NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Independent Football Regulator Chair pre-appointment hearing: Culture, Media & Sport Committee

    Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

    The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is holding a pre-appointment hearing with David Kogan, the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the new Independent Football Regulator.

    The session will give MPs the chance to test whether Mr Kogan has the required skills, independence and experience in regulation to carry out the role, which will be established when the Football Governance Bill completes its passage through Parliament.

    He is likely to be asked about his motivations for wanting the job and his approach and priorities for the Independent Football Regulator should he be appointed. There could also be wider questions about what he sees as the main current and emerging challenges facing English football.

    Mr Kogan, who has held several senior positions in the media and sports industries, was announced as the preferred candidate by the Government two weeks ago.

    Following the session, the Committee will publish a short report on the candidate’s suitability for the Government to consider.

    #Football #PremierLeague #FootballRegulator #FootballLeague

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc0LcPzBy7w

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Moran Introduces No Tax on Overtime Act

    Source: Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01)

    Washington, D.C. ­– Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) – a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means – introduced the No Tax on Overtime Act, one of President Donald Trump’s top tax priorities for Congress’s reconciliation bill. President Trump has been a longtime, vocal supporter of policy that helps working-class Americans, promising his 2024 presidential campaign to reduce taxes on tips and overtime wages for American workers.

    “I’m honored to introduce legislation to support President Trump’s America First agenda and codify his tax priorities into law,”     said Congressman Moran. “East Texans make sacrifices every day to put food on the table, gas in the tank, and provide daily necessities for their families. This legislation will help support their efforts by ensuring their hard work is rewarded. After four years of inflationary policies by the Biden Administration, it’s time to help hardworking Americans. I’m excited to work with President Trump to deliver on the promises he made to the American people.”

    Specifically, Congressman Moran’s No Tax on Overtime Act would allow a deduction for up to 300 hours of qualified overtime compensation earned in a given taxable year. The legislation is tailored toward individual earners making up to $100,000 and couples with a combined income of $200,000. Further, this bill will eliminate 100% of income taxes on the 50% overtime pay premium for the more than 90 million hourly workers.

    In September 2024, Trump stated: “[No Tax on Overtime] gives people more of an incentive to work… The people who work overtime are among the hardest-working citizens in our country. And for too long, no one in Washington has looked out for them… Those are the people, they really work. They’re police officers, nurses, factory workers, construction workers, truck drivers and machine operators.”


    Trump’s Support for No Tax on Overtime:

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pfluger’s ACES Act Passes Through the House

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

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger’s (TX-11) bipartisan, bicameral legislation seeking to lower military aviation cancer rates passed through the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 376-5. The Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act directs the Secretary of the VA to study cancer incidences and mortality rates among aviators and aircrews who served in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

    The ACES Act was co-led in the House by Congressman and U.S. Navy veteran Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and in the Senate by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK), both veterans and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

    To celebrate its passage on the House floor today, Rep. Pfluger, Rep. Panetta, Senator Kelly, and Senator Cotton released the following statements:

    “As a former fighter pilot, I know firsthand the risks that airmen and women take every day when they step into the cockpit, and I’ve fought alongside the best this nation has to offer. But I have also stood in hospital rooms watching far too many of my brothers and sisters fight their toughest battles not in the air, but in the hospital room against cancer,” said Rep. Pfluger. “The ACES Act is not just a bill—it’s a lifeline for those who have already given so much for our freedom, and it’s a message to every pilot who’s ever put on a uniform to protect our skies that we will fight to protect them in return. The ACES Act has been my top priority in Congress since I was elected, and I am thrilled that after years of advocacy, this legislation has finally passed through the House, and I urge its swift passage in the Senate.”

    “Many veterans face serious health risks, including increased rates of cancer potentially linked to aviation service,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The House’s passage of the ACES Act is an important step forward in our efforts to uncover the full scope of these diagnoses and ensure our military and VA providers have the data they need to respond. The Senate must act, and do so quickly, to provide our aviators and, ultimately, all of our veterans, with the care and answers they deserve.”

    “As a former Navy pilot, there are certain risks that we know and accept come with our service, but we know far less about the health risks that are affecting many aviators years later,” said Senator Kelly. “Veteran aviators deserve answers about the correlation between their job and cancer risks so we can reduce those risks for future pilots. I’m proud to lead this effort in the Senate and won’t rest until we get it across the finish line.”  

    “We owe it to past, present, and future aviators in the armed forces to study the prevalence of cancer among this group of veterans. I applaud the House for passing this important piece of legislation and look forward to leading the effort, along with Senator Kelly, to pass it through the Senate,” said Senator Cotton.
      

    Before its passage, Rep. Pfluger spoke on the House floor in support of this legislation, and his remarks can be viewed HERE. Read the full text of the legislation HERE.

    The passage of Rep. Pfluger’s legislation was also celebrated by several veteran organizations and advocacy groups, including Red River Valley Association (RRVA), With Honor Action, HunterSeven Foundation, the MACH Coalition, Fleet Reserve Association, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Veteran Prostate Cancer Awareness Inc. 

    Vince Alcazar, COL, USAF, ret., MACH Coalition Founder & Director said, “The Military Aviator Coalition for Health (MACH) celebrates the passage of H.R. 530, the Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act. With three major Department of Defense studies in the last four confirming and quantifying significantly elevated cancer rates among U.S. military flyers, the ACES Act goes the next step. This bill would ask the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to apply their extensive Veteran health study capacity to determine what in the operating environments of military aviation is likely causing cancer. This study is essential. Without the ACES Act, military medicine will have no practical way of mitigating risk, and Veteran flyers will have no basis to correlate their service to potential cancer. This day was five years in the making. We recognize and praise the leadership of Congressman August Pfluger in leading this bill through three Congresses to today. Congressman Pfluger is an amazing champion of this work.”

    Theo Lawson, Assistant Director, Legislative Programs, Fleet Reserve Association, said, “The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) wholeheartedly celebrates the passage of the ACES Act in the House and extends our sincere congratulations to Congressman August Pfluger, his staff, and the bill’s cosponsors for their incredible dedication in advancing this vital legislation. Understanding cancer is the first step to defeating it, and this bill brings us closer to uncovering the critical links between aircrew service and cancer risks. Their leadership ensures our sea service aviators and all aircrew members are better equipped to identify and combat this silent enemy. We look forward to continuing the fight alongside them until the ACES Act becomes law–honoring the sacrifices of our servicemembers and safeguarding future generations.”  

    Mario Marquez, Executive Director of Government Affairs, said, “On behalf of the 1.5 million veterans nationwide, The American Legion proudly supports the ACES Act. Research is critical to our understanding of the impacts of toxic exposures, from Agent Orange to harmful chemicals on aircraft. We applaud Representative Pfluger for prioritizing this critical issue and thank the House of Representatives for passing the ACES Act with resounding support. The American Legion urges the Senate to vote on this bill and continue to invest in research surrounding the impacts of toxic exposures.” 

    Background

    Pilots and aircrews have been found to have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and melanoma, with possible links to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer.

    This legislation is critical as it would improve our understanding of the link between military service and cancer risks among Veteran aviators. By better understanding the correlation between aviator service and cancer, we can better assist our military and provide more adequate care for our veterans.

    In March, Rep. Pfluger participated in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs legislative hearing on several bills, including Rep. Pfluger’s Aviators Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act. Additionally, Rep. Pfluger’s good friend and fellow fighter pilot, who is actively battling cancer as a result of his service, Colonel Andy “Pablo” Shurtleff, appeared as a witness to the committee to share his story and explain the need and urgency for the ACES Act. 

    The ACES Act will help advance research on any correlation between aviator service and cancer rates to better assist veterans and active service members. The ACES Act was introduced in the 117th and 118th Congresses. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: ModelOp Unveils 2025 AI Governance Benchmark Report Showing Speed, Scale, and Trust Will Define the Next Era of Enterprise AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ModelOp, the leading AI lifecycle automation and governance software for enterprises, announced today the release of its highly anticipated 2025 AI Governance Benchmark Report. Titled “AI’s Time-to-Market Quagmire: Why Enterprises Struggle to Scale AI Innovation”, the new report provides groundbreaking insights from 100 senior AI and data leaders in Financial Services, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Pharma, Biotech, Consumer Packaged Goods, Logistics, Manufacturing, Energy, and Retail across North America.

    It reveals the operational challenges that enterprises face in bringing to market and scaling AI initiatives – especially generative AI. With global AI spending expected to reach $631 billion by 2028, the report highlights a stark disconnect between enterprise ambitions and production results. Reasons include fragmented systems, inconsistent governance practices, and reliance on manual processes like spreadsheets and emails.

    Key Findings from the Report:

    • 56% of generative AI projects take between 6–18 months to move from intake to production.
    • 80% of enterprises have at least 51 generative AI use cases in the proposal phase, but most only have a handful of use cases in production.
    • While 72% of enterprises have fewer than 20 AI use cases in production, a wave of initiatives is coming, at least 90% of organizations have 21 or more use cases either in development or quality assurance.
    • 58% of enterprises said dealing with fragmented systems was among the biggest challenges to AI governance adoption.
    • 86% of enterprises run the risk of inconsistent reporting and duplicate work because they do not carry out AI assurance at the enterprise level.
    • 36% said they have budgeted more than $1M annually for AI governance software – demonstrating a trend towards ring-fencing funds for this purpose.

    “Executives are increasingly needing to demonstrate ROI for the significant investments in their AI initiatives,” says Jim Olsen, Chief Technology Officer at ModelOp. “There’s pressure for them to show leadership in new tech, drive transformation, and produce a competitive advantage — but they need to show that the tech is trustworthy too. Even if an enterprise does have well-defined governance policies, applying and enforcing them consistently across the many teams and systems involved is like herding cats if you’re doing it with spreadsheets and manual processes. Enterprises are realizing that AI governance is not a bureaucratic hurdle – they’re recognizing it as a trustworthy engine to accelerate and scale innovation. Effective AI governance is really about using AI lifecycle automation to coordinate the dozens of teams and systems involved with bringing AI to market and enforcing internal and regulatory policies consistently,” says Olsen.

    The report also showcases how early governance adoption correlates with faster deployment and stronger return on investment. A featured case study details how a major financial services firm cut time-to-market in half and reduced issue resolution time by 80% after implementing ModelOp’s AI lifecycle automation and governance software.

    “Speed will separate the leaders from the laggards,” added Olsen. “This report is a call-to-action for C-suite executives to embed automation and governance from the start, not as a check-the-box afterthought.”

    The full 2025 AI Governance Benchmark Report, developed in collaboration with Corinium Intelligence, is available now at no charge for download at https://www.modelop.com/ai-gov-benchmark-report.

