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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Russian organizations targeted by backdoor masquerading as secure networking software updates

    Source: Securelist – Kaspersky

    Headline: Russian organizations targeted by backdoor masquerading as secure networking software updates

    As we were looking into a cyberincident in April 2025, we uncovered a rather sophisticated backdoor. It targeted various large organizations in Russia, spanning the government, finance, and industrial sectors. While our investigation into the attack associated with the backdoor is still ongoing, we believe it is crucial to share our preliminary findings with the community. This will enable organizations that may be at risk of infection from the backdoor to take swift action to protect themselves from this threat.

    Impersonating a ViPNet update

    Our investigation revealed that the backdoor targets computers connected to ViPNet networks. ViPNet is a software suite for creating secure networks. We determined that the backdoor was distributed inside LZH archives with a structure typical of updates for the software product in question. These archives contained the following files:

    • action.inf: a text file
    • lumpdiag.exe: a legitimate executable
    • msinfo32.exe: a small malicious executable
    • an encrypted file containing the payload (the name varies between archives)

    The ViPNet developer confirmed targeted attacks against some of their users and issued security updates and recommendations for customers (page in Russian).

    Malware execution

    After analyzing the contents of the archive, we found that the action.inf text file contained an action to be executed by the ViPNet update service component (itcsrvup64.exe) when processing the archive:

    As evident from the file content above, when processing extra_command, the update service launches lumpdiag.exe with an –msconfig argument. We mentioned earlier that this is a legitimate file. However, it is susceptible to the path substitution technique. This allows attackers to execute the malicious file msinfo32.exe while lumpdiag.exe is running.

    Downloadable payload

    The msinfo32.exe file is a loader that reads the encrypted payload file. The loader processes the contents of the file to load the backdoor into memory. This backdoor is versatile: it can connect to a C2 server via TCP, allowing the attacker to steal files from infected computers and launch additional malicious components, among other things. Kaspersky solutions detect this threat as HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Loader.gen.

    Multi-layered security is key to preventing sophisticated cyberattacks

    The complexity of cyberattacks carried out by APT groups has significantly increased over the years. Attackers can target organizations in highly unusual and unexpected ways. To prevent sophisticated targeted attacks, it is essential to employ multi-layered, defense-in-depth security against cyberthreats. This is the type of security architecture implemented in our Kaspersky NEXT product line, capable of protecting businesses from attacks similar to the one described in this article.

    Indicators of compromise

    The full list of indicators of compromise is available to subscribers of our Kaspersky Threat Intelligence service.

    Hashes of msinfo32.exe

    018AD336474B9E54E1BD0E9528CA4DB5
    28AC759E6662A4B4BE3E5BA7CFB62204
    77DA0829858178CCFC2C0A5313E327C1
    A5B31B22E41100EB9D0B9A27B9B2D8EF
    E6DB606FA2B7E9D58340DF14F65664B8

    Paths to malicious files

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pension Age Disability Payment opens for applications nationwide

    Source: Scottish Government

    National rollout of new Scottish benefit for pensioners

    Pension Age Disability Payment is now open for applications across Scotland. The national rollout follows successful pilots in 18 local authority areas, which began in October.  

    It is the fifteenth benefit to be delivered by the Scottish Government and it is replacing the UK Government’s Attendance Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

    Pension Age Disability Payment is for disabled people or those with a long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. It is available to people of State Pension age and is also available to pensioners who are terminally ill.  

    People currently getting Attendance Allowance do not need to take any action; the transfer will happen automatically in phases throughout 2025. Everyone will continue to receive their payments on time and in the right amount.    

    Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 

    “The national launch of Pension Age Disability Payment is an important milestone in the development of our social security system, that will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.

    “The pilot phases have allowed us to put our different approach into practice, learning and improving before rolling the benefit out across Scotland. 

    “It is vital older people who are disabled, terminally ill or those who have care needs get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and live with dignity. 

    “The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they’re entitled to and this has not changed following the UK Government’s announcement on benefit reforms.” 

    Chief Executive at Age Scotland, Katherine Crawford said:

    “Pension Age Disability Payment will be a vital means of support for older people who have a disability or long-term health condition.

    “With rising bills and cost of living stretching many beyond their means, it’s vital that older people are not missing out on any financial support.

    “If you are unsure of your eligibility or looking for support with an application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222, use our online benefits calculator at www.age.scot/benefitscalculator, or book a place on one of our new workshops which are designed to support and give guidance to anyone who is considering an application for themselves or someone else www.age.scot/benefitsworkshops.”

    Lynda O’Neill, Project Manager at The Daffodil Club in Easterhouse, said “I know from working with older people with disabilities how costly it can be. I’ve helped people to apply for support and would encourage anyone who thinks they could be eligible or knows someone who could be eligible to apply.”

    More information about Pension Age Disability Payment including who is eligible and how to apply can be found at: www.mygov.scot/pensiondisability   

    Background   

    • On 22 April 2025 the benefit extended to 14 more areas – Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian. 
    • Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. People in Scotland who are getting Attendance Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions do not need to do anything as their award transfer will happen automatically. Social Security Scotland will write to people to let them know when this is happening and when this is complete. Social Security Scotland aims to complete case transfer for everyone by the end of 2025. Until people receive the letter from Social Security Scotland to tell them their transfer is complete, they should continue to report any change in circumstances, including a terminal illness diagnosis, to the Department for Work and Pensions. 
    • Pension Age Disability Payment launched on 21 October 2024 in five pilot areas – Aberdeen City, Argyll and Bute, Highland, Orkney and Shetland. It rolled out to 13 more areas on 24 March – Aberdeenshire, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, Falkirk, Fife, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), North Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, South Ayrshire and Stirling. The payment is available throughout Scotland from 22 April 2025.    
    • It is not means-tested and is worth between £295 and £441 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it.
    • Social Security Scotland has started transferring the awards of 169,000 people in Scotland who currently receive Attendance Allowance to the new benefit.     
    • Eligible people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness are automatically entitled to the higher rate of care and can apply under special rules for terminal illness. This means that Social Security Scotland will prioritise their application. People who are already getting Pension Age Disability Payment and later receive a terminal illness diagnosis can also report this diagnosis to Social Security Scotland under the special rules for terminal illness to ensure they get the support they are entitled to.    
    • Social Security Scotland’s accelerated application process for people who are terminally ill is open to any eligible person who has a terminal illness diagnosis, no matter how long they’re expected to live. This is different to the Department for Work and Pensions, who only class someone as terminally ill if they are expected to live for 12 months or less. 
    • Pension Age Disability Payment was designed with the people who will be eligible for the benefit and those who support them. Improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third-party representative who can support them in their interactions with Social Security Scotland – something that older disabled people told us was important to them. 
    • Social Security Scotland can help people to apply, with face-to-face support available from advisers based in communities across the country.   
    • Help is also available from independent advocacy service Voiceability who are funded by the Scottish Government to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford City Council policy approved to deliver a ‘consistent and equitable’ approach for the allocation of housing

    Source: City of Salford

    • Housing Allocation Policy for 2025 to 2028 approved by Salford City Council.
    • The policy underpins the council’s wider strategic priorities of its Corporate Plan 2024 to 2028 and commitment to ‘a good home for all’.
    • Housing options available will be dependent upon the level and type of housing need, in addition to the size, type and location of available properties. Each application is assessed on its own merits.

    Salford City Council’s cabinet has approved its Housing Allocation Policy for 2025 – 2028, which sets out how social rented housing is allocated within the area and how residents on the housing register are prioritised taking into account local considerations and needs.

    The need and strong demand for social housing currently outweighs the availability of social housing, with around 4,500 people on the council’s housing register, at any one time. This includes many of the 787 households currently housed in temporary accommodation. However, fewer than 900 properties are advertised or let every year, through the register.

    Furthermore, the city faces a number of challenges in the form of increasing homelessness, temporary accommodation use and costs. This policy, therefore underpins the council’s wider strategic priorities which are: homelessness prevention, making the best use of housing assets, supporting the councils corporate parenting role/responsibilities, reducing the impact of domestic abuse including the cycle of abuse and an anti-poverty approach.

    The policy is based on:

    • A fair system for the allocation of housing accommodation, which is transparent and easy to understand.
    • Making best use of increasingly scarce social housing stock (Homes available for rent below market rate to households whose needs cannot be met by the commercial housing market – Housing and Regeneration Act 2008).
    • Preventing homelessness and reduce the usage and length of stay in temporary accommodation.
    • Giving priority to applicants with the greatest housing need.
    • Managing customer expectations by supporting people to make realistic and informed choices about where they live.
    • Creating sustainable tenancies in the light of welfare reform.
    • Creating balanced and stable communities.

    A first stage public consultation took place in March 2024, to review the existing policy criteria, which included members of the public, local organisations, key stakeholders and partners. A second stage public consultation was held in December 2024, to further explore the suggested and proposed policy changes – including engagement with vulnerable people who shared their real-life experiences.

    The outcome of this review and public consultation recommended 16 changes to be implemented within the new Allocation Policy (Adobe PDF format). A further review will take place in 2027/28 or earlier if required by new legislation or government guidance.

    The housing options available to a household will be dependent upon the level and type of housing need. Each application will be assessed on its own merits and exceptional circumstances will also be taken into consideration. Housing options and advice aim to achieve:

    • Help and support to remain in current accommodation.
    • Advice on securing alternative private rented accommodation.
    • Advice on mobility schemes that may help a household move out of the area.
    • Advice to current social housing tenants on mutual exchange.
    • Advice on low-cost home ownership options.
    • Access to the housing register to obtain social housing.

    Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council said: “The policy enables the council to deliver a consistent and equitable approach to the allocation of social housing in Salford, to help us meet the housing needs of residents in our communities.

    “We recognise that social housing is in high demand, both in Salford and across the country, which is why we are continuing to deliver on our pledge to build good quality homes as well as truly affordable homes for social rent alongside support for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. 

    “The need for affordable housing options in Salford means that it’s vital we continue to work to create long-term solutions to turn the situation around and provide truly affordable housing in our city which local people need and deserve.”

    People wanting to apply to the housing register can do so on the housing register. Anyone who needs housing advice, is homeless or feel they are at risk of losing their home can request an appointment on the Salford City Council website. A number of Registered Housing Providers (landlords of social rented homes) also advertise properties on the Salford Home Search website.

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    Date published
    Tuesday 22 April 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council launches consultation on extending city’s Smoke Control Area

    Source: City of York

    Residents and businesses are being invited to share their views on a proposal to expand York’s existing Smoke Control Area to cover all areas within council boundaries.

    In a Smoke Control Area, it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building. Correctly seasoned wood, timber or logs should only be burnt in a Defra approved appliance and authorised ‘smokeless’ fuels must be used in any other appliances that are not Defra approved.

    Most residential areas within York’s outer ring road and Haxby and Wigginton, are already included within York’s Smoke Control Area. 

    The new proposal to expand the area across York will not ban people from burning solid fuel. Instead, it will require all residents and businesses to take responsibility for the fuel they burn – to minimise smoke and air pollution and improve health and wellbeing.

