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  • MIL-OSI USA: Neag School Alums Take Their Teaching Skills Abroad, Changing Students’ Lives Around the World

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn Neag School of Education alumni Jessica Stargardter ’16 (ED), ’17 MA; Gabriel Castro ’14 (ED), ’15 MA; Nicole Holland Kew ’09 (ED), ’10 MA; and Yurah Robidas Emmenegger ’09 (ED), ’09 (CLAS), ’10 MA; have each embarked on remarkable journeys as educators, spanning continents and cultures. From their foundations at UConn to classrooms across the world, their careers highlight the transformative power of teaching beyond borders.

    “Time after time, our UConn participants have told me that studying and teaching abroad has been one of the most profound experiences of their lives,” says Doug Kaufman, the Neag School’s director of global education and an associate professor of curriculum and instruction. “I see it, too. Moving away from familiar and comfortable contexts has taught them how to recognize the diverse and powerful gifts that their students at home bring into the classroom.

    “Working abroad develops cultural awareness, empathy, humility, and an expanded sense of possibility when working with students. Our teachers learn how to learn from their students and advocate for them all.”

    Stargardter’s passion for gifted education led her from Connecticut to Panama, Singapore, and Finland, shaping her global perspective. She says her experiences reinforce her belief in education as a universal force for change, transcending cultural and linguistic differences.

    Working abroad develops cultural awareness, empathy, humility, and an expanded sense of possibility when working with students. Our teachers learn how to learn from their students and advocate for them all. &#8212 Doug Kaufman, Neag School’s director of global education

    Castro’s path to teaching went from Puerto Rico to Colombia, Costa Rica, and Taiwan, and he has embraced each opportunity with curiosity and openness. His teaching philosophy is rooted in adaptation and connection, ensuring meaningful relationships with students regardless of geography. As he prepares for fatherhood, he looks forward to the next chapter of his journey.

    For Kew, London became home. A study abroad trip led to a life-changing move across the Atlantic, where she has spent over a decade teaching and raising a family. Balancing work and her personal life, she cherishes her role as an educator in a diverse, evolving community.

    Emmenegger’s love for language and culture brought her from Connecticut to France, Portugal, and Switzerland. Teaching French and German in international schools, she exemplifies resilience and adaptability, proving that a commitment to education can create opportunities in unexpected places.

    Together, their stories illustrate the boundless impact of teaching, and the unique paths educators take to inspire students worldwide.

    Reconnecting with Family Roots

    From Connecticut to Puerto Rico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and now Taiwan, every step of Gabriel Castro’s ’14 (ED), ’15 MA journey has been driven by curiosity, a love for teaching, and an openness to change. (Photo courtesy of Gabriel Castro)

    Education wasn’t Castro’s first choice — he entered UConn as a psychology major, uncertain of his career path. However, a mentorship role in a First-Year Experience course changed everything. Standing before a classroom, guiding new college students, he realized teaching was what he was meant to do.

    After graduating from the Neag School, he took his first teaching position in Puerto Rico, reconnecting with his roots. His mother had spent much of her childhood moving between Puerto Rico and Connecticut, and teaching at a K-12 school immersed him in a close-knit community.

    Three years in Puerto Rico deepened his love for international teaching and inspired him to explore the other half of his heritage. His father had emigrated from Colombia, and Castro wanted to experience the country firsthand. Moving to Colombia, he found a vibrant culture, rich with music festivals, soccer, and breathtaking landscapes. It was there he met his wife, Kismeth, a fellow international teacher from New York. He says their shared passion for education and adventure brought them together.

    They had intended to take a sabbatical year traveling through South America, but the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped their plans. With borders closing, they found temporary teaching positions in Costa Rica. Castro stepped in as a last-minute math teacher, navigating virtual classes, hybrid schedules, and masked interactions. Despite the challenges, Costa Rica was a paradise.

    My years of adapting to different educational environments had prepared me well. &#8212 Gabriel Castro ’14 (ED), ’15 MA

    “With tourism at a standstill, nature thrived,” he says. “Sloths and monkeys roamed undisturbed, and sunsets painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson.”

    As the world reopened, they faced their next big decision. Asia had always intrigued them, and Taiwan offered everything they wanted — an excellent school, a safe environment, and a strong culture of hiking, cycling, and running.

    Moving to Taiwan was a leap of faith but quickly felt like home. While the language barrier existed outside the classroom, Castro found his ability to connect with students transcended words.

    “My years of adapting to different educational environments had prepared me well,” he says.

    From Connecticut to Puerto Rico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and now Taiwan, every step of his journey has been driven by curiosity, a love for teaching, and an openness to change. His classroom now extends beyond four walls, spanning countries, cultures, and languages, and he is preparing for an exciting new personal chapter: fatherhood.

    “I have an 11-month-old puppy, so I feel like I’ve been practicing in a way,” he says. “It’s a steep learning curve! But I’m excited to see how we can continue traveling with a baby and incorporating her into our adventures.”

    Finding Love While Abroad

    “It’s the children, really. Seeing them progress, mature, but still retain that spark of who they are — it’s special,” says Nicole Holland Kew ’09 (ED), ’10 MA. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Holland Kew)

    Fourteen years into her teaching career — first in Connecticut and then in London — Kew still finds joy in watching her students grow.

    “It’s the children, really,” she says. “Seeing them progress, mature, but still retain that spark of who they are — it’s special.”

    Having spent 10 years at the same London school, she has become deeply embedded in the community. She gets to know families, watches siblings pass through her classroom, and shares their triumphs and struggles.

    “Teaching wasn’t just a job; it was a life woven into the fabric of so many others,” she says.

    Her path to teaching began in high school when she worked at an after-school program at her former elementary school in Connecticut. Later, as a camp director at a nature center, she solidified her love for mentoring. Her mother had always dreamed of being a teacher but never pursued it.

    Teaching wasn’t just a job; it was a life woven into the fabric of so many others. &#8212 Nicole Holland Kew ’09 (ED), ’10 MA

    “Maybe in a way, I was fulfilling that dream for both of us,” Kew says.

    A single decision changed her trajectory. Studying abroad in London while at the Neag School was supposed to be an adventure — an opportunity to explore a city she had loved since a family trip at 13. She hadn’t expected to meet her future husband just weeks into the program.

    They met in a pub, a chance encounter that turned into a long-distance relationship. After navigating time zones and transatlantic flights, they decided to marry. With her husband’s career established in London and the UK actively recruiting teachers, it made sense for Kew to move.

    Adjusting to teaching in England came with challenges. In Connecticut, Kew had more autonomy in her teaching, while curriculum and behavior management were standardized in London. Leadership opportunities came more readily, and she briefly considered administration but loved being in the classroom too much.

    Balancing work and family was another challenge. With four children — two daughters, 6 and 4, and toddler twins — her hands are full.

    “Honestly,” she says, “going to work feels like a break compared to being home!”

    London has become home in ways she never expected. During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband considered moving to the U.S. to be closer to her family, but something always held them back. London has given her a life she cherishes, a career she loves, a community she belongs to, and — most importantly — a family she has built from the ground up.

    Focused on All Things French

    Yurah Robidas Emmenegger ’09 (ED), ’09 (CLAS), ’10 MA says her Neag School education instilled adaptability, an open-minded approach to curricula, and a hands-on teaching philosophy. These lessons help her navigate unfamiliar school systems and cultural differences with confidence. (Photo courtesy of Yurah Robidas Emmenegger)

    Emmenegger, who taught for 15 years in Connecticut and now teaches in France, first became interested in education while teaching piano and tutoring in high school. With a mother who was also a teacher, it felt natural.

    “It just made sense that I would become a teacher,” she says.

    Growing up in Bristol and Plainville, Emmenegger developed a love for French through her mother, who had lived in Switzerland and Portugal.

    “She sang to us in French as kids,” Emmenegger says. “In high school, I jumped at the chance to study it.”

    A summer program in France in 2007 and the Neag School’s study abroad program in London during her master’s year of the Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s teacher education program deepened her passion for language and curriculum planning.

    My marriage, career, and worldview have all been shaped by this journey. While I still hope for a French teaching position, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be. &#8212 Yurah Robidas Emmenegger ’09 (ED), ’09 (CLAS), ’10 MA

    After graduating, she taught French in Ellington, for three years but longed to live in France. She joined the French government’s teaching assistant program and was placed in Monté, where she lived with international assistants and did a weekly language exchange with another teacher. She spoke in English for half an hour for the language exchange to help the other teacher improve his English communication skills. Then, the other half specifically worked on improving her grammar.

    Since she couldn’t teach French in France, Emmenegger explored other opportunities. Her mother’s past in Portugal led her there for Christmas, where she fell in love with the country and found a teaching job. But her journey took an unexpected turn — she met her future husband in Switzerland. When the world shut down in 2020, they spent months apart. Determined to be together, they married in May 2021, and, by July, she had moved to Switzerland.

    Finding a teaching job there was challenging. She took a role at a private school, but it wasn’t the right fit.

    She joined the International School of Basel (ISB), but no French positions were available. Expanding her search, she took a six-month role at a Swiss public school, but left after half a year.

    ISB welcomed her back with an unexpected offer: teaching beginner German. Having learned German just two years earlier through Duolingo and night classes, she thought the interview offer was a joke. But ISB encouraged her. She took the leap and found herself in a supportive, engaging environment. ISB promised her priority for the next French opening, but no one wanted to leave — a testament to the school’s quality.

    Despite career uncertainties, Emmenegger and her husband were building a life together. He was teaching while finishing his studies, and they navigated the challenges of being an international couple.

    “You have to be open to moving,” she says. “Each time I relocated, I rebuilt my support system, making me appreciate my deep connections back home even more.”

    She says her Neag School education instilled adaptability, an open-minded approach to curricula, and a hands-on teaching philosophy. These lessons helped her navigate unfamiliar school systems and cultural differences with confidence.

    For those who love studying abroad, Emmenegger encourages taking the next step and teaching internationally, as she has no regrets.

    “My marriage, career, and worldview have all been shaped by this journey,” she says. “And while I still hope for a French teaching position, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be.”

    From UConn to Global Classrooms

    Jessica Stargardter’s ’16 (ED), ’17 MA teaching journey included a year in Finland as a Fulbright Scholar, during which time she researched teacher evaluations in the country’s globally recognized education system. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Stargardter)

    Stargardter’s journey as an educator has been extraordinary, spanning continents and shaping her perspective on the transformative power of teaching. After graduating from the Neag School, she began her career in Connecticut, teaching in Greenwich Public Schools before moving to Norwalk. There, she discovered her passion for gifted and talented education, an interest sparked during her time at UConn, where she worked at the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development.

    “I started filing papers at first, but then I received a grant to conduct research,” she says, which ignited a lifelong commitment to student potential.

    Stargardter’s dedication led her to teach abroad at the International School of Panama.

    “It was my first experience in a traditional classroom after working across grade levels,” she says. “I felt like a first-year teacher again, but it taught me so much about myself and the world.”

    She later moved to Singapore, where she found a more manageable cultural transition.

    “I was in a classroom with students from all over the world, each bringing something unique,” she says. “It was challenging but incredibly rewarding.”

    Teaching is more than just a profession. It’s a way to change lives, one student at a time, no matter where I teach. &#8212 Jessica Stargardter ’16 (ED), ’17 MA

    Teaching abroad reinforced her belief in education’s universal impact, transcending borders and backgrounds. Reflecting on what initially drew her to teaching, Stargardter credits her third-grade teacher, Mr. Simeone.

    “He gamified everything,” she says. “Learning was fun and engaging. I remember thinking I wanted to do the same for my students.”

    Her teaching journey also included a year in Finland as a Fulbright Scholar, during which time she researched teacher evaluations in the country’s globally recognized education system. Initially considering a career in academia, she realized how much she missed teaching, leading her back to the classroom and eventually to her move to Panama.

    Stargardter’s foundation for success was built at the Neag School, where extensive classroom experiences prepared her for any teaching environment.

    “Neag gave me the tools to step into my first classroom ready to succeed,” she says, crediting the program’s diverse placements for shaping her adaptable teaching philosophy.

    During her master’s year, Stargardter interned in London through one of the Neag School’s study abroad programs, working at a school for adolescents with mental health challenges. She says this experience reshaped her understanding of education, teaching her that learning extends beyond traditional classrooms.

    Her journey abroad has reinforced her belief in cross-cultural education’s power to broaden perspectives.

    “Teaching is more than just a profession,” she says. “It’s a way to change lives, one student at a time, no matter where I teach.”

    To learn more about the Neag School’s teacher education programs, visit teachered.education.uconn.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Director of education support companies jailed after spending £200,000 in Covid loans ‘as he saw fit’

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Director of education support companies jailed after spending £200,000 in Covid loans ‘as he saw fit’

    Bounce Back Loan fraudster convicted after Insolvency Service investigations

    • Ricky Harrison fraudulently obtained four Covid Bounce Back Loans, including three for dormant companies 

    • Money from the loans was used by Harrison for his own personal benefit and he attempted to avoid having to make any repayments by applying to have all four of his companies struck-off the Companies House register 

    • Harrison has been sentenced to more than three years in prison following Insolvency Service investigations into his conduct

    A director who secured maximum-value Covid loans for three dormant companies and overstated his turnover to secure a fourth during the pandemic has been jailed. 

    Ricky Harrison received a total of £200,000 in Bounce Back Loans during 2020, when he was entitled to just £16,000 at most. He also spent the money for personal purposes, not for business use as was required. 

    Three of his companies, Hackney Works Ltd, Tower Hamlets Works Ltd and Ricky Harrison Holdings Ltd, were not trading at the time he made his fraudulent applications to the bank. 

    The 41-year-old also exaggerated his turnover by more than £150,000 for a fourth company, Newham Works Ltd. 

    Harrison, of Beacon Court, Hertford Heath, Hertfordshire, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison when he appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 25 April. 

    He was also disqualified as a director for 10 years. 

    David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Ricky Harrison’s actions were deeply cynical. He exploited an opportunity to help himself to taxpayers’ money during what was a national emergency. 

    Harrison did not co-operate with Insolvency Service investigations, failing to attend a pre-arranged interview and instead producing a typed statement where he implausibly claimed he was entitled to all the loans and was at liberty to spend the funds as he saw fit. 

    The reality is that Harrison was not entitled to the vast majority of the money he received and was required to spend the funds for the economic benefit of his business.  

    This was public money and we will continue to prosecute those who made such obvious false representations to secure Covid support.

    Harrison’s four companies were incorporated within a three-week period in December 2018 and January 2019. 

    Hackney Works, Tower Hamlets Works, and Newham Works were all described on Companies House as providing “educational support services”. Ricky Harrison Holdings was described as a holding company. 

    Only Newham Works appeared to have any trading income in 2019. 

    Harrison himself admitted to an accountant that Hackney Works and Tower Hamlets Works were dormant and that there was no need to prepare any accounts for them. 