    About ModelOp
    ModelOp is the leader in AI lifecycle automation and governance software, purpose-built for enterprises. It enables organizations to bring all of their AI initiatives – from GenAI and ML to regression models – to market faster, at scale, and with the confidence of end-to-end control, oversight, and value realization. ModelOp is used by the most complex and regulated institutions in the world – including major banks, insurers, regulatory bodies, healthcare organizations, and global CPG companies – because it delivers the structure, automation, and oversight necessary to operationalize AI at scale across the entire enterprise. In 2024, ModelOp received the prestigious AI Breakthrough Award for “Best AI Governance Platform” and was also recognized as a winner in Inc.’s Best in Business Awards in the AI & Data category. In 2025, it was awarded the “Best AI Governance Software Award” from Netty Awards and received Business Intelligence Group’s Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award. Follow ModelOp on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact
    Ria Romano, Partner
    RPR Public Relations, Inc.
    Tel. 786-290-6413

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5372bd1-3e80-49a2-8d3a-0d588941c21a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart CEO Nathan (Nenter) Chow Delivers Keynote at TOKEN2049: Shaping Crypto’s Future: AI-Powered Scale and Institutional Trust

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Dubai, UAE, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nathan (Nenter) Chow, the new global CEO of BitMart, the world’s leading crypto asset trading platform, was invited to attend the Dubai TOKEN2049 conference and delivered a keynote speech entitled “Shaping Crypto’s Future: AI-Powered Scale and Institutional Trust“. Nenter deeply analyzed the current status of industry development and proposed a strategic concept of AI promoting leapfrog development of the industry.

    In his sharing, Nenter first analyzed that the current crypto market is at a critical turning point. Although the overall crypto market has shown a growth trend since 2025, problems such as liquidity fragmentation and imperfect compliance frameworks still restrict the full entry of institutional investors. According to the latest research data, the scale of global digital assets is expected to reach 20-30 trillion US dollars by 2030, but achieving this goal requires solving key issues such as the division of roles between traditional finance and crypto ecology, the transparency of risk management tools, and technical barriers.

    AI-driven scalability – not only developing the market, but also changing the market. Nenter focused on the three major directions in which AI drives the development of the crypto industry. The first is to promote the deep integration of traditional finance and the crypto market, and to build a global market with free flow of assets by clarifying the role positioning of each participant. The second is to use AI technology to achieve an efficiency revolution, including using reinforcement learning algorithms to optimize cross-platform transaction paths and strengthening security monitoring through deep learning models. 

    Looking ahead, Nenter pointed out that despite challenges such as trade barriers, there is light at the end of the tunnel. He said: “When large banks begin to directly allocate digital assets, the real institutionalization wave will come, which requires us to build a trust infrastructure that takes into account privacy and compliance. BitMart will also continue to promote the coordinated development of AI technology innovation and institutional construction, with user empowerment as the core, to jointly build an open, interconnected and trusted crypto future.”

    About BitMart
    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

    Disclaimer:
    Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

    The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Syncfusion® Announces Successful Completion of SOC 2® Type 2 Examination

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Syncfusion®, Inc., the enterprise technology provider of choice, today announced that it has successfully completed a System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2® Type 2 audit examination for its Essential Studio and Bold products. Additionally, the electronic signature platform BoldSign® is now Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)-certified in compliance with European Union (EU) laws.

    “Secure, accurate information is the cornerstone of the prosperity of any organization,” said Daniel Jebaraj, CEO of Syncfusion. “The successful completion of our SOC 2 Type 2 examination reinforces our ongoing commitment to create and maintain a secure operating environment for our clients’ confidential data, based upon industry standards and best practices, now and in the future.”

    Successful SOC 2®Type 2 audit examination

    SOC 2® reports examine controls at a service organization and are conducted within the AICPA’s Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization framework. The SOC 2® Type 2 report provides an understanding of the service organization’s suitability of the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of its internal controls. Organizations are audited based on the five trust service criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. An organization may select any or all of the trust service criteria applicable to its business; Syncfusion chose to report on all five criteria.

    The independent auditing firm tested Syncfusion’s controls and examined its policies and procedures regarding operational areas like:

    • Cloud security.
    • Network connectivity.
    • Systems development life cycle.
    • Computer operations.
    • Logistical access.
    • Data transmission.
    • Backup and disaster recovery.

    Upon completing the audit, Syncfusion received a Service Auditor’s Report with an opinion demonstrating that its policies, procedures, and infrastructure meet or exceed the stringent SOC 2® criteria. The successful completion of this voluntary examination reflects Syncfusion’s dedication to protecting its customers’ information.

    BoldSign® delivers fully QES-compliant signatures

    A QES offers a valid, legally binding digital signature backed by the EU’s strict security guardrails as laid out in electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services (eIDAS) regulations. A QES-compliant signature has the same legal power as a handwritten one across all EU countries. Additionally, BoldSign has GDPR-compliant, EU-based data centers, seamless QES identity verification, multilingual support, and a detailed audit trail for each QES-signed document. To learn more about BoldSign, QES, and other EU-specific features, visit https://boldsign.com/qes.

    About Syncfusion®, Inc.
    Headquartered in the technology hub of Research Triangle Park, N.C., Syncfusion, Inc.® delivers an award-winning ecosystem of developer control suites, embeddable BI platforms, and business software. Syncfusion was founded in 2001 with a single software component and a mission to support businesses of all sizes—from individual developers and start-ups to Fortune 500 enterprises. Though its pilot product, the Essential Studio® suite, has grown to over 1,900 developer controls, its mission remains the same. With offices in the U.S., India, and Kenya, Syncfusion prioritizes the customer experience by providing feature-rich solutions to help developers and enterprises solve complex problems, save money, and build high-performance, robust applications.

    Contact: Brittany Kearns
    Phone: 919-270-8054
    Email: brittany@crossroadsb2b.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Salary.com Announces Partnership with Texas Hospital Association

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Salary.com, the global leader in compensation technology and data, today announced its partnership with the Texas Hospital Association (THA), the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. With a shared commitment to “getting pay right” within the health care industry, THA and Salary.com are focused on addressing workforce shortages through smart compensation practices.

    One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents more than 85 percent of Texas’ acute-care hospitals and health care systems, which employ more than 400,000 health care professionals statewide. Known for developing a vision of unified health care delivery for Texas, THA is an advocate for accessible, cost-effective high-quality health care delivered through a system that emphasizes integration, community health, and equitable funding.

    Competitive salaries attract and retain qualified talent. Given the escalating growth in the health care industry – which added 52,000 jobs in February 2025 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – the availability of trustworthy HR-reported market to support total compensation management is required. At the foundation of Salary.com’s products and services is the world’s largest database of compensation market data covering 16,000 jobs across 225 industries. The Salary.com Total Compensation Management solution incorporates this data directly into an integrated suite of compensation management software. The suite includes all of the components of compensation management and communications, from AI enabled job description development and job benchmarking to skills analysis and Job Architecture and from annual compensation planning tools to pay equity analysis.

    Vicki Dale, Senior Director of Business Services, THA, said, “THA is pleased to partner with Salary.com to ensure pay transparency. Their Total Compensation Management solution delivers what we need, across comp planning, job design management, pay equity analytics, and more. Our decision-making process to select Salary.com as our compensation partner involved a lengthy and meticulous vetting process. We’re looking forward to the mutual success of our work together.”

    “Salary.com’s partnership with THA represents our shared commitment to getting pay right within the health care space, which is more vital than ever as they address projected workforce shortages, an aging population, and increased demand,” commented Kevin Plunkett, Senior Vice President, Partnerships, Salary.com. “With Salary.com’s Total Compensation Management suite, THA can centralize salary planning, ascertain what skills are needed for different jobs, and provide clear and consistent pay information. As one of the largest hospital associations in the country, we’re honored to support THA’s continued success.”

    More About Total Compensation Management (TCM)
    From the C-suite to the employee, Salary.com’s Total Compensation Management (TCM) is an original approach that streamlines and improves the flow of pay information. By skillfully blending planning and management while cutting through the confusion created by disconnected parts and providers, TCM increases accuracy, clarifies processes, and delivers accurate data. With Salary.com’s TCM suite, organizations gain best-in-class products in one integrated solution that delivers a comprehensive picture of pay and benefits. To learn more please visit here.

    About Texas Hospital Association

    Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality, and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents more than 85% of the state’s acute-care hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 400,000 health care professionals statewide.

    About Salary.com
    Salary.com has been helping organizations with human capital needs for over 25 years. The company leads the industry in compensation data, software, and services. More than 30,000 organizations in 30+ countries use Salary.com’s solutions to hire and retain talent and compete in a changing world. Salary.com provides over 10 billion data points across over 225 industries using a proprietary AI framework to ensure fair pay. The company’s main product, CompAnalyst®, helps organizations simplify hiring, reduce guesswork, and increase retention. Employee trust depends on fair pay, and Salary.com helps get it right. For additional information, please visit www.salary.com/business.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Tango Announces Leadership Change Designed to Drive Future Growth with the Appointment of Jon Elliott as New CEO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tango, the leading provider of cloud-based real estate and facilities management software solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Elliott as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2025. Pranav Tyagi, who founded Tango and served as its leader for 17 years, is stepping down as CEO and will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors where he will continue to support the company’s long-term success in an advisory capacity. This strategic leadership change marks a significant milestone for Tango as it continues to advance its mission to empower the world’s leading companies by providing innovative solutions, data, and expertise to maximize value and impact from their locations.

    Since its founding in 2008, Tango has achieved remarkable milestones, transitioning from its beginnings as a management consulting firm to becoming a pioneer in the creation of Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) and Store Lifecycle Management (SLM) solutions. Under Tyagi’s visionary leadership, Tango has led the way in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to create a global Enterprise SaaS solution embraced by customers in more than 140 countries, enabling them to plan and manage their entire real estate and facilities lifecycle, optimize costs, enhance employee engagement, and track and improve sustainability.

    “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together at Tango,” said Tyagi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tango. “Our exceptional team has been the driving force behind our success, consistently innovating and pushing boundaries to help our customers respond to the evolving ways people interact with physical space. I can’t thank them enough for their dedication and hard work. I also want to extend my gratitude to our customers, many of whom have been with us since the beginning, for their unwavering support and trust.”

    Jon Elliott joins Tango after more than two decades of outstanding success across multiple industries that have seen dramatic digital transformation and growth. Most recently, he was the CEO of Bluebeam, a global B2B SaaS software business serving customers in the Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry, as well as a Chief Division Officer and Executive Board Member of the Nemetschek Group.