    Houseboats are not covered by the existing Smoke Control Areas and are not proposed to be covered by the expanded area. Garden bonfires, outdoor barbecues, chimineas and firepits are also not covered by Smoke Control Area rules.

    The Council has previously consulted on measures to improve local air quality and reduce the impact of burning solid fuels such as wood (AQAP4). Burning of wood contributes to a type of pollution called fine particulate matter (PM2.5) both inside and outside the home. Around a third of PM2.5 emissions in York are caused by burning wood for heating. 

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said:

    “Everyone can be affected by air pollution, but children, older people and those with heart and lung conditions are especially at risk.

    “We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the local community and improving local air quality is one way in which we are working to achieve this.

    Cllr Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Public Health, said:

    “Emissions of fine particulate matter present in smoke are particularly harmful to health as their size means they can get deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream to be transported around the body.

    “Expanding the Smoke Control Area will provide cleaner air for all and provide a level playing field across the city.”

    Any complaints of chimney smoke will be investigated in line with the Council’s current enforcement policy, which initially requires the Council to provide advice on the use of suitable appliances and fuels. Residents struggling with the cost of heating will be signposted to advice on accessing financial and practical help on heating their homes.

    Following advice, Council officers can issue penalties of up to £300 where they witness the emission of smoke from a chimney in a Smoke Control Area. Those found to be selling or buying unauthorised fuel for use in an appliance that’s not approved by Defra can also face fines of up to £1,000.

    Stakeholders have until 3 June to submit their views on the proposals 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Brothers in Spirit. The 24th Anniversary of the Formation of VSKS was Celebrated at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On April 22, 2025, a ceremonial event dedicated to the 24th anniversary of the formation of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps was held at the State University of Management.

    The ranks of VSKS include over 8,000 volunteers from 88 subjects of the Russian Federation. 240 student rescue teams operate on the basis of educational institutions. The headquarters of the Moscow city branch of VSKS is located at the State University of Management.

    Before the event, the head of the Moscow city branch of VSKS, Maxim Dzhetygenov, showed the head of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps, Evgeny Kozeev, and the vice-rector of the State University of Management, Vitaly Lapshenkov, new classrooms in the Information Technology Center, intended for classes of VSKS volunteers.

    At the ceremonial parade in honor of the holiday, Vitaly Lapshenkov also gave a congratulatory speech: “I am glad to welcome the best volunteer rescuers to the territory of the State University of Management. On behalf of the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, I congratulate you on the birthday of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps. You have chosen an interesting and complex area of activity, I wish you to develop your skills that save human lives. And I thank you for this noble cause. Next year, VSKS will turn 25 years old, there will be many festive events in honor of this beautiful date. But first of all, I hope that the anniversary year will pass calmly for you.”

    The head of the Moscow city branch of the VSKS, Maxim Dzhetygenov, presented Vitaly Lapshenkov with a letter of gratitude from the command and personnel of the 1st rifle battalion of the 1st separate motorized rifle brigade for the humanitarian aid provided as part of the joint campaign with the VSKS, “GUU-SVOim”.

    The head of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps, Evgeny Kozeev, addressed the staff of the organization: “Today is a special day for us. Over the past 24 years, we have become a large and close-knit team. We are constantly growing in number, we work a lot with schoolchildren and students, and we regularly participate in many humanitarian missions. Thank you for your concern, fortitude, and diligence. Your contribution helps the country become stronger. We still have many accomplishments ahead of us, and together we are strong!”

    Evgeny Kozeev presented distinguished volunteers with letters of gratitude from Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as medals and certificates of honor.

    The head of the Moscow city branch of VSKS Maxim Dzhetygenov addressed the student rescuers with an inspiring speech: “Dear friends, colleagues and, dare I say it, brothers in spirit, I congratulate you on the holiday! Our staff is constantly changing, students graduate from their universities and leave our ranks, but new ones always take their place. I am sure that many years from now, each of you will be proud of your deeds and tell children how you helped people, saved lives, eliminated the consequences of terrorist attacks and natural disasters. I am proud to work with you. I congratulate everyone on the holiday. Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!”

    Maxim Dzhetygenov, as a deputy of the Moscow City Duma, presented the student rescuers with letters of gratitude from the Moscow City Duma.

    After the ceremonial formation, competitions were held between the teams of the Moscow City Branch of the VSKS.

    In just 24 years of activity, VSKS volunteers have taken part in the elimination of 50 major emergency situations and their consequences.

    Since February 2022, VSKS volunteers have been providing assistance to residents of the LPR, DPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. At the same time, more than 2 thousand VSKS volunteers in the regions of Russia helped visiting residents of Donbass: they met, handed over humanitarian aid, and escorted displaced persons to temporary accommodation points. In the territory of historical regions, student rescuers accompany humanitarian convoys, deliver humanitarian aid, carry out emergency recovery work, and provide targeted assistance. The State University of Management, together with the VSKS, regularly holds events of the “GUU – SVOim” campaign.

    In March 2024, volunteer squad members helped eliminate the consequences of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.

    Since April 2024, an operational headquarters has been deployed in the Belgorod region. The tasks of the volunteers are to deliver food and other humanitarian aid to temporary accommodation points, and to clear away the rubble of buildings and structures that have been destroyed.

    Since August 2024, a joint humanitarian aid headquarters has been open in Kursk. Volunteers receive, sort, deliver humanitarian aid, and eliminate the consequences of shelling.

    The headquarters will be open from December 2024

    One of the key areas of VSKS is working with the younger generation – from kindergarten to graduation from a secondary or higher educational institution. At present, 187 school rescue teams have been opened in 50 regions, in which more than 3,000 schoolchildren actively participate. Let us recall that last year, the State University of Management hosted the semi-final of the Central Federal District of the All-Russian competition among school rescue teams.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/22/2025

    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 Russia: The capital is updating road markings after winter

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Specialists from the city services complex have begun updating road markings after the winter. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Events to update road markings began in the capital with the establishment of constant positive air temperatures. The markings are made with durable plastic materials – cold two-component plastic and thermoplastic. They are planned to be applied to more than four thousand road objects,” said Pyotr Biryukov.

    Cold plastic is used to apply road marking elements of complex configuration, to designate parking areas, and thermoplastic is used to create longitudinal lines dividing traffic flows.

    City services will update road markings on key highways and streets, primarily near preschools and educational institutions, medical and preventive institutions, large transport hubs, metro stations, parks, theaters and cinemas. The work is carried out mainly at night with partial traffic restrictions so as not to create obstacles on the roads.

    This year, heating systems will be updated in more than 600 residential buildings in the capital

    In total, over 80 thousand direction arrows, over 26 thousand ground pedestrian crossings, over 11 thousand public transport stop signs, over 10 thousand “Caution, Children” signs will be marked, and over 300 waffle markings will be created.

    In addition, specialists will update the lines separating oncoming and incoming traffic, stop lines and duplicate road signs.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    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.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152987073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Children’s military sports camps to open in the capital for the 80th anniversary of Victory — Sobyanin

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, children’s military-sports tent camps will open in the capital. Sergei Sobyanin announced this in his telegram channel.

    “A project unique to the capital’s education system will start on June 1. The camps will be named after outstanding marshals of the Soviet Union: “Zhukov” will be located on the territory of the “Alabino” training ground, “Rokossovsky” – in the “Patriot” park, “Vasilevsky” – in the Noginsk rescue center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin 

    Over 4.5 thousand students of grades 7–10 will attend specialized shifts during the summer — winners of city, all-Russian and international competitions and contests in sports, tourism and military-patriotic areas. A total of six two-week shifts will be organized during the summer.

    The guys will undergo tactical, engineering and fire training, learn the basics of topography, fire and rescue operations and field medicine, learn to operate unmanned aerial vehicles and navigate the terrain.

    The programs were developed by the capital Department of Education and Science together with the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM of Russia). Participation is free. You can submit an application in the web version of the electronic diary of the Moscow Electronic School project in in the “School” section, indicating your achievements in competitions and contests.

    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.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12648050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jefferson, Economic Mobility and the Dual Mandate

    Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

    Thank you, Dr. Singleton, for the kind introduction and for the opportunity to speak here today.1 It is great to be back in Philadelphia, and I look forward to today’s discussions on economic mobility.