    Analysis of the accounts of Ricky Harrison Holdings revealed no evidence that the company had begun trading in its own right. 

    Despite this, Harrison falsely declared the companies had an annual turnover of £245,000, £232,000, and £315,000 respectively when he made the applications for three £50,000 Bounce Back Loans across a two-day period in May 2020.  

    At the same time, Harrison made a fraudulent application for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for Newham Works. He declared on the application form that the company’s turnover was £215,000 when it was actually only £64,000. 

    Harrison transferred some of the money he received to his other companies, including Newham Works, and paid a percentage into his own personal account. 

    A total of £85,000 also appeared to be used for the purchase of a vehicle in June 2020. 

    Harrison told the bank he would repay the funds, as was required under the terms of the scheme. 

    However, in July 2020, just weeks after securing the loans, Harrison applied to have Hackney Works and Tower Hamlets Works struck-off the Companies House register. 

    Harrison subsequently attempted to strike-off Ricky Harrison Holdings and Newham Works in 2021 but was unsuccessful. 

    No loan repayments were made by Harrison aside from a single payment of £833.

    Further information

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft held corporate competitions to pass GTO standards

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Rosneft held a large-scale competition for its employees in the Moscow region city of Shchyolkovo to pass the standards of the All-Russian physical culture and sports complex “Ready for Labor and Defense” (GTO). The company dedicated the competition to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    The event was attended by about 700 amateur athletes from 66 of the Company’s enterprises from all over the country, as well as from the central management office.

    Over the course of two days, participants had to demonstrate their strength, endurance, and flexibility. Athletes could pass GTO standards in 13 disciplines, including short and long-distance running, long jumps, bends, pull-ups, push-ups, kettlebell snatches, and shooting.

    Participants in the GTO standards were divided into age groups and difficulty levels. Many employees did not limit themselves to the minimum requirements for passing the standards when performing exercises – they set personal records and also tried to show the best result among all athletes. Thus, the record for the number of push-ups among women this year was 140 times, among men – 166 times.

    The event also included functional all-round competitions, which have become especially popular among employees this year. The number of teams has almost doubled compared to last year’s competitions – up to 73 teams versus 40 in 2024. The total number of participants was 213 people.

    On the first day of the competition, teams of three completed six events: rowing, kettlebell push, medicine ball throw, team pull-up, rope jumping, and farmer’s walk. On the second day, athletes competed for victory in the game “Sniper” and a mixed running relay of different distances.

    The teams were divided into four age categories: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59. Seven teams applied for the last one. The best in the all-around were the teams RN-BashNIPIneft (18-29), Udmurtneft (categories 30-39 and 40-49) and RN-Uvatneftegaz (50-59).

    The winners of the competition were awarded diplomas, cups and certificates. Sergei Fedorov, a three-time world hockey champion, silver and bronze medalist of the Olympic Games, three-time USSR champion, three-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time Gagarin Cup winner as the head coach of CSKA, took part in the award ceremony.

    Support for mass sports is one of Rosneft’s key priorities. The Company’s athletes take part in all major mass sports competitions, winning prizes. Rosneft supports amateur sports and carries out large-scale work to popularize a healthy lifestyle both among its employees and among the population in the regions where it operates.

    As part of the corporate sports and health movement “Energy of Life”, employees regularly engage in sports and compete in various sports disciplines. In 2024, almost 128 thousand employees of the Company engaged in sports as part of the “Energy of Life” movement. At the same time, more than 92 thousand employees took part in competitions in various sports.

    Reference:

    The All-Russian physical culture and sports complex “Ready for Labor and Defense” (GTO) is a full-fledged program and regulatory framework for physical education of the country’s population, aimed at developing mass sports and improving the health of the nation. The GTO complex provides for preparation for the implementation and direct implementation by the population of various age groups (from 6 to 70 years and older) of established regulatory requirements for three difficulty levels corresponding to the gold, silver and bronze badges of distinction “Ready for Labor and Defense” (GTO).

    The development of the sports movement is one of Rosneft’s key priorities. For active support and systematic work to popularize the GTO complex, in 2023 Rosneft became the winner of the Champion award, established by the Roscongress Foundation’s sports platform RK-Sport and the Reputation educational forum.

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

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Health and Wellbeing Strategy set for approval

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Monday, 28th April 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent will have “an unrelenting focus on increasing preventative activity” if a new health and wellbeing strategy is approved.

    The draft document of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-28 promises a permanent shift towards investment in activities that help people to stay well and prevent avoidable health problems.

    The strategy is aimed at tackling a number of key challenges in the city such as improving healthy life expectancy, infant mortality rates, and supporting the safe reduction of the number of children in care.

    In addition, it will also look to improve the poor levels of physical and mental health that have social and economic impacts on residents, as they prevent people living full lives or accessing jobs and training.

    The strategy’s targets include ensuring children reach and sustain a healthy weight, reducing repeat hospital admissions among young people for long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes and reducing premature deaths among the under 75s, whilst supporting older people to live actively and independently.

    Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This strategy promises significant investment when tackling the key health challenges facing Stoke-on-Trent and will be important in our efforts to build a healthier city and reduce health inequalities.

    “It is important residents’ experience is at the centre of helping to shape future care and support and that they know how to access services that will improve their health.

    “By supporting independent living and prevention, this strategy won’t just offer the best health outcomes but also give people the greatest opportunity to thrive economically too.”

    The Strategy will go to the council’s ruling cabinet this month. If approved, it will go to full council for final sign off.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Construction to start on new CIT Yurauna

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    An artist’s impression of the new Yurauna building at CIT Bruce Campus.

    In brief:

    • Yurauna, CIT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educational Centre of Excellence, is moving from CIT Reid Campus to CIT Bruce Campus.
    • Construction will soon begin on the new, purpose-built building.
    • The centre has been designed in collaboration with the Yurauna and First Nations community.

    CIT Bruce Campus will welcome a new Yurauna, CIT’s dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educational Centre of Excellence.

    The centre is relocating from the Reid Campus. This is part of CIT transition out of the Reid Campus in mid-2025.

    Purpose-built facilities

    Yurauna is a Wiradjuri word meaning ‘to grow’.

    The new centre will feature culturally sensitive, purpose-built and sustainably designed facilities. These will provide wraparound support for students and their families.

    They include:

    • learning spaces
    • art rooms
    • community meeting spaces
    • childcare facilities.

    About CIT Yurauna

    CIT Yurauna provides tailored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander courses, study support and cultural advice.

    It supports students with reading, writing, job skills and more. It also celebrates and keeps Indigenous culture strong, offering diverse courses beyond vocational training.

    These include art and cultural activities, empowering Indigenous communities, and preserving culture.

    Collaborative design

    The ACT Government partnered with Guida Mosely Brown Architects and Kaunitz Yeung to ensure the design for the centre was culturally appropriate.

    This resulted in a series of co-design workshops with representatives from Yurauna and the First Nations community including Ngunnawal Elders.

    The workshop outcomes have informed the design and ensured strong Connection with Country principles throughout.

    BYCC Alliance, a First Nations controlled company, is the building contractor.

    Opening in 2025

    The new CIT Yurauna is due to open in late 2025. It will be ready to welcome teachers, students, community members and those passionate about preserving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

    A smoking ceremony and official sod-turning have cleansed the site and marked the beginning of demolition and construction.

    Part of a broader process

    The new building is part of the broader CIT Woden Campus project.

    It will feature the same smart technologies incorporated into the new Woden campus.

    Find out more about the project on the Built for CBR website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Cardinal Parolin to young people at the “Jubilee for Adolescents”: may Pope Francis’ legacy become a way of life

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    VaticanMedia

    Vatican City (Fides Agency) – In times of darkness, “the Lord comes to us with the light of the Resurrection to illuminate our hearts.” This is what happened to Jesus’ disciples when they encountered the Risen One, who after Jesus’ death on the cross had felt “ orphaned, alone, lost, threatened and helpless”. This is happening again today, with the light of Easter illuminating even the sadness over the end of Pope Francis’ earthly life.On the sun-drenched St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed the approximately 200,000 young people who had come to Rome from all over the world to participate in the Holy Year of Youth with words of hope and Easter joy during the funeral Mass for the late Pope on the second day of the “Novendiale.”Easter joy, the Venetian cardinal told the boys and girls, “ can almost be touched in this square today; you can see it etched above all in your faces, dear children and young people who have come from all over the world to celebrate the Jubilee. You come from so many places: from all of the dioceses of Italy, from Europe, from the United States to Latin America, from Africa to Asia, from the United Arab Emirates… with you here, the whole world is truly present!”Cardinal Parolin recalled that Pope Francis, quoting the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, placed the joy of the Gospel at the center of his pontificate, which “fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus”. “Never forget,” the cardinal urged, ‘to nourish your lives with the true hope that has the face of Jesus Christ’ with whom ‘you will never be abandoned or alone,’ He ”who comes to meet you where you are, to give you the courage to live.” On the second Sunday of Easter, Dominica in Albis, when the Church also celebrates the Feast of Divine Mercy, Cardinal Parolin also recalled that “it is precisely the Father’s mercy, likewise the eagerness to proclaim and share God’s mercy with all – the proclamation of the Good News, evangelisation – was the principal theme of his pontificate. He reminded us that “mercy” is the very name of God, and, therefore, no one can put a limit on his merciful love with which he wants to raise us up and make us new people.” The affection manifested for Pope Francis after the end of his earthly life, the Cardinal emphasized in his homily, “must not remain a mere emotion of the moment; we must welcome his legacy and make it part of our lives, opening ourselves to God’s mercy and also being merciful to one another”. Mercy, added the cardinal, “brings us back to the heart of faith,” “heals and creates a new world, putting out the fires of distrust, hatred and violence: this is the great teaching of Pope Francis.” ( Fides Agency 27/4/2025).
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Phillips 66 Files Investor Presentation Highlighting Proven Strategy, Board Strength and Path for Shareholder Value Creation

    Source: Phillips

    Outlines strong operational and financial performance driven by the Company’s transformative strategy
    Warns that Elliott’s high-risk proposals are misleading, based on flawed analysis and threaten long-term shareholder value
    Underscores the valuable skills and experiences Phillips 66’s Board and nominees have to drive shareholder value creation, superior to those of Elliott’s nominees

    HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) (the “Company”) today filed an investor presentation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 21, 2025.
    In conjunction with the presentation, Phillips 66 published two new videos that showcase the skills and experiences the Company’s two new Board nominees, A. Nigel Hearne and Howard Ungerleider, would bring to the Board and how they would approach driving shareholder value as a potential Board member of Phillips 66.
    The presentation and the videos are available at www.phillips66delivers.com.
    Highlights of the investor presentation include:
    Phillips 66’s proven strategy has driven, and will drive, outperformance for shareholders
    Since Mark Lashier became President and CEO in 2022, Phillips 66 has delivered total shareholder returns of 67%1, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Energy Index by 45%1 and the Company’s synthetic proxy peer median2 by 42%1
    In under three years, Phillips 66 has taken significant action, including returning over $14 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, rationalization of Refining assets, $3.5 billion in non-core asset divestitures, and opportunistic Midstream expansion through the Pinnacle and EPIC NGL acquisitions3
    Reduced Refining Adjusted Controllable Costs from $6.98/bbl in 2022 to $5.90/bbl4 in 2024 with a clear plan in place to further reduce costs and achieve $5.50/bbl by 20275
    Phillips 66’s transformative strategy is in its early innings and has significant room to deliver further value. This proven strategy will continue to drive long-term competitiveness in Refining, grow the NGL value chain, maintain the Company’s advantaged position in Chemicals, optimize profitability across all assets, and deliver consistent, compelling returns
    Phillips 66 has delivered Refining profitability on par with peers on a like-for-like basis, while outperforming them in overall Refining cost improvements since 2022 6. The Company remains focused on cost improvements with a focus on further enhancing market capture.
    Compared to 2021, our projected Midstream Adjusted EBITDA (post EPIC NGL) has grown by $1.9 billion, driven by an incremental 18% Cash Return on Capital Invested7, with additional organic growth opportunities in the future
    CPChem’s global scale and feedstock advantages result in a self-funding joint venture with stable, growing distributions that is constructing two world-scale projects coming online in late 2026