    “The global Tango team has built something truly special — a trusted product, a passionate team, and a loyal customer base,” said Jon Elliott, Tango’s Chief Executive Officer. “I’m deeply honored to join this next chapter and work alongside the team to build on the strong foundation that Pranav and the team created.”

    Tyagi continued, “This transition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Jon Elliott is an inspiring, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven leader who knows what it takes to scale a vision into substantial global impact. By staying close to customers and understanding industry needs, he recognizes how technology can solve the most pressing customer challenges, and I have full confidence in his ability to lead Tango into its next phase of growth.”

    Jon Nuger, a Tango Board member and Managing Director at Berkshire Partners commented on this significant appointment, “We are thrilled to welcome Jon Elliott as our new CEO. His proven leadership and depth of experience are precisely what Tango needs to navigate the evolving landscape and achieve our ambitious goals. We also want to express our deep thanks to Pranav for his visionary leadership and extraordinary dedication, which have been instrumental in shaping Tango’s success. We look forward to his ongoing guidance as Chairman of the Board.”

    About Tango
    With hundreds of customers across more than 140 countries, Tango is the leader in Store Lifecycle Management and Integrated Workplace Management System software, delivering a single solution spanning real estate, design & construction, lease administration & accounting, facilities, occupancy management, energy & sustainability, desk booking, visitor and space management. To learn more visit tangoanalytics.com.

    About Berkshire Partners
    Berkshire Partners is a 100% employee-owned, multi-sector specialist investor in private and public equity. The firm’s private equity team invests in well-positioned, growing companies across business & consumer services, healthcare, industrials, and technology & communications. Berkshire is currently investing from its Fund XI, which held its final closing in 2024 with approximately $7.8 billion in commitments. Since inception, Berkshire Partners has made more than 150 private equity investments and has a strong history of collaborating with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Tango
    Kathy Fischer
    Vice President, Marketing
    kathy.fischer@tangoanalytics.com
    (416) 727-5647

    Berkshire Partners
    Greg Winter
    Director of Marketing and Communications
    gwinter@berkshirepartners.com
    (617) 227-0050

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lotlinx Appoints Kerri Wise as Chief Marketing Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DETROIT, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lotlinx, the auto industry’s leading VIN-specific data company for dealership inventory management, announced today the appointment of Kerri Wise as Chief Marketing Officer. With over 25 years of executive leadership experience at top automotive technology brands, Wise will spearhead Lotlinx’s marketing strategy, brand development, and dealer engagement initiatives as the company expands its footprint and enhances its solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

    Wise is widely recognized as a trailblazer in automotive retail marketing. Most recently, she served as Chief Marketing Officer at AutoFi, where she led strategic branding, demand generation, and partner marketing efforts that contributed to the company’s growth and industry influence. Prior to AutoFi, she held leadership roles at TrueCar, where she served as Vice President of Dealer Marketing and Industry Education, and Edmunds, where she led dealer training, sales enablement and analytics. Earlier in her career, Wise held pivotal roles at JD Power and Associates, focusing on market intelligence and customer experience.

    “Kerri brings an exceptional blend of brand leadership, automotive expertise, and an unmatched reputation for championing dealer success,” said Len Short, Executive Chairman of Lotlinx. “She understands how to connect data-driven solutions to real dealer challenges, and she has a deep understanding of how to drive impact through strategic marketing. Kerri’s passion for innovation and inclusivity aligns perfectly with our mission, and we’re proud to welcome her to the team.”

    Wise’s industry influence extends beyond her executive roles. She is a frequent keynote speaker at major automotive events and was recognized as one of Automotive News’ 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry in 2020. She was also named a Notable Champion of Diversity in 2021. Additionally, Wise is the Co-founder and President of Women of Color Automotive Network (WOCAN), a member-based nonprofit organization with more than 1,000 members that seek to attract, connect, and empower women of color in the automotive industry.

    “Joining Lotlinx at this moment in its growth is an incredible opportunity,” said Wise. “Lotlinx is redefining how dealers harness the power of real-time, VIN-level data to make smarter marketing and inventory decisions. I’m excited to help amplify the company’s value proposition and strengthen connections with our dealer partners as we continue delivering machine-driven technology that directly impacts profitability and operational control.”

    Wise’s leadership at Lotlinx will focus on elevating the brand’s presence across digital and traditional channels, expanding education and thought leadership programs for dealers, and reinforcing Lotlinx’s role as a trusted partner in modernizing retail automotive through data precision.

    About Lotlinx 

    Founded in 2012 and based out in Peterborough, New Hampshire, Lotlinx is the automotive industry leader in VIN-specific data solutions for inventory risk management. The Lotlinx platform provides automobile dealers and manufacturers with enhanced operational control over their retail business. Leveraging state-of-the-art real-time data and machine learning technology, Lotlinx provides a precision retailing solution that enables dealers to automatically adapt to market dynamics, mitigating inventory risk through VIN-specific strategies. To learn more about Lotlinx, please visit www.lotlinx.com.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Haivision Redefines ISR Video Processing and Transcoding with the New Kraken X1 Rugged

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Haivision, a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboration solutions, today introduced the Kraken X1 Rugged, a game-changing addition to its battle-hardened ISR video processing arsenal. Built for maximum operational impact at the tactical edge, Kraken X1 Rugged processes full-motion video (FMV), delivering low latency encoding, transcoding, and AI-enhanced video and metadata to support the toughest mission demands in the most extreme environments.

    Precision-engineered to meet any video processing challenge in forward-deployed ISR missions, the Kraken X1 Rugged packs cutting-edge AI capabilities and low-latency video performance into a rugged, compact, and fanless appliance. Engineered to meet MIL-STD ruggedization requirements in a small form factor device, Kraken X1 Rugged provides superior video processing for ISR missions in the most demanding environments – including UAVs, manned aircraft, vehicles, towers, ships, and more.

    Kraken X1 Rugged derives its high-density power from the NVIDIA Jetson Orin platform with next-gen GPU acceleration. Along with the ability to encode/transcode up to four 1080p HD streams, Kraken X1 Rugged can enhance situational awareness with real-time AI processing at the edge, capable of running third-party AI models directly on sensor-equipped platforms that are deployed in the field, instead of transporting the sensor feeds for processing to cloud data centers far from the action. By processing at the tactical edge, Kraken X1 Rugged can provide higher-quality intelligence delivered more reliably, more quickly, and more securely.

    “The Kraken X1 Rugged represents a significant evolution of our ISR platform, bringing ruggedized, real-time video processing to the most demanding environments,” said John Leipper, Defense Product Manager, Haivision. “It delivers the trusted Kraken capabilities our users rely on, in a compact, durable form factor optimized for high-performance AI-ready processing at the edge – right next to sensors.”

    Haivision’s Kraken solutions are trusted by ISR and mission-critical operations to turn constrained, unreliable networks into actionable intelligence pipelines for full motion video. Key capabilities of Kraken X1 Rugged include:

    • Real-time video for ISR: Process real-time FMV with surgical precision to supercharge critical decisions. Handle up to four 1080p60 streams or one 4Kp60 stream with HEVC/H.265 or H.264 compression.
    • Bandwidth optimization with KLV metadata: High-quality transcoding for downstream compatibility and transport even when network bandwidth is limited, along with synchronous/asynchronous KLV metadata, filtered as needed, to enhance geospatial context and unlock actionable intelligence.
    • Enrich intelligence with AI at the edge: Run third-party AI algorithms on NVIDIA accelerated GPUs to reliably extract high-quality intelligence at the tactical edge and deliver as full motion video and KLV metadata for downstream dissemination.
    • Ruggedized performance in a small form factor: MIL-STD environmental and power compliance for tough conditions, form factor suitable for deployment in environments with size and weight constraints, and support for 28V DC in a fanless appliance, deliver reliable results wherever ISR operations demand.
    • Seamlessly connect ISR networks: Route encoded or transcoded video streams to multiple destinations and convert between transport protocols like MPEG-TS, SRT, RTMP, RTSP, and RTP.
    • Battle-tested compatibility: Runs the same industry-leading Kraken software trusted by defense, public safety, and intelligence organizations worldwide.

    The Kraken family of real-time ISR video encoding and transcoding solutions are central to Haivision’s cutting-edge product portfolio, driving mission-critical operations with precision and power. Haivision’s video wall systems for command centers, video distribution solutions, and ISR video technology help aerospace, enterprise, government, military, and public safety organizations make informed decisions faster.

    The Kraken X1 Rugged will be showcased at SOF Week 2025 from May 6-8 in Tampa, Florida, and will be available in fall 2025. Learn more about the Kraken X1 Rugged here.

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

    Jennifer Gazin
    514.334.5445 ext 8309
    jgazin@haivision.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Abundance Energy, sonnen, and Energywell Unite to Develop Residential Battery-Enabled Virtual Power Plants in Texas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abundance Energy, sonnen, and Energywell Technology Licensing, LLC (“Energywell”) are joining forces to power the future of energy through the development of behind-the-meter, battery-enabled Virtual Power Plants (“VPP”) in Texas.

    The collaboration empowers Abundance Energy customers to use their sonnenConnect home batteries to support grid stability, ensure reliable energy delivery, and lower electricity costs while driving the development of smart, sustainable energy solutions.

    Optimized through the integration of Energywell’s Proton platform with sonnen’s advanced Virtual Power Plant battery control technology, each battery is continuously managed in response to market price signals, customer usage, and solar generation. Networked together, these batteries create a VPP, dynamically balancing energy supply and demand to maximize value for both the grid and the customer.

    “Our mission is to empower homeowners with smarter, more sustainable energy solutions,” said Thomas Mandry, CEO of Abundance Energy. “By combining sonnen’s best-in-class battery and Virtual Power Plant technology, Energywell’s market expertise through its Proton platform, we are delivering an innovative VPP model that benefits both customers and the Texas grid.”

    sonnen’s VPP technology intelligently manages energy supply and demand, ensuring stored solar or grid energy is strategically deployed when needed most. “Our VPP solutions enable customers to actively participate in the energy market while maintaining resilience in their homes,” said Blake Richetta, Chairman and CEO of sonnen. “With Abundance Energy, and Energywell, we’re setting a new standard for residential energy management.”

    Energywell’s Proton platform provides advanced forecasting and optimization tools to ensure batteries are dispatched in alignment with market opportunities. “The Texas energy landscape is evolving, and this partnership exemplifies the future of distributed energy,” said Michael Fallquist, CEO of Energywell. “By optimizing stored energy, we are reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions, building a smarter, cleaner, and more flexible grid.”

    This VPP initiative aligns with Texas’ growing demand for resilient, customer-driven energy solutions and paves the way for further innovation in the residential energy sector.