    As monetary policymakers, my colleagues and I on the Federal Open Market Committee do not have direct control over economic mobility in the U.S. Our key monetary policy tools are not designed to address this issue, nor is economic mobility part of our mandate. However, our dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability has implications for a wide range of economic outcomes, including economic mobility. This leads to many important questions about the relationship between the dual mandate and economic mobility. In my remarks, I want to address two such questions. First, does meeting the dual mandate facilitate economic mobility? And second, does economic mobility matter for the conduct of monetary policy?
    In today’s talk, I will discuss my views on these questions, but I will not be able to provide definitive answers. Rather, I hope that posing these questions and relaying some of my own thoughts will lead to further discussions during this conference and beyond. Before turning to these questions, let me start with a brief overview of intergenerational mobility in the U.S.
    Taking Stock of Economic MobilityEconomic mobility, the ability to move up the economic ladder, is at the heart of the American dream. We tell our children that in the U.S., if you work hard and play by the rules, you can have a secure and successful financial future no matter where you start. We continue to believe strongly in this part of the American dream and remain optimistic that hard work is a primary determinant of later-life success. In a survey from 2019, when respondents were asked which factors are essential or very important to getting ahead in life, nearly 90 percent identified hard work, and only 30 percent indicated coming from a wealthy family.2
    Policymakers have long been aware of the importance of economic mobility. To illustrate that, let me share a quote from former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke: “Equality of economic opportunity appeals to our sense of fairness, certainly, but it also strengthens our economy. If each person is free to develop and apply his or her talents to the greatest extent possible, then both the individual and the economy benefit.”3
    With these sentiments of what Americans and policymakers think and feel about mobility in mind, let me turn to some evidence on economic mobility in the U.S. One common way to measure economic mobility is to relate an individual’s income in adulthood to their family income during childhood. The measure I am showing here—from Harvard economist Raj Chetty and coauthors—is likely familiar to many of you.4 It shows a relative intergenerational mobility measure, also known as the “rank–rank” relationship. This measure relates a child’s ranking in the income distribution as an adult, shown on the vertical axis, to the child’s family income rank during childhood, shown on the horizontal axis.
    The upward slope of the line implies that children born into lower-income families tend to be lower on the income distribution as adults. For example, a child born to the richest parents is, on average, 30 percentage points higher in the income distribution as an adult compared with a child born to the poorest parents. This difference in the relative standing in the income distribution as an adult translates into meaningful differences in earnings levels. To put this in perspective, consider two children who grow up to be 30 percentile points apart on the earnings distribution as adults, with one at the 80th percentile and the other at the 50th percentile. The child who grows up to be at the 80th percentile of the distribution as an adult will earn roughly twice as much compared with the child at the 50th percentile.5
    In addition to having lower earnings as adults, children born into lower-income families are more likely to experience outcomes that can negatively affect their success in the labor market later in life. Girls born into the bottom decile of the family income distribution are about 10 times more likely to become teenage mothers compared with those born to top-decile families.6 Boys born into bottom-decile families are roughly 20 times more likely to be incarcerated in their thirties compared with boys from families in the top decile.7 Teen pregnancy and incarceration are extreme examples of barriers to labor market success that differentially affect children from lower-income families. More generally, there are numerous reasons that any individual may struggle in the labor market, including skill mismatches and lack of proper training or education.
    Does Meeting the Dual Mandate Facilitate Economic Mobility?Now, let me turn to the Fed’s dual mandate and discuss how working toward maximum employment and price stability helps set the stage for broad-based success generally, and how this may provide favorable conditions for upward mobility.
    Consider my first question: Does meeting the dual mandate facilitate economic mobility? To help answer this question, I want to revisit remarks I delivered earlier this year about the implications of noninflationary expansions on shared prosperity.8 Specifically, I am reflecting on the economic expansion that followed the 2007–09 Global Financial Crisis (GFC). During that period, the economy expanded for 128 consecutive months, making it the longest economic expansion in U.S. history.
    As shown in figure 2, the aggregate unemployment rate fell steadily from a peak of 10 percent in October 2009 to 3.5 percent in September 2019, the lowest level recorded in nearly 50 years. The labor market in this period was remarkable in terms of broad-based gains seen across demographic groups, which contributed to a historic narrowing of employment differentials. To illustrate this point, let’s add in unemployment rates by levels of education, as shown in figure 3. In 2019, the unemployment rate gaps between workers with less than a high school education, the solid green line near the top of the chart, and those who had attained at least a bachelor’s degree, the solid orange line closer to the bottom, were near multidecade lows. Further, the strong pre-pandemic labor market drew many new participants into the labor force, including teens and younger workers whose employment prospects, and even long-term career trajectories, are especially sensitive to the cyclical state of the economy.9 These are the types of labor market conditions that the economist Arthur Okun speculated would increase upward mobility.10 In a tight labor market, when individuals move up the job ladder, they create openings for newer or less educated workers.
    Moving on to earnings, figure 4 shows that nominal wage growth increased steadily following the GFC. As with gains in employment, the strong labor market was especially beneficial for some groups. To demonstrate that, let’s turn to figure 5, which shows wage growth for different earnings levels. Wage growth for the bottom half of earners, the dashed red line, started to pick up about five years into the expansion, and by 2017, it was notably stronger compared with that for workers in the top half of the earnings distribution, the solid blue line.11 These differences in wage growth are important. As the bottom of the distribution catches up to higher earners, wage inequality declines. These are also dynamics that can facilitate upward economic mobility.
    Let me now turn to the second component of the dual mandate, price stability. While some long economic expansions have led to an unwelcome rise in prices, inflation remained low and stable during the economic expansion following the GFC. Indeed, Federal Reserve policymakers were grappling with inflation somewhat below, rather than above, the longer-run 2 percent target, as shown in figure 6.
    Low and stable inflation is important for individuals and businesses for a variety of reasons. It ensures that the nominal wage gains I just discussed are not eroded in real terms and that necessities remain affordable. In addition, it helps individuals and families plan for major purchases, such as a car or home, and for major expenses, including retirement and college.
    I want to highlight one of these major expenses—higher education—as attending college is an important pathway for upward mobility. Looking at figure 7, higher education inflation is shown by the red line. A variety of factors affect the cost of college generally, including student loan costs, state funding, and administrative overhead. Nonetheless, when inflation was low for an extended period during the economic expansion that followed the GFC, we also saw a moderation in the growth of higher education costs.12
    To illustrate the importance of college attendance for mobility, let me return to the rank–rank intergenerational mobility relationship I showed earlier. As before, the darkest dots show the national child-income-rank-to-parent-income-rank relationship. Now consider how this relationship looks across different types of higher education. The red line shows elite four-year colleges, the green line shows the remaining four-year institutions, and the lighter-blue line shows two-year schools. As you can see from the colored lines, the relationship between family income rank and later-life income rank is weaker—that is, the slope of the line is flatter—within each type of college than it is nationally.
    The flatter slope indicates that outcomes for children from lower-income families are more similar to outcomes for children from higher-income families within each college type than they are overall. In this way, higher education is an important source of upward mobility for many youths and a pathway to a more secure financial future. Of course, the relatively steeper national relationship holds because there are meaningful differences in college enrollment over the family income distribution.
    Going back to my initial question, I asked whether meeting the dual mandate facilitates economic mobility. I think that achieving the dual mandate sets the conditions for all individuals to succeed, including those moving up the economic ladder. The evidence suggests that long noninflationary expansions are associated with narrower gaps in employment and earnings, and that lower-wage and less-educated workers benefit disproportionately from sustained periods of strong economic growth. Further, achieving price stability allows individuals and households to plan for and make investments in human capital, such as attending college, that may allow individuals to move up the income distribution.13
    Does Economic Mobility Matter for the Conduct of Monetary Policy?Before I conclude, I want to return to my second question: Does economic mobility matter for the conduct of monetary policy? As I mentioned earlier, economic mobility is not part of the Federal Reserve’s mandate, and our monetary policy tools are blunt instruments for affecting economic mobility. For example, interest rates affect the entire economy, not targeted populations, and rate changes operate through financial markets rather than directly influencing labor market outcomes.
    One way that economic mobility could matter for the conduct of monetary policy is if the goals of monetary policy are easier to achieve in a high-mobility society compared with one with low mobility. I do not know if this is true, but let me offer some conjectures. I think that a society with relatively higher mobility may allow for more efficient transmission of monetary policy. In a dynamic economy with relatively more upward mobility, individuals may have greater incentives to be proactive in the job market. They may seek new and better job opportunities, which could allow for a quicker path to maximum employment following economic downturns. Further, individuals and households may hold additional savings for increased investments in human capital when mobility is relatively higher, allowing for more effective transmission of monetary policy. Stepping back, I pose this question not to offer a definitive answer, but rather to serve as one potential starting point for your discussions here today.
    ConclusionLet me conclude by pointing out that the patterns we observe in our economy, including those for economic mobility, are not predetermined. Outcomes can and will change as we learn more about effective strategies to improve and maintain economic mobility in the U.S. By joining in these conversations here today, and by continuing to research and describe the patterns of economic mobility, you are helping society understand the dynamics of our economy better and find new and innovative ways to help keep the American dream of economic mobility alive and well. Thank you.
    ReferencesAutor, David H. (2014). “Skills, Education, and the Rise of Earnings Inequality among the ‘Other 99 Percent,’ ” Science, vol. 344 (May), pp. 843–51.
    Bernanke, Ben S. (2007). “The Level and Distribution of Economic Well-Being,” speech delivered at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Omaha, Neb., February 6.
    Bleemer, Zachary, and Basit Zafar (2018). “Intended College Attendance: Evidence from an Experiment on College Returns and Costs,” Journal of Public Economics, vol. 157 (January), pp. 184–211.
    Card, David (1999). “Chapter 30 – The Causal Effect of Education on Earnings,” in Orley C. Ashenfelter and David Card, eds., Handbook of Labor Economics, vol. 3A. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, pp. 1801–63.
    Chetty, Raj, John N. Friedman, Emmanuel Saez, Nicholas Turner, and Danny Yagan (2020). “Income Segregation and Intergenerational Mobility across Colleges in the United States,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol. 135 (August), pp. 1567–1633.
    Chetty, Raj, Nathaniel Hendren, Patrick Kline, and Emmanuel Saez (2014). “Where Is the Land of Opportunity? The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility in the United States,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, vol. 129 (November), pp. 1553–1623.
    ISSP Research Group (2022). International Social Survey Programme: Social Inequality V – ISSP 2019. GESIS, Cologne. ZA7600 Data file Version 3.0.0.
    Jefferson, Philip N. (2025). “Do Non-inflationary Economic Expansions Promote Shared Prosperity? Evidence from the U.S. Labor Market,” speech delivered at Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., February 5.
    Looney, Adam, and Nicholas Turner (2018). “Work and Opportunity before and after Incarceration (PDF),” Economic Studies at Brookings. Washington: Brookings Institution, March.
    Okun, Arthur M. (1973). “Upward Mobility in a High-Pressure Economy (PDF),” Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, no. 1, pp. 207–61.
    Oreopoulos, Philip, Till von Wachter, and Andrew Heisz (2012). “The Short- and Long-Term Career Effects of Graduating in a Recession,” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, vol. 4 (January), pp. 1–29.
    Wolla, Scott A., Guillaume Vandenbroucke, and Cameron Tucker (2023). “Is College Still Worth the High Price? Weighing Costs and Benefits of Investing in Human Capital,” Page One Economics. St. Louis: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, September 1.
    Zimmerman, Seth D. (2014). “The Returns to College Admission for Academically Marginal Students,” Journal of Labor Economics, vol. 32 (October), pp. 711–54.

    1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. Return to text
    2. The data are Federal Reserve Board staff calculations for U.S. respondents in the International Social Survey Programme: Social Inequality V. See IISP Research Group (2022). Return to text
    3. See Bernanke (2007), quoted text in paragraph 1. Return to text
    4. In figure 1, parent and child linkages and incomes are based on population-level tax data. The sample includes children born between 1980 and 1982. Parent income for these children is the average of total pretax family income when the child is between the ages of 15 and 19. Later-life income for these children is measured in 2014 when the child is between the ages of 32 and 34 and is defined as total individual pretax income. See Chetty and others (2020). Return to text
    5. Earnings are, on average, just under $56,000 at the 80th percentile of the child earnings distribution, compared with just under $27,000 at the 50th percentile. See Chetty and others (2020). Return to text
    6. See Chetty and others (2014). Return to text
    7. See Looney and Turner (2018). Return to text
    8. See Jefferson (2025). Return to text
    9. See Oreopoulos, von Wachter, and Heisz (2012). Return to text
    10. See Okun (1973). Return to text
    11. Nominal wages in the figure are measured by the Atlanta Fed’s Wage Growth Tracker. Series show 12-month moving averages of the median percent change in the nominal hourly wage of individuals observed 12 months apart. Workers are assigned to wage quantiles based on the average of their wage reports in both the Current Population Survey and outgoing rotation group interviews. Workers in the lowest 50 percent of the average wage distribution are assigned to the bottom half, and those in the top 50 percent are assigned to the top half. Return to text
    12. There are limitations to this measure of higher education costs, as it is volatile and may not reflect the underlying net price that students pay. However, list tuition prices have been shown to be salient for many families when making college enrollment decisions. For example, see Bleemer and Zafar (2018). Return to text
    13. Despite the rising cost of college, research consistently shows a positive return to higher education for most students. See Wolla, Vandenbroucke, and Tucker (2023), Autor (2014), Zimmerman (2014), and Card (1999). Return to text

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Obagi Medical Announces the Launch of Retinol + PHA Refining Night Cream

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Scientific Breakthrough in Skin Renewal: A Clinically Proven Dual-Action, Slow-Release, Overnight Skin Renewal Cream for a Resurfaced, Smoother, and More Even-Looking Complexion

    NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Obagi Medical (“Obagi”), the fastest-growing professional skincare brand in the U.S. in 2024* and a subsidiary of Waldencast plc, (NASDAQ: WALD) (“Waldencast”), proudly introduces its latest breakthrough: Retinol + PHA Refining Night Cream. This advanced formulation is engineered to optimize skin renewal by leveraging the efficacy of Entrapped Retinol with the scientifically proven gentle exfoliating properties of Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Gluconolactone. This synergistic combination enhances cell turnover while reinforcing the skin barrier, resulting in a visibly refined, smoother, and more even complexion.