    The Company’s integrated model creates consistent and compelling long-term value for shareholders
    Compared to the weighted proxy peer average, the Company’s integrated model delivers higher returns for shareholders and lower volatility across cycles
    Phillips 66’s integrated structure creates $500 million in annual operating synergies8, as the Midstream business ensures reliable supply and integrated logistics for refineries and CPChem, ultimately improving flow assurance, feedstock quality, blending efficiency, and market flexibility
    Since the spinoff in 2012, we have grown our dividend at a 15% CAGR.9 Our annual dividend paid has increased every year – a rare achievement in the energy sector, especially through economic and commodity cycles
    Elliott, which has notable conflicts of interest, is attempting to mislead shareholders while pushing a short-sighted agenda that introduces undue risk and threatens to disrupt long-term shareholder returns
    Elliott has demonstrated a pattern of inconsistent engagement with the Company, including prolonged periods of no engagement followed by public presentations with new demands, not allowing the Board to interview its nominees and seeking to replace Bob Pease – a director who was appointed in mutual agreement with Elliott10
    Misleading shareholders has been a core focus of Elliott’s campaign – twisting quotes from management, describing their annual resignation proposal as voluntary despite the plain language of the proposalrequiringresignation, mischaracterizing Phillips 66’s business and comparing our performance to peers who report their metrics differently
    Elliott’s proposals ignore action already taken by Phillips 66 to reduce Refining Adjusted Controllable Costs
    Elliott’s calls to separate the Midstream business and CPChem are not only misguided and risky, but are underpinned by speculative valuations, ignore potentially large tax leakages and are driven by comparisons to other situations that are not applicable to Phillips 66
    Elliott’s subsidiary, Amber Energy, is in pursuit of CITGO – a direct competitor of Phillips 66 in a core operational corridor – and is being led by the same portfolio managers who are driving its proxy campaign against Phillips 66 and actively trying to undermine our strategy.Elliott’s public solicitation materials do not clearly mention its pursuit of CITGO, or that multiple members of the Amber Energy leadership team have been directly involved in soliciting Phillips 66 shareholders
    Phillips 66’s highly skilled and refreshed Board is a group of change agents with a track record of value creation, while Elliott’s nominees pose a risk to shareholder value
    Phillips 66’s Board composition is closely aligned with the Company’s strategy. Of our continuing Directors and our nominees, six have refining experience, five have chemicals experience and five have midstream experience. Nearly everyone has experience in business transformations, several have expertise in finance and a number are experts in supply chains11
    The Board consistently and rigorously evaluates the portfolio and other alternatives with a clear focus on maximizing long-term shareholder value – and remains prepared to take decisive action to achieve that goal
    Our Directors and nominees have overseen more than $300 billion in “breakup” or major divestiture transactions12 and consistently evaluate the portfolio for value-creating opportunities
    With five new directors appointed within the past four years, the Board has a strong track record of regular refreshment
    Compared to Phillips 66’s nominees, Elliott’s nominees bring less relevant expertise and have redundant backgrounds. They also have conflicts of interests and close ties to Elliott and Amber Energy, who are actively pursuing one of our direct competitors, CITGO
    Phillips 66’s nominees are significantly superior to Elliott’s in every category. Our nominees have experiences that are directly relevant to the Company’s strategy and have notably stronger track records of creating value at publicly traded companies when compared to Elliott’s nominees
    Elliott has put forth illegal corporate governance demands, masked by misleading communications
    As you know, the Board is fully committed to declassifying in accordance with our governing documents such that each of our directors is up for election each year. Our last attempt to do so received approval from 73% of outstanding shares. We encourage shareholders to vote FOR management’s declassification proposal
    In contrast, Elliott is asking us to devise a “workaround” to declassify the Board in a de facto manner, without obtaining the required stockholder vote to do so. Our charter and by-laws do not give us that power. Put simply, if implemented, Elliott’s annual resignation proposal would contravene Delaware law, our company’s charter and by-laws and our Board’s fiduciary duties to shareholders. These facts are totally irreconcilable with Elliott’s purported interest in good corporate governance. The SEC has a process for companies to be able to exclude 14a-8 shareholder proposals that are illegal to implement, but the manner Elliott chose to proceed with avoided that review as Elliott submitted a proposal and solicited on its own proxy card
    Elliott itself clearly realizes that an annual resignation requirement is not legal to implement, so Elliott keeps misleadingly suggesting that what it is asking for is simply voluntary. However, the plain text of Elliott’s proposal specifically asks the Board to adopt a policyrequiringour directors to resign each year
    Implementing Elliott’s proposal would expose the Company to costly litigation and reputational risks and set a dangerous precedent for conveniently disregarding governing documents
    Your Vote Matters
    Phillips 66’s Board of Directors urges shareholders to use only the WHITE proxy card to vote:
    “FOR” all four of the candidates proposed by the Company and not Elliott’s four nominees;
    “FOR” management’s proposal to approve the declassification of the Board of Directors; and
    “AGAINST” Elliott’s proposal requiring annual director resignations, which implementing would violate Delaware law and put your Board at significant legal and reputational risk
    The Board strongly recommends that shareholders safeguard their investment in Phillips 66 by casting their vote as soon as possible, regardless of plans to attend the Annual Meeting virtually on May 21, 2025.
    Shareholders may receive materials from Elliott Management that say “gold proxy card” or “gold voting instructions” or similar. Phillips 66 recommends that shareholders DISCARD any Gold voting materials they may receive from Elliott. Shareholders may cancel out any vote made using a Gold proxy card by voting again TODAY using the Company’s WHITE proxy card. Only the latest-dated vote will count.
    About Phillips 66
    Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) is a leading integrated downstream energy provider that manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties, and Renewable Fuels businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn.
    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to Phillips 66’s operations, strategy and performance. Words such as “anticipated,” “committed,” “estimated,” “expected,” “planned,” “scheduled,” “targeted,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “objective,” “goal,” “project,” “efforts,” “strategies,” and similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on management’s expectations, estimates and projections as of the date they are made. These statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, and you should not unduly rely on them as they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: changes in governmental policies or laws that relate to our operations, including regulations that seek to limit or restrict refining, marketing and midstream operations or regulate profits, pricing, or taxation of our products or feedstocks, or other regulations that restrict feedstock imports or product exports; our ability to timely obtain or maintain permits necessary for projects; fluctuations in NGL, crude oil, refined petroleum, renewable fuels and natural gas prices, and refining, marketing and petrochemical margins; the effects of any widespread public health crisis and its negative impact on commercial activity and demand for refined petroleum or renewable fuels products; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect programs including the renewable fuel standards program, low carbon fuel standards and tax credits for renewable fuels; potential liability from pending or future litigation; liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations under existing or future environmental regulations; unexpected changes in costs for constructing, modifying or operating our facilities; our ability to successfully complete, or any material delay in the completion of, any asset disposition, acquisition, shutdown or conversion that we have announced or may pursue, including receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals or permits related thereto; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, refining or transporting our products; the level and success of drilling and production volumes around our midstream assets; risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions of actual or potential competitive suppliers and transporters of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels or specialty products; lack of, or disruptions in, adequate and reliable transportation for our products; failure to complete construction of capital projects on time or within budget; our ability to comply with governmental regulations or make capital expenditures to maintain compliance with laws; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets, which may also impact our ability to repurchase shares and declare and pay dividends; potential disruption of our operations due to accidents, weather events, including as a result of climate change, acts of terrorism or cyberattacks; general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities (such as the Russia-Ukraine war), expropriation of assets, and other diplomatic developments; international monetary conditions and exchange controls; changes in estimates or projections used to assess fair value of intangible assets, goodwill and property and equipment and/or strategic decisions with respect to our asset portfolio that cause impairment charges; investments required, or reduced demand for products, as a result of environmental rules and regulations; changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations (including alternative energy mandates); political and societal concerns about climate change that could result in changes to our business or increase expenditures, including litigation-related expenses; the operation, financing and distribution decisions of equity affiliates we do not control; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting Phillips 66’s businesses generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Phillips 66 is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
    Additional Information
    On April 8, 2025, Phillips 66 filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) and accompanying WHITE proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and its solicitation of proxies for Phillips 66’s director nominees and for other matters to be voted on. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other document that Phillips 66 has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with any solicitation by Phillips 66. PHILLIPS 66 SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT (AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT SOLICITATION MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain copies of the Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and other documents (including the WHITE proxy card) filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Phillips 66’s investor relations website at https://investor.phillips66.com or upon written request sent to Phillips 66, 2331 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, TX 77042, Attention: Investor Relations.
    Certain Information Regarding Participants
    Phillips 66, its directors, its director nominees and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Phillips 66 shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of such persons and their respective interests in Phillips 66, by securities holdings or otherwise, is available in the Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 8, 2025, including in the sections captioned “Beneficial Ownership of Phillips 66 Securities” and “Appendix C: Supplemental Information Regarding Participants in the Solicitation.” To the extent that Phillips 66’s directors and executive officers who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation have acquired or disposed of securities holdings since the applicable “as of” date disclosed in the Proxy Statement, such transactions have been or will be reflected on Statements of Changes in Ownership of Securities on Form 4 or Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership of Securities on Form 3 filed with the SEC. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
    Non-GAAP Measures—This news release includes non-GAAP financial measures, including, “adjusted EBITDA” and “refining adjusted controllable costs.” These are non-GAAP financial measures that are included to help facilitate comparisons of operating performance across periods and to help facilitate comparisons with other companies in our industry. Where applicable, these measures exclude items that do not reflect the core operating results of our businesses in the current period or other adjustments to reflect how management analyzes results. Reconciliations to, or further discussion of, the most comparable GAAP financial measures can be found within or at the end of the news release materials.
    This news release also includes forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure estimates such as, but not limited to “adjusted EBITDA” and “refining adjusted controllable costs” which, as used in certain places herein, are forward looking non-GAAP financial measures. These forward-looking estimates or targets depend on future levels of revenues and/or expenses, including amounts that could be attributable to non-controlling interests or related joint ventures, which are not reasonably estimable at this time. Accordingly, reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest GAAP financial measure cannot be provided without unreasonable effort. Below are definitions of these non-GAAP measures and identification of the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
    EBITDA is defined as estimated net income plus estimated net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as estimated EBITDA plus the proportional share of selected equity affiliates’ estimated net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization less the portion of estimated adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests. Net income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the consolidated company and income before income taxes is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for operating segments. Refining adjusted controllable cost is the sum of operating and SG&A expenses forour Refining segment, plus our proportional share of operating and SG&A expenses of two refining equity affiliates that are reflected in equity earnings of affiliates. The per barrel amounts are based on total processed inputs, including our proportional share of processed inputs of an equity affiliate, for the respective period.
    References in this news release to shareholder distributions and returns to shareholders refer to the sum of dividends paid to Phillips 66 stockholders and proceeds used by Phillips 66 to repurchase shares of its common stock. References in this news release to “synergies” or “dis-synergies” are supported by management’s estimates and assumptions. These estimates are derived from the Company’s internal projections and other relevant data. However, because these synergies or dis-synergies are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), they cannot be directly reconciled to GAAP measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide valuable insight into optimization benefits but cautions that such synergies or dis-synergies may not be realized in full or at all.
    Basis of News release—Effective April 1, 2024, we changed the internal financial information reviewed by our chief executive officer to evaluate performance and allocate resources to our operating segments. This included changes in the composition of our operating segments, as well as measurement changes for certain activities between our operating segments. The primary effects of this realignment included establishment of a Renewable Fuels operating segment, which includes renewable fuels activities and assets historically reported in our Refining, Marketing and Specialties (M&S), and Midstream segments; change in method of allocating results for certain Gulf Coast distillate export activities from our M&S segment to our Refining segment; reclassification of certain crude oil and international clean products trading activities between our M&S segment and our Refining segment; and change in reporting of our investment in NOVONIX from our Midstream segment to Corporate and Other. Accordingly, prior period results have been recast for comparability.
    1. Source: FactSet; market data as of March 31, 2025. Shown since June 30, 2022, one day prior to Mark Lashier’s appointment as CEO.
    2. Calculated as the weighted average of Refining (CVI, DINO, DK, MPC, PBF, VLO), Midstream (OKE, TRGP, WMB), and Chemicals (DOW, LYB, WLK) Performance by Proxy Peers’ TSR based on the weighting of consensus NTM EBIDTA estimates for PSX’s segments.
    3. Source: Company filings.
    4. Excludes adjusted turnaround costs. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measure can be found here.
    5. Excluding adjusted turnaround expense, post-ceasing of operations at Los Angeles refinery.
    6. For additional details, see Slide 16 of Investor Presentation.
    7. Incremental Adjusted Cash Return on Capital Invested since 2021 calculated as $1.9 B of incremental Adjusted EBITDA from 2021 to Projected Post-EPIC NGL in 2024 divided by $10.6 B of capital invested ($0.4 B of cash used in the DCP restructuring with Enbridge, $3.8 B of cash used in the DCP acquisition, proportionate share of DCP’s debt and preferred equity outstanding as of June 30, 2023 of $2.9 B, $0.6 B of cash used in Pinnacle acquisition, $2.2 B, net of cash acquired, $2.7 B of Midstream growth + sustaining capital excluding acquisitions from 2021-2024, less $2.2 B of cash received from asset sales). For additional details, see Slide 19 of Investor Presentation. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measure can be found here.
    8. $50 MM attributable to CPChem and $450 MM attributable to Midstream operations.
    9. Dividend CAGR calculated from initial dividend of $0.20 per share in 3Q 2012 to $1.15 per share in 4Q 2024.
    10. See section titled “Background of the Solicitation” in the definitive proxy statement filed by Phillips 66 with the SEC for a detailed summary of our engagement with Elliott.
    11. Source: Company filings, public filings.
    12. Source: Deal Point Data, Reuters, FactSet, Financial Times, RBC Capital Markets.

    Source: Phillips 66

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial security issues were discussed with the director of Rosfinmonitoring at the HSE Distributed Lyceum school

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    Director of the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring Yuri Chikhanchin discussed with high school students the problem of financial security of young people, including droppers. The meeting, organized at the initiative of the Higher School of Economics, took place at Moscow School No. 2107, which is part of the network Distributed Lyceum of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

    “CLASS Hour” with the head of Rosfinmonitoring brought together students in grades 10-11. The event was also attended by Deputy Vice-Rector, Director for Strategic Work with Applicants of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Alexander Chepovsky and Principal of School No. 2107 Elena Naumova. The meeting was moderated by Marina Shemyakina, Head of the Center for Inter-Olympiad Training of Schoolchildren and Students of the P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    Yuri Chikhanchin emphasized the importance of increasing the financial and legal literacy of schoolchildren and students. As the head of the department noted, criminals increasingly use minors as droppers and it is important for young people to understand the consequences of such actions, not to transfer their bank cards and account information to third parties.

    Useful knowledge on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from threats can be gained by participating in the International Financial Security Olympiad. The Olympiad also provides an opportunity to get to know the work of financial intelligence officers and the anti-money laundering system in general.

    “We are always waiting for young specialists who have modern knowledge and skills in the field of information technology, finance, economics, international law. Universities of the International Network Institute in the field of AML/CFT (counter-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. – Ed.) prepare future financial intelligence officers. We invite you to become part of this big family,” said Yuri Chikhanchin.

    Alexander Chepovsky noted the active work of the Higher School of Economics in the field of financial security: “Since 2024, we have become part of the International Network Institute in the Sphere of AML/CFT (INI) and actively support financial security events for schoolchildren and students, and also create our own projects. For example, this academic year we are launching the minor “Financial Security and Computer Investigations” for second-year students, which will provide the necessary knowledge base and form important legal, financial and digital competencies. Upon completion of the training, students will receive an official document on microqualification. And school graduates, when entering a number of bachelor’s and specialist’s degree programs at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, receive preferences for high results in the International Olympiad on Financial Security, of which we are a co-organizer as a member of the INI.”

    During the “CLASS Hour”, students asked the head of the Russian financial intelligence service questions, took part in the thematic game “True or Fake” and solved a practical case in the role of analysts.

    As part of the meeting, a tour of the school museum of historical large-scale miniatures of the Great Patriotic War “Muzimmion” was also organized.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Shines at TOKEN2049 Dubai: A Pinnacle Moment of Innovation and Global Impact

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Dubai, UAE, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From April 30 to May 1, 2025, the annual premier event in the crypto and blockchain space, TOKEN2049, will make its grand debut at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. As a Platinum Sponsor, BitMart will showcase its innovation and global influence in the Web3 domain through a diverse range of activities, high-level industry participation, and immersive interactive experiences.

    BitMart at the TOKEN2049 Main Venue: Creating New Opportunities for Collaboration

    BitMart warmly invites attendees to visit its booth (P13 and P14) at the TOKEN2049 main venue for in-depth discussions exploring cutting-edge blockchain solutions. This will be a unique opportunity to engage with the BitMart team closely and discuss the future of the industry while uncovering new opportunities for collaboration and ecosystem development. Additionally, booth visitors can look forward to a variety of gifts and exciting on-site giveaways, creating a more interactive and engaging experience.