    About Abundance Energy

    Abundance Energy is a digital-native Retail Electric Provider (REP) startup licensed for operations in Texas. Abundance’s products include transparent fixed-rate residential plans and multi-meter Continuous Service Agreement plans for vacant property management with a built-to-purpose CSA customer platform. Abundance is part of the Quext family of companies that includes next-generation LoRaWAN proprietary IoT thermostats and smart locks for the multifamily market. Visit abundanceenergy.com for more information.

    About sonnen

    sonnen is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of smart energy storage systems for residential applications, and a pioneer of the residential battery based virtual power plant. The sonnen VPP is nationally recognized as a blueprint for the decentralized, digitalized, decarbonized energy system of the future. sonnen is one of the most experienced and fastest growing VPP energy storage companies in the world. sonnen has received many internationally recognized awards celebrating our technological achievement. sonnen products and services are used by the sonnenCommunity, a collection of visionaries around the world who share our vision of clean and affordable energy for everyone. In Texas, sonnen partners with SOLRITE Energy to bring their flagship Virtual Power Plant Power Purchase Agreement (VPA), to provide solar panels and home battery systems at no upfront cost.

    sonnen’s offices are located in Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the USA. sonnen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell. Learn more at: https://sonnenusa.com/en

    About Energywell

    Energywell is an energy technology company powering the sustainable energy transition. Energywell combines the financial strength of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and capital and commodities expertise from Hartree Partners L.P. with proprietary technology and a seasoned team of energy industry veterans. Visit Energywell.com for more information.

    About Proton

    Energywell’s Proton platform delivers real-time energy insights and seamless device integration, empowering businesses and customers to optimize energy more sustainably. Proton uses cloud-native, event-driven architecture to ensure energy solutions scale quickly while maintaining the highest standards of security, including SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. Proton is available for licensing for third parties looking to accelerate their own energy management capabilities. Visit Energywell.com/proton for more information.

    Press Contact
    FischTank PR
    sonnen@fischtankpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Renown Capital Partners formally launches with $250M in anchor capital, leads Series C raise for Utilidata

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Renown Capital Partners, (“Renown”) – an investment firm focused on growth-stage technology companies helping to secure an efficient, affordable, and reliable energy system – has formally launched. Renown is a spinout of Moore Capital Management (“Moore”), which has provided $200M of anchor capital. The Daily Mail and General Trust (“DMGT”) has committed an additional $50M of anchor capital.

    Renown’s investment team is led by James McIntyre (Co-Founder, Chief Investment Officer, and Managing Partner), along with Hunter Horgan (Managing Director) and Cameron Scari (Managing Director). McIntyre leaves Moore after nearly twenty years with the firm and has worked with both Horgan and Scari for nearly a decade. Archie Soames is Co-Founder and Head of Business Development.

    Renown launches with a portfolio of six companies and recently led the Series C financing of Utilidata – an AI technology company bringing edge computing and AI to the electric grid. Utilidata’s distributed AI platform, Karman – designed in partnership with part owner NVIDIA – will help deliver unprecedented efficiency, resilience, and security to energy infrastructure across the globe.

    James McIntyre said, “Throughout my time at Moore I have rarely seen a secular shift as powerful and sustaining as what the world is currently experiencing in energy. Renown has been founded specifically to capitalize on this opportunity.”

    “Given the rise in demand, surge of complexity, and expansion of decentralized energy resources, utilities need real-time visibility of grid conditions and dynamic, software-defined infrastructure,” said Renown’s Hunter Horgan, who orchestrated the Utilidata round. “We believe Utilidata is providing a flexible, evergreen solution to address these complex issues, and we are excited to continue our longstanding relationship through this raise.”

    Archie Soames added, “We believe the global energy ecosystem is at an inflection point and offers a generational investment opportunity. The companies providing new technologies in this space, including those in Renown’s launch portfolio, are poised for extraordinary growth.”

    About Renown:

    Renown Capital Partners, (“Renown”), is an investment firm focused on growth-stage technology companies helping to secure an efficient, affordable, and reliable energy system. Renown is a spinout of Moore Capital Management with additional anchor capital committed from The Daily Mail and General Trust (“DMGT”).

    Contact:

    ir@renowncapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Leveling the playing field: Talkdesk supercharges small businesses with accessible, enterprise-grade artificial intelligence service tools

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Talkdesk®, Inc., a global provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered customer experience (CX) technology that serves enterprises of all sizes, today announced the launch of Talkdesk Express™, an enterprise-grade customer service solution for small businesses that empowers them to deliver the same exceptional customer service as large organizations, without the complexity. A Gartner® study reports, “76% of executive leaders see CX as critical to meeting organizations’ business goals.”* However, traditional contact center software is either too expensive or complex for small businesses, placing them at an unfair disadvantage. Talkdesk Express is an affordable, intuitive solution designed for ultra-fast setup, and its ease of use enables small businesses to self-manage multi-channel customer service operations—no technical knowledge required or precious hours wasted on support hotlines.

    Easy Set-up, $100 Free Credits, and 25 Free Licences

    To help small businesses with up to 50 employees get started setting up their customer service operations, Talkdesk Express includes $100 in free credits and 25 free licenses. Businesses create their contact center directly from the Talkdesk website—bypassing cumbersome vendor sales-led setup and onboarding. Talkdesk Express is self-provisioning and guides new customers through a step-by-step process to procure a phone number and set up channels, users, and connected knowledge bases in just a few minutes.

    Businesses that have started using Talkdesk Express, like TV Wall Mounters LLC, DBA Visionary AV Solutions—a company specializing in residential and commercial AV installations, including TV mounting, LED video walls, and projector setups—are already seeing the difference. By simplifying customer service operations and improving call quality, Visionary AV Solutions has been able to deliver faster, more professional support while focusing on growing its business.

    “Talkdesk has been a game-changer for us. Compared to other systems we’ve used, Talkdesk Express truly stands out—the sound quality is clearer, the platform layout is more intuitive, and the overall performance has been outstanding. Our team loves using it, and we’ve already seen great success,” said Calvin Williams, chief executive officer of TV Wall Mounters LLC, DBA Visionary AV Solutions.

    Enterprise-Grade AI for Enhanced Customer Service

    Talkdesk Express equips small businesses with the same suite of powerful AI-driven tools used by Talkdesk large enterprise customers like BankUnited, Canon, Medela, and Michael’s. The AI tools come pre-installed and pre-configured for ease, so small businesses can compete with larger organizations without needing an IT team. These include:

    • Intelligent customer routing: A tool that allows customers to state their query in their own words, understands the interaction priority level for the business, and to whom the interaction should be routed (Talkdesk Navigator™).
    • Real-time agent assistance: A real-time AI assistant that supports agents by providing important information relevant to customer queries to resolve issues faster, and automating admin tasks, e.g., summarizing after-call notes (Talkdesk Copilot™).
    • 24/7 virtual agents: A self-service AI solution that ensures customers can get answers to common questions even outside of business hours (Talkdesk After Hours and Autopilot™).
    • Intelligent voice biometrics: A tool that automates customer authentication, which helps reduce call wait times while enhancing security (Talkdesk Identity™).

    “This move not only strengthens Talkdesk’s position as an innovative AI CX leader for businesses of all sizes, it’s set to transform the customer service landscape, driving much broader adoption of AI-powered solutions,” said Tiago Paiva, chief executive officer and founder at Talkdesk. “Large enterprises have long trusted Talkdesk to modernize and enhance their CX. Now we are making advanced AI-powered customer service tools inclusive, accessible, and affordable to all businesses for the first time.”

    Additionally, multiple non-AI tools are seamlessly integrated into Talkdesk Express. Small businesses are walked through setting up: a customer service phone number with their area code; the channels they want to converse with customers on, e.g., short message service (SMS), chat, email, social, and messaging; and users, all in minutes. They can also design intuitive workflows, carry out reporting, and more.

    Flexible and Cost-Effective

    Talkdesk Express offers usage-based pricing, ensuring small businesses only pay for what they use once they exhaust their $100 in free credits. The platform also scales as the company grows, providing a cost-effective way to expand customer service capabilities as and when the business is ready.

    Visit the Talkdesk Express page to learn more or get started with the solution today.

    About Talkdesk

    Talkdesk® is on a mission to rid the world of bad customer experience. With our cloud-native, generative AI-powered CX platform, purpose-built industry solutions, and extensible AI offerings, we empower enterprises in the cloud and on-premises to deliver exceptional customer experiences that make them more competitive, grow revenue, reduce costs, and provide operational efficiencies. With specialized workflows and integrations delivered out of the box for our Industry Experience Clouds, Talkdesk accelerates value for our customers faster and more simply than legacy or one-size-fits-all solutions.

    Partnering with enterprises globally, we deliver continuous innovation and breakthrough results. Our commitment to reliability and security, paired with our track record of delivering on promises, sets us apart in the industry. Elevate customer experiences, streamline operations, and increase revenue with Talkdesk. Companies that love their customers use Talkdesk.

    Talkdesk is a registered trademark of Talkdesk, Inc. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

    *Gartner; What the Best CX Organizations Do Differently; May 1, 2023; Don Scheibenreif, Michael Chiu
    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    Media Contact:

    Talkdesk Public Relations

    pr@talkdesk.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AFSCME’s Saunders on Nurses Week: To honor nurses, we call on Congress to put public health before billionaire wealth.

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement in recognition of Nurses Week, which is happening from May 6 through May 12:

    “From medical emergencies to routine check-ups, we have all relied on nurses for our health care. They are the backbone of America’s health system, doing the essential work of caring for patients, saving lives, and keeping hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and health departments running strong.

    “This week, as we recognize nurses for their compassion, hard work, and sacrifice, we must stand up to the billionaires and anti-union extremists who want to roll back their rights, freedoms, and workplace safety. Nurses go the extra mile for their patients, and they understand better than anyone that Congress’s plan to gut Medicaid will throw our health care system into disarray. If these devastating cuts pass, nurses will lose jobs, emergency rooms will be overwhelmed, hospitals and clinics will close, lives will be lost, and everyone will suffer from poorer care. All to pay for billionaire tax cuts.

    “AFSCME nurses have been fighting tirelessly to protect their patients. They’ve been calling and meeting with representatives in Washington, getting organized, and demanding action. It’s time to stand with them. Join the call to Congress: put public health before billionaire wealth.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can learning cursive help kids read better? Some policymakers think it’s worth a try

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shawn Datchuk, Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Iowa

    Pennsylvania is considering legislation that mandates cursive instruction in public schools. Angela Guthrie/iStock via Getty Images

    Recently, my 8-year-old son received a birthday card from his grandmother. He opened the card, looked at it and said, “I can’t read cursive yet.”

    Then he handed it to me to read.

    If you have a child in the Philadelphia School District, chances are they have not been taught how to read or write cursive either.