    Expanding on Obagi’s trusted retinol portfolio, this innovative formula incorporates PHA—a next-generation exfoliant with a larger molecular structure than Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs). This distinction allows for effective resurfacing with minimal irritation, making it ideal for individuals seeking to improve skin texture and tone while maintaining hydration and skin barrier integrity. Additionally, the formula features Entrapped Retinol, a slow-release delivery technology that gradually delivers retinol into multiple layers of the skin over time. This controlled release helps maximize efficacy while minimizing the irritation commonly associated with vitamin A products. The result is an effective yet gentle introduction to retinol, suitable for beginners and those with sensitive skin who may struggle with stronger retinoids.

    “Patient compliance is the key to achieving visible results. By using a slow-release, encapsulated retinol combined with a gentle exfoliating and hydrating PHA, this formula makes it easier for patients to tolerate nightly use,” said Dr. Suzan Obagi, Chief Medical Director at Obagi. “As a result, they may experience improved skin texture and a noticeable reduction in blemishes.”

    Retinol + PHA Refining Night Cream is fortified with eight additional dermatologically recognized ingredients to support hydration, minimize irritation, and enhance skin resilience. These ingredients include:

    • Sodium Hyaluronate – A potent humectant that deeply hydrates and retains moisture.
    • Vitamin E (Tocopherol) – A powerful antioxidant that shields against oxidative stress while nourishing the skin.
    • Squalane – A bio-compatible lipid that enhances hydration, reinforces the skin barrier, and improves texture.
    • Glycerin – A clinically proven hydrating agent that maintains moisture balance and supports skin resilience.

    A four-week clinical study demonstrated the efficacy of Retinol + PHA Refining Night Cream, with participants experiencing significant improvements in skin texture and tone, including:

    • 29% increase in skin smoothness*
    • 10% improvement in skin tone evenness*
    • 90% of users reporting visibly smoother skin texture*
    • 90% observing a reduction in the appearance of blemishes*

    “At Obagi, our mission is to transform skin. We wanted to create a retinol solution that delivers real results while being accessible to those with sensitive skin, blemish concerns, or who aren’t ready for higher-strength retinoids,” said Justin Giouzepis, Chief Marketing Officer of Obagi. “This formula was designed with both professionals and their patients in mind—addressing unmet needs with a gentle yet effective approach. We’re thrilled to report that our clinical data found that in just eight weeks, there was a 2.3x increase in the number of participants who felt comfortable in their own skin.”

    The Retinol + PHA Refining Night Cream, priced at $135 is now available through partnering professional channels. They will be available for customers to purchase on Obagi.com on 5.5.2025.

    *Results based on a 2024-2025 8-week clinical test. Data on file at Obagi Cosmeceuticals LLC.

    About Obagi Medical

    Obagi Medical is an industry-leading, advanced skincare line rooted in research and skin biology, with a legacy of 35+ years of experience. Initially known for its leadership in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Nu-Derm® System, Obagi products are designed to address a variety of skin concerns, including premature aging, photodamage, skin discoloration, acne, and sun damage. As the fastest-growing professional skincare brand in the U.S. in 2024,* Obagi empowers individuals to achieve healthy, beautiful skin. The brand continues to lead in physician-recommended skincare solutions and is recognized as the #1 Physician-Recommended Brand for At-Home Skincare Products for Hyperpigmentation, Fine Lines & Wrinkles, and Sagging Skin & Loss of Elasticity.** More information about Obagi is available on the brand’s website, https://www.obagi.com.

    *Among the Top 10 Professional Skin Care Brands in the U.S., According to Kline’s 2024 Global Professional Skin Care Series (China, Europe and the U.S.)

    **According to Kline’s Physician- Dispensed Skin Care: U.S. Perception and Satisfaction Survey 2023.

    About Waldencast
    Founded by Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti, Waldencast’s ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by developing, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling conscious, high-growth purpose-driven brands. Waldencast’s vision is fundamentally underpinned by its brand-led business model that ensures proximity to its customers, business agility, and market responsiveness, while maintaining each brand’s distinct DNA. The first step in realizing its vision was the business combination with Obagi Cosmeceuticals and Milk Makeup. As part of the Waldencast platform, its brands will benefit from the operational scale of a multi-brand platform; the expertise in managing global beauty brands at scale; a balanced portfolio to mitigate category fluctuations; asset-light efficiency; and the market responsiveness and speed of entrepreneurial indie brands. For more information please visit: https://ir.waldencast.com/.

    Media Contact:
    obagi@purplepr.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19348f80-4f45-44c4-990a-dc3de7df67b7

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GCM Grosvenor Announces $1.3 Billion Final Close for Infrastructure Advantage Fund II, a Nearly 50% Increase Over its Predecessor Fund

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GCM Grosvenor (Nasdaq: GCMG), a leading global alternative asset management solutions provider, announced the final close of its Infrastructure Advantage Fund II (“IAF II” or the “Fund”) was held on March 31, 2025, securing $1.3 billion in commitments, a substantial increase over its predecessor, “Fund I”, which closed in 2020 at $893 million.   

    GCM Grosvenor’s Infrastructure Advantage Strategy focuses on partnership with organized labor and other stakeholders to invest in infrastructure projects with long-term community and economic benefits. Similar to Fund I, IAF II will focus on building a diverse portfolio of assets across infrastructure sectors including transportation, energy transition, and digital infrastructure. The Fund attracted a broad group of 58 investors from across the U.S. and Canada.

    “We are grateful for the continued confidence of our investors, who share our vision of effectively deploying infrastructure capital in the U.S. and Canada,” said Michael Sacks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at GCM Grosvenor. “We look forward to building on the success of Fund I and delivering value to our IAF II investors.”

    Launched in 2018, GCM Grosvenor’s Infrastructure Advantage Strategy manages nearly $2.5 billion in assets, and through its investments, has generated more than $8 billion* of total economic impact across the United States and Canada.

    *Source: IMPLAN 2022 Data Set.

    About GCM Grosvenor 
    GCM Grosvenor (Nasdaq: GCMG) is a global alternative asset management solutions provider with approximately $80 billion in assets under management across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return investment strategies. The firm has specialized in alternatives for more than 50 years and is dedicated to delivering value for clients by leveraging its cross-asset class and flexible investment platform.​  

    GCM Grosvenor’s experienced team of approximately 550 professionals serves a global client base of institutional and individual investors. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Sydney. For more information, visit: www.gcmgrosvenor.com.  

    Media Contact 
    Tom Johnson and Abigail Ruck 
    H/Advisors Abernathy 
    tom.johnson@h-advisors.global / abigail.ruck@h-advisors.global 
    212-371-5999

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Banzai Announces Exercise of 1,048,920 Warrants Purchased at $3.89 Each

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) (“Banzai” or the “Company”), a leading marketing technology company that provides essential marketing and sales solutions, today announced that it has issued 1,048,920 shares of common stock to Alco Investment Company (“Alco”), pursuant to an exercise notice for Pre-Funded Warrants received on September 20, 2024 for a purchase price of $3.89.

    On September 20, 2024, the Company completed a private placement of securities pursuant to which Alco acquired 282,420 shares of Class A Common Stock for a purchase price of $3.89 per share, Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 1,048,920 shares of Class A Common Stock with an exercise price of $0.0001 per share for a purchase price of $3.89 per Pre-Funded Warrant, and Common Warrants to purchase up to 1,331,340 shares of Class A Common Stock with an exercise price of $4.02 per share. Alco has not sold any shares issued under the private placement.

    All Pre-Funded Warrants were net exercised on a cashless basis, resulting in a total number of Class A common shares outstanding of 14,470,727 as of April 21, 2025. Following the exercise, Alco will own 9.5% of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

    “The exercising of these warrants, which originally carried a significant premium to market price, is a highly positive vote of confidence from Alco, one of our key investors and company insiders,” said Joe Davy, Founder and CEO of Banzai. “We are continuing to strengthen our capital structure, and we appreciate the support of our stakeholders who demonstrate their belief in our strategy as we work to achieve long-term success.”

    About Banzai

    Banzai is a marketing technology company that provides AI-enabled marketing and sales solutions for businesses of all sizes. On a mission to help their customers grow, Banzai enables companies of all sizes to target, engage, and measure both new and existing customers more effectively. Customers who use Banzai’s product suite include Autodesk, Dell Technologies, New York Life, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thinkific, and ActiveCampaign, among thousands of others. Learn more at www.banzai.io. For investors, please visit https://ir.banzai.io.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “target,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “propose,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar variations and expressions. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Examples of forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding Banzai International, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”): future financial, business and operating performance and goals; annualized recurring revenue and customer retention; ongoing, future or ability to maintain or improve its financial position, cash flows, and liquidity and its expected financial needs; potential financing and ability to obtain financing; acquisition strategy and proposed acquisitions and, if completed, their potential success and financial contributions; strategy and strategic goals, including being able to capitalize on opportunities; expectations relating to the Company’s industry, outlook and market trends; total addressable market and serviceable addressable market and related projections; plans, strategies and expectations for retaining existing or acquiring new customers, increasing revenue and executing growth initiatives; and product areas of focus and additional products that may be sold in the future. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and development of the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, investors should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the markets in which the Company operates, customer demand, the financial markets, economic, business and regulatory and other factors, such as the Company’s ability to execute on its strategy. More detailed information about risk factors can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors,” and in other reports filed by the Company, including reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.

    Investor Relations
    Chris Tyson
    Executive Vice President
    MZ Group – MZ North America
    949-491-8235
    BNZI@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    Media
    Rachel Meyrowitz
    Director, Demand Generation, Banzai
    media@banzai.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Dutton in third debate gives Labor ammunition for its scare about cuts

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    In the leaders’ third head-to-head encounter, on Nine on Tuesday, Peter Dutton’s bluntness when pressed on cuts has given more ammunition to Labor’s scare campaign about what a Coalition government might do.

    “When John Howard came into power, there was $96 billion of debt from Labor at that point. John Howard didn’t outline the budget from opposition and it is not something you can do from opposition,” Dutton said.

    That allowed Anthony Albanese to, once again, rewind the tape to Tony Abbott’s 2014 budget, declaring it had “ripped money out of” education and hospitals. “There will be cuts afterwards – he’s just confirmed that – but they won’t tell you what they are.”

    Dutton’s reference to the 1996 budget reinforced the point that he is keeping his options very open on cuts, which will need to go well beyond the squeeze on the public service to which the Coalition is committed. It’s becoming increasingly clear full details won’t be provided before May 3.

    Despite best efforts to get them to answer questions as asked, both leaders again blatantly dodged when they could not, or chose not to, give a direct response.

