Depot delivered a remarkable first quarter, with 19% year-over-year revenue growth and a more than threefold increase in Adjusted EBITDA to $20 million,” said Brandon Mintz, Founder and CEO of Bitcoin Depot. “This performance demonstrates the strength of our operating model, the success of our kiosk optimization strategy, and the powerful cash flow we can generate once fixed costs are covered. In fact, with the cash generated in Q1, we strengthened our balance sheet by increasing our bitcoin holdings and building our cash balance, positioning us for continued growth and flexibility. Looking ahead, we remain focused on scaling responsibly, both domestically and internationally, while delivering sustained value to both our customers and shareholders.”

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Revenue in the first quarter of 2025 increased 19% to $164.2 million compared to $138.5 million in the first quarter of 2024. This increase was driven by increased kiosk deployment and higher median transaction size. 

    Total operating expenses declined 7% to $15.3 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to $16.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 due to lower depreciation expense and insurance costs as the Company continues to optimize its cost structure as a steady-state public company.

    Net income for the first quarter of 2025 increased significantly to $12.2 million, compared to a net loss of $4.2 million for the first quarter of 2024. Net income attributable to common shareholders increased to $4.2 million, or $0.20 per share, from a net loss of $1.5 million, or ($0.25) per share, in last year’s first quarter. The increase was due to higher revenue and gross profit in 2025.

    Adjusted gross profit, a non-GAAP measure, in the first quarter of 2025 increased 92% to $33.1 million from $17.3 million for the first quarter of 2024. Adjusted gross profit margin, a non-GAAP measure, in the first quarter of 2025 increased approximately 770 basis points to 20.2% compared to 12.5% in the first quarter of 2024. Please see “Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

    Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, in the first quarter of 2025 increased 315% to $20.3 million compared to $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to the higher revenue and gross profit. Please see “Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

    Cash, cash equivalents, and cryptocurrencies as of March 31, 2025, were $43.3 million compared to $31.0 million at the end of 2024. The company used $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2025 to acquire 83 more Bitcoin, bringing the total held for investment to 94.35 BTC.

    Net cash flows provided by operations in the first quarter of 2025 were up significantly to $16.3 million compared to $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2024.

    Outlook

    The Company expects revenue in the second quarter of 2025 to grow low-to-mid-single digits on a percentage basis from the second quarter of 2024.

    Conference Call

    Bitcoin Depot will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (7:00 a.m. Pacific time) today to discuss its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Call Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025 
    Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (7:00 a.m. Pacific time) 

    Phone Instructions
    U.S. and Canada (toll-free): 888-596-4144
    U.S. (toll): 646-968-2525
    Conference ID: 4520708

    Webcast Instructions
    Webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/akdxpm7o

    A replay of the call will be available beginning after 2:00 p.m. Eastern time through May 22, 2025.

    U.S. & Canada (toll-free) replay number: 800-770-2030
    U.S. toll number: 609-800-9909
    Conference ID: 4520708

    If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Bitcoin Depot’s investor relations team at 1-949-574-3860.

    About Bitcoin Depot

    Bitcoin Depot Inc. (Nasdaq: BTM) was founded in 2016 with the mission to connect those who prefer to use cash to the broader, digital financial system. Bitcoin Depot provides its users with simple, efficient and intuitive means of converting cash into Bitcoin, which users can deploy in the payments, spending and investing space. Users can convert cash to bitcoin at Bitcoin Depot kiosks in 48 states and at thousands of name-brand retail locations in 29 states through its BDCheckout product. The Company has the largest market share in North America with over 8,400 kiosk locations as of February 25, 2025.  Learn more at www.bitcoindepot.com. 

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release and any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of plans, business strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance, including our growth strategy and ability to increase deployment of our products and services, our ability to strengthen our financial profile, and worldwide growth in the adoption and use of cryptocurrencies. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,” “appears,” “approximately,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “designed,” “effect,” “estimate,” “evaluate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “initiative,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,“ ”plan,“ ”potential,“ ”priorities,“ ”project,“ ”pursue,“ ”seek,“ ”should,“ ”target,“ ”when,“ ”will,“ ”would,” or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In making these statements, we rely upon assumptions and analysis based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control.

    These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination; risks relating to the uncertainty of our projected financial information; future global, regional or local economic and market conditions; the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations; our ability to manage future growth; our ability to develop new products and services, bring them to market in a timely manner and make enhancements to our platform; the effects of competition on our future business; our ability to issue equity or equity-linked securities; the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; and those factors described or referenced in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our assessments to change.

    We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where we are expressly required to do so by law. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

       
    BITCOIN DEPOT INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
    (UNAUDITED)    		  
       
      Three Months Ended March 31,  
      2025     2024  
    Revenue $ 164,226     $ 138,539  
    Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)   131,091       121,287  
    Operating expenses:          
    Selling, general, and administrative   13,440       13,606  
    Depreciation and amortization   1,897       2,947  
    Total operating expenses   15,337       16,553  
    Income from operations   17,798       699  
    Other (expense) income:          
    Interest (expense)   (3,068 )     (4,944 )
    Other income (expense)   (1,090 )     6  
    Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions   (13 )     (127 )
    Income (Loss) before provision for income taxes and non-controlling interest   13,627       (4,366 )
    Income tax (expense) benefit   (1,452 )     138  
    Net income (loss) $ 12,175     $ (4,228 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest   7,983       (2,690 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 4,192     $ (1,538 )
               
    Net income per share of common stock – basic and diluted $ 0.20     $ (0.25 )
               
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   21,359,864       16,616,864  
       
    BITCOIN DEPOT INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)    		  
       
                 
        March 31, 2025
    (unaudited)    		     December 31,
    2024    		  
    Assets            
    Current:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 34,962     $ 29,472  
    Cryptocurrencies     8,384       1,510  
    Accounts receivable     147       275  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     2,111       3,076  
    Total current assets     45,604       34,333  
    Property and equipment:            
    Furniture and fixtures     635       635  
    Leasehold improvements     172       172  
    Kiosk machines – owned     37,854       36,831  
    Kiosk machines – leased     8,954       10,367  
    Total property and equipment     47,615       48,005  
    Less: accumulated depreciation     (21,916 )     (21,158 )
    Total property and equipment, net     25,699       26,847  
    Intangible assets, net     1,946       2,320  
    Goodwill     8,717       8,717  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets, net     2,336       2,595  
    Deposits     859       734  
    Deferred tax assets     4,558       4,558  
    Total assets   $ 89,719     $ 80,104  
       
    BITCOIN DEPOT INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)    		  
       