    But cursive handwriting is making a comeback of sorts for K-8 students in the United States. Several states in recent years passed legislation mandating instruction in cursive handwriting, including California, Iowa and Oklahoma.

    Pennsylvania and New Jersey are considering similar legislation, as are other states.

    I’m an associate professor of special education and the director of the Iowa Reading Research Center. At the center, we’re conducting a systematic review of prior research to improve cursive handwriting instruction.

    We also want to know how learning cursive affects the development of reading and writing skills.

    Cursive instruction sidelined

    In cursive handwriting, the individual letters of a word are joined with connecting strokes, such as in a person’s signature.

    Cursive fell out of favor in U.S. schools over a decade ago. In 2010, most states adopted Common Core academic standards which omitted cursive handwriting from expected academic skills to be learned by K-8 students. In fact, the standards only briefly mention print handwriting, a writing style in which the individual letters of a word are unconnected, as a skill to be taught in early elementary grades.

    Educators often have trouble finding enough time in the school day to teach all the expected writing skills, let alone something that’s not mandated such as cursive handwriting.

    In several national surveys, teachers have reported limited amounts of time for writing instruction and that they have found it difficult to address both the basic skills of writing, such as handwriting, and more advanced skills, such as essay composition.

    Benefits of handwriting

    The increased interest in cursive handwriting likely stems from effort by policymakers to improve the literacy performance of K-12 students across the country.

    On the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading assessment, a measure of nationwide reading progress, only 31% of fourth grade students scored proficient or above. Philadelphia’s numbers were worse, with just 19% of fourth grade students scoring proficient or above.

    Research suggests it may be possible to improve overall writing and reading through handwriting instruction.

    The benefits have been more closely studied with print handwriting, but preliminary evidence suggests cursive handwriting instruction may also be beneficial. Some studies have found cursive handwriting instruction can improve handwriting legibility, writing length and select reading skills. In a 2020 study, researchers found cursive handwriting instruction can also improve spelling accuracy and storytelling ability.

    Why might cursive make a difference? On the surface, it seems like a simple motor skill. But under the surface, cursive handwriting draws upon deep reading knowledge and requires the coordination of multiple cognitive and physical processes.

    To handwrite letters or spell words in print or cursive, students need to commit multiple aspects of each letter to memory. For example, if students handwrite the word “cat,” they need to know the overall shape of each letter, as well as its name and sound.

    After drawing upon this reading knowledge from memory, students use a combination of motor and vision systems to write each letter and the entire word. Gross motor movements are used to adjust the body and arm to the writing surface. Fine motor movements are used to manipulate the pencil with one’s fingers. And visual-motor coordination is used to write each letter and adjust movements as needed.

    Many U.S. historical documents, such as the Constitution, were written in cursive.
    Douglas Sacha/Moment Collection via Getty Images

    A skill with staying power?

    Besides potential benefits to overall writing and reading development, cursive handwriting continues to have social importance.

    It is often used to sign formal documents via a cursive signature, or to communicate with close friends or loved ones. Furthermore, understanding cursive is needed to read important historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence.

    Even in the digital age, touch-screen tablets and other devices often come with the ability to handwrite text with an electronic pencil. I teach courses at the University of Iowa, and many of my students handwrite their notes on electronic tablets.

    For schools, low-tech options such as paper and pencils remain more cost-efficient than high-tech options. For example, it can be time-consuming and expensive to replace a broken laptop but relatively cheap to sharpen a broken pencil or get a new piece of paper.

    Although it may be difficult for educators to find sufficient time for writing instruction, students will likely benefit from developing the capacity to express their ideas in a variety of ways, including cursive handwriting.

    For anyone interested in learning about cursive handwriting and teaching it to their children or students, the Iowa Reading Research Center will release a free online course and curricula called CLIFTER on June 2, 2025.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

    Shawn Datchuk 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. Can learning cursive help kids read better? Some policymakers think it’s worth a try – https://theconversation.com/can-learning-cursive-help-kids-read-better-some-policymakers-think-its-worth-a-try-253610

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Peace Corps isn’t just about helping others − it’s a key part of US public diplomacy

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Thomas J Nisley, Professor of Government and International Affairs, Kennesaw State University

    Peace Corps volunteers pose with the U.S. flag after they are sworn in during a 2002 event in Burkina Faso. Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images

    Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, his administration has slashed the work of many U.S. government agencies, including those focused on foreign policy. Now, there is concern that the Peace Corps could join the other foreign aid programs the administration is trying to dismantle.

    The United States Agency for International Development largely shut down in February and March 2025, with its workforce reduced from more than 10,000 to 15 people on staff.

    In early April 2025, members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency showed up at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., signaling possible cuts.

    DOGE has also called for reducing the number of the Peace Corps’ 970 full-time staff who help recruit and oversee the work of volunteers.

    The Guardian reported on April 28 that the Peace Corps is offering staff a buyout, and that Peace Corps leadership expects “significant restructuring efforts.”

    The Peace Corps told The New York Times in an April 28 statement that “the agency will remain operational and continue to recruit, place, and train volunteers, while continuing to support their health, safety and security, and effective service.”

    As a scholar of international affairs, I think it is important to understand the subtle – but important – role that the Peace Corps plays in helping the U.S. maintain a positive international image.

    President John F. Kennedy greets Peace Corps volunteers at the White House in August 1962.
    Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

    Understanding the Peace Corps

    In 1961, President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps, an independent agency in the federal government, alongside USAID as a way to reinvigorate American diplomacy.

    Kennedy viewed the State Department as an organization that lacked innovation, staffed by self-serving people without much practical experience.

    Since the 1960s, the Peace Corps has sent more than 240,000 U.S. citizens – many of them young people – to work as volunteers in more than 60 low- and middle-income countries on short-term projects, ranging from teaching students English to helping farmers increase their food production. This works out to about 3,500 to 4,000 volunteers abroad each year.

    As Kennedy hoped, many of these American volunteers returned home to eventually serve in the State Department, with some rising to the top ranks, such as Christopher Hill, a career diplomat who served in the Peace Corps in Cameroon in the 1970s.

    Peace Corps volunteers, sometimes known as PCVs, also go on to work in other types of public service, including in educational roles. It has also been common for former Peace Corps volunteers to work for USAID.

    Peace Corps’ role in US government

    The Peace Corps is not part of the day-to-day activities of U.S. foreign policy in the same way as the State Department, for example, which has diplomatic missions across the world.

    The Peace Corps, with a US$495 million annual budget, does contribute to U.S. foreign policy goals by enhancing U.S. soft power. Soft power, in this context, means getting others to want what you want.

    The political scientist Joseph Nye introduced the academic concept of soft power to the mainstream in the early 1990s. It is often misunderstood. Some mistakenly refer to the military as hard power, and economic and diplomatic tools as soft power.

    But soft power – and the allure of a project like the Peace Corps – is founded in the power of attraction. The Peace Corps, simply put, helps improve the U.S.’s image worldwide.

    My research on Latin American countries has shown that the presence of a Peace Corps program improves the popular perception of the U.S. among communities there. A good reputation fosters goodwill and helps the U.S. achieve its concrete foreign policy goals, be it making a trade deal or helping to end a conflict.

    The political scientist Stephen Magu has found similar results across Africa, including a connection between the number of Peace Corps volunteers in a country and support for the U.S. in its work at the United Nations.

    The Peace Corps’ experience

    The Peace Corps uses a very selective application process to recruit Americans of all ages to volunteer for two years in a foreign country, doing different kinds of service work ranging from agriculture and education to health and the environment.

    Most are younger people with college degrees, but there is no upper age limit to qualify and no requirement of a college degree to serve.

    There is no single Peace Corps experience.

    But all volunteers live and work in a community that has requested a volunteer to help with different types of activities. This could include helping local women set up their own small businesses in Panama or offering health workshops on reducing the risk of contracting and spreading HIV in Eswatini, formerly knwon as Swaziland. These volunteers are usually *the only Americans for miles around.

    Volunteers are expected to live modestly and are paid a monthly living allowance that covers their bare necessities.

    Volunteers’ work is not easy and not without risk. Since 1961, 311 people have died while serving. Most of the deaths are due to accidents, usually related to transportation. Some have died from diseases and illness, and a few have been victims of murder.

    Peace Corps’ approach to volunteer work

    The Peace Corps emphasizes what is known as grassroots development in foreign aid circles. This means that a Peace Corps volunteer tries to use local money and expertise to achieve goals jointly identified by the community and the volunteer.

    Critics of the Peace Corps have argued, among other things, that it has not made widespread changes that reliably last beyond the two-year term of each volunteer.

    But the Peace Corps is not intended to change the trajectory of a country’s economic development and suddenly make a poor country a rich one. Volunteers do help the people in the community they serve in small but meaningful ways.

    In my own service as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic from 1989 to 1991, for example, I had a demonstration vegetable garden where I grew nutritious vegetables such as spinach and mustard greens. Dominicans did not traditionally eat these vegetables, but I got my neighbors and friends to try them. Some learned to really like them and began to grow them on their own.

    A Peace Corps volunteer teaches English to students in Bucharest, Romania, in 1985.
    Paul Conklin/Getty Images

    Another kind of public diplomacy

    When asked in 1962 how he saw the relationship of the Peace Corps to U.S. foreign policy, Kennedy responded that he saw the Peace Corps as “an opportunity to emphasize a different part of our American character,” instead of the idea that the U.S. is a “harsh, narrow-minded militaristic, materialistic society.”

    The Trump administration tends to view foreign assistance programs as open-ended charity programs that need to be eliminated.

    I believe that foreign assistance programs are not charity – they are public diplomacy tools that contribute to the U.S.’s global power. If the Peace Corps is eliminated, the U.S. will lose another important tool of foreign policy.

    I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic from 1989 to 1991

    – ref. Peace Corps isn’t just about helping others − it’s a key part of US public diplomacy – https://theconversation.com/peace-corps-isnt-just-about-helping-others-its-a-key-part-of-us-public-diplomacy-255571

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ancient Mars may have had a carbon cycle − a new study suggests the red planet may have once been warmer, wetter and more favorable for life

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elisabeth M. Hausrath, Professor of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    A panorama created from images taken by the rover Curiosity while it was working at a site called ‘Rocknest’ in 2012. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

    Mars, one of our closest planetary neighbors, has fascinated people for hundreds of years, partly because it is so similar to Earth. It is about the same size, contains similar rocks and minerals, and is not too much farther out from the Sun.

    Because Mars and Earth share so many features, scientists have long wondered whether Mars could have once harbored life. Today, Mars is very cold and dry, with little atmosphere and no liquid water on the surface − traits that make it a hostile environment for life. But some observations suggest that ancient Mars may have been warmer, wetter and more favorable for life.