    Booth Information
    Location: TOKEN2049 Main Venue (Booths P13 & P14)
    Date: April 30 to May 1, 2025

    CEO Keynote Speech: AI Empowering the Future of the Crypto Industry

    On May 1, BitMart Global CEO Nathan Chow will attend TOKEN2049 Dubai and deliver a keynote speech titled “Shaping the Future of Cryptocurrency: AI-Driven Scale and Institutional Trust.” Marking Nathan’s first public speech since joining BitMart, he will share his insights into how artificial intelligence is driving the growth of the cryptocurrency industry.

    WEB3 Night of Convergence: A TOKEN2049 Side Event

    As a pivotal side event of TOKEN2049, BitMart will host the highly anticipated “WEB3 Night of Convergence” themed party on the evening of April 30 at Papa Dubai. This exclusive gathering will bring together global leaders in the blockchain industry, providing a platform for deep communication and collaboration.

    The event will feature a vibrant mix of social networking, captivating DJ sets, and dancer performances, creating an unforgettable industry celebration for attendees. Multiple interactive sessions and exclusive prize giveaways will make the evening exciting and full of surprises. The event is co-hosted by partners such as LF Labs, RaveDAO, XODE Blockchain, DON Coin, and MetaEra, with media support from renowned outlets like ChainCatcher, Odaily, BlockTempo, BlockBeats, ForesightNews, PANews, MPOST, and Blockchain Wire.

    Event Details
    Date: April 30, 2025, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
    Location: Papa Dubai
    Registration Link: https://lu.ma/z505zj95

    VIP Night of Excellence · BitMart Exclusive Cocktail Reception

    On the evening of May 1, BitMart will host the VIP Night of Excellence at the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This high-end luxury event will welcome 100 carefully selected blockchain industry leaders, crypto funds, and founders of top Web3 projects to participate in this extraordinary networking opportunity.

    During the event, BitMart CEO Nathan Chow and other senior executives will be present to share BitMart’s latest strategic plans. Attendees will engage in in-depth discussions on the future of Web3 while enjoying the spectacular night skyline of Dubai.

    Event Details
    Date: May 1, 2025, 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
    Location: Burj Khalifa, Dubai
    Registration Link: https://lu.ma/gkvkrfb1

    Diverse Collaborative Activities: The Intersection of Web3 Creativity & Culture

    During TOKEN2049, BitMart will also co-host a series of exciting side events with industry partners, such as the “Bull Market Mixer” in collaboration with LF Labs, and the “Ladies Night Desert Music Festival” organized jointly with RaveDAO. These events blend cultural creativity with industry networking, energizing the blockchain ecosystem with fresh enthusiasm.

    Event Details

    “Bull Market Mixer”: Co-hosted with LF Labs
    Registration Link: https://lflabs.fund/bull-market-mixer-token2049-dubai-event/ticket

    “Ladies Night Desert Music Festival”: Co-hosted with RaveDAO
    Registration Link: https://app.plvr.io/events/32

    Leading the Future of the Industry: BitMart’s Strategic Importance at TOKEN2049

    As one of the most prominent exhibitors at TOKEN2049 Dubai, BitMart demonstrates its leadership in advancing the global blockchain ecosystem through its diverse range of activities. From technological innovation to ecosystem optimization, BitMart is dedicated to driving industry growth with tangible actions, building a new framework of collaboration and mutual success.

    Looking forward, BitMart will continue to deepen its presence in global markets and strengthen partnerships within the industry. By fostering innovation and driving the comprehensive development of the Web3 ecosystem, BitMart’s impressive presence at TOKEN2049 marks a new chapter in its journey while promoting deeper global connections and resource sharing. This contribution injects fresh momentum and vitality into the blockchain industry.

    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:
    The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial assets. All information is provided in good faith. However, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of such information.

    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 United Kingdom: Alex Ely has been appointed as Chair of the Museum of the Home

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Alex Ely has been appointed as Chair of the Museum of the Home

    The Secretary of State has appointed Alex Ely as the Chair of the Museum of the Home for a term of four years, which commenced on 23 March 2025.

    Alex Ely

    Alex is Founder Director of Mæ, an architecture and urban design studio based in London. Alex is a RIBA Chartered Architect and a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, he graduated from the Royal College of Art. Under his leadership, Mæ has gained international recognition for its innovative and socially responsive design approach, delivering acclaimed projects across masterplanning, housing, healthcare, and cultural buildings.

    Alex oversees Mæ’s design direction, and has won numerous accolades including the RIBA Stirling Prize 2023. He is a leading voice in the built environment, and has shaped national housing policy having advised the Government and the Mayor of London on urban and planning policy promoting an agenda of design excellence. He has taught at a number of UK Schools of Architecture, written several books, and exhibited internationally.

    Alex Ely quote:

     “I am delighted to be appointed by the Secretary of State as Chair of the Museum of the Home. The Museum plays a crucial role in the advancement of education and promoting debate about the importance of home in and for societies. As one of our foremost cultural institutions I look forward to helping advance its mission and build on its purpose to reveal and rethink the ways we live, in order to live better together.”

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    The Chair of the Museum of the Home is not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Alex has not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The Government Commission has already transferred 128 cultural heritage sites to DOM.RF for further restoration

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On the instructions of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, large-scale work is being carried out to preserve cultural heritage sites (CHS). The number of CHS that will be sold for restoration in accordance with the decision of the government commission on increasing the efficiency of federal property use has currently reached 128. In order to organize restoration work, these sites were transferred to the management of DOM.RF. After which the company holds tenders, following which the CHS are transferred to investors for subsequent restoration. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “Preservation of cultural heritage is not just the duty of the state, it is our common responsibility to future generations. Each architectural monument, each historical landmark is a part of our national identity, which we are obliged to preserve and pass on to our descendants. According to the President’s instructions, we need to put at least 1,000 cultural heritage sites in order by 2030. In particular, the Government Commission for Improving the Efficiency of Federal Property Use is doing a lot of work to transfer cultural heritage sites to the agency for further restoration. As part of the pilot project, we are working together with the state company DOM.RF to restore cultural heritage sites. At the moment, 128 sites have been transferred to DOM.RF by decisions of the government commission. Their total area is over 175 thousand square meters, and they are located in 44 regions. Of these, 112 were sold at auctions, and 14 have already been restored. At the same time, the preferential lending program applies to 24 pilot sites in eight regions. It is aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, increasing investment attractiveness and the most effective restoration of sites,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    “DOM.RF” acts as the operator of the state program for the restoration of historical buildings with potential for modern use. According to estimates by the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting, comprehensive measures following the restoration and involvement in circulation of 1 thousand cultural heritage sites will create more than 53 thousand jobs, and the amount of additional taxes and insurance premiums may exceed 19 billion rubles annually.

    “Preservation of cultural heritage sites is not just restoration, it is the creation of a new ecosystem of interaction between the state, business and society. “DOM.RF” together with the Government is carrying out systematic work on the preservation of cultural heritage sites: from developing measures to support private investors to creating new digital tools for working with such sites. Today, the “Heritage” platform already presents 900 sites in 70 regions – this is a living base for future investment projects. In the near future, we will add about a hundred more sites. Now we are in the process of building a “single window” for investors, where all processes – from selecting an object to approval – will be as transparent and convenient as possible. Our goal is not only to simplify the procedures, but also to build a sustainable model in which the preservation of history becomes a profitable and technological business,” emphasized Vitaly Mutko, General Director of “DOM.RF”.

    On the platform heritage.dom.rf now it works directory of specialized contracting organizations, working with cultural heritage sites. All contractors listed in the register have passed the necessary checks and are licensed by the Russian Ministry of Culture to carry out activities to preserve cultural heritage sites. In addition to details and contact information, the platform provides data on the types of work that contractors perform at the stage of developing design documentation, as well as during repair, restoration and adaptation of cultural heritage sites. For the convenience of investors,heritage.dom.rf examples of restored objects are collected, and the regions in which the companies operate are indicated.

     

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The list of key settlements consists of more than half small towns and villages

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    According to the Presidential Decree on the national development goals of the country, by 2030 the quality of the living environment in key settlements should increase by 30% and by 60% by 2036. This work is being carried out under the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “The unified list of support centers includes 2,160 settlements. Taking into account the adjacent territories, they cover almost the entire country in terms of population. Among them are all agglomerations and administrative centers of regions – 212 settlements. Also included are 183 other centers where large investment projects are being implemented, 217 strategic settlements that ensure national security, as well as 1,548 settlements servicing the adjacent territory. Thus, more than half of the support centers are small towns, urban-type settlements and villages. All support settlements will be included in the development program aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    According to the Deputy Prime Minister, this program will cover 16 areas, including housing provision, resettlement of dilapidated buildings, improving the quality of public services, improving the condition of the road network and public transport, increasing transport connectivity, building social infrastructure, landscaping, connecting to gas, providing access to the Internet, and closing unauthorized landfills.

    Infrastructure bonds, treasury infrastructure loans, which will replace infrastructure budget and special treasury loans (IBK and STK), as well as a mechanism for writing off regional debt on budget loans, are provided for the development of key settlements.

    Ilshat Shagiakhmetov, General Director of the Territorial Development Fund, noted that during the period of validity of infrastructure budget and special treasury loans since 2022, regions have appreciated the convenience and flexibility of these instruments.

    “Today, in Russia, thanks to the IBC and SKK programs, operated by the fund, work has been completed on more than 630 objects and events. Residents of large cities and small towns receive better quality utilities, modern social institutions, renovated roads and public transport fleets. Moreover, the new infrastructure has a positive impact on other areas. Residential areas are developing, new jobs are appearing, more private investment is attracted. And this is an integral part of the socio-economic development of each region of our country. The new mechanism of treasury infrastructure loans will serve the same goals aimed at improving the quality of life in the regions,” Ilshat Shagiakhmetov emphasized.

    Different priorities are envisaged for different supporting settlements. Thus, small towns and villages require accelerated development of social infrastructure to reduce the outflow of population. Agglomerations and administrative centers need help with increasing the efficiency of the economy by strengthening agglomeration ties, increasing capital investments in scientific, technological and innovative development, and increasing the efficiency of infrastructure use. In strategic settlements, it is necessary to ensure a quality of living environment sufficient for maintaining and increasing the population, and to support projects to diversify the economy, which depends on the narrow specialization of city-forming enterprises. In the centers of implementation of large investment projects, accelerated development of transport, energy and utilities infrastructure is required, as well as housing construction to attract personnel.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: In 2024, microfinance organizations issued almost 130 billion rubles to businesses

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    Last year, microfinance organizations (MFOs) increased business lending by almost a quarter, counted Bank of Russia. At the end of the year, 75 thousand small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs were clients of microfinance organizations.

    In terms of the volume of loans issued, commercial MFIs were ahead of state-owned ones for the first time: they provided entrepreneurs with more than 73 billion rubles – 54% more than in 2023. The growth driver was the digitalization of their services: more than 90% of loans were issued by commercial MFIs remotely. The main clients were small companies and entrepreneurs from the trade sector, including marketplace suppliers.

    State MFIs financed enterprises operating in the construction, transport, goods manufacturing, agriculture, and often regional businesses. Among them were projects participating in the import substitution program. The average interest rate on loans from state MFIs, thanks to state support, was 7% per annum; for commercial ones, it was higher — 46% per annum.

    The State Duma is considering draft law, which proposes to increase the amount of microloans for businesses from the current 5 million to 15 million rubles. This will help expand access for small and medium-sized companies to borrowed funds. Such loans will allow entrepreneurs to finance larger and more capital-intensive projects.

    Preview photo: Best pixels / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23578

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: To mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Moscow Metro decorated its stations with festive installations.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Moscow Metro has prepared bright and memorable decorations, which have already been installed at the entrances to 11 stations. Installations with stars and glowing rays have appeared at 10 stations, creating an atmosphere of celebration and festivity.

    Particular attention is paid to the Chistye Prudy station, where a unique installation in the shape of the letter “M”, 2 meters high, is installed. It is decorated with the St. George ribbon, an order and the word “Victory” in retro style, which emphasizes the significance of this event for our country.

    The Moscow Metro traditionally takes part in national holidays and significant events under the leadership of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. In honor of the Victory anniversary, not only the stations were decorated, but a themed train was launched on Line 3. Festive events have also been prepared for passengers, noted Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport.

    Trubnaya station has been decorated for May 9 for the second year in a row. In anticipation of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, 25 St. George ribbons and 50 bows were placed here, which creates a special atmosphere and emphasizes the importance of this day for all Russians. “The capital’s transport complex traditionally participates in state holidays and important events at the request of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, the metro infrastructure was decorated. Anniversary installations were installed and a themed train was launched on the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line. Festive events in the metro were prepared for passengers,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    We invite all passengers and residents of the capital to enjoy the festive decorations and take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory!

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Building Resilient Coastal Infrastructure: Bridging Science, Policy and Finance for Climate Adaptation

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    The session will bridge global agendas on coastal resilience, carrying forward the recommendations emerging from 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure into global ocean resilience discussions. This side event will support the global commitment to ocean resilience by focusing on financing climate and disaster-resilient coastal infrastructure. The session will also showcase ongoing CDRI and UNDRR initiatives and good practices from SIDS that contribute to enhancing the resilience of coastal communities.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Drug and Alcohol seizures – Yuelamu

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has served notices to appear in court to two women following seizures of alcohol and cannabis in a restricted remote community.

    Last Thursday, police seized a traffickable quantity of cannabis, around 63 litres of alcohol and drug paraphernalia from two 30-year-old women following intel received.

    The two women were charged with Bring liquor into a restricted area and Supplying a traffickable quantity of cannabis, they will appear in Yuendumu Local Court on 11 June 2025.

    Southern Desert Division Senior Sergeant Conan Robertson said “We know all too well the devastating impacts of alcohol related harm in our remote communities and will continue to pro-actively target those intending to bring alcohol into restricted areas.”

    “Thank you to the community who supported Police with information to stop this offending. It is important that we continue to work together to keep people safe.”

    Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs into remote communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NT man charged over Territory’s largest ever ketamine importation

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    A Northern Territory man appeared in Darwin Local Court last Thursday after being charged with the alleged importation and possession of more than 4kg of ketamine.

    It is believed to be the Northern Territory’s largest ketamine seizure.

    The man, 32, who was arrested on Wednesday 23 April 2025, is due to face court again on 2 May 2025.

    A Northern Territory Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (NT JOCTF) investigation began in April 2025, after Australian Border Force (ABF) members at Sydney Airport identified a consignment suspected of containing ketamine that arrived on a flight from Germany.

    Investigators from NT JOCTF, which comprises of members from the Northern Territory Police Force, Australian Federal Police, ABF and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), replaced the illicit drugs – which were disguised in several sports energy drink and protein bar packages – with an inert substance.

    After retrieving the crystallised ketamine from the packages, officers determined the estimated weight of the illicit drugs to be 4.08kg. This amount of ketamine has an estimated street value of $800,000.

    The parcel was then delivered to its intended address in Zuccoli, near Darwin, where officers allegedly observed a man signing and taking possession of the delivery.