           
        March 31, 2025
    (unaudited)    		     December 31, 2024  
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity            
    Current:            
    Accounts payable   $ 9,200     $ 11,557  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     14,060       14,260  
    Notes payable, current portion     8,535       6,022  
    Income taxes payable     3,328       2,207  
    Deferred revenue     301       20  
    Operating lease liabilities, current portion     818       858  
    Current installments of obligations under finance leases     3,431       3,446  
    Other non-income tax payable     2,259       2,259  
    Total current liabilities     41,932       40,629  
    Long-term liabilities            
    Notes payable, non-current     46,946       49,457  
    Operating lease liabilities, non-current     1,534       1,774  
    Obligations under finance leases, non-current     1,119       1,950  
    Deferred income tax, net     604       604  
    Tax receivable agreement liability due to related party, non-current     2,176       2,176  
    Total Liabilities     94,311       96,590  
    Commitments and Contingencies (Note 19)            
    Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity            
    Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 authorized, 0 and 1,733,884 shares issued and outstanding, at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively     —       —  
    Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 800,000,000 authorized, 22,746,330 and 19,263,164 shares issued, and 22,555,710 and 19,072,544 shares outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively     2       1  
    Class E common stock, $0.0001 par value; 2,250,000 authorized, 0 and 1,075,761 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively     —       —  
    Class V common stock, $0.0001 par value; 300,000,000 authorized, 41,193,024 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024     4       4  
    Treasury stock     (437 )     (437 )
    Additional paid-in capital     22,829       21,491  
    Accumulated deficit     (39,304 )     (44,349 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (256 )     (342 )
    Total Stockholders’ (Deficit) Attributable to Bitcoin Depot Inc.     (17,162 )     (23,632 )
    Equity attributable to non-controlling interests     12,570       7,146  
    Total Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity     (4,592 )     (16,486 )
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity   $ 89,719     $ 80,104  
       
    BITCOIN DEPOT INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
     (UNAUDITED)    		  
       
        Three Months Ended March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Cash flows from Operating Activities:            
    Net income (loss)   $ 12,175     $ (4,228 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:            
    Amortization of deferred financing costs     204       544  
    Depreciation and amortization     1,897       2,947  
    Non-cash share-based compensation     368       897  
    Purchase of services in cryptocurrencies     268       347  
    Unrealized loss on cryptocurrencies     1,650       —  
    Deferred taxes     —       5  
    Write-off of deferred financing costs     —       3,136  
    Loss on disposal of property and equipment     9       26  
    Reduction in carrying amount of right-of-use assets     215       49  
    Cryptocurrency received as payment     (290 )     (485 )
    Other            
    Change in operating assets and liabilities:            
    Deposits     (124 )     (165 )
    Accounts receivable     128       (104 )
    Cryptocurrencies     173       409  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     965       (364 )
    Accounts payable     (2,357 )     2,241  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     (198 )     (4,524 )
    Income taxes payable     1,121       61  
    Other non-income tax payable     —       2  
    Deferred revenue     281       615  
    Operating leases, net     (235 )     (62 )
    Net Cash Flows Provided by Operations     16,250       1,347  
    Cash flows from Investing Activities:            
    Acquisition of property and equipment     (385 )     (558 )
    Acquisition of Bitcoin for investment     (7,824 )     —  
    Net Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities     (8,209 )     (558 )
    Cash flows from Financing Activities:            
    Proceeds from issuance of notes payable     6,376       15,191  
    Principal payments on notes payable     (6,415 )     (639 )
    Principal payments on finance lease     (846 )     (1,896 )
    Payment of deferred financing costs     (163 )     (19 )
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net     978       —  
    Purchase of treasury stock     —       (158 )
    Distributions     (2,477 )     (916 )
    Net Cash Flows (Used In) Provided by Financing Activities     (2,547 )     11,563  
    Effect of exchange rate changed on cash and cash equivalents     (4 )     40  
    Net change in cash and cash equivalents     5,490       12,392  
    Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period     29,472       29,759  
    Cash and cash equivalents – end of period   $ 34,962     $ 42,151  


    Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Bitcoin Depot reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). This press release includes both historical and projected Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Gross Profit, and certain ratios and other metrics derived therefrom such as Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted Gross Profit margin, which are not prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    Bitcoin Depot defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, non-recurring expenses, share-based compensation, expenses related to the PIPE financing and miscellaneous cost adjustments. Such items are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA because these items are non-cash in nature, or because the amount and timing of these items is unpredictable, not driven by core results of operations and renders comparisons with prior periods and competitors less meaningful. In addition, Bitcoin Depot defines Adjusted Gross Profit (a non-GAAP financial measure) as revenue less cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) and depreciation and amortization adjusted to add back depreciation and amortization. Bitcoin Depot believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit each provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating Bitcoin Depot’s results of operations, as well as provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of Bitcoin Depot’s business performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit are each key measurements used internally by management to make operating decisions, including those related to operating expenses, evaluate performance and perform strategic and financial planning. However, you should be aware that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit are not measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP and may exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing Bitcoin Depot’s financial results, and further, that Bitcoin Depot may incur future expenses similar to those excluded when calculating these measures. Bitcoin Depot primarily relies on GAAP results and uses both Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit on a supplemental basis. Neither Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted Gross Profit should be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, net income, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under GAAP and may not be indicative of Bitcoin Depot’s historical or future operating results. Bitcoin Depot’s computation of both Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures computed by other companies because not all companies calculate such measures in the same fashion. As such, undue reliance should not be placed on such measures.

    Due to the high variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of some of the information excluded from the projections of Adjusted EBITDA, together with some of the excluded information not being ascertainable or accessible, Bitcoin Depot is unable to quantify certain amounts that would be required to be included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures without unreasonable effort. Consequently, no disclosure of estimated comparable GAAP measures is included and no reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures is included.

    The following table presents a reconciliation of Net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated: 

    BITCOIN DEPOT INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS) INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
    (UNAUDITED)    		  
       
        Three Months Ended March 31,  
    (in thousands)   2025     2024  
    Net (loss) income   $ 12,175     $ (4,228 )
    Adjustments:            
    Interest expense     3,068       4,944  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     1,452       (138 )
    Depreciation and amortization     1,897       2,947  
    Unrealized loss on cryptocurrency held for investment     1,094       —  
    Non-recurring expenses (1)     239       463  
    Share-based compensation     368       897  
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 20,293     $ 4,885  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin (2)     12.4 %     3.5 %

    (1)    Comprised of non-recurring professional service fees.
    (2)    Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. The Company uses this measure to evaluate its overall profitability.