    Even though scientists observing the surface of Mars conclude that it was once warmer than it is today, they haven’t been able to find much concrete evidence for what caused it to be warmer. But a study my colleagues and I published in April 2025 indicates the presence of carbonate minerals on the planet, which could help solve this puzzle.

    Carbonate minerals contain carbon dioxide, which, when present in the atmosphere, warms a planet. These minerals suggest that carbon dioxide could have previously existed in the atmosphere in larger quantities and provide exciting new clues about ancient Mars’ environment.

    As a geochemist and astrobiologist who has studied Mars for more than 15 years, I am fascinated by Mars’ past and the idea that it could have been habitable.

    Ancient carbon cycle on past Mars

    Observations of Mars from orbiting satellites and rovers show river channels and dry lakes that suggest the Martian surface once had liquid water. And these instruments have spotted minerals on its surface that scientists can analyze to get an idea of what Mars may have been like in the past.

    Today, Mars is very cold, with a thin atmosphere and dry climate. But in the ancient past, it may have been warmer and wetter, with a thicker heat-trapping atmosphere.
    NASA/J. Bell – Cornell U./M. Wolff – SSI via AP, File

    If ancient Mars had liquid water, it would have needed a much warmer climate than it has today. Warmer planets usually have thick atmospheres that trap heat. So, perhaps the Martian atmosphere used to be thicker and composed of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. If Mars did once have a thicker carbon dioxide-containing atmosphere, scientists predict that they’d be able to see traces of that atmospheric carbon dioxide on the surface of Mars today.

    Gaseous carbon dioxide dissolves in water, a chemical process that can ultimately contribute to formation of solid minerals at and below the surface of a planet − essentially removing the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Lots of scientists have previously tried to find carbonate minerals on the surface of Mars, and part of the excitement about a warmer, wetter early Mars is that it could have been a suitable environment for ancient microbial life.

    Finding carbonates on Mars

    Previous searches for carbonates on Mars have turned up observations of carbonates in meteorites and at two craters on Mars: Gusev crater and Jezero crater. But there wasn’t enough to explain a warmer past climate on Mars.

    For the past few years, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover has been traversing a region called Gale crater. Here, the rover’s chemistry and mineralogy instrument has discovered lots of the iron-rich carbonate mineral siderite.

    The Curiosity rover has detected carbonates on Mars’ surface.
    NASA

    As my colleagues and I detail in our new study about these results, this carbonate mineral could contain some of the missing atmospheric carbon dioxide needed for a warmer, wetter early Mars.

    The rover also found iron oxyhydroxide minerals that suggest some of these rocks later dissolved when they encountered water, releasing a portion of their carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Although it is very thin, the modern Martian atmosphere is still composed mainly of carbon dioxide.

    In other words, these new results provide evidence for an ancient carbon cycle on Mars. Carbon cycles are the processes that transfer carbon dioxide between different reservoirs − such as rocks on the surface and gas in the atmosphere.

    Potential habitats for past microbial life on Mars

    Scientists generally consider an environment habitable for microbial life if it contains liquid water; nutrients such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur and necessary trace elements; an energy source; and conditions that were not too harsh − not too acidic, too salty or too hot, for example.

    Since observations from Gale crater and other locations on Mars show that Mars likely had habitable conditions, could Mars then have hosted life? And if it did, how would researchers be able to tell?

    Although microorganisms are too small for the human eye to detect, they can leave evidence of themselves preserved in rocks, sediments and soils. Organic molecules from within these microorganisms are sometimes preserved in rocks and sediments. And some microbes can form minerals or have cells that can form certain shapes. This type of evidence for past life is called a biosignature.

    Collecting Mars samples

    If Mars has biosignatures on or near the surface, researchers want to know that they have the right tools to detect them.

    So far, the rovers on Mars have found some organic molecules and chemical signatures that could have come from either abiotic − nonliving − sources or past life.

    The Curiosity rover travels across Mars searching for signs that the planet could have once been habitable.

    However, determining whether the planet used to host life isn’t easy. Analyses run in Earth’s laboratories could provide more clarity around where these signatures came from.

    To that end, the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover has been collecting and sealing samples on Mars, with one cache placed on the surface of Mars and another cache remaining on the rover.

    These caches include samples of rock, soil and atmosphere. Their contents can tell researchers about many aspects of the history of Mars, including past volcanic activity, meteorite impacts, streams and lakes, wind and dust storms, and potential past Martian life. If these samples are brought to Earth, scientists could examine them here for signs of ancient life on another planet.

    Elisabeth M. Hausrath receives funding from NASA, including from the MSL Curiosity rover Participating Scientist Program and the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover.

    – ref. Ancient Mars may have had a carbon cycle − a new study suggests the red planet may have once been warmer, wetter and more favorable for life – https://theconversation.com/ancient-mars-may-have-had-a-carbon-cycle-a-new-study-suggests-the-red-planet-may-have-once-been-warmer-wetter-and-more-favorable-for-life-255207

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Running with a stroller: 2 biomechanics researchers on how it affects your form − and risk of injury

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Allison Altman Singles, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Mechanical Engineering, Penn State

    Running with a stroller can alter running form, but a few simple tricks can reduce chronic injury risk. iStock via Getty Images Plus

    “Faster, mommy, faster!” Allison’s toddler squealed as she ran down the hill by her house with her jogging stroller. As a longtime runner and running biomechanics researcher, she found herself in the same situation as many parents of young children: squeezing in runs between work meetings, meal prep and nap schedules.

    A running stroller offered flexibility – but something felt off. That question about her running form soon became the starting point for a shared research effort.

    The two of us – Allison Altman Singles and Joe Mahoney – are professors and biomechanics researchers interested in how running form affects injury risk. Together, we founded the Biomechanics and Gait Evaluation Laboratory, or BaGEL, at Penn State Berks.

    The BaGEL Lab’s runway and camera system helps researchers study the biomechanics of stroller running.
    RDB Imaging LLC

    Biomechanics is the science of how the body moves − blending biology and physics to understand how muscles, bones and joints work together like a machine. Allison’s experience with stroller running raised questions we couldn’t find clear answers to in the research – so we brought these questions into the lab. For the past four years, we’ve been studying how running with a stroller affects gait and the risk of overuse injuries.

    How stroller running affects the runner

    Most stroller-related regulations focus on the child’s safety and comfort. But what about the adult doing the pushing? Overuse injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures and runner’s knee are common in all runners. Subtle changes in running mechanics, such as those that occur when adapting to a heavy stroller, can lead to these injuries.

    We found two earlier studies that hinted at the biomechanical effects of stroller running. One showed that pushing a stroller led the runner to lean forward more and change their hip posture. Another showed the runner slowed down and took longer strides when pushing a stroller. But overall, researchers and regulators have largely overlooked the runner’s experience.

    Example of a pilot data collection run in our lab.

    We decided to find out more. We invited healthy adult runners into our lab. Each participant ran with and without a stroller. We recorded their motion using high-speed motion capture – the same technology that video games and Hollywood movies use. Each runner completed trials over a force plate, which recorded the impact of every stride. After data collection, we began analyzing the results.

    What we found

    Our results suggested that running with a stroller presents a trade-off. It increases some risk factors for overuse injuries, while reducing others.

    In general, the stroller runners had less impact per step – this measurement refers to the force of the collision between the foot and the ground. Runners experienced a 16% lower impact force when pushing a stroller.

    What impact force looks like during a foot strike while running.

    Pushing down on the handlebars redirects some impact through the stroller’s wheels, reducing the load on the legs. This lower impact force decreases the risk of common injuries such as shin splints, runner’s knee and stress fractures.

    We also found a 36% increase in torsion – the twisting load produced between the foot and the ground. This increase is concerning because torsional stress contributes to stress fractures in the lower leg, a common overuse injury among distance runners.

    Holding the handlebars restricts how much a runner swings their arms and rotates their chest, which normally balances out the twisting from each step. And controlling and maintaining the stroller’s direction further increases this twisting force.

    Our study confirmed that stroller running can also cause the runner to lean forward more. Running coaches typically recommend a slight forward lean, but with a stroller, runners leaned six degrees farther forward. This shift affected their leg positioning and pushed their center of mass forward. Studies have shown that a shift like this may increase injury risk.

    How can I run more safely with a stroller?

    What can you do to minimize the risk of injury if you run with a stroller?

    Adjust your stride and posture. Shorten your stride slightly and try to maintain a neutral posture. Avoid leaning too far forward, especially when going uphill.

    Choosing the right stroller can also make injury less likely. Look for models with adjustable handlebars and lighter frames. If the stroller feels too low, you may naturally lean forward.

    What’s next?

    In the future, we plan to explore several research questions.

    We conducted this study indoors on a flat surface. Next, we want to understand how hills and uneven terrain affect stroller running mechanics and whether different pushing styles – such as one-handed or “push-and-chase” – change the forces.

    We’re also interested in whether alternate stroller designs, such as hands-free options like tethered or pull-behind strollers, allow for a more natural running form. We want to explore how these designs might affect a runner’s form. We’re also examining whether stroller use changes runners’ habits, training volume or motivation.

    Stroller running remains a great way for parents to stay active while spending time with their young children. But just like any other type of running, form matters. Paying attention to your posture and choosing gear that supports healthy movement can make all the difference.

    We hope our findings help other parents stay injury-free during those stroller miles, as their child gleefully squeals, “Faster, Mommy, faster!” Running with your child can be fun, empowering and safe — especially with the right awareness and a little science on your side.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Running with a stroller: 2 biomechanics researchers on how it affects your form − and risk of injury – https://theconversation.com/running-with-a-stroller-2-biomechanics-researchers-on-how-it-affects-your-form-and-risk-of-injury-252341

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Jostling for the papacy: A look back on the conclave’s history

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Colin Rose, Associate Professor of European and Digital History, Brock University

    Pope Francis’s successor will be elected in the coming days in a millennium-old ceremony known as the papal conclave. During the conclave, the 135 eligible Cardinal Electors of the Catholic Church will sequester themselves and elect a new pope in isolation.

    During that time, they will have no contact with the outside world and they will vote repeatedly, in written ballots and verbal declaration, until one of them achieves a two-thirds majority.

    Every failure brings sighs from the crowds in St. Peter’s Square as the votes, burned with a chemical admixture, send up a plume of inky black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. White smoke, signalling a new pope has been elected, provokes cheers and celebrations and the beginning of a new papal era.



    Read more:
    How the next pope will be elected – what goes on at the conclave

    The history of the conclave, especially during the Italian Renaissance that I teach and research, tells us a lot about how the papacy is both a religious and a political office.