    NT JOCFT investigators then executed a search warrant at the property and arrested the man.

    During the search, officers allegedly located the opened parcel containing the substituted illicit drugs.

    The man, 32, was charged with the following offences:

    • One count of importing a commercial quantity of ketamine, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
    • One count of possessing a dangerous drug, contrary to section 7(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1990 (NT); and
    • One count of supply a dangerous drug, contrary to section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1990 (NT).

    Each of these offences carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

    NT Police Force Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan said, “This operation has resulted in the Northern Territory’s largest ever recorded ketamine seizure. 

    “4 kilograms of Ketamine is 40,000 times the minimum commercial quantity and is estimated to be worth $800,000 when sold.

    “This package was delivered from outside of the country and the NT Police Force reiterate that these drugs are manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic conditions, and anyone choosing to use them is gambling with their life. We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to combat imports of illicit substances into the Northern Territory.”

    AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the AFP and its law enforcement, intelligence and border agency partners worked tirelessly to identify, target and disrupt criminal syndicates in their attempts to import and distribute illicit drugs into Australia.

    “The AFP, together with our partners under the NT JOCTF have prevented ketamine from reaching Australian streets under this investigation,” Supt Davis said.

    “Our investigators continue to work collaboratively to ensure Australia remains a hostile environment for criminal syndicates in order to prevent any form of illicit drugs from entering the Australian community and causing widespread harm.

    “Ketamine specifically is a dangerous sedative; its dissociative effects block sensory brain signals and can cause memory loss, feelings of being detached from one’s body and the inability to perceive dangers.

    “This operation should serve as a significant warning to transnational serious organised crime syndicates – the AFP and our partners remain one step ahead of your illicit activities and will ensure you are brought to justice.”

    This is a joint media release between the Northern Territory Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Roper Technologies announces first quarter financial results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SARASOTA, Fla., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Roper Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROP) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First quarter 2025 highlights

    • Revenue increased 12% to $1.88 billion; acquisition contribution was +8% and organic revenue was +5%
    • GAAP net earnings decreased 13% to $331 million; adjusted net earnings increased 9% to $517 million
    • Adjusted EBITDA increased 9% to $740 million
    • Operating cash flow decreased 1% to $529 million; trailing-twelve-months adjusted operating cash flow increased 12% to $2.39 billion
    • GAAP DEPS decreased 14% to $3.06; adjusted DEPS increased 8% to $4.78

    “Roper had a strong start to 2025 and our enterprise continues to execute at a high level,” said Neil Hunn, Roper’s President and CEO. “Our total revenue growth of 12% was driven by an 8% acquisition contribution and 5% organic growth. Importantly, our trailing-twelve-months free cash flow grew 12% with a 31% free cash flow margin. Last week, we completed the acquisition of CentralReach, a leading provider of cloud-native software enabling the workflow and administration of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. CentralReach is a terrific business that not only meets each of our historical acquisition criteria but also meets our higher growth and higher return expectations.”

    “Despite an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop, we are increasing our full year outlook. This is underpinned by resilient demand for our mission critical solutions and our expanding recurring revenue base. Additionally, we are well positioned to continue executing our disciplined and process-driven capital deployment strategy, fueled by our significant M&A firepower and a large pipeline of attractive acquisition opportunities. Roper’s durable cash flow compounding model has historically performed well through economic and market cycles, and we expect our resilience will again be demonstrated in the current environment,” concluded Mr. Hunn.

    Increasing 2025 guidance

    Roper now expects full year 2025 adjusted DEPS of $19.80 – $20.05, compared to previous guidance of $19.75 – $20.00. The Company increased its full year total revenue growth outlook to ~12%, compared to a previous outlook of 10%+, and continues to expect organic revenue growth of +6 – 7%.

    For the second quarter of 2025, the Company expects adjusted DEPS of $4.80 – $4.84.

    Roper’s guidance includes the impact of the previously announced acquisition of CentralReach, which closed on April 23, 2025. The Company’s guidance excludes the impact of unannounced future acquisitions or divestitures.

    Conference call to be held at 8:00 AM (ET) today

    A conference call to discuss these results has been scheduled for 8:00 AM ET on Monday, April 28, 2025. The call can be accessed via webcast or by dialing +1 800-836-8184 (US/Canada) or +1 646-357-8785, using conference call ID 07867. Webcast information and conference call materials will be made available in the Investors section of Roper’s website (www.ropertech.com) prior to the start of the call. The webcast can also be accessed directly by using the following URL https://event.webcast. Telephonic replays will be available for up to two weeks and can be accessed by dialing +1 646-517-4150 with access code 07867#.

    Use of non-GAAP financial information

    The Company supplements its consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis with certain non-GAAP financial information to provide investors with greater insight, increase transparency and allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the accompanying financial schedules or tables. The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated.

    Minority interest

    Following the sale of a majority stake in its industrial businesses to CD&R, Roper holds a minority interest in Indicor. The fair value of Roper’s equity investment in Indicor is updated on a quarterly basis and reported as “equity investments (gain) loss, net.” Roper makes non-GAAP adjustments for the impacts associated with this investment.

    Table 1: Revenue and adjusted EBITDA reconciliation ($M)
      Q1 2024   Q1 2025   V %
    GAAP revenue $ 1,681     $ 1,883     12 %
               
    Components of revenue growth          
    Organic         5 %
    Acquisitions         8 %
    Foreign exchange         — %
    Revenue growth         12 %
               
    Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation          
    GAAP net earnings $ 382     $ 331      
    Taxes   102       87      
    Interest expense   53       63      
    Depreciation   9       9      
    Amortization   185       204      
    EBITDA $ 731     $ 694     (5)%
               
    Transaction-related expenses for completed
    acquisitions    		   2       1      
    Financial impacts associated with the minority
    investments in Indicor & Certinia    		   (57 )     44   A  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 676     $ 740     9 %
    Adjusted EBITDA margin   40.2 %     39.3 %   (90 bps)
                       
    Table 2: Adjusted net earnings reconciliation ($M)
      Q1 2024   Q1 2025   V %
    GAAP net earnings $ 382     $ 331   (13)%
    Transaction-related expenses for completed
    acquisitions    		   1       1    
    Financial impacts associated with the minority
    investments in Indicor & Certinia    		   (48 )     32 A  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible
    assets    		   141       154 B  
    Adjusted net earnings C $ 476     $ 517   9 %
               
    Table 3: Adjusted DEPS reconciliation
      Q1 2024   Q1 2025   V %
    GAAP DEPS $ 3.54     $ 3.06   (14)%
    Transaction-related expenses for completed
    acquisitions    		   0.01       0.01    
    Financial impacts associated with the minority
    investments in Indicor & Certinia    		   (0.45 )     0.29 A  
    Amortization of acquisition-related intangible
    assets    		   1.31       1.42 B  
    Adjusted DEPSC $ 4.41     $ 4.78   8 %
               
    Table 4: Adjusted cash flow reconciliation ($M)
    (from continuing operations)    		    
      Q1 2024   Q1 2025   V %     TTM 2024   TTM 2025   V %
    Operating cash flow $ 531     $ 529     (1)%     $ 2,104     $ 2,390     14 %
    Taxes paid in period
    related to divestiture    		   —       —             32       —      
    Adjusted operating cash
    flow    		 $ 531     $ 529     (1)%     $ 2,136     $ 2,390     12 %
    Capital expenditures   (9 )     (10 )           (68 )     (66 )    
    Capitalized software
    expenditures    		   (10 )     (12 )           (40 )     (48 )    
    Adjusted free cash flow $ 513     $ 507     (1)%     $ 2,029     $ 2,276     12 %
                             
    Table 5: Forecasted adjusted DEPS reconciliation
      Q2 2025   FY 2025
      Low end   High end   Low end   High end
    GAAP DEPS D $ 3.33   $ 3.37   $ 13.72   $ 13.97
    YTD transaction-related expenses for
    completed acquisitions    		   —     —     0.01     0.01
    YTD financial impacts associated with the
    minority investment in Indicor A    		   —     —     0.29     0.29
    Amortization of acquisition-related
    intangible assets B    		   1.47     1.47     5.78     5.78
    Adjusted DEPS C $ 4.80   $ 4.84   $ 19.80   $ 20.05
                   

    Footnotes:

    A. Adjustments related to the financial impacts associated with the minority investment in Indicor as shown below ($M, except per share data). Forecasted results do not include any potential impacts associated with our minority investment in Indicor, as these potential impacts cannot be reasonably predicted. These impacts will be excluded from all non-GAAP results in future periods.
                         
        Q1 2025A     Q2 2025E   FY 2025E     YTD 2025A
      Pretax $ 44     TBD   TBD     $ 44
      After-tax $ 32     TBD   TBD     $ 32
      Per share $ 0.29     TBD   TBD     $ 0.29
                         
    B. Actual results and forecast of estimated amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets as shown below ($M, except per share data).
                         
        Q1 2025A     Q2 2025E   FY 2025E      
      Pretax $ 194     $ 202   $ 795      
      After-tax $ 154     $ 160   $ 628      
      Per share $ 1.42     $ 1.47   $ 5.78      
                         
    C. All actual and forecasted non-GAAP adjustments are taxed at 21% with the exception of the financial impacts associated with minority investments.
                         
    D. Forecasted GAAP DEPS do not include any potential impacts associated with our minority investment in Indicor. These impacts will be excluded from all non-GAAP results in future periods.
       

    Note: Numbers may not foot due to rounding.

    About Roper Technologies

    Roper Technologies is a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. Roper has a proven, long-term track record of compounding cash flow and shareholder value. The Company operates market leading businesses that design and develop vertical software and technology enabled products for a variety of defensible niche markets. Roper utilizes a disciplined, analytical, and process-driven approach to redeploy its excess capital toward high-quality acquisitions. Additional information about Roper is available on the Company’s website at www.ropertech.com.

    Contact information:
    Investor Relations
    941-556-2601
    investor-relations@ropertech.com

    The information provided in this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding operating results, the success of our internal operating plans, and the prospects for newly acquired businesses to be integrated and contribute to future growth, profit and cash flow expectations. Forward-looking statements may be indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” “believes,” “intends” and similar words and phrases. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are not guarantees of future performance. They involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such risks and uncertainties include our ability to identify and complete acquisitions consistent with our business strategies, integrate acquisitions that have been completed, realize expected benefits and synergies from, and manage other risks associated with, acquired businesses, including obtaining any required regulatory approvals with respect thereto. We also face other general risks, including our ability to realize cost savings from our operating initiatives, general economic conditions and the conditions of the specific markets in which we operate, including risks related to labor shortages and rising interest rates, changes in foreign exchange rates, risks related to changing U.S. and foreign trade policies, including increased trade restrictions or tariffs, risks associated with our international operations, cybersecurity and data privacy risks, including litigation resulting therefrom, risks related to political instability, armed hostilities, incidents of terrorism, public health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) or natural disasters, increased product liability and insurance costs, increased warranty exposure, future competition, changes in the supply of, or price for, parts and components, including as a result of inflation and potential supply chain constraints, environmental compliance costs and liabilities, risks and cost associated with litigation, potential write-offs of our substantial intangible assets, and risks associated with obtaining governmental approvals and maintaining regulatory compliance for new and existing products. Important risks may be discussed in current and subsequent filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

    # # #

    Roper Technologies, Inc.      
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)    
    (Amounts in millions)      
           
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    ASSETS:      
           
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 372.8     $ 188.2  
    Accounts receivable, net   813.3       885.1  
    Inventories, net   125.5       120.8  
    Income taxes receivable   20.3       25.6  
    Unbilled receivables   135.7       127.3  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   237.0       195.7  
    Total current assets   1,704.6       1,542.7  
           
    Property, plant and equipment, net   150.0       149.7  
    Goodwill   19,408.2       19,312.9  
    Other intangible assets, net   8,916.9       9,059.6  
    Deferred taxes   54.7       54.1  
    Equity investment   728.2       772.3  
    Other assets   456.2       443.4  
    Total assets $ 31,418.8     $ 31,334.7  
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:      
           
    Accounts payable $ 152.8     $ 148.1  
    Accrued compensation   179.1       289.0  
    Deferred revenue   1,667.9       1,737.4  
    Other accrued liabilities   544.5       546.2  
    Income taxes payable   144.3       68.4  
    Current portion of long-term debt, net   999.4       1,043.1  
    Total current liabilities   3,688.0       3,832.2  
           
    Long-term debt, net of current portion   6,457.0       6,579.9  
    Deferred taxes   1,611.6       1,630.6  
    Other liabilities   438.6       424.4  
    Total liabilities   12,195.2       12,467.1  
           
    Common stock   1.1       1.1  
    Additional paid-in capital   3,108.7       3,014.6  
    Retained earnings   16,276.9       16,034.9  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (146.8 )     (166.5 )
    Treasury stock   (16.3 )     (16.5 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   19,223.6       18,867.6  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 31,418.8     $ 31,334.7  
           
    Roper Technologies, Inc.      
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)      
    (Amounts in millions, except per share data)      
           
      Three months ended
    March 31,
        2025     2024  
    Net revenues $ 1,882.8   $ 1,680.7  
    Cost of sales   589.1     499.7  
    Gross profit   1,293.7     1,181.0  
           
    Selling, general and administrative expenses   767.9     699.7  
    Income from operations   525.8     481.3  
           
    Interest expense, net   62.9     53.2  
    Equity investments (gain) loss, net   44.4     (57.0 )
    Other expense, net   0.5     1.2  
           
    Earnings before income taxes   418.0     483.9  
           
    Income taxes   86.9     101.9  
           
    Net earnings $ 331.1   $ 382.0  
           
    Net earnings per share:      
    Basic $ 3.08   $ 3.57  
    Diluted $ 3.06   $ 3.54  
           
    Weighted average common shares outstanding:      
    Basic   107.4     107.0  
    Diluted   108.2     107.9  
                 
    Roper Technologies, Inc.              
    Selected Segment Financial Data (unaudited)              
    (Amounts in millions; percentages of net revenues)              
                   
      Three months ended March 31,
       2025     2024 
      Amount   %   Amount   %
    Net revenues:              
    Application Software $ 1,068.2       $ 895.2    
    Network Software   375.9         370.8    
    Technology Enabled Products   438.7         414.7    
    Total $ 1,882.8       $ 1,680.7    
                   
                   
    Gross profit:              
    Application Software $ 720.8   67.5 %   $ 625.7   69.9 %
    Network Software   315.6   84.0 %     316.3   85.3 %
    Technology Enabled Products   257.3   58.7 %     239.0   57.6 %
    Total $ 1,293.7   68.7 %   $ 1,181.0   70.3 %
                   
                   
    Operating profit*:              
    Application Software $ 276.8   25.9 %   $ 239.6   26.8 %
    Network Software   166.7   44.3 %     167.0   45.0 %
    Technology Enabled Products   153.6   35.0 %     136.2   32.8 %
    Total $ 597.1   31.7 %   $ 542.8   32.3 %
                   