    The following table presents a reconciliation of revenue to Adjusted Gross Profit for the periods indicated:

    BITCOIN DEPOT INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF REVENUE TO ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT
    (UNAUDITED)    		  
       
      Three Months Ended March 31,  
    (in thousands) 2025     2024  
    Revenue $ 164,226     $ 138,539  
    Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) $ (131,091 )     (121,287 )
    Depreciation and amortization excluded from cost of revenue   (1,891 )     (2,881 )
    Gross Profit $ 31,244     $ 14,371  
    Adjustments:          
    Depreciation and amortization excluded from cost of revenue $ 1,891     $ 2,881  
    Adjusted Gross Profit $ 33,135     $ 17,252  
    Gross Profit Margin (1)   19.0 %     10.4 %
    Adjusted Gross Profit Margin (1)   20.2 %     12.5 %

     (1) Calculated as a percentage of revenue.

    Contacts:

    Investors 
    Cody Slach,
    Gateway Group, Inc. 
    949-574-3860 
    BTM@gateway-grp.com

    Media 
    Brenlyn Motlagh, Ryan Deloney 
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    949-574-3860 
    BTM@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Duos Edge AI Confirms EDC Deployment Goal in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (“Duos” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: DUOT), through its operating subsidiary Duos Edge AI, Inc. (“Duos Edge AI”), a provider of adaptive, versatile and streamlined Edge Data Center (“EDC”) solutions tailored to meet evolving needs in any environment, today announced that the Company is on pace to have 15 Edge Data Centers under contract by the end of 2025. The additional deployments are a contributor toward solving the nation’s growing demand for low-latency data processing through localized digital infrastructure.

    Duos Edge AI continues to advance its partnership with Accu-Tech, whose U.S.-based project management of manufacturing partners and distribution capabilities provide a reliable and cost-effective supply chain. This alignment not only accelerates deployment timelines but also helps shield Duos Edge AI from global supply chain disruptions and tariff-related pressures, further strengthening its delivery commitment.

    “Through our partnership with Accu-Tech, we are executing with speed, precision, and reliability,” said Doug Recker, President and Founder of Duos Edge AI. “We’ve commercially identified at least nine EDC placements and are finalizing real estate and contractual agreements across multiple markets. These facilities will serve as high-density, resilient digital hubs that support education, emergency services, AI development, and more—right where they’re needed most.”

    Accu-Tech’s strategic involvement has been vital to Duos Edge AI’s rapid deployment model. “We’re proud to support Duos Edge AI with project management of domestic manufacturing and supply solutions that keep their deployments agile and shielded from global volatility,” said Nathan Ball, Senior Director of Data Center Infrastructure Solutions at Accu-Tech. “This partnership showcases the power of collaboration in accelerating innovation while remaining resilient in today’s dynamic market.”

    Duos Edge AI’s modular Edge Data Centers (EDCs) are SOC 2 Type II compliant, built with N+1 architecture and robust dual backup generators. These facilities are designed to bring reliable, localized computing power closer to users, enabling real-time data processing and improving digital access where it is needed most. The Company’s 2025 deployment plan focuses on underserved communities across Texas, the Midwest, and the Southeast—supporting critical infrastructure, education networks, healthcare systems (including telemedicine and EHR), and AI workloads.

    To learn more about Duos Edge AI, visit: www.duosedge.ai   
    To learn more about Duos Technologies, visit www.duostechnologies.com

    About Duos Edge AI, Inc.

    Duos Edge AI, Inc. is a subsidiary of Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUOT). Duos Edge AI’s mission is to bring advanced technology to underserved communities, particularly in education, healthcare and rural industries, by deploying high-powered edge computing solutions that minimize latency and optimize performance. Duos Edge AI specializes in high-function Edge Data Center (“EDC”) solutions tailored to meet evolving needs in any environment. By focusing on providing scalable IT resources that seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure, its solutions expand capabilities at the network edge, ensuring data uptime onsite services. With the ability to provide 100 kW+ per cabinet, rapid 90-day deployment, and continuous 24/7 data services, Duos Edge AI aims to position its edge data centers within 12 miles of end users or devices, significantly closer than traditional data centers. This approach enables timely processing of massive amounts of data for applications requiring real-time response and supporting current and future technologies without large capital investments. For more information, visit www.duosedge.ai.

    About Accu-Tech

    Accu-Tech is a national distributor of Voice, Data, AV, Wireless and Security solutions. Since 1984, Accu-Tech has delivered complete and integrated solutions for a variety of verticals and applications. Accu-Tech’s specialized experience in the Data Center market extends to solution design and selection, installation support, and customized logistics for Co-Lo, MTDC, Edge, and other applications. Accu-Tech is committed to ensuring Data Centers, and all customers, receive the innovative, future-ready, and customized solutions they require. Partnering with Accu-Tech provides customers with the peace-of-mind that the systems installed in their facilities will be high-performance and reliable. Visit www.accu-tech.com for more information.

    About Duos Technologies Group, Inc.
    Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUOT), based in Jacksonville, Florida, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Duos Technologies, Inc., Duos Edge AI, Inc., and Duos Energy Corporation, designs, develops, deploys and operates intelligent technology solutions for Machine Vision and Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) applications including real-time analysis of fast-moving vehicles, Edge Data Centers and power consulting. For more information, visit www.duostech.com, www.duosedge.ai and www.duosenergycorp.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects — both business and financial. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated” and “potential,” among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents that we file from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements attributable to Duos Technologies Group, Inc. or a person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary language.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7f2c227-6f04-4707-9e16-91c648031c0f

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: OSS Appoints Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.) Board Member

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Former Director of the Defense Contract Management Agency brings decades of defense acquisition and modernization expertise to support OSS’s AI and edge compute growth opportunities

    ESCONDIDO, Calif., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One Stop Systems, Inc. (OSS or the Company) (Nasdaq: OSS), a leader in rugged Enterprise Class compute for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and sensor processing at the edge, today announced that it has appointed Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.) to its Board of Directors, effective May 14, 2025. OSS’s Board of Directors consists of five current directors: Mike Knowles, Greg Matz, Mike Dumont, Mitch Herbets, and David Bassett.

    “We are excited to welcome Lieutenant General Bassett to OSS’ Board of Directors,” stated OSS President and CEO, Mike Knowles. “Attracting a Director of David’s caliber reflects the significant opportunities OSS is pursuing to improve the compute power and competitive edge of the U.S. Armed Forces. His experience managing modernization efforts and Ground Combat Systems programs across the U.S. Army is well aligned with our growth initiatives, including current programs underway to improve the situational awareness of U.S. Army vehicles. I look forward to David’s contributions and guidance.”

    “I’m honored to join the Company’s Board at such a pivotal moment in defense innovation,” said Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.). “I believe OSS’s advanced commercial AI and edge computing technologies are critical enablers for the modernization of our military platforms. Delivering resilient capability to our soldiers means processing data at the tactical edge and the Army needs to accelerate the deployment of these commercial capabilities where speed, resiliency, and data-driven decision-making are paramount.”