    The Pope is at once the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church as well as the absolute monarch of Vatican City. He is both bishop of Rome and prince of the smallest sovereign state in the world.

    Politics of the papacy

    In the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, the Vatican was the capital of a much-larger Papal State. This territorial buffer around Rome at its height bordered the territories of Florence, Naples, Milan and Venice, and covered much of northern Italy.

    Popes wielded great influence in the dramatic politics of famous Italian families like the Medici: it was a Medici pope, Clement VII, who helped negotiate the installation of the first Medici duke in Florence.

    Apocryphal accounts persist of Julius II, the so-called “Warrior Pope,” leading a charge over the walls of Bologna in 1506.

    At the same time popes, and Catholic policy, had profound consequences for European and global politics: Clement’s successor Paul III excommunicated England’s King Henry VIII, cementing the English break with Rome in 1538.

    A portrait of Pope Alexander VI Borgia circa 1495.
    (Vatican Museums)

    Alexander VI was more audaciously imperial: he sponsored the treaty that arbitrarily divided the entire world outside of Europe between Spain (his home country) and Portugal in 1494.

    Alexander VI’s historical infamy is perhaps outdone only by his son, Cesare Borgia, made famous by his mention is Niccolo Machiavelli’s book The Prince.

    Becoming pope was a big deal for a cardinal and his family. Leading candidates known as papabili (pope-ables) began strategizing and negotiating even before popes died.

    When a pontiff died, those cardinals abroad began their travels to Rome, construction began on the temporary cells that would house them all during the sequestration and the real work of electing a pope began.

    Enea Silvio Piccolomini left a detailed memoir of his election as Pius II in 1458. In it he describes a process of negotiating, threatening, cajoling and strategizing that make the scheming in the recent movie Conclave look unsophisticated.

    Renaissance Italy wrestled with and ultimately reconciled itself to the political nature of the papacy.

    Many, including popes such as Pius II, expressed discomfort with the political power of the papacy. While it was a clear factor in the schism of European Christendom that led to the emergence of the Protestant churches in the 16th century, in early modern Italy the political power of the papacy was a reality of the diplomatic milieu.

    The empty throne

    The conclave marks a special place in early modern history as a time when ordinary political order was overturned for a brief period known as the sede vacante (the Vacant See).

    The Vacant See was a time when identities were swappable and when, as one Paolo di Grassi told a judge in 1559, “in Vacant See [Romans] are the masters. The People are the Masters.” Di Grassi had, during the Vacant See of November 1559, pursued his own longstanding grudges against his enemies and been involved in at least one armed brawl.

    While they waited for a new pope, Romans and everyone else might have passed the time with another favourite vice: gambling on the conclave’s outcome.



    Read more:
    Who will the next pope be? Here are some top contenders

    European princes and other potentates of the church paid close attention to conclaves, tried to smuggle information in and out and steer the conclave in favour of their preferred candidate.

    In 1730, for instance, Cardinal Lambertini smuggled a letter out of his conclave thanking a benefactor for their donations to his future ordination as Pope Benedict XIV.

    The election held everyone’s attention as a rare and unusually impactful event in the Roman calendar.

    While Rome’s streets thrummed with tension during the chaotic days of a Vacant See, the conclave proceeded serenely and secretly within the Vatican’s walls.

    The use of white smoke to mark the election of a pope only began in the 20th century. During the Renaissance, the sound of bells would be a more effective way to spread the news through Rome, before the new pope was announced to the city and the world.

    Much turns on that announcement now, as much did in previous centuries. The conclave elects both a pope and a head of state. While Vatican City is magnitudes smaller than the Papal State of the past, it remains a sovereign state.

    Papal pronouncements shape not just religious thought but political action, through voting, advocacy and more. Today’s crowds might be less raucous than Renaissance Romans, but they are nonetheless invested in the results.

    Colin Rose receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Jostling for the papacy: A look back on the conclave’s history – https://theconversation.com/jostling-for-the-papacy-a-look-back-on-the-conclaves-history-255492

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Police arrest driver responsible for fatal crash in eastern China

    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

    JINAN, May 6 (Xinhua) — A driver surnamed Cai has been taken into custody on suspicion of committing a crime. The detained driver is the suspected culprit in a fatal traffic accident in the county-level city of Tengzhou, east China’s Shandong Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

    The accident happened at about 4:05 p.m. on Sunday when Cai, 29, went shopping in his car after drinking alcohol at lunch that day and tried to overtake another vehicle on the right, the local Public Security Bureau said.

    As a result of the incident, two people died on the spot, four more died later, despite the efforts of doctors. Two more people were injured and their lives are currently out of danger.

    The investigation into this case is ongoing. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Federal Education Association files lawsuit challenging executive order banning federal workers’ right to collective bargaining

    Source: US National Education Union

    By: Staci Maiers and Adesuwa Wilson-Iguade

    Published: May 5, 2025

    WASHINGTON — The Federal Education Association, representing thousands of educators who work in schools on military bases operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), filed a lawsuit today challenging Donald Trump’s executive order stripping federal workers of their statutory and contractual collective bargaining rights. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges the executive order as a violation of the First and Fifth Amendment rights of educators and their union under the U.S. Constitution, as well as an abuse of authority by both President Trump and his Defense Secretary, Peter Hegseth. 

    “DoDEA educators provide military-connected families with a world-class education, and they deserve to be respected and honored for their high levels of achievement — not have their rights taken away and their academic freedom trampled upon,” said FEA Executive Director Richard Tarr. “Trump’s executive order doesn’t just break the law; it violates the U.S. Constitution. The Trump administration is attacking the very people who serve this country by educating the children of our service members on military bases at home and around the world.”

    FEA members and other educators have used collective bargaining to advocate for student learning conditions, including smaller class sizes, more learning time, and increased staffing of school nurses, counselors, and mental health professionals. FEA filed the lawsuit with the Federal Education Association-Stateside Region and the Antilles Consolidated Education Association, joining other federal employee unions that have sued the Trump administration for the sweeping executive order. FEA is an affiliate of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest union with 3 million members.

    “By attacking the rights of educators working on military bases, the Trump administration is silencing the voices of teachers and staff who demand the tools, resources, and learning conditions that students need to thrive,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Trump’s executive orders are not just illegal; they undermine the education and opportunities of children and families who have already sacrificed so much for our nation. We are not going to sit by silently.”

    Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social and https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social

    # # #

    About the Federal Education Association
    The Federal Education Association is a member-driven organization representing faculty and staff in the Department of Defense school system. With its headquarters in Washington, D.C., FEA is a global organization, representing thousands of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) employees in Europe, Asia, the United States, and its territories. Our members include teachers and certified staff, Education Support Professionals (ESPs), and retirees. Find out more at www.feaonline.org.

    About the National Education Association
    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Message on National Nurses Day, 2025

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-left”>On National Nurses Day, we thank the extraordinary men and women who have dedicated their lives to the critical and noble profession of nursing—providing quality, compassionate, and essential care to all patients. Nursing is our Nation’s largest healthcare profession, with an estimated 4.3 million actively licensed registered nurses.  From the frontlines of war to our local hospitals, nurses have shown an unwavering commitment to those in need, serving others and providing hope, help, and healing during times of crisis.   Nurses are providing critical care to millions of Americans struggling with chronic diseases.  Six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease, and four in ten are affected by two or more chronic diseases.  These numbers have increased significantly in recent years, causing hardships for the Americans suffering from these conditions while putting immense pressure on our healthcare system.  My Administration recognizes this critical issue and is committed to Making America Healthy Again.  Through our initiative, we will address the root causes of chronic disease, reduce its prevalence, and ensure that nurses have the support they need in order to continue providing life-saving care. We are also refocusing Public Service Loan Forgiveness on its original intent of encouraging Americans to enter essential public service roles, such as nursing.  By doing so, we hope to inspire a new generation of Americans to pursue careers in vital public services, contributing to a healthier, stronger Nation. Nurses reflect the character of America and epitomize the inexhaustible capacity of the human spirit.  As we stand at the threshold of our new Golden Age, our nurses stand ready to make America stronger and healthier than ever before.  On this National Nurses Day, Melania and I join with every citizen in extending our wholehearted gratitude and utmost respect to these invaluable healthcare professionals.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Introduces New Legislation To Prohibit Presidents From Profiting Off Meme Coins While In Office

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    May 06, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Tuesday introduced the Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement (MEME) Act, legislation to prevent corrupt federal officials from using their position to profit off digital assets such as meme coins. U.S. Representative Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    On January 17th, three days before the inauguration, President Donald Trump launched $TRUMP, a meme coin or digital asset with no inherent value. The coin was initially only worth a few cents, but it exploded in value upon limited release and drove Trump’s net worth temporarily north of $50 billion. Each time the coin is released and traded, Trump makes money from trading fees, and he and his family have made more than $100 million from these fees. There is no way to know who is buying the coin, which leaves the door wide open for billionaires, Russian oligarchs, and Saudi princes to secretly purchase $TRUMP and directly enrich the president in order to curry favor.
    Last month, Trump’s team announced the top 220 meme coin holders would be invited for an exclusive dinner with the president and the top 25 coin holders would get a “Special VIP Tour” of the White House. After that message went up, the price of $TRUMP jumped more than 50 percent and its market value soared to $2.7 billion. In just two days following the announcement of the dinner, Trump and his allies made nearly $900,000 in trading fees alone.
    The MEME Act would prohibit the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, senior Executive Branch officials, and their spouses and dependent children from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing a security, future, commodity, or digital asset. After the asset’s issuance, the proposal would bar federal officials from engaging in the promotion or other conduct likely to benefit themselves financially. The legislation subjects violators to criminal and civil penalties.
    “The Trump meme coin is the single most corrupt act ever committed by a president. Donald Trump is essentially posting his Venmo for any billionaire CEO or foreign oligarch to cash in some favors by secretly sending him millions of dollars. It’s almost unbelievable until you remember this president will do whatever it takes – even selling access to the White House – to make himself richer. This is not normal, and we won’t let him get away with it,” said Murphy.
    “Even more disturbing than the kleptocratic actions of this President and his minions has been the utter silence of the Republican majority. That’s why, several weeks ago, I introduced the MEME Act—to make corruption criminal again. Since then, we’ve learned of the Trump family’s collection of hundreds of millions in fees, 220 $TRUMP investors being invited to an exclusive White House dinner, and Abu Dhabi investing $2 billion through the First Family’s stablecoin. This blatant corruption must end,” said Liccardo.
    Full text of the legislation can be found HERE. Click HERE to watch Murphy’s video on the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ODS launches year-long partnership with Sobell House Hospice

    Source: City of Oxford

    Tuesday, 6 May 2025

    ODS, has named Sobell House Hospice as its Charity of the Year for 2025.