                   
    * Segment operating profit is before unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses and enterprise-wide stock-based compensation. These expenses were $71.3 and $61.5 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
     
    Roper Technologies, Inc.  
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
    (Amounts in millions)
      Three months ended
    March 31,
        2025       2024  
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net earnings $ 331.1     $ 382.0  
    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating
    activities:    		      
    Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment   9.1       9.2  
    Amortization of intangible assets   204.0       185.0  
    Amortization of deferred financing costs   2.8       2.2  
    Non-cash stock compensation   38.8       33.6  
    Equity investments (gain) loss, net   44.4       (57.0 )
    Income tax provision   86.9       101.9  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses:      
    Accounts receivable   74.4       79.4  
    Unbilled receivables   (7.6 )     (12.2 )
    Inventories   (4.1 )     (7.9 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (41.3 )     (26.8 )
    Accounts payable   2.9       0.3  
    Other accrued liabilities   (107.4 )     (69.3 )
    Deferred revenue   (70.6 )     (70.5 )
    Cash income taxes paid   (29.1 )     (19.0 )
    Other, net   (5.6 )     0.6  
    Cash provided by operating activities   528.7       531.5  
           
    Cash flows used in investing activities:      
    Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired   (124.9 )     (1,858.7 )
    Capital expenditures   (9.5 )     (9.3 )
    Capitalized software expenditures   (12.4 )     (9.6 )
    Other   —       (1.0 )
    Cash used in investing activities   (146.8 )     (1,878.6 )
           
    Cash flows from (used in) financing activities:      
    Borrowings (payments) under revolving line of credit, net   (125.0 )     1,390.0  
    Cash dividends to stockholders   (88.6 )     (80.5 )
    Proceeds from stock-based compensation, net   42.7       21.7  
    Treasury stock sales   7.2       5.8  
    Other, net   (44.1 )     (0.1 )
    Cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (207.8 )     1,336.9  
           
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   10.5       (5.7 )
           
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   184.6       (15.9 )
           
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   188.2       214.3  
           
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 372.8     $ 198.4  
           

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aktsiaselts Infortar Investor Webinar introducing the results of the Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Infortar will organize a webinar for investors on 5 May 2025 at 12:00 (EET) in Estonian and at 14:00 (EET) in English to introduce the first quarter 2025 results. The webinar will be attended by the Chairman of the Board of Infortar Ain Hanschmidt, the Managing Director Martti Talgre and Investor Relations Manager Kadri Laanvee.

    The webinar will be hosted on the Microsoft Teams platform. Please note that to participate, no prior registration is required, and no reminder of the webinar will be sent. You can either participate by joining from your web browser or via Microsoft Teams application. When using a smart device to join the webinar, you first need to download the Microsoft Teams application from either Play Store or App Store.

    Please join the webinar via the following links:

    5 May 2025 at 12:00 (EET) Estonian webinar

    5 May 2025 at 14:00 (EET) English webinar

    Questions can be sent to investor@infortar.ee before the webinar and via Teams Q/A during the event. The webinar will be recorded and will be available online for everyone on the company’s website at https://infortar.ee/en/reports.

    Infortar operates in seven countries, the company’s main fields of activity are maritime transport, energy and real estate. Infortar owns a 68.47% stake in Tallink Grupp, a 100% stake in Elenger Grupp and a versatile and modern real estate portfolio of approx. 141,000 m2. In addition to the three main areas of activity, Infortar also operates in construction and mineral resources, agriculture, printing, and other areas. A total of 110 companies belong to the Infortar group: 101 subsidiaries, 4 affiliated companies and 5 subsidiaries of affiliated companies. Excluding affiliates, Infortar employs 6,228 people.

    Additional information:
    Kadri Laanvee
    Investor Relations Manager
    Phone: +372 5156662
    e-mail: kadri.laanvee@infortar.ee
    www.infortar.ee/en/investor
     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CW Petroleum Corp (OTCQB: CWPE) Reports Revenues for Year-End 2024, Q1-2025, No Effects from Tariffs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Katy, Texas, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CW Petroleum Corp (OTCQB: CWPE) (the “Company”), a leading provider of Specialty Renewable and Hydrocarbon Motor Fuels, today announces to its investors and future investors audited financial results for Year-End 2024, and unaudited financial results for Q1-2025. The Company currently purchases all renewable and hydrocarbon motor fuels within the USA.

    Year-End 2024

    Key Financial Highlights for Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024, Compared to Prior Year Period:

    • 2024 Revenues of $8.00 Million vs 2023 Revenues of $9.31 Million
    • 2024 EBITDA of $150,236 vs 2023 EBITDA of $754,440
    • 2024 Net Income (loss) of $(47,478) vs 2023 Net Income of $449,293

    Report: SEC Form 1-K (Period Ending 12/31/2024)

    Q1-2025

    Key Financial Highlights for Three Months Ended March 31, 2025, Compared to Prior Year Period:

    • 2025 Revenues of $1.59 Million vs 2024 Revenues of $1.94 Million
    • 2025 EBITDA of $40,970 vs 2024 EBITDA of $32,905
    • 2025 Net Income(loss) of $(4,183) vs 2024 Net Income of $(23,713)

    Additional accurate information about the Company can be found on the OTC Markets website at the following links and on the EDGAR filing website provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission:

    CWPE Overview
    CWPE Security Detail
    CWPE Financials
    CWPE News
    CWPE Disclosures

    SEC Filings

    For additional information, visit our website at cwpetroleumcorp.com, email: investor@cwpetroleumcorp.com , or call 281-817-8099

    About CW Petroleum Corp

    CW Petroleum Corp, a Texas corporation, began operations in 2011. CW Petroleum Corp, a Wyoming corporation, was incorporated in April 2018 and has acquired the Texas corporation as a wholly-owned subsidiary. CW Petroleum Corp supplies and distributes Biodiesel, Biodiesel Blends, Renewable Gasoline, and a 92 Octane Reformulated No Ethanol Gasoline to distributors, convenience stores, marinas, and end-users. The EPA licenses the Company to create its proprietary gasoline blends. CW Petroleum Corp is licensed to distribute Diesel Fuel & Gasoline by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, California, Colorado, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” regarding future events and our future results. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the oil and gas markets, energy markets, and other markets in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “endeavors,” “strives,” “may,” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, estimate, or verify. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 1-K, which may be amended or supplemented by subsequent semiannual reports on Form 1-SA or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Atana Expands Sales Team, Welcomes New Leaders to Drive Continued Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BELLEVUE, Wash., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Seeking to redefine workplace culture and training, Atana today announced that Deena Perro and Brett Seller have joined the company’s growing sales team as demand for its award-winning solutions increases. Named one of Nucleus Research’s “Hot Companies to Watch” for 2025, Atana offers comprehensive, turnkey solutions backed by behavioral science that enable transformational change at scale, which has become increasingly important in today’s rapidly evolving workplace.

    Bringing more than 20 years of experience in workforce solutions sales to Atana, Perro has joined the company from Plum, where she served as Director of Sales. Before that, Perro held sales positions at Eskalera, pymetrics, Infor, Manpower Group and Monster, developing deep industry knowledge and expertise. Perro’s earlier career highlights included Sprint, Verizon and Salomon Smith Barney Holdings. In addition to her professional success and proven track record, Perro is the mother of teenage twins, a testament to her personal belief that with resilience, grit and hustle, it is possible to achieve the impossible.

    Like Perro, Seller also comes from within the industry and joins Atana from Plum, where he spent nearly four years, most recently in the role of Sales Director. Prior to Plum, Seller worked at Infor for almost six years, first as Account Executive, Infor Talent Science and later as Enterprise Account Executive, Infor Workplace Solutions. He got his start in the HR technology space in sales development at PeopleAnswers before Infor acquired the company in 2014. Seller is celebrated by peers and customers alike for his ability to build trust-based relationships and infuse kindness, empathy and levity into the sales process.

    At Atana, Perro will oversee the Eastern U.S. sales territory while Seller is responsible for the Central U.S.

    “As more companies turn to us for solutions that deliver meaningful organizational change, demand for Atana’s scientific approach to training and development is escalating. With backgrounds that combine sales and HR tech, Deena and Brett are not only the right people to drive Atana’s growth as we move forward, but they are also joining us at a critical time in our journey,” said John Hansen, Atana Chairman and CEO. “Deena and Brett’s industry expertise and records of achievement will be invaluable to our company and our clients.”

    About Atana

    Bringing together decades of experience, award-winning courses, and a powerful analytics platform, Atana takes learners from best intentions to actionable and measurable behavioral change at scale. With Atana, employers can build more inclusive workplaces through engaging content and science-backed learning and development. For more information, please visit atana.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Benevity Appoints Industry’s First Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Benevity Inc. today announced the appointment of Ian Goldsmith as Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer, the first such dedicated role in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social impact software industry.

    With more than 30 years of experience in product and data leadership, Goldsmith will lead the strategic deployment of artificial intelligence throughout Benevity’s Enterprise Impact Platform, revolutionizing its capabilities. His focus will include machine learning, AI-powered analytics, and generative AI to create transformative, scalable solutions that help companies realize greater business and societal value from their purpose initiatives.

    “Ian’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the Benevity journey to reimagine what’s possible as we pioneer responsible AI innovation,” said Chris Maloof, CEO, Benevity. “This focus will further help organizations create lasting value by connecting business goals with purpose outcomes. AI is central to Benevity’s core strategy and we fundamentally believe it will be transformative for the CSR industry and social impact. We are excited to take the lead.”

    Goldsmith will work closely with Benevity’s global community of more than 900 clients and other thought leaders to design AI-powered solutions to solve real-world challenges at scale.

    “Benevity has such an incredible history of innovation in CSR technology and stands out as a company with a powerful mission to help businesses and people do more good in the world,” said Ian Goldsmith, Chief AI Officer, Benevity. “I’m thrilled to join the company and accelerate that impact by enabling new ways of doing good that support strong business outcomes.”

    Prior to joining Benevity, Goldsmith held senior leadership roles at MeridianLink, Waycare, and Akana. Goldsmith has advanced AI strategy for global brands while staying committed to responsible AI innovation and continuous learning. His work has delivered meaningful change with thoughtful integration of AI capabilities in product, data, and user experience across industries including technology, finance, and transportation. Goldsmith holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge.

    About Benevity
    Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is the leading global provider of social impact software, providing the only integrated suite of community investment and employee, customer and nonprofit engagement solutions. Recognized as one of Fortune’s Impact 20, Benevity offers cloud solutions that power purpose for many iconic brands in ways that better attract, retain and engage today’s diverse workforce, embed social action into their customer experiences and positively impact their communities. With software that is available in 22 languages, Benevity has processed more than $15 billion in donations and 79 million hours of volunteering time to support 470,000 nonprofits worldwide. The company’s solutions have also facilitated 1.3 million micro-actions and managed 845,000 grants worth $16 billion. For more information, visit benevity.com.

    Media Contact:
    Indrani Ray │ Press & Analyst Relations │ 1.647.574.9559 │ press@benevity.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/07d31d2c-1ec1-40c4-a342-0af453bb0bc7

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Microchip Expands Connectivity, Storage and Compute Portfolios to Meet the Growing Demands of AI Data Center Applications

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHANDLER, Ariz., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming data centers, creating an unprecedented demand for high-performance, secure, reliable and innovative solutions. Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) is addressing these evolving market needs by developing advanced technologies for data center connectivity, storage and data retrieval. Microchip’s data center ecosystem includes a comprehensive portfolio of enabling technologies for workload acceleration, power management, device performance, optimization and control. This ecosystem helps data centers meet the scalability, security and performance challenges of today’s dynamic technology requirements.

    Microchip’s portfolio includes high-speed interconnect and storage technologies such as Gen 3, Gen 4 and Gen 5 PCIe® switches—with Gen 6 and Gen 7 technologies in development—Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe®), storage and RAID controllers with hardware-based security for enhanced data protection. For connectivity, Microchip offers retimers and Ethernet PHYs to optimize interconnect functionality. Its power management, system monitoring and precise timing solutions are designed to deliver dependable, adaptable and energy-efficient operations for enterprise and hyperscale data center environments.

    New and recently released data center solutions:

    800G Active Electrical Cable (AEC) Reference Design

    • The reference design features the META-DX2C 800G retimer with 112G SerDes and is a comprehensive solution to reduce development time, cost and complexity for creating 800G AEC solutions for generative AI networks.
    • It includes an integrated software package implementing the CMIS 5.2 specification on a Microchip 32-bit microcontroller to streamline the development of Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) and Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable (OSFP) AEC cable products.

    META-DX2+ Ethernet Physical Layer Transceivers (PHYs) with Lambda Splitting

    • This solution improves Data Center Interconnect (DCI) by maximizing fiber utilization, enabling support for high-speed AI workloads.
    • The Lambda Splitting technique works along with coherent optics to distribute traffic across multiple wavelengths, significantly reducing costs and boosting bandwidth efficiency by up to 50%.

    LAN9646 6-Port Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Switch with SGMII Interface

    • This 6-port GbE switch with four integrated 10/100/1000BASE-T PHYs supports multiple interface options, including SGMII, RGMII, MII and RMII, making it adaptable for a wide range of networking applications.
    • It provides full VLAN and Quality of Service (QoS) support for efficient traffic management and prioritization. It also provides flexible management interface options—such as SPI, I2C and MIIM—and is compatible with Linux® DSA.
    • Capable of operating within industrial temperature ranges (−40°C to +85°C), the LAN9646 is designed for applications such as stand-alone Ethernet networks, broadband gateways, security and surveillance systems, industrial automation and networked test and measurement equipment. 

    High-Performance, High-Density Power Module

    • The MCPF1412 high-density power module delivers up to 12A of current to a load within a voltage range of 0.6V to 1.8V, while operating from a 16V input. Measuring just 5.8 mm × 4.9 mm × 1.6 mm, this module is optimized for space-constrained applications.
    • It is engineered to provide optimal power efficiency while minimizing energy loss, which is critical for modern, power-sensitive applications.
    •  Its I2C and PMBus® interfaces offer significant flexibility for system configuration, real-time monitoring and precise control and adaptability for a wide range of applications.

    Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) for Efficient Power Supply

    • dsPIC33A DSCs offer higher clock speeds and advanced control algorithms to enable faster response times and improved energy efficiency for data centers and AI servers.
    • Their diagnostic capabilities improve reliability and operational integrity, alongside integrated cryptographic algorithms for firmware attestation and device authentication to  help safeguard against tampering and spoofing.
    • Designed to handle fluctuating power demands, dsPIC33A DSCs increase efficiency and stability in critical applications like power factor correction, resonant converters and synchronous rectification, meeting the high-performance needs of modern data centers.