    Lieutenant General David Bassett (Ret.) Bio
    Bassett currently serves as a Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group, a consulting firm based in Washington DC, where he advises on business development, regulatory affairs, and capital raising activities.   Bassett’s distinguished 35-year military career was marked by leadership in modernization efforts and the management of large-scale acquisition programs.

    From 2020-2023, Bassett served as Director of the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), where he led more than 11,000 civilian and military personnel who managed more than 250,000 contracts with total value in excess of $3.5 trillion. Prior to his role at DCMA, he served as Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), where he led the development and acquisition of the Army’s tactical network—one of the service’s top modernization priorities. Earlier, he served as Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS), where he led modernization efforts for the Army’s fleet of ground combat vehicles, including the Abrams, Bradley, and Stryker. His previous assignments include Deputy Program Executive Officer for Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) and manager of the Joint Program Office, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV).

    He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Virginia, is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

    About One Stop Systems
    One Stop Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSS) is a leader in AI enabled solutions for the demanding ‘edge’. OSS designs and manufactures Enterprise Class compute and storage products that enable rugged AI, sensor fusion and autonomous capabilities without compromise. These hardware and software platforms bring the latest data center performance to harsh and challenging applications, whether they are on land, sea or in the air.

    OSS products include ruggedized servers, compute accelerators, flash storage arrays, and storage acceleration software. These specialized compact products are used across multiple industries and applications, including autonomous trucking and farming, as well as aircraft, drones, ships and vehicles within the defense industry.

    OSS solutions address the entire AI workflow, from high-speed data acquisition to deep learning, training and large-scale inference, and have delivered many industry firsts for industrial OEM and government customers.

    As the fastest growing segment of the multi-billion-dollar edge computing market, AI enabled solutions require-and OSS delivers-the highest level of performance in the most challenging environments without compromise.

    OSS products are available directly or through global distributors. For more information, go to www.onestopsystems.com. You can also follow OSS on X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    One Stop Systems cautions you that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “suggest,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by One Stop Systems or its partners that any of our plans or expectations will be achieved, including but not limited to the potential and/or the results of current or future programs with defense contractors and the U.S. Department of Defense, the future adoption of technologies or applications, the potential benefit to the Company of Bassett’s background and experience, the expansion of the Company’s offerings and/or relationship with different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in our business, including risks described in our prior press releases and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    Media Contacts:
    Robert Kalebaugh
    One Stop Systems, Inc.
    Tel (858) 518-6154
    Email contact

    Investor Relations:
    Andrew Berger
    Managing Director
    SM Berger & Company, Inc.
    Tel (216) 464-6400
    Email contact

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Best Michigan Online Casinos 2025: 7Bit Ranked as the Top Real Money Casino Site for Players in MI (May Update)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OKLAHOMA CITY, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Online gambling continues to gain traction in Michigan, with more players turning to digital platforms for convenient access to casino games. Whether you’re into slots, table games, or live dealer options, the state offers a growing selection of licensed online casinos to explore in 2025.

    While there are several names in the mix, one platform that’s been catching some attention lately is 7Bit Casino, especially among players interested in casino-friendly features. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Michigan’s online casino scene worth checking out and what to consider when choosing to play.

    “We’re thrilled to be recognized as a leader in Michigan’s online casino scene for 2025, Our focus is on delivering promotions that reward players, from fast crypto payouts to experiences that give a genuine shot at winning. Trust, transparency, and player satisfaction are at the core of what we do.”

    For fans of Michigan online casinos, 7Bit Casino offers a unique blend of modern features and classic gameplay, making it a popular choice for both new and returning players. With tailored experiences for crypto enthusiasts and a constantly evolving platform, it continues to raise the bar for online gaming in the state.

    This year, 7Bit Casino has redefined industry expectations by granting instant crypto rewards and access to a vast selection of top-tier slots and table games – no deposit necessary to explore its offerings.

    ✅CLAIM YOUR WELCOME BONUS AT 7BIT CASINO

    7Bit Casino, a globally recognized platform operating in regions like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and now Michigan, has been named a top contender among the best Michigan online casinos for its exceptional offerings. With a welcome bonus that includes a 325% match up to 5.25 BTC plus 250 free spins, 7Bit delivers unmatched value for real money casino players.

    In addition to its generous bonuses, 7Bit boasts a library of over 7,000 real money games from leading providers like NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and Microgaming. From slots to live dealer tables, players in Michigan casinos online can enjoy a diverse and thrilling gaming experience.

    How to Get Started with 7Bit Casino

    Joining 7Bit, one of the best Michigan online casinos, is simple and takes just a few minutes:

    • Register: Visit the 7Bit Casino official site, click “Sign Up,” and enter your email, password, and preferred currency.
    • Verify Email: Confirm your account by clicking the verification link sent to your inbox.
    • Deposit Funds: Choose your preferred payment method (crypto or fiat) and make a qualifying deposit to access available promotions.
    • Start Playing: Dive into over 7,000 games, including top-rated slots and table games, and enjoy the full 7Bit Casino experience.

    ✅SIGN UP NOW AND GRAB YOUR WAITING REWARDS AT 7BIT CASINO

    Quality of Bonuses and Promotions: Generous and Accessible

    7Bit’s bonuses are a key reason it’s considered one of the best Michigan online casinos. The welcome package offers a 325% match bonus up to 5.25 BTC plus 250 free spins across four deposits:

    • First Deposit: 100% match up to 1.5 BTC + 100 free spins.
    • Second Deposit: 75% match up to 1.25 BTC + 100 free spins.
    • Third Deposit: 50% match up to 1.5 BTC.
    • Fourth Deposit: 100% match up to 1 BTC + 50 free spins.

    Other Promotions

    • New Game Offer: 45 free spins
    • Monday Reload: 25% match bonus + 50 free spins.
    • Wednesday Free Spins: Up to 100 free spins based on deposit size.
    • Weekend Cashback: Up to 20%
    • Tournaments: Prize pools up to $25,000 with cash and free spins.
    • Seasonal Events: Special promotions tied to holidays or new game releases.
    • Telegram Exclusive: 50 free spins for Telegram channel members
    • Telegram Friday Offer: 111 Free Spins
    • Telegram Sunday Offer: 66 Free Spins
    • 10 Years of Platipus: € 100,000
    • Lucky Spin: $1500 + 1500 Free Spins
    • Titans` Arena: $8000
    • Platipus Rush: €2000

    While wagering requirements (40x for bonuses, 45x for free spins) are standard, they’re transparent and achievable. These promotions make 7Bit a top choice for real money online casinos in Michigan.