    They kicked off the partnership with a £500 donation to support the hospice’s compassionate care for people with life-limiting illnesses. The donation was handed over by ODS team member Vincent Floyd, who nominated the charity, to Beth Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Sobell House. The pair met to discuss the hospice’s vital work and how the funds raised by ODS will help support patients and their families.  

    Sobell House Hospice, based on the Churchill Hospital site, provides expert care and emotional support to people at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. With strong community roots and a reputation for outstanding care, the hospice was the clear winner in a staff vote at ODS to choose this year’s charity partner.  

    Comments 

    “As a locally-owned company, supporting Oxfordshire communities is at the heart of what we do.   

    “Amongst my favourite moments in leading ODS are those where staff ideas turn into action. Supporting Sobell House was an initiative led by our team, and we’re proud to back a cause that means so much to so many across the county.” 
    Simon Howick, Managing Director at ODS 

    “It’s great news that, once again, ODS has picked a deserving cause for their annual charity fund raising. It’s a testament to their determination to do good in the community. I wish the staff good luck with this year’s fund-raising events and look forward to hearing about the money that their commitment to Sobell House will bring in this year.”  
    Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies 

    ODS has set a fundraising target of £10,000 to be raised over the next 12 months and is encouraging staff, and the wider community, to get involved. From team challenges and bake sales to raffles and sponsored events, ODS will be hosting and supporting a range of fundraising activities throughout the year.  

    Members of the public and local businesses are invited to contribute in any way they can and anyone wishing to support the campaign can do so by visiting the ODS Just Giving page to make a donation.  Together, we can help ensure Sobell House Hospice continues to offer its essential, life-affirming care to people across Oxfordshire.  

    Last year ODS raised over £8000 for Cancer Research UK.   

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charles Street Sunday closures planned to enable telecoms work

    Source: City of Leicester

    PART of Leicester’s Charles Street is set to close over four Sundays in May and June to enable work to telecoms equipment at Epic House to take place.

    The work – which is being carried out for Vodafone – will require large cranes to be on site in the area.

    In the interest of public safety, Charles Street will be closed in both directions between Humberstone Gate and Belgrave Gate between 8am and 8pm on Sunday 11 May, Sunday 18 May, Sunday 1 June and Sunday 29 June.

    Vehicles will be diverted along Belgrave Gate, St Matthews Way, Humberstone Road and Humberstone Gate.

    Access will be maintained for buses driving into the bus station from the Humberstone Road end only. Buses exiting the bus station will exit onto Belgrave Gate/Haymarket.

    While work is under way, footways will also be closed between Lower Hill Street and Kildare Street, with pedestrians being diverted via Clarence Street.

     

    (ends)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China rolls out measures to optimize public employment services system

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

    BEIJING, May 6 — China on Tuesday rolled out 20 measures to optimize its public employment services system, aiming to improve the availability, equality and professional quality of such services.

    A set of guidelines issued by five government authorities, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, call for the provision of local or easily accessible public employment services for urban and rural workers and employers.

    The guidelines underscore the importance of releasing comprehensive employment information and providing precise career introduction and guidance services, while improving the management of both employment and unemployment.

    They state that the types and degrees of difficulties that people face in seeking employment should be identified accurately so that targeted services can be provided.

    They also call for cities and counties to enhance their comprehensive capability to provide full-chain public employment services.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Person struck by train on the Gartell Light Railway

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Person struck by train on the Gartell Light Railway

    Person struck by a train on the Gartell Light Railway, Somerset, 17 April 2025.

    The wagon involved

    At 09:35 on Thursday 17 April 2025, a volunteer member of staff was struck by a wagon and seriously injured near to Common Lane level crossing on the Gartell Light Railway. The railway was not open to the public when the accident occurred.

    The wagon involved was part of a train which was transporting staff, equipment and materials to a site of work. The member of staff was attempting to get off the wagon, which was regularly used to carry staff, when they were struck by it. The train was moving at a slow speed when the accident occurred.

    We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this accident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Cambridge Growth Company has appointed Buro Happold, Prior + Partners and other technical experts to develop a growth strategy for Greater Cambridge

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    The Cambridge Growth Company has appointed Buro Happold, Prior + Partners and other technical experts to develop a growth strategy for Greater Cambridge

    The Cambridge Growth Company (CGC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Buro Happold, Prior + Partners and others to prepare a vision, supported by a robust evidence base that will underpin a long-term growth strategy for Greater Cambridge.

    Published on behalf of the Cambridge Growth Company

    CGC will work collaboratively with locally elected leaders and the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It will also access support from a number of government departments where required, to pursue infrastructure-led growth.

    This appointment marks a significant step towards shaping a sustainable and strategic future for the Greater Cambridge region working in parallel with but extending over a longer period than the emerging Local Plan. The Local Plan is being developed by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service representing Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

    The development of the evidence base has commenced as a first step in defining a vision for the future of Greater Cambridge that is sustainable, inclusive and innovative. By drawing on insights into the knowledge economy, infrastructure, housing, employment, transport, and the natural environment, the evidence base will act as a foundation for identifying challenges and opportunities, policy development and a future spatial strategy. Key areas of focus will be overcoming transport congestion and water scarcity.

    CGC is based in the city and has already commenced recruitment for a number of additional executive roles within the company to build its capacity and expertise over the coming months. These roles will be advertised locally in coming weeks.

    Buro Happold – Integrated consulting engineers and advisors is a globally recognised consultancy specialising in strategic planning, economics, infrastructure, design, engineering, environment and sustainability and strategic advisory services. With a strong track record in delivering large-scale city strategies, new communities and urban transformation projects.

    Buro Happold leads the team to shape the evidence base, strategy and implementation plan. Their contributions will ensure that the evidence base is grounded in data-driven insights, technical analysis and best practices for sustainable growth.

    Roger Savage, Project Director said:

    We look forward to working with local partners on addressing the challenges of the area. In developing the evidence base for the Growth Company we will consider ways which planning for growth can deliver a quality of life dividend for existing and future communities through investment in the environment and infrastructure.

    Prior + Partners is an acclaimed urban planning, masterplanning and economic consultancy known for its role in shaping major urban regeneration and expansion projects. Their experience in spatial planning, placemaking, data analytics and policy advisory will be instrumental in aligning the evidence base with Greater Cambridge’s unique needs, ensuring that growth is managed effectively and equitably.

    They will be supported by a multidisciplinary team with technical expertise and local knowledge, including BNP Paribas Real Estate, CBA, LUC, Peter Studdert, Turner and Townsend and Womble, and Bond Dickinson.

    By partnering with these leading experts in urban strategy and infrastructure planning, the Cambridge Growth Company is laying the groundwork to help Greater Cambridge realise its full potential.

    For further information please refer to CGC’s new website.

    Note to editors

    Cambridge Growth Company

    The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP appointed Peter Freeman to chair the Cambridge Growth Company in October 2024. The government then committed £10 million to the CGC at the 2024 Autumn Statement.

    The CGC’s mission is to support Greater Cambridge in the creation of a delivery programme to bring forward an ambitious vision for long term growth. This vision will maximise the potential for the benefit of the city and the UK through enabling further growth of Cambridge’s knowledge and innovation industries.

    The CGC, which is supported by an Advisory Council consisting of elected local leaders and a range of local experts, will work with local government to establish the best long-term business model to fund infrastructural improvements — water supplies, the transport network, education, health, and the natural environment, ensuring that as much as possible is delivered from the increase in the land value of the sites to be developed.

    The intention is that the CGC in its current form transitions into a growth and delivery vehicle that has the capacity and capability to take a long-term approach to delivery.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Introduces New Tap to Transfer Feature for Samsung Wallet

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics America today announced that starting later this month, Samsung Wallet’s new Tap to Transfer1 feature will make peer-to-peer (P2P) payments quick and convenient in the U.S. Whether you’re paying a friend back for buying group tickets or sending them your portion of the dinner bill, stressing over how to pay for shared expenses is a thing of the past. Now, funds arrive within minutes,2 meaning you no longer need to wait for funds to transfer between bank accounts — all it takes is a tap to transfer.

    Through Samsung’s collaboration with Visa3 and Mastercard,4 you can use a debit card stored in your Samsung Wallet to send money to friends and family members’ bank accounts without needing to download an additional app. Instead, Samsung Wallet uses NFC technology to connect to the recipient’s debit card stored in their digital wallet. Plus, you can even transfer money to people without a digital wallet as long as they have a physical debit card with tap-to-pay capabilities. It works by Samsung Wallet connecting to the chip in their debit card, just like when paying in a store. If you want to send money to a Samsung Wallet but they aren’t nearby, you can easily find their Samsung account by searching their phone number and completing the transfer remotely.
    “Samsung Wallet is a powerful tool readily available on millions of Galaxy smartphones, and with this update, we’re taking the experience to the next level,” said Drew Blackard, Senior Vice President of Mobile Product Management at Samsung Electronics America. “Many users want the flexibility to accomplish their most frequent and important tasks on their mobile device. Samsung Wallet will help make payments to friends and family quick and convenient.”

    Samsung Wallet is designed to simplify your life by ensuring your most important information is conveniently available on your mobile device — from your drivers’ license to your credit cards. Inside Samsung Wallet, you can easily browse all your digital items. Whether you’re looking for a boarding pass, loyalty card, gym membership, or even a gift card from years ago, Samsung Wallet keeps you connected to your digital essentials. For many college students, that even includes your often misplaced student ID.
    To learn more about Samsung Wallet features and device compatibility, visit https://www.samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Subway offenses have more than halved in 10 years.

    Moscow Metro has achieved a significant milestone by reducing the number of offenses by more than half over the past 10 years. This success is attributed to a combination of advanced technology, enhanced security measures, and coordinated efforts between various services.

    Key factors behind this achievement include:

    •  The creation of a dedicated Security Service and the introduction of rigorous inspections.
    •  The active role of the Moscow Government’s Departmental Security Service.
    •  The installation of over 90,000 surveillance cameras across the metro’s infrastructure.
    •  The deployment of the cutting-edge video analytics system called «Sphere».

    Maksim Liksutov highlighted the importance of modern technology and teamwork in achieving these results:

    Our specialists oversee nearly every square meter of metro’s infrastructure with the help of advanced cameras. The coordinated efforts of the Security Service and law enforcement agencies, combined with modern technology, have made Moscow Metro one of the safest in the world. We will continue to ensure the comfort and safety of passengers in line with the instructions of Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin.

    Moscow Metro’s commitment to safety and innovation underscores its position as a global leader in urban transportation security, providing passengers with a safe and reliable travel experience.

    MIL OSI Russia News –