    Microprocessors (MPUs) for OpenBMC

    • These MPUs enable robust Auxiliary Management Control (AMC) in data center subsystems, including power shelves, enterprise storage, JBOD, cooling systems and chassis management.
    • Features include Redfish® protocol (RESTful interface) support, out-of-band management for real-time monitoring, logging and alerting of system health, secure/encrypted data transmission and support for firmware updates and remote reboots.
    • Designed to streamline data center management, Microchip’s OpenBMC solutions provide essential tools for remote management, system power monitoring and secure updates for reliable and efficient infrastructure management.

    “AI is revolutionizing all aspects of the digital landscape and data centers face growing demands for security, AI workload acceleration, system efficiency and reliability,” said Brian McCarson, corporate vice president of Microchip’s data center solutions business unit. “Microchip is committed to delivering the essential building blocks needed to address the technology challenges of modern data centers. From accelerating high-speed connectivity and storage rates to optimizing power and management systems, our innovations are designed to support next-generation AI workloads and deliver scalability for our customers.”

    Microchip’s data center solutions include a comprehensive portfolio of Secure Root of Trust Controllers designed to protect system integrity. These controllers take control at power-up, verifying firmware stored in external Flash before it is executed by the system’s CPUs and GPUs, helping prevent unauthorized code execution. Beyond the boot process, they monitor system activity, authenticate auxiliary components such as network interface cards (NICs), host bus adapters (HBAs) and solid-state drives (SSDs), and key system elements like power supplies and RAID configurations. Additionally, the controllers are designed to enable secure system ownership transfer and support robust lifecycle management.

    Visit the Data Centers web page and explore recent computing and data center blog articles to learn more about the company’s data center offerings.

    Resources
    High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
    ·Application image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/54458748928/sizes/o/

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Deepens Commitment to United to Beat Malaria with Renewed Global Partnership and First-Ever 5K Run Sponsorship

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the world marks World Malaria Day 2025 under the theme “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renewing its global partnership with the United Nations Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign. Now entering its second year of collaboration, EBC is scaling up its impact through increased corporate sponsorship, cross-border employee mobilisation to raise awareness, and direct investment in frontline health tools that save lives.

    From a shared belief that no child should die from a mosquito bite, EBC is transforming its role from ally to active advocate—supporting both the global systems that drive malaria eradication and the grassroots initiatives that protect the world’s most vulnerable communities. As part of this commitment, EBC is stepping up as a first-time corporate sponsor of the Move Against Malaria 5K 2025 event, mobilising many in a global movement to raise awareness for one of the world’s deadliest—yet entirely preventable—diseases.

    “In 2024, we stood in solidarity. In 2025, we stand in action,” said David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. “This campaign is now embedded into our leadership strategy and employee culture. This is not a moment, it’s a movement.”

    EBC’s Commitment to Global Health Equity is a Shared Mission
    To mark this renewed partnership, Barrett sat down with Margaret McDonnell, Executive Director of United to Beat Malaria, for a candid 40-minute fireside chat. Their conversation explored the urgent need for global solidarity, the personal and professional impact of the campaign, and why EBC has chosen to walk alongside this cause—literally and figuratively.

    “The first year for me was a complete revelation in terms of how advocacy for this mission worked—not only in America but globally,” said Barrett. “This year, it was different. The politics have shifted, and the challenges have changed. But if anything, that makes this mission even more important.”

    As a global financial institution with operations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia—regions disproportionately affected by malaria—EBC views this fight as both urgent and deeply personal.

    “We have offices in Africa, Latin America, and Asia where malaria is a very real, on-ground problem. Supporting this campaign is a natural progression, resonating with our people and the communities we work in,” Barrett said. “At the beginning, it was something of interest. But the more you learn about the lives this movement has saved, the more you realise you’ve got to keep going.”

    McDonnell echoed the importance of having private sector allies like EBC on board, praising the company’s commitment to both the summit and the broader mission. “We appreciate that a company like EBC—though not in public health—recognises the impact of malaria on your workforce, clients, and communities,” said McDonnell. “Malaria isn’t just a health issue. It’s an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a strategic global issue.”

    Barrett also emphasised the ripple effect of even small funding disruptions: “If you break that chain, the progress and investment just unravel. These initiatives require macro thinking. If we keep looking only at the next quarter, we risk losing decades of momentum,” he added.

    Raising Voices at the 2025 United to Beat Malaria Annual Leadership Summit
    In March 2025, Barrett and EBC’s APAC Director of Operations, Samuel Hertz, joined over 120 passionate advocates at the United to Beat Malaria Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.—a three-day gathering of Champions, policymakers, scientists, students, and private sector leaders united by a common goal: ending malaria for good.

    The summit culminated in direct advocacy on Capitol Hill, where Barrett and Hertz met with members of Congress to push for full funding of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the UN’s malaria-related programs. EBC stood with a network of global partners, amplifying the message that stable investment and strategic collaboration are essential to driving continued progress, alongside Beat Malaria Champions, a highlight of the summit.

    “What stood out most was the passion of the Champions,” said Barrett. “From students to scientists, their energy is contagious. They’re not just learning—they’re leading. And that gives me hope that a healthier, more just world is truly possible.”

    Hertz added, “Being able to walk into the halls of Congress alongside these dedicated Champions—people who are educating communities, building coalitions, and pushing policy forward—was a powerful reminder that advocacy works. EBC was proud to represent the private sector in this movement, and even prouder to walk beside the changemakers driving it.”

    More Than a Run: EBC Rallies a Worldwide Workforce to Move Against Malaria
    EBC is once again joining the global Move Against Malaria 5K—a virtual challenge running from April 25 to May 10 that invites participants around the world to walk, run, cycle, or move in any way to support malaria prevention efforts.

    While EBC actively participated in the campaign last year, 2025 marks the company’s first year as an official corporate sponsor, highlighting its deepened commitment to both advocacy and action. This step forward reflects EBC’s evolving role in supporting frontline initiatives and raising awareness, with more than 200 EBC employees across the UK, Asia, Africa, and Latin America pledging to take part—mobilising teams, engaging their communities—and helping to raise vital funds.

    Fuelling Frontline Impact through Purposeful Investment
    EBC is directing its investment toward life-saving malaria interventions, including insecticide-treated bed nets, rapid diagnostic tests, and antimalarial treatments. These contributions will be directed toward frontline health programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regions that bear the highest burden of malaria worldwide.

    “This partnership goes beyond corporate philanthropy, it reflects a shared mission to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations,” said McDonnell.

    Aligned with its broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, EBC continues to explore deeper collaborations with UN-affiliated organisations and global health partners to maximise its impact in the developing world. “As a global financial institution, we recognise that sustainable growth is inseparable from global well-being,” added Hertz. “In the fight against malaria, we are not only donors—we are advocates, allies, and catalysts for change.”

    In 2024 alone, United to Beat Malaria helped protect over 1.67 million people from malaria across vulnerable communities worldwide—an achievement made possible through the collective support of partners like EBC Financial Group. Registrations and donations are available via https://fundraise.unfoundation.org/event/move-against-malaria-5k-2025/e654861.

    These efforts spanned five high-risk African nations—DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Uganda—and supported malaria elimination programs across 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, where vulnerable populations continue to face daily risks due to limited healthcare access, displacement, and ongoing conflict.

    Yet the fight is far from over. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s World Malaria Report 2024, malaria sickened an estimated 263 million people and claimed more than 597,000 lives—most of them children under the age of five. These are lives we can save—with continued global action, private sector leadership, and unwavering support from the international community.

    Together, with the United to Beat Malaria campaign, EBC is proud to stand at the forefront of a global movement to end malaria for good. For more information about EBC Financial Group’s CSR initiatives, please visit www.ebc.com/ESG.

    About EBC Financial Group

    Founded in London’s esteemed financial district, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. With offices in key financial hubs—including London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, Bangkok, Limassol, and emerging markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access a wide range of global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, shares, and indices.

    Recognised with multiple awards, EBC is committed to upholding ethical standards and these subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC).

    At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

    As the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, EBC provides specialised services across Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Through its partnership with the UN Foundation and United to Beat Malaria, the company contributes to global health initiatives. EBC also supports the ‘What Economists Really Do’ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, helping to demystify economics and its application to major societal challenges, fostering greater public understanding and dialogue.

    https://www.ebc.com/

    About UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria

    For over 25 years, the UN Foundation has built novel innovations and partnerships to support the United Nations and help solve global problems at scale. As an independent charitable organization, the Foundation was created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org.

    The UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign brings together key and diverse partners and supporters to take urgent action to end malaria and create a healthier, more equitable world. Since 2006, United to Beat Malaria has worked to equip and mobilize citizens across the U.S. and around the world to raise awareness, funds and voices. The campaign works with partners in endemic countries to channel life-saving resources to protect the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. By championing increased leadership, political will and resources from the U.S. and beyond, as well as more holistic, innovative tools and strategies, we can be the generation that ends malaria once and for all.

    Learn more at www.beatmalaria.org.

    Media Contact:
    Savitha Ravindran
    Global Public Relations Manager
    savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

    Chyna Elvina
    Global Public Relations Manager
    chyna.elvina@ebc.com

    Michelle Siow
    Brand Director
    michelle.siow@ebc.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d08d69f6-099b-47e6-a289-c4c8b0630935
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b4f4ac8-593b-417c-89c8-286a1b0f9731
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6d511c0-f811-4390-88b0-321f0bb04158

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Announces Full Dismissal of Nevada Lawsuit

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, N.Y., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that on Thursday, April 24, 2025, a Las Vegas judge granted in full two motions to dismiss brought by NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. and its officers and directors in a putative shareholder derivative action entitled Latza v. Walker, et al., Case No. A-24-900423-B, Clark County, Nevada District Court.

    “We are extremely pleased that this case has been so promptly adjudicated and dismissed in its entirety,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. “This ruling will allow us to devote more of our time and attention to NANO Nuclear’s primary mission of becoming the leading commercially focused advanced nuclear energy technology company in America. We thank our legal team at Ellenoff Grossman & Schole for their insight and hard work in achieving this result.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR™ Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
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    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release and such presentation contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements may include those related to the anticipated future benefits to NANO Nuclear of the case dismissal described herein, which ruling remains subject to appeal. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and (vi) litigation risks and similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Vanuatu communities growing climate resilience in wake of Cyclone Lola

    Communities in Vanuatu are learning to grow climate resilient crops, 18 months after Cyclone Lola devastated the country.

    The category 5 storm struck in October 2023, generating wind speeds of up to 215 kmph, which destroyed homes, schools, plantations, and left at least four people dead.

    It was all the worse for following twin cyclones Judy and Kevin earlier that year.

    Save the Children Vanuatu country director Polly Banks said they have been working alongside Vanuatu’s Ministry of Agriculture and local partners, supporting families through the Tropical Cyclone Lola Recovery Programme.

    “It really affected backyard gardening and the communities across the areas affected – their ability to pursue an income and also their own nutritional needs,” she said.

    She said the programme looked at the impact of the cyclone on backyard gardening and on people’s economic reliance on what they grow in their gardens, and developed a recovery plan to respond.

    “We trained community members and also provided them with the equipment to establish cyclone resilient nurseries.

    Ready for harsh weather
    “So for example, nurseries that can be put up and then pulled down when a harsh weather event – including cyclones but even heavy rainfall — is arriving.

    “There was a focus on these climate resilient nurseries, but also through that partnership with the Department of Agriculture, there was also a much stronger focus than we’ve had before on teaching community members climate smart agricultural techniques.”

    Banks said these techniques included open pollinating seed and learning skills such as grassing; and another part of the project was introducing more variety into people’s diets.

    She said out of the project has also come the first seed bank on Epi Island.

    “That seed bank now has a ready supply of seeds, and the community are adding to that regularly, and they’re taking those seeds from really climate-resilient crops, so that they have a cyclone secure storage facility,” she said.

    “The next time a cyclone happens — and we know that they’re going to become more ferocious and more frequent — the community are ready to replant the moment that the cyclone passes.

    Setting up seed bank
    “But in setting the seed bank up as well, the community have been taught how to select the most productive seeds, the seeds that show the most promise; how to dry them out; how to preserve them.”

    Banks said they were also working with the Department of Agriculture in the delivery of a community-based climate resilience project, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund.

    Rolled out across 282 communities across the country, a key focus of it is the creation of more climate-resilient backyard gardening, food preservation and climate resilient nurseries.

    “We’re also setting up early warning systems through the provision of internet to really remote communities so that they have better access to more knowledge about when a big storm or a cyclone is approaching and what steps to take.

    “But that particular project is still just a drop in the ocean in terms of the adaptation needs that communities have.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: UK: ‘Consciously cruel’ – UK social security system is pushing people beyond the brink – new report

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Human rights in the UK in crisis as new report exposes crushing evidence of a social security system ruining lives 

    Discrimination and dehumanisation reported as rife as punitive system drives poverty by policy 

    ‘They told me to go in for an assessment, and my baby had passed away… not even two days before…. And they were like, well if you need the money, you will come in.  It’s not my fault your baby is dead’ – Claimant  

    ‘I would often be asked the same question three times to see if I’d change my answer. The process feels like you are on trial for murder, they act like they are trying to catch you out and that you are begging’ – Peter 

    ‘Lives are being ruined by a system that is consciously cruel – it erodes dignity by design. We are in a state of severe human rights violations’– Jen Clark, Amnesty 

    Amnesty International UK’s new report takes a deep dive into the murky and divisive world of the UK social security system. The unique research is an extensive look through the lens of human rights violations across our basic rights to housing, food, education, healthcare and social security.  

    The evidence delivers damning conclusions on how the system processes, punishes, harms and dehumanises people and fails to meet international legal obligations. Successive UK governments have ignored the UN’s pleas to take urgent action to fix this. 

    Poverty is a visible sign of a failing social security system. When the government knowingly makes choices to make poverty worse, it is deliberately violating basic human rights. We have moved from a society that supports people to a punitive system that drives poverty by policy. 

    The rate of poverty in the UK is now higher than at any point in the 21st century. Sixteen million people in the UK are living in families in poverty – almost a quarter of the UK*. Of these, 5.2 million are children, 9.2 million are working-age adults, and 1.5 million are pension-age adults.  

    For its report ‘Social Insecurity’ Amnesty’s collaborated with over 700 benefit claimants and advisors to provide a platform for the people most gravely affected and show how politicians are playing with people’s lives and ignoring our most basic rights. In 2024 86% of low-income families on Universal Credit went without essentials such as heating, food and clothing. 

    With the backdrop of the Spring Statement and devastating disability social security cuts, Amnesty’s report delivers a crushing blow of evidence on the UK’s social security system and political choices that have pushed people into poverty and centres real-life experiences throughout, demonstrating the depth of dehumanisation. 