    ✅SIGN UP NOW TO CLAIM YOUR 325% WELCOME BONUS AT 7BIT CASINO

    A Player-Focused Review of 7Bit Casino

    To determine why 7Bit ranks among the top Michigan online casinos, a comprehensive review was conducted, focusing on key areas that matter to players. The evaluation criteria included:

    • Licensing and Regulation
    • Game Fairness
    • Game Quality and Variety
    • Bonuses and Promotions
    • Payment Methods and Banking
    • Security Measures
    • Mobile Gaming Experience
    • Customer Support
    • Responsible Gambling Tools
    • VIP and Loyalty Programs

    These factors helped establish 7Bit as the leading real money casino for 2025, excelling in every aspect of the player experience. Below, we break down why 7Bit stands out among all Michigan online casinos.

    Licensing: A Trusted Platform

    7Bit operates under a Curacao eGaming license (No. 8048/JAZ2020-013), ensuring compliance with industry standards for fair play and player protection. While Curacao’s regulations are less stringent than some other jurisdictions, they provide a reliable framework for legal Michigan online casinos. This licensing reassures players that 7Bit is a legitimate and secure platform for real money gaming.

    Fairness: Audited for Trust

    Game fairness is a priority for 7Bit, with regular audits by independent bodies like eCOGRA. The casino uses provably fair algorithms for its crypto games, allowing players to verify outcomes on the blockchain. Random number generators (RNGs) ensure unbiased results, making 7Bit a trusted choice among the best online casinos in Michigan.

    Quality of Games: Over 7,000 Titles

    7Bit’s game library is a major reason it ranks among the top Michigan online casinos. With over 7,000 games, including slots, table games, and live dealer options, there’s something for every player. Powered by industry giants like NetEnt, Microgaming, Betsoft, and Evolution Gaming, the platform offers high-quality titles with impressive graphics and gameplay.

    Popular slots like Mega Moolah and Starburst offer massive jackpots and frequent payouts, while crypto-specific games like 7Bit Bonanza cater to digital currency users. The live dealer section includes blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, streamed in real-time for an immersive experience. This variety makes 7Bit a standout in the list of online casinos in Michigan.

    Payment Methods and Banking: Fast and Flexible

    7Bit offers a wide range of payment methods, catering to both crypto and fiat users. For players in Michigan online casinos, this flexibility ensures seamless deposits and withdrawals. Available options include:

    • Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Etc.
    • Traditional Methods: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Neteller, Interac, Pay ID
    • E-Wallets: EcoPayz
    • Bank Transfers

    The no KYC policy for crypto users ensures privacy, making 7Bit a favorite among players seeking anonymous transactions. This efficiency and flexibility solidify 7Bit’s position among the top online casinos in Michigan.

    Online Security: Player Safety First

    Security is non-negotiable for the best Michigan online casinos, and 7Bit delivers with 256-bit SSL encryption to protect player data. Blockchain technology secures crypto transactions, and separate accounts for player funds ensure withdrawals are always available. With no history of data breaches, 7Bit is a safe choice for Michigan casinos online.

    Mobile Experience: Seamless Gaming on the Go

    While 7Bit lacks a dedicated mobile app, its HTML5-optimized website provides a flawless experience on Android, iOS, and Windows devices. Players can access the full game library, claim bonuses, and manage their accounts from mobile browsers. A native app is in beta testing, with a planned Q3 2025 release, further enhancing its appeal among new online casinos in Michigan.

    Customer Support: Always Available

    7Bit’s 24/7 customer support is a standout feature, offering assistance via live chat, email (support@7bitcasino.com), and Telegram. Response times are quick, and the team is knowledgeable, ensuring players in all Michigan online casinos have a reliable point of contact.

    Responsible Gambling: Tools for Safe Play

    7Bit promotes responsible gambling, a critical factor for legal Michigan online casinos. Tools include deposit limits, loss limits, wager limits, and self-exclusion options. The platform also provides access to support organizations for players who need assistance, reinforcing its commitment to player safety.

    VIP and Loyalty Programs: Rewarding Loyalty

    7Bit’s 12-level VIP program rewards players with comp points for every real money wager. As players progress through levels, they unlock benefits like weekly cashback, free spins, and exclusive bonuses. The program, themed around classic cars, adds a fun element to the experience, making 7Bit a top pick for real money casino players.

    Why 7Bit Stands Out Among Michigan Online Casinos

    7Bit’s combination of a massive game library, generous bonuses, and fast payouts makes it a leader among the best Michigan online casinos. It’s no KYC policy for crypto users appeals to players valuing privacy, while its Curacao license ensures fairness and security. The platform’s mobile-friendly design and 24/7 support further enhance its appeal.

    Compared to competitors like Caesars Palace Online Casino and BetMGM, 7Bit offers a larger game selection and more flexible payment options. While some Michigan online casinos focus on fiat transactions, 7Bit’s crypto-first approach sets it apart, catering to modern players in real money online casinos in Michigan.

    Exploring Michigan’s Online Casino Landscape in 2025

    Michigan’s online casino market has grown rapidly since legalization in 2019, with the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) overseeing all operations. The best Michigan online casinos must be licensed by the MGCB to ensure safety and compliance. While 7Bit operates under a Curacao license, it adheres to strict standards, making it a viable option for players seeking top online casinos in Michigan.

    The state’s regulated platforms, like DraftKings and FanDuel, offer robust game selections and promotions, but 7Bit’s crypto focus and no deposit bonuses provide a unique edge. Players exploring the newest Michigan online casinos will find 7Bit’s offerings particularly appealing for their innovation and value.

    Tips for Choosing the Best Michigan Online Casinos

    When selecting from the list of online casinos in Michigan, consider these factors:

    1. Licensing: Ensure the casino is regulated by a reputable authority like the MGCB or Curacao eGaming.
    2. Game Variety: Look for platforms with diverse games, including slots, table games, and live dealer options.
    3. Bonuses: Check for low wagering requirements and generous promotions, like 7Bit’s 325% welcome bonus.
    4. Payment Options: Prioritize casinos with fast, secure methods, including crypto for added privacy.
    5. Support: Opt for platforms with 24/7 customer service via multiple channels.
    6. Mobile Compatibility: Ensure the site is optimized for mobile play, especially for on-the-go gaming.

    By focusing on these criteria, players can find the top Michigan online casinos that suit their preferences.

    Responsible Gambling at 7Bit Casino

    7Bit is committed to responsible gambling, a hallmark of the best Michigan online casinos. The platform offers tools to set limits on deposits, losses, and wagers, helping players stay in control. Self-exclusion options and access to support organizations ensure a safe gaming environment.

    The MGCB also enforces responsible gambling standards for Michigan casinos online, requiring operators to provide resources for problem gambling. 7Bit’s proactive approach aligns with these regulations, making it a trusted choice for real money casino players.

    The Future of Michigan Online Casinos in 2025

    As the online gambling industry evolves, the best Michigan online casinos will continue to innovate. Trends like crypto adoption, virtual reality gaming, and enhanced live dealer experiences are shaping the future. 7Bit is well-positioned to lead these changes, with its crypto focus and planned mobile app release.