    Dutton was asked what he would say to voters who think he is Trump-lite. The opposition leader talked down the clock – about Howard being his inspiration, about mudslinging – but didn’t actually attempt to rebut the point.

    Albanese predictably had much to say about Dutton’s nuclear policy. But when he was pressed on whether, if Labor lost, it should accept the people’s verdict and reconsider its position on the nuclear moratorium, the PM rambled about nuclear as a “friendless policy” rather than giving a straight reply.

    The debate’s frisson came when the leaders were asked to nominate each other’s biggest lies. The toing and froing included disputation over whether those 2014 cuts were actually “cuts” or just smaller increases than earlier budgeted for. “Prime Minister, you couldn’t lie straight in bed”, Dutton lashed out, with Albanese retorting that his “personal abuse” was “a sign of desperation”.

    Who won this encounter, once again differed in the eyes of various beholders.

    Pope’s death causes brief hiatus, that disadvantages Dutton

    On the day that pre-polling started, both leaders cut back on their campaigning, in the wake of the death of Pope Francis.

    The pontiff’s passing has further curtailed this penultimate week of the campaign, a week already shortened at one end by Easter and at the other by Anzac Day.

    The hiatus disadvantages the opposition, which has been losing support in the polls, and desperately needs as much opportunity as possible to sell its message.

    It also shows the risk of leaving policy releases late. The Coalition would have hoped for some clear air for Wednesdays release of its defence policy, an area where it believes it has an advantage. But news from the Vatican will overshadow local stories for a couple of days or longer.

    The pope’s death has drawn attention to something noted by the Catholic Weekly earlier this month, when it said this election “may be the first in Australian history in which both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition identify as Catholics” – although, it pointed out, that didn’t extend to attending church regularly.

    In Australia’s more sectarian days, Labor’s membership was heavily Catholic, with the Liberals the party of Protestants. That broke down over recent decades.

    Anthony Albanese reflected on his Catholic roots at Easter and then when paying tribute to the Pope.

    On Easter Sunday, when he attended mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, he spoke about his time at the school next door. “It’s an important part of my life. When in year six the Christian Brothers heard that I was going to have to leave the school because we weren’t able to afford school fees … in an act of generosity, [they] said ‘just pay what you can’.”

    Albanese told The Australian’s Troy Bramston he regarded himself as “a flawed Catholic but it’s a part of my values,”

    “I go to church occasionally just by myself. That sense of who I am, it is certainly how I was raised, and those values of kindness and compassion being something that is a strength.”

    Peter Dutton’s story is more complicated. His father’s family was Catholic; his mother’s Protestant. Dutton told Bramston this gave rise to “tension”. He went to an Anglican school but identifies with the Catholic church. “He argues Christian teachings align with Liberal party values,” Bramston wrote.

    In Melbourne on Tuesday, Albanese joined those attending an early morning mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. In Sydney Dutton went to St Mary’s. Then they both shifted back into campaign mode, for Tuesday night’s debate.

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

    – ref. Election Diary: Dutton in third debate gives Labor ammunition for its scare about cuts – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-dutton-in-third-debate-gives-labor-ammunition-for-its-scare-about-cuts-254990

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Leaders trade barbs and well-worn lines in unspectacular third election debate

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University

    Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have met for the third leaders’ debate of this election campaign, this time on the Nine network. And while the debate traversed much of the same ground as the first two, the quick-fire set up of the debate allowed for some more animated exchanges less than two weeks from election day.

    Three expert authors give their analysis of how the two leaders performed.

    Joshua Black, Australian National University

    Tonight’s leaders’ debate was a marked improvement on the appalling spectacle Nine hosted three years ago. Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton had clearly taken advantage of the reduced campaign activity in recent days to prepare themselves for this contest.

    The problem? There was nothing new worth saying. Viewers were treated instead to the greatest hits of an election campaign that has so far not been especially great. Dutton once again paid homage to Howard and Costello’s liberalism (read: “I’m not Trump”), while Albanese repeated his hardly seamless mantra: “no-one held back and no-one left behind” (read: “I’m not Dutton”).

    For all of the lofty soundbites, the debate hinged on pedantry. The semantic argument from the first debate about the 2014 budget and health and education spending came up again. (Were there cuts, or did these “line items” simply not grow as fast as promised?)

    Both leaders repeated banal explanations about why they were best placed to deal with the Trump White House. There was plenty of tired campaign rhetoric about looming recessions and “talking Australia down”. Even an exchange from last week between Albanese and the ABC’s moderator David Speers seemed to be repeated tonight: why isn’t the government’s energy relief for households means-tested?

    At times, this debate was self-indulgent on the part of Nine Entertainment. Ally Langdon (who opened the debate by welcoming “a bit of theatre”) routinely cast her own judgement, condemning Albanese and Dutton for merely “patching cracks” and not proving their “fiscal responsibility” sufficiently.

    Interestingly, media policy was one of the few things on which the two leaders could agree. Nine’s political editor Charles Croucher asked the leaders to state their attitude toward the News Media Bargaining Code, which prompts global tech giants to pay Australian news providers for access to their content. Both leaders tripped over themselves to assure the panel they were on a “unity ticket” to protect local media companies (including Nine Entertainment) from being “cannibalised” by multinational tech giants. (Of course, a fair playing field for local media providers is clearly in the national interest.)

    This was Dutton’s best debate showing so far. That’s hardly a win. The prime minister managed to reel off a list of his government’s more popular policies, subtly compare his compassionate approach to leadership with Dutton’s darker obsession with order and the threat of disorder, and remind people of the opposition leader’s history of unpopular statements and policies. A modest win for Albanese, if not grounds for inspiration.

    Andrea Carson, La Trobe University

    Coinciding with the first day of early voting, the third leaders’ debate was more like a game of speed chess – with 60 seconds for leaders’ answers, and 30 seconds for rebuttals. The result was too often a word salad.

    While voters may be feeling debate fatigue — and little wonder with a fourth showdown looming on Channel 7 on Sunday — this one could have mattered. With about half of Australians casting their votes early, these televised match-ups represent a potential last chance to shape opinions before May 3.

    Instead, questions often focused on personal qualities: trust and lies, and less on policy – poorly serving viewers as answers became a tit-for-tat affair. The countdown of the clock only re-enforced leaders’ rehearsed answers to well-worn topics of cost of living, energy prices, Medicare bulk billing rates, immigration, housing crisis and tax cuts, barely exposing key policy differences for undecided voters. Even their matching blue suits and pale ties made them look less like opponents and more like political twins.

    Dutton seemed more assured than Albanese from the start.

    Typically, campaign messages get more negative as we move closer to polling day. Studies have shown fear campaigns can “work”, but they can also turn off voters, particularly women. So, unsurprisingly, Dutton’s emphasis was on law and order framed in the language of fear, promising to “keep people safe in their home and communities […] in very uncertain times”. He also promised to cut migration, couched as bringing down housing prices.

    The former policeman seeking to be prime minister kept with the law and order theme to sway voters offering a $A750 million package to stamp out illegal drugs and tobacco.

    In a similar vein, the Labor leader Anthony Albanese used every chance he had to pivot questions back to Labor’s policy home ground advantage: health, education (free TAFE and reduced HECS debt) and low-cost childcare.

    Asked by journalist Deborah Knight if he was “too soft” as a leader, Albanese strove to offer voters hope over fear, replying: “kindness isn’t weakness […] we raise our children to be compassionate”, arguing he can still hold firm when dealing with autocratic leaders to protect Australia’s national interest.

    As Dutton listed his top legislative priorities if elected, promising a 25% fuel levy tax, Albanese scored a zinger, pointing out that that policy expires in a year, chortling “you better do it quickly before it disappears”. Overall, it was a flat event, lacking atmosphere and detailed information.

    Zareh Ghazarian, Monash University

    The “Great Debate”, as it was called by the broadcaster, started on a solemn tone as both leaders mourned the passing of Pope Francis. The format of the debate was geared towards a quick-fire approach. Time limits of one minute per response to questions ensured the debate covered a lot of ground. Policies from cost of living to international affairs were discussed.

    The leaders played their roles effectively. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton demonstrated a laser-like focus on critiquing the government, while highlighting the Coalition’s policies. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the track record of his government while also taking opportunities to criticise the previous Morrison government. Both leaders stayed true to advancing the core messages of their campaign.

    Cost of living was central to the debate and provided ample opportunity for Dutton and Albanese to put forward their views on the measures they believe would address the issues. Energy policy, and the divide between nuclear and renewable energy sources, also emerged. There was also a moment of unity as both leaders took pride that Australia had implemented a social media ban for under-16s.

    After the only break of the night, the host gave both leaders the opportunity to spell out the values that underpinned their policy approach. Dutton focused on restating policy goals, such as a reduction in fuel excise. Albanese returned to “no one left behind, but no one held back” as his key message, a concept he had also mentioned in his victory speech in 2022.

    On the whole, and considering the stakes, the debate was a model of civility. Both leaders presented as being in command of the details regarding their policies. Gaffes about figures, costings, and promises were virtually non-existent. Whether it added anything new about the leaders or their policy platforms, however, is debatable.

    Joshua Black is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Australia Institute.

    Andrea Carson and Zareh Ghazarian do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Leaders trade barbs and well-worn lines in unspectacular third election debate – https://theconversation.com/leaders-trade-barbs-and-well-worn-lines-in-unspectacular-third-election-debate-254941

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Dutton promises Coalition would increase defence spending to 3% of GDP ‘within a decade’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will promise a Coalition government would boost Australia’s spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP within five years and 3% within a decade.

    Launching the Coalition’s long-awaited defence policy on Wednesday in Western Australia, Dutton will commit to investing more than $21 billion to take spending to 2.5%.

    Australia’s current defence spending is about 2% of GDP, and due to rise to 2.3% by 2033-34. The Trump administration has flagged it wants allies to raise their spending to 3%.

    Trump’s under-secretary of defence for policy, Elbridge Colby, has said:

    The main concern the United States should press with Australia […] is higher defence spending. Australia is currently well below the 3% level advocated for by NATO Secretary General Rutte, and Canberra faces a far more powerful challenge in China.

    The opposition statement, from Dutton and shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie, does not go into detail about how the bigger allocation would be spent, or how it would be paid for.

    Defence Minister Richard Marles gave notice of Labor’s line of attack if there is no detail provided. He said on Tuesday:

    It won’t cut it to have vague numbers, to have aspirations, to have signposts in the future. There needs to be a great deal of specificity in respect of what that defence policy looks like.

    In its statement, the opposition accuses Labor of overseeing “more than $80 billion in cuts and delays to defence in just three years, degrading morale and capability, and putting Australia at risk”.

    It says the commitment to 2.5% is “significantly higher than under Labor and demonstrates the Coalition’s commitment to keeping Australia safe in uncertain times”.

    Under Labor, defence spending has stayed static at 2% of GDP for three years – and Labor has walked away from its own target of increasing defence spending to 2.4% of GDP by 2033-34, dropping it instead to ‘over 2.3%’.