    Recommendations from the report

    • System overhaul: A landmark, independent Social Security Commission with statutory powers to overhaul the UK’s broken benefits system—rooted in dignity and human rights. 
    • Urgent protection from harm: The UK Government to urgently reverse harmful social security cuts, sanctions and caps including the two-child limit and ensure upcoming reforms of PIP, ESA and Universal Credit, meet international human rights standards and are shaped by those most affected. 
    • Legal protections: The UK Government to put in place legal frameworks protecting economic, social and cultural rights to ensure everyone’s basic human rights to food, housing, and dignity are protected in law and prevent failures in social security policy from causing wider harms. 

    Sections of the report expose

    Systemic failures and lack of dignity and respect: Reports of hostile attitudes and judgmental behaviour within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) illustrate systemic shortcomings. The current system fails to meet its obligations to treat claimants with humanity and compassion, contributing to distrust and trauma of vulnerable individuals.

    “Client had a Personal Independent Payment claim terminated as they would only offer a telephone appointment, despite them being profoundly deaf”. (Social Security Advisor) 

    “They told me to go in for an assessment, and my baby had passed away.  Like not even two days before…. And they were like, well if you need the money, you will come in.  It’s not my fault your baby is dead”. (Claimant) 

    Restricted access to Social Security and discriminatory practices

    There are discriminatory conditions that restrict access for marginalised groups, inadequate transparency in eligibility criteria, and insufficient efforts to ensure effective, fair and transparent appeal processes. 

    “Every time someone is assessed inappropriately for benefits, it takes extra time and money for the mistake to be corrected. Most often the claimants suffer, but the taxpayers also suffer owing to the additional administration and resolution costs which need to be met”. (Advisor) 

    Social Security advisors across the country described how difficult access to information about entitlements and processes are. 64% of advisors rated it very difficult or difficult to get access to information on Universal Credit, and 68% of advisors said the same for PIP and 58% for ESA.  

    Of 416 claimants who responded to the question, 52% rated access to Social Security schemes as difficult or very difficult.

    Unjust and ill-informed decisions on sanctions and deductions

    23% of the claimants who completed Amnesty research had experienced being sanctioned or having a deduction. Within this, 78% of people said it worsened their mental health.  55% told us they reduced the food they ate and 35% went without food. 47% of people stated that it worsened their physical health.  44% of people told us they were forced to borrow money to make ends meet.  

    “Client lost benefits and home after being turned down for not attending the assessment as he soiled himself on the train to assessment centre and had to go home”. (Advisor) 

    “I’ve been sanctioned loads of time because I’m working.  Borrowed off my sister and mother.  Without them, I would probably be dead in the gutter because I couldn’t afford to live” (Claimant) 

    “They look down on you when you walk into the job centre.  I had a panic attack in the job centre.  I couldn’t breathe, and she went “you better get upstairs now and see your work coach, or we are going to sanction you” (Claimant) 

    “The actual interview is on the phone when they talk to you.  They only give you one call…. If you missed that one call, they sanction that.  They should give at least 3 rings at least give you a chance.” (Claimant) 

    Jen Clark, Economic and Social Rights Lead at Amnesty International UK, said: 

    “Lives are being ruined by a system that is consciously cruel – it erodes dignity by design. We are in a state of severe human rights violations.  

    “The social security system is impenetrable, inadequate, and for some completely inaccessible. 

    “There can be no tinkering of the system – it has gone too far, and it is too late. There must be full reform. It is broken from start to finish and intentionally sets people up to fail. No-one would want political choices in this country to deliberately diminish dignity and perpetuate poverty.  

    “I’ve worked to highlight human rights violations for more than two decades and witnessed many awful situations. But never have I encountered such raw and widespread distress from people sharing their experiences in the UK. 

    “We need a landmark, independent Social Security Commission with statutory powers to overhaul the UK’s broken benefits system. It must be rooted in dignity and human rights and designed by and for the people. This must protect us all – be that today or in the future where we all may need it.” 

    Voices of the campaign

    John, 60’s, from Hampshire was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) quite late on in life – in his 60s. It progressed much faster than he could have ever expected. “In August 2021, before I even knew what was happening to me, I was still working at the Ministry of Defence as a Policy Advisor. I was deployed to Afghanistan to help with the evacuation. Before my diagnosis, I had spent years working and contributing, and I never once thought I would be in a position where I needed to rely on benefits.” 

    In speaking about the experience of applying for Personal Independence Payment (PiP), John said:  

    “Applying was a nightmare. The process was so difficult and one-sided. When I finally received my assessment, DWP had scored me zero for the impact MS had on my daily life. Zero. If they had at least acknowledged some of the difficulties, if they had scored me a five or six or even a seven instead of the eight, I needed, I might have accepted it. But to say that MS had no impact on my life at all? That was infuriating.   

    “There is a bus stop 100 meters from my house. Usain Bolt could get there in less than 10 seconds whereas it takes me 10 minutes, but we would both score a zero for impact of MS on our lives. It’s ridiculous.”  

    Carly, 39, London is a single mother to a young son. She was recently receiving Universal credit, with contributions towards housing and her son’s childcare costs. Despite having good knowledge of the process from a prior job, she found navigating the social security system difficult. 

    In speaking about Universal Credit and the challenges that occur when benefits are wrongly cancelled, Carly said: 

    “As a single parent, working in a temporary role, I was not earning enough to cover private rental fees. My son had just started nursery, and I had a lot of expenses that my salary couldn’t cover. I applied for benefits with a five week wait – which was a very difficult time.   

    “When my role was made permanent, I got a lump sum of holiday pay in my paycheck – meaning I was paid more that month than usual. Unexpectedly, this led to my benefits claim being incorrectly cancelled. I wasn’t contacted about this and had no idea until the money didn’t appear in my bank account. I was crying on the phone telling my landlord I couldn’t pay my rent. I had a terrible ten-week wait until my social security payments started again and had to borrowed money from friends and family. I was offered an advance before the claim came through – but I’d already had one to pay for nursery fees and didn’t want to get into further debt. 

    “I did lodge a complaint about the cancellation of my benefits, but the claim wasn’t upheld, and I felt I didn’t have the time or energy to fight it.   

    “The hardest thing about the social security system is the uncertainty and insecurity around it all. It was very mentally challenging to not know when or how much my payments would be. I lived in fear of uploading the wrong information and having my benefits cancelled again. The worst part is the feeling like you have no control over anything. You always feel insecure. I was always relieved when universal credit went in, and it was the amount you were expecting.  

    “The stigma is real, navigating the system only amplifies it, making an already difficult situation even harder. You have no autonomy, no choice, there’s nothing you can do. It creates a feeling that you aren’t deserving or worthy – that you should be grateful and not challenge anything.” 

    Philip from Leeds   

    “I lost my job suddenly in September 2023. I did my applications early to get ahead, but I didn’t realise the claim automatically starts from the day you fill the form in, and you can’t change the date. It made my claim invalid which meant I missed my initial payment. I also never received the support I was due towards my home costs, despite chasing and asking many times. When I contacted the Job Centre to request a face-to-face appointment with a work coach, but it took me over a month to be able to get the appointment and sadly, it wasn’t helpful at all.  

    “Around this time, my father was ill with dementia. I live far from my parents and don’t drive, and being on such a low income meant I didn’t have the funds to travel there by public transport. I couldn’t afford to visit my father in his final days, and he passed away in November 2023. Not being able to see him before he died was extremely difficult and after going to my GP, I was put on anti-depressants.

    “Having to chase my social security claim and not getting responses or offers to the jobs I was applying for, alongside with the grief I was experiencing, had a huge effect on my mental health and made things very difficult. I was struggling to cope.” 

    Additional case studies

    Valerie*

    “Being on benefits in the UK can feel almost taboo- something to keep private and feel embarrassed about. This is sad, because the vast majority of us are just normal people trying to live life the best way we can, raise our families and find whatever happiness there is in life despite the hardships we face.”   

    Peter

    “I started receiving social security in 2021, just after I finished university. I applied for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) due to a long-term health condition. The PIP application process was atrocious and ultimately took over a year.   

    “I had to deal with a lack of understanding about my condition. One of the interviewers mislabelled and misunderstood the medical equipment I use and even went as far as to lecture me about my own illness. I had to get my doctor to write a letter just to confirm what I’d said.    

    “I would often be asked the same question three times to see if I’d change my answer. The process feels like you are on trial for murder, they act like they are trying to catch you out and that you are begging.  

    “The PIP application needs to be renewed every couple of years or so – despite my disability being due to a long-term health condition that won’t improve over time. Itt’s like I am starting over again each time.   

    “Watching my friends from Uni live their lives makes me feel like I am missing out on a lot.  I would like to be able to do more things, to get out and about a bit more – perhaps take a day trip to a local area. Even to travel locally is hard as the buses are too expensive and I can’t afford a car. I don’t want to be on benefits, I’d love to be able to work but I simply can’t.”    

    Steve

    “I had to stop working 15 years ago. I’d been struggling with severe pain in my right knee for about two years before finally having surgery. That’s when I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. I somehow managed to keep working through the pain, but eventually, it just became too much. I’ve now developed Osteoarthritis throughout my whole body.  

    “I use a crutch indoors and both crutches whenever I go outside. Getting around is incredibly difficult, but I push myself because if I didn’t get out at all, I’d feel down and alone.  

    “Appling for Universal Credit and PIP was tough. Being on benefits doesn’t feel great. I’m in a small studio flat and most days I’m by myself. Going out for shopping is the only time I see anyone. Prices have gone up too, which makes things harder.  

    “Losing my mum in 2020, just before lockdown, hit me hard.  I still miss her so much. And visiting and being with my dad brings me comfort. It makes things much better for me. Visiting my dad is really hard with my condition. He’s 92 now and lives over three and a half hours away. My sister moved closer to him to help out. I try to go see them when I can, but the journey is a lot. I have to get a train into London, struggle through the underground to catch another train, then a bus, and finally a taxi to his place. Before COVID, I used to take the National Express coach straight to his, then just a taxi. But that route’s been cancelled and it’s now so much longer and more exhausting.” 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Oma Savings Bank Plc to publish its January-March 2025 interim report on 5 May 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC, INVESTOR NEWS 28.4.2025


    Oma Savings Bank Plc to publish its January-March 2025 interim report on 5 May 2025

    Oma Savings Bank Plc will publish its interim report for January-March 2025 on 5 May 2025. The announcement will be available on the company’s website after publication at https://www.omasp.fi/en/investors

    OmaSp will hold a Finnish-language webcast on 5 May 2025 at 11.00 EET, and the link to the webcast can be accessed from here. The results will be presented by CEO Karri Alameri. The webcast will be recorded, and the recording will be available later the same day at https://www.omasp.fi/en/investors

    Please join us for the results announcement webcast.

    Oma Savings Bank Plc

    Additional information:

    Karri Alameri, CEO, tel. +358 45 656 5250, karri.alameri@omasp.fi
    Sarianna Liiri, CFO, tel. +358 40 835 6712, sarianna.liiri@omasp.fi

    DISTRIBUTION: 
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Major media
    www.omasp.fi

    OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 500 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 48 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

    OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Executive Racial Equality Strategy ‘has failed’ – Amnesty tells Belfast anti-racism rally

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Belfast Stands Against Racism rally at Belfast City Hall, 12:30pm today

    PSNI recorded 1,777 racist incidents and 1,150 racist attacks last year  

    ‘We demand more than token gestures and empty strategies. When the Racial Equality Strategy expires at the end of this year, we demand better to follow.’ – Patrick Corrigan 

    Speaking at the Belfast Stands Against Racism rally today (Sunday 27 April), Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said:

    “We stand here today because words without action are not enough.

    “The Northern Ireland Executive’s racial equality strategy has failed. That’s not me saying it. That’s what the recent independent review – commissioned by the Executive – found.

    “The strategy has lacked resources, targets, and effective action plans. Promises made years ago remain broken. Meanwhile racism has grown. Last year race hate crime here hit an all-time high.

    “Years of complacency left bigoted thugs, including the masked men who wrap themselves in a false flag of patriotism, emboldened to carry out an ever-greater number of attacks.

    “We demand more than token gestures and empty strategies. When the Racial Equality Strategy expires at the end of this year, we demand better to follow.

    “Belfast deserves better. Northern Ireland deserves better. Every person living here, regardless of race or background, has a right to feel safe, respected, and heard.”

    Last year saw racist hate crimes hit new all-time highs in Northern Ireland

    The PSNI recorded 1,777 racist incidents and 1,150 racist attacks in 2024, reaching the highest ever recorded levels during the summer period.  

    View latest press releases

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Dominican Republic: Health protocol reinforces racism in migration policies

    Source: Amnesty International –

    In light of the measures announced on 6 April by the government of Luis Abinader on migration, and in particular the protocol for the access of migrants to public health services in the Dominican Republic, Amnesty International stated:

    “President Luis Abinader must opt for measures that strengthen the health system. Implementing a system that exposes migrants to deportation after receiving medical care not only violates the right to health, but also dehumanizes undocumented persons and will in all probability deter them from seeking hospital care, thus putting lives at risk,” in the words of Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International.

    President Luis Abinader must opt for measures that strengthen the health system. Implementing a system that exposes migrants to deportation after receiving medical care not only violates the right to health, but also dehumanizes undocumented persons and will in all probability deter them from seeking hospital care, thus putting lives at risk

    Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International

    According to the measures announced, the new health protocol requires that migrants provide “identification, a letter of employment and proof of address”. In addition, it sets a fee for services and establishes that people with irregular migration status will be deported after receiving care.

    The measures further reinforce the government’s defiance of the international obligations acquired by the Dominican state and the human rights recommendations issued to the country by international organizations. They also violate the Dominican Republic’s own constitutional principle on free and universal access to health, institutionalizing discrimination against all migrants, and in particular undocumented Haitians, asylum seekers, stateless persons and Dominicans of Haitian descent. Amnesty International has documented how barriers to accessing public services are especially critical for migrant children and pregnant women, who have been severely stigmatized for exercising their right to health and education.

    “Amnesty International urgently calls on the government of Luis Abinader to immediately end the collective expulsions of Haitians and repeal the protocol linking access to health services with deportation. Instead, it must take concrete action against racial discrimination, guarantee access to international protection for people in need and ensure an environment that is free from stigmatization,” said Ana Piquer.

    Amnesty International urgently calls on the government of Luis Abinader to immediately end the collective expulsions of Haitians and repeal the protocol linking access to health services with deportation. Instead, it must take concrete action against racial discrimination, guarantee access to international protection for people in need and ensure an environment that is free from stigmatization

    Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International

    Since October 2024, more than 180,000 people have been deported. This constitutes a practice of collective expulsions that is prohibited by international law. Amnesty International this week issued an urgent action demanding an end to the collective expulsion of Haitian migrants and the repeal of discriminatory migration policies that will disproportionately affect them. We call on the Dominican population to reject these cruel and racist measures.

    MIL OSI NGO –