    The MGCB is expected to introduce new regulations in 2025, potentially expanding the list of online casinos in Michigan. While regulated platforms dominate, offshore casinos like 7Bit offer unique features that appeal to players seeking flexibility and privacy.

    Why 7Bit Is the Top Choice for 2025

    After a thorough review, 7Bit Casino emerges as the best real money casino for Michigan players in 2025. Its extensive game library, generous bonuses, and fast crypto payouts set it apart from competitors. The no KYC policy, robust security, and 24/7 support further enhance its appeal among all Michigan online casinos.

    Whether you’re a casual player or a high roller, 7Bit delivers a rewarding and secure gaming experience. Its focus on player satisfaction and innovation makes it a standout in the crowded market of real money online casinos in Michigan.

    ✅JOIN THE 7BIT VIP CLUB AND START EARNING REWARDS TODAY

    Conclusion: Is 7Bit the Best for Michigan Players?

    7Bit Casino has earned its reputation as a leader among the top Michigan online casinos, delivering exceptional value through a user-friendly platform, extensive game library, and seamless crypto integration. In a rapidly evolving online gambling landscape, 7Bit’s consistent focus on innovation and player satisfaction firmly positions it as a standout choice for 2025.

    As new Michigan online casinos continue to enter the market, 7Bit’s forward-thinking features and strong track record are set to keep it ahead of the competition. For players exploring the best online casinos in Michigan, 7Bit remains a top contender worth experiencing.

    Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Michigan Online Casinos

    1. Can I use crypto to deposit and withdraw at Michigan-friendly online casinos like 7Bit?
    A: Yes! 7Bit supports major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, giving Michigan players fast, secure, and private transactions without the need for traditional banking.

    2. Are instant cashouts available at 7Bit Casino in Michigan?
    A: Absolutely. 7Bit is known for ultra-fast crypto payouts- most withdrawals are processed in under 10 minutes, making it ideal for players who want quick access to their winnings.

    3. Does 7Bit offer exclusive rewards for Michigan players in 2025?
    A: Yes. Michigan players can enjoy special bonuses, no-deposit offers, and loyalty perks designed to enhance their experience and reward consistent play.

    4. Are the games at 7Bit fair and licensed for Michigan players?
    A: Yes. 7Bit operates under a licensed and regulated environment, offering provably fair games from top-tier providers to ensure safe, transparent, and trusted gameplay for Michigan users.

    5. Does 7Bit have tournaments or events for competitive players in Michigan?
    A: Definitely. 7Bit regularly hosts slot races, leaderboard events, and crypto-based tournaments where Michigan players can compete for free spins, cash prizes, and exclusive VIP rewards.

    Email: support@7bitcasino.com

    Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure

    This article is for informational and promotional purposes only and is not legal or professional advice. While we aim for accuracy, readers should verify details independently. We are not liable for any errors or outcomes from using this content.

    Some links may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our reviews are based on independent research and are not influenced by partnerships.

    7Bit Casino is not licensed in Michigan and operates offshore. Please check local laws before gambling. Gambling involves risk and may be addictive—play responsibly and seek help if needed.

    All trademarks belong to their respective owners. This content is not endorsed by any brand unless stated.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/930af038-a8e6-4ffc-a678-9fed552b28f7

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b10c2e5f-f28b-448d-b694-627d1e5716fc

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/50489fcb-1edd-4d11-94ab-0086486296bc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Odysight.ai Reports Financial Results for The First Quarter of 2025 and Provides Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OMER, Israel, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Odysight.ai Inc. (NASDAQ: ODYS), a leading provider of visual based predictive maintenance (PdM) and condition-based monitoring (CBM) solutions, announces its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and provides a business update.

    Key highlights

    ● First quarter revenues totaled $2.1 million.
       
    ● Uplisted to the Nasdaq Capital Market in February 2025 and raised gross proceeds of $23.7 million.
       
      Net cash position1 of approximately $37.2 million as of March 31, 2025.
       
    ● Commercial achievements:
       
    – Partnered with Israel Railways to develop advanced AI-powered visualization system to prevent derailments and enhance railway safety.
       
    – Received an initial purchase order from a European partner for a combined industrial solution, using Odysight.ai’s sensors and machine learning algorithms, designed to monitor the condition of belts and cables used across various industrial sectors such as cranes, elevators and transportation systems.


    Einav Brenner, Chief Financial Officer of Odysight.ai:     “We’re making important strides in building the technological and operational foundations that will support our long-term growth. While some of this progress is not yet reflected in our financial results, we are focused on strengthening our infrastructure, expanding our technological capabilities, establishing relationships with global leaders in our industry and positioning ourselves for future success in Aerospace and new verticals. Our successful uplisting to Nasdaq and recent capital raise mark major milestones for the Company. These achievements not only strengthen our balance sheet, but also enhance our visibility, credibility and access to global customers and investors. We believe we are well-positioned to support our strategic initiatives and drive sustainable, long-term growth. These are investments in a differentiated value proposition — for our customers, our partners and our shareholders.”

    Financial highlights for three months ended March 31, 2025

    Revenues were approximately $2.1 million, compared to $0.2 million from the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributed to the full recognition of approximately $1.7 million in revenues from the fulfillment of contract with a Fortune 500 medical company.

    Backlog2 was approximately $14.8 million as of March 31, 2025. 

    Cost of Revenues was $1.5 million, compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily attributed to the approximately $1 million in cost of revenues related to the fulfillment of a contract with a Fortune 500 medical company, and to the recognition of an inventory impairment of $0.2 million.

    Gross Profit (Loss) was $0.6 million, reflecting a gross margin of 26%, compared to gross loss of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The improvement is attributable to Industry 4.0 revenues and to the contract fulfillment related to a Fortune 500 medical company.

    Operating expenses were $5.1 million, compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by the expansion of the Company’s operations, including the development of new Industry 4.0 products and one-time expenses related to the Company’s uplisting to Nasdaq.

    Net loss was $4.3 million, compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

    Cash Balance1 as of March 31, 2025 was $37.2 million, compared to approximately $17.0 million as of March 31, 2024. In February 2025, the Company uplisted to the Nasdaq Capital Market and completed a U.S. underwritten public offering with gross proceeds of approximately $23.7 million.

    About Odysight.ai

    Odysight.ai is pioneering the Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) markets with its visualization and AI platform. Providing video sensor-based solutions for critical systems in the aviation, transportation, and energy industries, Odysight.ai leverages proven visual technologies and products from the medical industry. Odysight.ai’s unique video-based sensors, embedded software, and AI algorithms are being deployed in hard-to-reach locations and harsh environments across a variety of PdM and CBM use cases. Odysight.ai’s platform allows maintenance and operations teams visibility into areas which are inaccessible under normal operation, or where the operating ambience is not suitable for continuous real-time monitoring.