    In its most recent budget, Labor delivered no new funding for defence.

    In stark contrast, a Dutton Coalition government will increase defence spending to 3% of GDP within a decade, while Labor’s spend plateaus at around 2.3%.

    The opposition says Australia is facing the most complex and serious strategic circumstances since the second world war.

    The rise of authoritarian powers, and conflict in Europe and the Middle East are a reminder that Australia cannot take peace for granted.

    “Under the Coalition, there will be clarity around the risks we face and a strategy to deter them,” the opposition says.

    “We believe that investing in Defence is an investment in peace – which is maintained through a strong army, navy, air force and enhanced cyber security.”

    This week’s statement follows an earlier Coalition commitment to reinstate the fourth squadron of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters.

    Dutton said: “The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister regularly tell Australians that we live in the most precarious period since the end of the second world war. Yet, over the last three years, Labor has done nothing about it, other than rip money out of Defence, weakening strength and morale.”

    Hastie said: “A Dutton Coalition government will back Australian workers and businesses in defence industry to develop the sovereign capabilities our country needs. They are a critical enabler to the Australian men and women in uniform”.

    Hastie has been little seen on the campaign trail.

    Marles said over the last three years the government had engaged “in the biggest peacetime increase in defence spending that Australia has seen”.

    “We’ll continue to look at what the appropriate levels of defence spending are.

    “Increases in defence spending will happen under this government […] because that is, in fact, what we’ve done over the last three years”.

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

    – ref. Dutton promises Coalition would increase defence spending to 3% of GDP ‘within a decade’ – https://theconversation.com/dutton-promises-coalition-would-increase-defence-spending-to-3-of-gdp-within-a-decade-254993

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is backing Welsh independence the same as being a nationalist? Not necessarily

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Robin Mann, Reader in Sociology, Bangor University

    Over the past few years, support for Welsh independence has grown in ways not seen before. A recent poll commissioned by YesCymru, a pro-independence campaign group, found that 41% of people who’ve made up their minds on the issue would now vote in favour of independence.

    The striking finding is that the number jumps to 72% among 25-to-34 year olds. Meanwhile older generations, particularly those aged 65 and up, remain firmly in the “no” camp, with 80% opposed.

    This does seem a big shift in public mood. But does it mean Wales is becoming more nationalist? Not exactly.

    The relationship between constitutional attitudes and nationalism is complicated, as research by myself and colleagues shows. Many people back independence for reasons that have less to do with feeling strongly Welsh or waving flags, and more to do with wanting better decision-making closer to home.

    During 2021, as part of a broader research project on Welsh people’s views on the COVID pandemic and vaccination, we spoke to people from different ages, backgrounds and locations. Some were vaccinated, others weren’t. Some had voted in elections while others hadn’t voted in years, if ever.

    Many people we talked to felt the Welsh government had done a better job than Westminster at handling the pandemic. They saw the decisions made in Wales – like keeping stricter rules in place when England relaxed theirs – as more sensible, more caring, and more in line with what they personally wanted from a government. And with that came a confidence that Wales could handle even more control over its own affairs.

    Historically, Welsh nationalism was tightly linked to the Welsh language and culture. Self-government was always a part of the conversation, but not necessarily the main driver. That started changing in the late 20th century.

    In 1979, Wales voted against devolution. In 1997, it narrowly voted in favour. After that, things slowly began to shift. And now, more than 25 years into devolution, support for some form of self-government is the mainstream view. Independence is no longer such a fringe idea.

    Interestingly, younger generations are far more open to it – and many of them aren’t what you’d typically think of as nationalists. They may not speak Welsh or see themselves as “political” in the traditional sense. Their support often comes from practical concerns about the economy, democracy and how decisions are made.

    External events like Brexit have clearly played a role. In fact, the YesCymru campaign was formed just before the EU referendum in 2016. Independence support surged afterwards, especially among Remain voters.

    Many saw the Brexit fallout, as well as austerity, as proof that Westminster didn’t reflect their values or priorities. This showed how disruptive events can reshape the way people see their place within the UK.

    Independence without nationalism?

    One of the more surprising findings in our research – echoed in the 2025 polling – is that support for independence doesn’t always come from people who are politically engaged or pro-devolution. In fact, some support came from people who hadn’t voted in years, or felt completely disillusioned with the political system.

    They expressed their support for independence through statements like: “They [the Welsh government] all need to go, but if I pay tax in Wales I want it to stay in Wales and be spent here.”

    We also found a lot of people sitting on the fence. They weren’t against independence, but they had big questions about it. Would it mean isolation? Would it lead to more division?

    One person told us: “I’m a little bit nationalistic, but I didn’t want the UK to leave the EU. So why would I want Wales to leave the UK?” Another said: “I don’t believe in borders, but I do think the Welsh government should run things.”

    These aren’t black-and-white views. People’s feelings about independence – and nationalism – are often full of contradictions. And this reflects the wider truth that ordinary political views are often messy. Most of us don’t live in the extremes, and this is a good thing.

    What’s also worth noting is that nationalism takes many forms. Some people who strongly oppose Welsh independence do so from a very rightwing populist-nationalist perspective, where calls to abolish the Senedd (Welsh parliament) sit alongside demands for hard borders and less immigration. So, the assumption that “independence equals nationalism” isn’t always true – and nor is the reverse.

    Could independence really happen?

    Wales isn’t alone in debating big questions about its future. In places such as Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders, political and economic crises can fuel movements for independence. In all these cases, trust in central government and a desire for more local fiscal control have played a major role.

    For Wales, the question often comes back to the economy. While faith in Wales’s ability to govern is growing, many still worry whether an independent Wales could stand on its own financially. And for a lot of undecided voters, that remains the sticking point. For this reason, granting Wales more powers through devolution might do more to stave off demands for independence than anything else.



    Read more:
    Devolving justice and policing to Wales would put it on par with Scotland and Northern Ireland – so what’s holding it back?

    But the conversation is shifting. Support for independence is no longer just about nationalist grievances. It’s about how people want to be governed, and about trust and responsiveness.

    So, does supporting Welsh independence make you a nationalist? Not necessarily. For many, it’s not about nationalism at all.

    Robin Mann receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council and the British Academy. He is a Reader in Sociology at Bangor University and also Co-director of the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD).

    – ref. Is backing Welsh independence the same as being a nationalist? Not necessarily – https://theconversation.com/is-backing-welsh-independence-the-same-as-being-a-nationalist-not-necessarily-254354

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Stripping federal protection for clean water harms just about everyone, especially already vulnerable communities

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeremy Orr, Adjunct Professor of Law, Michigan State University

    A Des Moines Water Works employee takes samples from a nearby river for analysis. The regional water utility delivers drinking water to more than 500,000 Iowans. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

    Before Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, U.S. factories and cities could pipe their pollution directly into waterways. Rivers, including the Potomac in Washington, smelled of raw sewage and contained toxic chemicals. Ohio’s Cuyahoga River was so contaminated, its oil slicks erupted in flames.

    That unchecked pollution didn’t just harm the rivers and their ecosystems; it harmed the humans who relied on their water.

    The Clean Water Act established a federal framework “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.”

    As an attorney and law professor, I’ve spent my career upholding these protections and teaching students about their legal and historical significance. That’s why I’m deeply concerned about the federal government’s new efforts to roll back those safeguards and the impact they’ll have on human lives.

    A fire of an oil slick on the Cuyahoga River swept through docks at the Great Lakes Towing Company site in Cleveland in 1952, one of several times that pollution in the river caught fire.
    Bettman/Getty Images

    Amid all the changes out of Washington, it can be easy to lose sight of not only which environmental policies and regulations are being rolled back, but also of who is affected. The reality is that communities already facing pollution and failing infrastructure can become even more vulnerable when federal protections are stripped away. Those laws are ultimately meant to protect the quality of the tap water people drink and the rivers they fish in, and in the long-term health of their neighborhoods.

    A few of the most pressing concerns in my view include the government’s moves to narrow federal water protections, pause water infrastructure investments and retreat from environmental enforcement.

    Diminishing protection for US wetlands

    In 2023, the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of “waters of the United States.” In its decision in Sackett vs. Environmental Protection Agency, the court determined that only wetlands that maintained a physical surface connection to other federally protected waters qualified for protection under the Clean Water Act.

    Wetlands are important for water quality in many areas. They naturally filter pollution from water, reduce flooding in communities and help ensure that millions of Americans enjoy cleaner drinking water. The Clean Water Act limits what industries and farms can discharge or dump into those waterways considered “waters of the U.S.” However, mapping by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that upward of 84%, or 70 million acres, of the nation’s wetlands lacked protection after the ruling.

    The Sackett ruling also called into question the definition of “waters of the U.S.”

    The Trump EPA, in announcing its plans to rewrite the definition in 2025, said it would make accelerating economic opportunity a priority by reducing “red tape” and costs for businesses. Statements from the administration suggest that officials want to loosen restrictions on industries discharging pollution and construction debris into wetlands.

    Toxic algae blooms fueled by farm, urban and industrial runoff can trigger fish kills and shut down beaches for days, harming tourism businesses.
    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    Pollution already harms wetlands along Florida’s Gulf Coast, leading to fewer fish and degraded water quality. It also affects people whose jobs depend on healthy waterways for fishing, recreation and tourism.

    This marks a shift away from the federal government protecting wetlands for the role they play in public health and resilience. Instead, it prioritizes development and industry – even if that means more pollution.

    Pausing investment for rebuilding crumbling infrastructure

    Public water systems are also at risk. The Trump administration on its first full day in office froze at least US$10 billion in federal water infrastructure funding. That included money for replacing lead pipes and building new water treatment plants, allocated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

    Public water systems across the country have been falling into disrepair in recent decades due to aging and sometimes dangerous infrastructure, as cities with lead water pipes have discovered.

    The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation’s drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure grades of a C-minus, D and D-plus, respectively, in its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card. The group estimates that America’s drinking water systems alone need more than $625 billion in investment over the next 20 years to reach a state of good repair.

    Jackson, Miss., volunteers distributed bottled water to residents in 2022 after the aging water system failed.
    AP Photo/Steve Helber

    Congress passed the Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to help pay for updating drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. That included replacing lead pipes and tackling water contamination, especially in the most vulnerable communities. Many of the same communities also have high poverty and unemployment rates and histories of racial segregation rooted in government discrimination.

    Where I live in Detroit, this need is especially clear. We have the fourth-highest number of lead service lines, connecting water mains to buildings, of any city in the country, and these pipes continue to put people at risk every day. Just an hour up the road, the Flint water crisis left a predominantly Black, working-class community to suffer the consequences of lead-contaminated water.

    These aren’t abstract problems; they’re happening right now, in real communities, to real people.

    Dropping lawsuits meant to stop pollution

    The Trump administration’s decision to drop from some environmental enforcement lawsuits filed by previous administrations is adding to the risks that communities face.

    The administration argues that these decisions are about reducing regulatory burdens – dropping these lawsuits reduces costs for companies.