    We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investors section of our website. For more information, please visit: https://www.odysight.ai or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

    Backlog

    We present our results of operations in a way that we believe will be the most meaningful and useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and others who use our financial information to evaluate our performance. Backlog is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for any GAAP financial measures, including revenue or net income (loss), and, as calculated, may not be comparable to companies in other industries or within the same industry with similarly titled measures of performance. In addition, backlog should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Therefore, backlog should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to future events or our future performance. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding long-term growth prospects, future plans related to infrastructure, technological capabilities and relationships with global leaders and success in Aerospace and new verticals. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Those statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or our management’s current expectation and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward- looking statements. Factors that may affect our results, performance, circumstances or achievements include, but are not limited to the following: (i) market acceptance of our existing and new products, including those that utilize our micro Odysight.ai technology or offer Predictive Maintenance and Condition Based Monitoring applications, (ii) lengthy product delays in key markets, (iii) an inability to secure regulatory approvals for the sale of our products, (iv) intense competition in the medical device and related industries from much larger, multinational companies, (v) product liability claims, product malfunctions and the functionality of Odysight.ai’s solutions under all environmental conditions, (vi) our limited manufacturing capabilities and reliance on third-parties for assistance, (vii) an inability to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities to commercialize our products, (viii) an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, (ix) our efforts obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering our products, which may not be successful, (x) our reliance on a single customer that accounts for a substantial portion of our revenues, (xi) our reliance on single suppliers for certain product components, including for miniature video sensors which are suitable for our Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology products, (xii) the fact that we will need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future and that such capital raising may be costly, dilutive or difficult to obtain, (xiii) the impact of computer system failures, cyberattacks or deficiencies in our cybersecurity, (xiv) the fact that we conduct business in multiple foreign jurisdictions, exposing us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical, global supply chain and communications challenges, burdens and costs of compliance with foreign laws and political and economic instability in each jurisdiction, including the adoption or expansion of economic sanctions, tariffs or trade restrictions and (xv) political, economic and military instability in Israel, including the impact of Israel’s war against Hamas. These and other important factors discussed in Odysight.ai’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 26, 2025, and our other reports filed with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Odysight.ai undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

    Company Contact:

    Einav Brenner, CFO
    info@odysight.ai

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Miri Segal
    MS-IR LLC
    msegal@ms-ir.com
    Tel: +1-917-607-8654

    1Including cash, cash equivalents, short term deposits and restricted deposit/cash.

    2Backlog is measured and defined differently by companies within our industry. We refer to “backlog” as our booked orders based on purchase orders or hard commitments but not yet recognized as revenue. Backlog is not a comprehensive indicator of future revenue and is not a measure of profitability. Orders included in backlog may be cancelled or rescheduled by customers. A variety of conditions, both specific to the individual customer and generally affecting the customer’s industry, may cause customers to cancel, reduce or delay orders that were previously made or anticipated. Projects may remain in backlog for extended periods of time.

    ODYSIGHT.AI INC.
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

        Three months ended  
        March 31,  
        2025     2024  
        Unaudited  
        USD in thousands
    (except per share data)    		  
                 
    REVENUES     2,065       187  
    COST OF REVENUES     1,527       410  
    GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)     538       (223 )
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES     2,487       1,567  
    SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES     396       234  
    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES     2,215       1,340  
    OPERATING LOSS     (4,560 )     (3,364 )
    FINANCING INCOME, NET     295       202  
    NET LOSS     (4,265 )     (3,162 )

     ODYSIGHT.AI INC.
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

        March 31,     December 31,  
        2025     2024  
        Unaudited     Audited  
        USD in thousands  
    Assets                
                     
    CURRENT ASSETS:                
    Cash and cash equivalents     36,881       18,164  
    Restricted cash     326       –  
    Restricted deposit     –       322  
    Accounts receivable     192       1,510  
    Inventory     –       203  
    Other current assets     692       588  
    Total current assets     38,091       20,787  
                     
    NON-CURRENT ASSETS:                
    Contract fulfillment assets     –       1,017  
    Property and equipment, net     407       407  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     995       1,113  
    Severance pay asset     254       259  
    Other non-current assets     96       96  
    Total non-current assets     1,752       2,892  
                     
    TOTAL ASSETS     39,843       23,679  
    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity                
                     
    CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
    Accounts payable     486       442  
    Contract liabilities – short term     243       702  
    Operating lease liabilities – short term     505       539  
    Accrued compensation expenses     1,456       1,124  
    Related parties     218       120  
    Other current liabilities     510       368  
    Total current liabilities     3,418       3,295  
                     
    NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
    Contract liabilities – long term     –       1,373  
    Operating lease liabilities – long term     406       508  
    Liability for severance pay     254       259  
    Total non-current liabilities     660       2,140  
                     
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     4,078       5,435  
                     
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:                
    Common stock, $0.001 par value; 300,000,000  shares authorized as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, 16,307,321 and 12,612,517 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively     17       13  
    Additional paid-in capital     85,987       64,205  
    Accumulated deficit     (50,239 )     (45,974  
    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     35,765       18,244  
                     
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     39,843       23,679  

    The MIL Network –

  • Gold prices drop sharply by Rs 2,375 per 10 grams; silver also falls

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Gold buyers in India have a reason to cheer as prices of the yellow metal saw a significant drop on Thursday.
     
    According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), the price of 24-carat gold fell by Rs 2,375 per 10 grams, bringing it down to Rs 91,484 from Rs 93,859.
     
    The decline wasn’t limited to just 24-carat gold. The price of 22-carat gold also dropped, now standing at Rs 83,799 per 10 grams, down from Rs 85,975. Similarly, 18-carat gold saw its price fall to Rs 68,613 from Rs 70,394 per 10 grams.
     
    This marks a sharp turnaround from just a few weeks ago, when on April 22, the price of 24-carat gold had surged close to the Rs 1 lakh mark.
     
    Silver mirrored the downtrend seen in gold. Prices for one kilogram of silver declined by Rs 2,297 to Rs 94,103 from Rs 96,400 per kg.
     
    The fall in precious metal prices extended to the futures market as well. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for June 5 dropped 1 per cent to Rs 91,325, while silver futures for July 4 declined by a similar margin to Rs 94,458 per kg.
     
    Market analysts attribute the fall in gold prices to easing global trade tensions, particularly between the United States and China, which had previously driven gold and silver prices higher.
     
    As geopolitical uncertainty decreases, the appeal of safe-haven assets like gold tends to weaken.
     
    In international markets, gold has dropped to its lowest level in a month. On COMEX, it was trading down by 1.1 per cent at $3,141.35 per ounce — a steep decline from its recent peak of around $3,500 per ounce recorded on April 22.
     