    However, stepping back from these lawsuits leaves the communities without a meaningful way to put an end to the long-standing harms of environmental pollution. Few communities have the resources to litigate against private polluters and must rely on regulatory agencies to sue on their behalf.

    Real lives are affected by these changes

    What America is seeing now is more than a change in regulatory approach. It’s a step back from decades of progress that made the nation’s water safer and communities healthier.

    President Donald Trump talked repeatedly on the campaign trail about wanting clean air and clean water. However, the administration’s moves to reduce protection for wetlands, freeze infrastructure investments and abandon environmental enforcement can have real consequences for both.

    At a time when so many systems are already under strain, it raises the question: What kind of commitment is the federal government really making to the future of clean water in America?

    Jeremy Orr works for Michigan State University College of Law and Earthjustice.

    – ref. Stripping federal protection for clean water harms just about everyone, especially already vulnerable communities – https://theconversation.com/stripping-federal-protection-for-clean-water-harms-just-about-everyone-especially-already-vulnerable-communities-252267

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: I study local government and Hurricane Helene forced me from my home − here’s how rural towns and counties in North Carolina and beyond cooperate to rebuild

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jay Rickabaugh, Assistant Professor of Public Administration, North Carolina State University

    Last year was a record year for disasters in the United States. A new report from the British charity International Institute for Environment and Development finds that 90 disasters were declared nationwide in 2024, from wildfires in California to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

    The average number of annual disasters in the U.S. is about 55.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides funding and recovery assistance to states after disasters. President Donald Trump criticized the agency in January 2025 when he visited hurricane-stricken western North Carolina. Though 41% of Americans lived in an area affected by disaster in 2024, according to the institute’s report, the Trump administration is reportedly working to abolish or dramatically diminish FEMA’s operations.

    “FEMA has been a very big disappointment. They cost a tremendous amount of money. It’s very bureaucratic, and it’s very slow,” Trump declared, saying he thought states were better positioned to “take care of problems” after a disaster.

    “A governor can handle something very quickly,” he said.

    Trump’s remarks have prompted a heated response, including proposals to fundamentally overhaul – but not abolish – federal disaster recovery.

    But I believe the current discussion about FEMA handling U.S. disasters puts the emphasis in the wrong place.

    As a scholar who researches how small and rural local governments cooperate, I believe this public debate demonstrates that many people fundamentally misunderstand how disaster recovery actually works, especially in rural areas, where locally directed efforts are particularly key to that recovery.

    I know this from personal experience, too: I am a resident of Watauga County, in western North Carolina, and I evacuated during Hurricane Helene after landslides severely impaired the roads around my home.

    When disaster strikes

    Here, in short, is what happens after a disaster.

    Federal legislation from 1988 called the Stafford Act gives governors the power to declare disasters. If the president agrees and also declares the region a disaster, that puts federal programs and activities in motion.

    Yet local officials are generally involved from the very start of this process. Governors usually seek input from state and local emergency managers and other municipal officials before making a disaster declaration, and it is local officials who begin the disaster response.

    That’s because small and rural local governments actually have the most local knowledge to lead recovery efforts in their area after a disaster.

    Local officials determine conditions on the ground, coordinate search and rescue, and help bring utilities and other infrastructure back online. They have relationships with community members that can inform decision-making. For example, a county senior center will know which residents receive Meals on Wheels and might need a wellness check after disaster.

    However, small towns cannot do all this alone. They need FEMA’s money and resources, and that can present a problem. The process of applying and complying with the requirements of the grants is incredibly complex and burdensome. According to FEMA’s website, there are eight phases in the disaster aid process, composed of 28 steps that range from “preliminary damage assesment” to “recovery scoping video” to “compliance reviews” and “reconciliation.” Getting through these eight phases takes years.

    If you think this FEMA graphic shows a simple, straightforward process, there might be a job for you in emergency managment.
    Public Assistance’s Consolidated Resource Centers’ 2022 New Hire Training, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

    Larger cities and counties frequently have dedicated staff that apply for disaster aid and ensure compliance with regulations. But smaller governments can struggle to apply for and administer state or federal grants on their own – especially after a disaster, when demands are so high.

    That’s where regional intergovernmental organizations come in. Every region has its own name for these entities. They’re often called councils of government, regional planning commissions or area development districts. My colleagues and I call them RIGOs, for their initials.

    What is a RIGO?

    No matter the name, RIGOs are collaborative bodies that allow local governments to cooperate for services and programs they might not otherwise be able to afford. Bringing together local elected officials from usually about three to five counties, RIGOs help local officials cooperate to address the shared needs of everyone in their area. They do this in normal times; they also do this when disasters strike.

    RIGOs operate throughout most of the U.S., in big cities and rural areas, in turbulent times and in calm. They serve different needs in different regions, but in all cases, RIGOs bring together local elected officials to solve common problems.

    One example of this in western North Carolina is the Digital Seniors project, launched during COVID-19. Here, the local RIGO is called the Southwestern Commission. In 2021, the RIGO area agency on aging coordinated with the Fontana Regional Library to help dozens of elders who had never been connected to the internet get online during the pandemic. The Southwestern Commission used its relationships with the local senior centers to identify people who needed the service, and the library had access to hot spots and laptops through a grant from the state of North Carolina.

    In rural areas, RIGOs work alongside regional business and nonprofits to allow local governments to offer regular services and programs they might not otherwise be able to afford, such as public transportation, senior citizen services or economic development.

    Part of that work is helping member governments navigate the maze of federal and state funding opportunities for the projects they hope to get done, often by employing a specialized grant administrator. Each small local government may not have enough work or revenue to justify such a staff member, but many together have the workload and funding to hire someone specially trained to abide by the rules of funding from states and the federal government.

    This system helps small local governments receive their fair share in federal grant money and report back on how the money was spent.

    Transparency, technical compliance and action

    Disasters rarely respect borders. That’s why governments generally work together to distribute grant money for rebuilding communities.

    In the summer of 2022, eastern Kentucky faced deadly flooding after receiving about 15 inches of rain over four days – 600% above normal. The North Fork of the Kentucky River crested at approximately 21 feet, killing over two dozen people and damaging 9,000 homes and more than 100 businesses.

    A volunteer helps to clear debris in Perry County, Ky., after the historic floods of August 2022.
    Michael Swensen/Getty Images

    The Kentucky River Area Development District, a RIGO representing eight counties, played a key role in the area’s recovery. It secured millions in FEMA aid and maintained critical services, including expanded food delivery and transportation for elderly residents.

    Similarly, after disastrous flooding hit Vermont in 2023 and 2024, another RIGO, the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission, jumped into action. It quickly provided emergency communication to the 23 small villages and towns in its region and has since supported local governments applying for grants and reimbursements.

    Today, it continues to assist in Vermont’s disaster planning and flood mitigation. This is also part of the recovery process.

    Local control

    Rebuilding after a disaster is a long, arduous process. It begins after national journalists and politicians have left the area and continues for years. That would be true no matter how Trump restructures emergency aid: The damage is massive, and so is the repair.

    For example, here’s how western North Carolina looks six months after Helene: Most businesses have reopened, most folks have running water again, and people can drive in and out of the area.

    But many roads are still full of broken pavement. Mud from landslides presses up against the sides of the highway, and condemned housing teeters on the edge of ravaged creek beds.

    A storm-damaged apartment complex in Swannanoa, N.C., in March 2025.
    Sean Rayford/Getty Images

    It is, in other words, too soon to see the full impact of local government efforts to rebuild my region. But RIGOs across the region are hiring additional temporary staff to help local governments get federal money and comply with complex guidelines. Their support ensures that decisions affecting North Carolinians are voted on by the city and county leaders they elected – not decreed by governors or handed down from Washington, D.C.

    Locally led rebuilding is slow and difficult work, yes. But it is, in my opinion, the most community-responsive way to deal with disaster.

    Jaylen Peacox, a graduate student in public administration at North Carolina State University, contributed to this story.

    Jay Rickabaugh receives grant funding from the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

    – ref. I study local government and Hurricane Helene forced me from my home − here’s how rural towns and counties in North Carolina and beyond cooperate to rebuild – https://theconversation.com/i-study-local-government-and-hurricane-helene-forced-me-from-my-home-heres-how-rural-towns-and-counties-in-north-carolina-and-beyond-cooperate-to-rebuild-248606

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Habeas corpus: A thousand-year-old legal principle for defending rights that’s getting a workout under the Trump administration

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Andrea Seielstad, Professor of Law, University of Dayton

    Two Latin words – ‘habeas corpus’ – protect any person, whether citizen or not, from being illegally confined. deepblue4you, iStock / Getty Images Plus

    In some parts of the world, a person may be secreted away or imprisoned by the government without any advanced notification of wrongdoing or chance to make a defense. This has not been lawful in the United States from its very inception, or in many other countries where the rule of law and respect for individual civil rights are paramount.

    The legal doctrine of “habeas corpus,” a Latin phrase that has its American roots in English law as early as the 12th century, stands as a barrier to unlawful arrest.

    In its essence, habeas corpus protects any person, whether citizen or not, from being illegally confined. Habeas corpus is Latin for “you shall have the body” and requires a judge literally to have the body of any incarcerated person brought physically forward so that the legality of their detention may be assessed.

    That is why habeas, sometimes also called the “Great Writ”, is front and center right now in many of the lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s arrest and deportation of noncitizen students, scholars, humanitarian refugees and others.

    In an April 7, 2025, decision in a habeas corpus case brought by lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union representing Venezuelans who faced deportation, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the government must give those it aims to deport the opportunity to legally challenge their removal from the U.S. This chance for due process when deprived of liberty is what habeas corpus is and does.

    Since then, several federal judges have issued habeas writs blocking certain deportations from the U.S. and even movement of potential deportees from one state to another.

    The rapid deportation to El Salvador of noncitizens from the U.S. has sparked public concern about deportees’ ability to challenge the move.
    Dominic Gwinn, Middle East Image / Middle East Images via AFP

    Habeas corpus’s deep roots

    The idea that no person shall be deprived unjustly of liberty formally dates to the 39th Clause of the Magna Carta signed by England’s King John in 1215.

    The Magna Carta itself was, as the U.K. parliament describes it, “the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law.”

    Although the writ originally was a means of enforcing the king’s power over his subjects, as noted by the Supreme Court in reviewing the writ’s long history, English judges over time issued habeas corpus “to enforce the King’s prerogative to inquire into the authority of a jailer to hold a prisoner.”

    The idea crossed the ocean to play an important part in the formation of the U.S. constitutional form of democracy. As the Supreme Court emphasized in a 2008 case holding that the habeas corpus privilege existed even for “aliens” designated as enemy combatants and detained at Guantanamo Bay: “Protection for the privilege of habeas corpus was one of the few safeguards of liberty specified in a Constitution that, at the outset, had no Bill of Rights.”

    In the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789, which created lower federal courts following the ratification of the Constitution, Congress gave immediate power to the federal courts to issue habeas corpus relief.



    Read more:
    Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to El Salvador sparks legal questions likely to reach the Supreme Court

    Congress expanded the right in 1867 to permit habeas corpus challenges to unlawful actions by state and local officials. This enabled people who were still held in slavery or indentured servitude, or otherwise detained in state jails, to seek release in federal court. This legislation also established the framework, still recognized today, for state prisoners to attack the constitutionality of their state convictions in federal court.