    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “No credible net-zero plan can include rampant airport expansion”

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    Opening a third runway at Heathrow Airport could result in pollution equivalent to an additional 2.4 million tons of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each year by 2050, according to the government’s own figures released through FOI requests. Responding to this being reported in Politico, Sian Berry MP said,  

    “This Labour Government is wildly out of touch with reality. Even with the maximum possible impact of “jet zero” efforts on fuel this expansion remains a climate catastrophe.

    “The Net-zero minister is missing in action and his department is shamefully failing to stand up to a misguided Chancellor. 

    “No credible net-zero plan can include rampant airport expansion and it’s time Labour looked to the many, many alternative ways to create high-paid green jobs.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan: UK Statement, May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Report by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan: UK Statement, May 2025

    Ambassador Holland welcomes the work of the OSCE Office amid a challenging financial backdrop.

    Thank you Mr Chair.    

    First, I would like to welcome Ambassador Karttunen to the Permanent Council. Thank you to you and your team for your report, and for your informative presentation.    

    Chair, the United Kingdom has continued to build our relationship with Uzbekistan and is committed to supporting the government in carrying out its wide-ranging reforms. Last year our governments signed a joint declaration covering all aspects of the bilateral relationship, and this year we have signed an agreement on expanding our cooperation on Critical Minerals. We look forward to further cooperation in the coming years.   

    We welcome the close cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and the Project Coordinator and commend the Project Coordinator’s work across the three dimensions.     

    In the first dimension, we welcome the work the Project Coordinator is doing on border security. We were pleased to be able to support this effort by facilitating training for the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan last year by Surrey Police aimed at strengthening the capacity of Uzbek instructors to effectively use dogs in detecting drugs, cash, and firearms.    

    In the second dimension, we commend the work of the Project Coordinator on climate change and water management, and we are proud donors to the OSCE project on “strengthening responses to security risks from climate change in Central Asia”. We recognise the particular vulnerabilities Central Asian states have to climate change and its consequences. That is why we are funding a regional programme to improve Central Asia’s resilience and sovereignty by strengthening regional cooperation on water and energy to deliver low carbon and climate resilient growth.    

    And in the third dimension, we note the positive steps taken – as identified by ODIHR and the RFoM – in the draft information code.  These include a ban on censorship and media monopolisation, and the requirement for free access to and use of information for everyone without discrimination. We encourage the Government of Uzbekistan to address concerns raised about concentrating media regulation under the government rather than an independent regulatory body, and the broad grounds for restricting content and suspending media activities.    

    In closing, let me thank you Ambassador Karttunen and your dedicated team in Uzbekistan for their efforts in upholding the principles of the OSCE and ensuring your important work continues – particularly in light of the considerable challenges caused by the continued non-agreement of the Unified Budget.     

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham man convicted of providing false statements to SIA

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Birmingham man convicted of providing false statements to SIA

    Alam Ahroon was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £612 after pleading guilty to knowingly making false statements to the SIA.

    Mr Ahroon submitted a fabricated character reference from a Birmingham food bank as part of his appeal against the Security Industry Authority’s decision to refuse his application for a door supervisor licence due to his past criminality. 

    The SIA investigated the validity of this reference, speaking to multiple senior staff within the food bank who confirmed they did not know Mr Ahroon and had not provided him with a reference. 

    Mr Ahroon appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 13 May 2025 and pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity. The court fined him £80 and ordered him to pay both a £32 victim surcharge and £500 of prosecution costs.

    Dave McCall, SIA Criminal Investigations Officer, said: 

    The SIA’s licensing regime is put in place to ensure door supervisors are trained and committed to protecting the public, but that regime is built on the foundation that people present truthful information. 

    In producing this false character reference, Alam Ahroon undermined those foundations and sought to put the public at risk. I am happy to see justice delivered in this case.

    Background

    By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on GOV.UK/SIA.  

    The offence relating to the Private Security Industry Act 2001 that is mentioned above is:  

    • Section 22 – making any statement to the Authority which is known to be false in a material particular 

    The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

    Media enquiries

    For media enquiries only, please contact:

    SIA press office

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iranian President Condemns Trump’s Anti-Tehran Statements

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TEHRAN, May 15 (Xinhua) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent anti-Tehran remarks, calling them evidence of his inability to understand the true character of the Iranian people.

    M. Pezeshkian made this statement on Wednesday evening at a meeting with representatives of the Iranian elite and cultural figures in the province of Kermanshah after D. Trump’s statements in Riyadh the day before. This is stated in a statement published on the website of the Iranian president’s office.

    On Tuesday, Trump called Iran the “most destructive force” in the Middle East and accused it of fomenting regional instability, vowing that the United States would never allow the country to possess nuclear weapons.

    In response, M. Pezeshkian stated that these statements by D. Trump testify to his inability to understand the “truth, honor, generosity and selflessness” of the Iranian people.

    He added that while D. Trump was portraying Iran as a source of regional instability, thousands of women and children were killed as a result of Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, whose residents are also deprived of water and medicine.

    According to the Iranian president, over the past 47 years, the United States and its allies have been straining every nerve to bring the Iranian government and people to their knees, but they have not succeeded and will not succeed.

    Expressing confidence in Iran’s resilience, the president said his country would continue to develop, relying on its scientists, intellectuals and entrepreneurs. Although Iran does not seek war, it will never trade its honor and glory for peace, Pezeshkian concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE supports Montenegrin parliamentary staff’s visit to National Assembly of Slovenia

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

    Headline: OSCE supports Montenegrin parliamentary staff’s visit to National Assembly of Slovenia

    Representatives of the Parliamentary Institute of Montenegro with their colleagues from the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, 14 May 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    On 13 and 14 May, six representatives of the Parliamentary Institute of Montenegro, led by its Head, Nataša Komnenić, undertook a study visit to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. The visit focused on exploring the Assembly’s structure, functions, and activities, with particular attention to good practices in the Library, Documentation Centre and the Archive Office.
    The Secretary General of the Slovenian National Assembly, Uršula Zore Tavčar, welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit, emphasizing that both parliaments can mutually benefit from the exchange of good practices. During the visit, the Montenegrin delegation, together with their Slovenian counterparts, examined, compared and discussed principles and procedures governing documentation and archiving systems.
    The Montenegrin delegation also learned about the Slovenian Assembly’s educational programmes for children and high school students. Ms. Komnenić, expressed interest in further co-operation, noting that many practices from the Slovenian Assembly — especially those relating to digitalization — could be applied in Montenegro.
    The Mission will continue to assist the Parliamentary Institute in further strengthening its capacities to support the work of Members of Parliament, and in enhancing the assembly’s public outreach portfolio.

    MIL OSI Europe News –