    States and some tribes also have their own habeas corpus statutes. Congress also extended habeas to allow federal challenges to detention by tribal officials via the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, which made many of the constitutional rights held by individuals applicable to official action by federally recognized Native American tribes. In fact, habeas corpus is the sole remedy under the Indian Civil Rights Act for challenging any of the enumerated rights in that act.

    When is habeas corpus used?

    The principal use of habeas corpus, historically and in more modern times, has been “to seek release of persons held in actual, physical custody in prison or jail,” as Justice Hugo Black wrote in a 1962 Supreme Court opinion.

    Its scope extends well beyond imprisonment, however. Habeas has been the vehicle for challenging interference with child custodial rights, involuntary commitment to inpatient treatment or psychiatric care, military induction, restrictive conditions of pretrial release, probation or parole, and banishment from tribal lands, to name a few examples.

    Besides securing the physical release of imprisoned persons, habeas corpus may result in dismissal of criminal charges, new trials or appeals, the appointment of legal counsel, and court orders directing remediation of cruel or inhumane conditions of confinement.

    The idea that no person shall be deprived unjustly of liberty formally dates back to the 39th Clause of this document, the Magna Carta, signed by England’s King John in 1215.
    The National Archives

    Critical safeguard of liberty

    Detained individuals have been blocked from using habeas corpus less than a handful of times in American history.

    In the words of the Constitution’s Article I, which governs congressional power: “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”

    For example, it was suspended by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War; in Hawaii after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor; during rebellions in 11 South Carolina counties overtaken by the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction in the years just after the Civil War; and in certain provinces of the U.S.-controlled Philippines in 1905.

    Significantly, however, habeas relief has remained vital to challenges to presidential orders and congressional enactments even during times of war and other national security concerns.

    The Supreme Court reaffirmed the validity of using habeas corpus in many efforts to suspend or limit the writ in cases stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

    In November 2001, President George W. Bush issued a military order authorizing the indefinite detention of noncitizens suspected of being connected to terrorism. Under that order, Yaser Hamdi, who was an American citizen, was detained in U.S. military facilities without being charged, without legal counsel or the possibility of court hearings after being accused of fighting for the Taliban against the United States.

    In a 2004 ruling on Hamdi’s case against the government, the Supreme Court upheld the right of every American citizen to use habeas corpus, even when declared to be an enemy combatant.

    The court later ruled that Congress’ efforts to impose similar limits with respect to noncitizens being detained at Guantanamo Bay under the Military Commissions Act of 2006 were an unconstitutional abridgment of habeas corpus rights.

    In the 2004 landmark case of Rasul v. Bush, the Supreme Court reaffirmed limits on when habeas corpus can be suspended – and when it cannot. The justices said that even foreign detainees captured in countries around the world and brought to Guantanamo Bay on suspected ties to terrorism had the right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts.

    As these cases affirm, “Neither citizenship nor territoriality have been determined to be essential to the exercise of the writ.”

    Habeas corpus is a critical safeguard of liberty. In the words of Chief Justice John Marshall in the seminal 1803 case, Marbury v. Madison, the “very essence” of civil liberty is “the right to claim the protection of the laws, whenever he receives an injury.”

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

    – ref. Habeas corpus: A thousand-year-old legal principle for defending rights that’s getting a workout under the Trump administration – https://theconversation.com/habeas-corpus-a-thousand-year-old-legal-principle-for-defending-rights-thats-getting-a-workout-under-the-trump-administration-254525

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: On Earth Day, Power Over Energy Celebrates 12 Years of Advancing Energy Literacy 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Power Over Energy®, an energy literacy initiative backed by Itron, is celebrating Earth Day and its 12th anniversary with the launch of a new website, new interactive educational content, and continued growth around the world.

    Consumer energy literacy is more important than ever for building a cleaner energy future. Consumer education plays a crucial role in the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and participation in energy-saving programs. According to an Itron Resourcefulness Report, 43% of utilities believe consumers play a critical role in speeding the clean energy transition by understanding the importance of sustainable energy, adopting more energy efficient appliances, participating in demand response programs and changing their daily consumption behavior to align with grid needs.

    This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” underscores the importance of individual action and collective responsibility—an idea at the heart of Power Over Energy’s mission. The campaign’s focus on improving energy literacy directly supports this call to action, empowering people to make smarter energy choices that contribute to a more sustainable future. 

    Since its launch in 2013, Power Over Energy has been dedicated to increasing awareness about the impacts of energy and water consumption, climate disruption and inspiring people with hope through innovative solutions and personal actions to help create a more resourceful world. The literacy initiative has reached 276 million consumers around the world and gained a global following across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X.

    Power Over Energy’s new website showcases energy and climate challenges and solutions through blog posts, videos and the new and wildly popular Power Play Quiz Game. The initiative educates and inspires followers through monthly educational campaigns, newsletters, and social media posts on topics including the challenges posed by climate disruption; solutions that span clean energy, conservation, smart cities, transportation and water; and opportunities to take action.

    The new website expands its Power Play Quiz Game to include five new versions, each aligned with a key solution area from the website: Smart Cities, Clean Energy, Transportation, Water, and Conservation. These interactive quizzes engage users in a fun, educational way, empowering them with knowledge to take meaningful action toward a more sustainable future.

    “It’s been gratifying to see the momentum and following that the Power Over Energy initiative has achieved,” said Marina Donovan, Itron’s vice president of global marketing, ESG and public affairs. “Power Over Energy is dedicated to educating consumers about the impacts of energy and water consumption. The new website helps consumers better understand the challenges of climate disruption and the solutions to help us adapt to our changing world. As we recognize and celebrate Earth Day, unveiling Power Over Energy’s new website reaffirms our commitment to educate people how to create a more resourceful world.” 

    “Energy and water are both critical resources, and what most people don’t realize is that they depend on each other. If there is a shortage or constraint in one, it leads to a shortage and constraint in the other. Educating consumers about the importance of protecting these resources and inspiring the next generation of innovators to address these challenges is crucial. With Power Over Energy’s new website and more Power Play Quiz Games, the initiative creates an engaging environment for educating website visitors,” said Dr. Michael Webber, Sid Richardson Chair in Public Affairs and the John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.

    About Power Over Energy
    Power Over Energy is an energy literacy initiative dedicated to increasing awareness about the impact of our current energy and water consumption, the benefits of energy efficiency, the interconnectedness between energy and water, and the importance of modernizing the electricity grid and deploying smart city technologies. Explore the new website at poweroverenergy.org and test your knowledge by playing the Power Play Quiz Game.

    About Itron
    Itron is a proven global leader in energy, water, smart city, IIoT and intelligent infrastructure services. For utilities, cities and society, we build innovative systems, create new efficiencies, connect communities, encourage conservation and increase resourcefulness. By safeguarding our invaluable natural resources today and tomorrow, we improve the quality of life for people around the world. Join us: www.itron.com.

    Itron® and the Itron Logo are registered trademarks of Itron, Inc in the United States and other countries and regions. All third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners and any usage herein does not suggest or imply any relationship between Itron and the third party unless expressly stated.

    For additional information, contact:

    Itron, Inc.

    Alex Morin
    Corporate Communications Specialist
    PR@Itron.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/63bca064-fdf8-4bc8-a0ea-f11bb4eb0399

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 22, 2025 – 12:00 PM

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on April 22, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://www.state.gov/department-email-updates/

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Powering the Future: Energy Leaders to Tackle Africa’s Grid Challenges at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    PARIS, France, April 22, 2025/APO Group/ —

    As Africa faces a sharp rise in electricity demand driven by population growth, industrialization and rapid urban expansion, the continent’s power sector is at a critical juncture. At Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025, taking place next month in Paris, a high-level panel on Revolutionizing Power Generation in Africa will bring together industry leaders to examine how a multi-pronged energy strategy can transform the continent’s electrification landscape.

    Moderated by Paul Hickin, Chief Economist & Editor in Chief at Petroleum Economist, the panel will feature Jerome Bertheau, Executive Vice President of Global Projects at BW Energy; Christoffer Ek, Director of Decarbonization Services at Wärtsilä Energy; and Silvia Macri, Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights. The conversation will explore a blended approach to power generation – integrating renewable and conventional energy sources, grid and off-grid solutions, and cutting-edge storage technologies – to chart a realistic pathway toward sustainable energy access in Africa, while addressing the urgent need for scalable, resilient and inclusive energy solutions.

    IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3Rqu3RJ) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    Africa’s current power generation capacity falls short of its development needs, with more than 600 million people lacking access to electricity. While renewables like solar and wind are gaining traction, the transition to sustainable energy requires a balanced and diversified energy mix, with gas-to-power playing an increasingly important role.

    In Namibia, BW Energy is advancing its flagship Kudu gas-to-power project, which will supply up to 885 MW of electricity using gas from the offshore Kudu field, helping to strengthen both national energy security and regional grid stability. Meanwhile, with projects including the Sandiara gas-to-power plant in Senegal and the Soyo II combined-cycle plant in Angola, among others, African nations are advancing large-scale integrated gas projects to tap into underutilized reserves and support their electrification agendas.

    As such, the Revolutionizing Power Generation in Africa session will explore how flexible power solutions can be integrated with renewable energy technologies to enhance grid stability and support the transition to cleaner, more reliable energy systems. As a key developer in the drive towards grid stability, Wärtsilä Energy is powering Africa’s mining and industrial sectors with projects including a 17 MW plant in Senegal, a 50 MW captive power plant in Nigeria, O&M contracts in Zambia and Madagascar and maintenance of power plants in Morocco. These efforts highlight the growing importance of hybrid and modular energy systems in meeting Africa’s evolving electricity needs, which will be discussed at the upcoming forum.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Azule Energy Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as Gold Sponsor Ahead of Major Project Launches

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    LUANDA, Angola, April 22, 2025/APO Group/ —

    International energy company Azule Energy has confirmed its participation as a Gold Sponsor at the upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 conference, taking place in Luanda on September 3-4. As Angola’s largest independent equity producer of oil and gas, Azule Energy’s return to the event underscores its continued commitment to working closely with operators, service providers and government partners to drive forward the country’s energy agenda.

    Azule Energy is advancing a series of large-scale oil and gas projects across the country, including Angola’s first non-associated gas project. Led by the New Gas Consortium (NGC) with Azule Energy as operator, the project will tap gas resources from the Quiluma and Maboqueiro (Q&M) shallow water fields. In February 2025, the NGC completed the offshore platforms for the project, with the Quiluma platform departing shortly thereafter for the installation site. The full development includes two offshore platforms and an onshore gas processing plant and will supply feedstock to Angola LNG, the country’s sole LNG facility. Production is expected to start in late 2025 or early 2026, with the platforms delivered six months ahead of schedule.  

    AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    Another major development underway is the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development in Block 15/06. In February 2025, Azule Energy and its project partners announced the sail-away of the Agogo FPSO from the shipyard in China to Angola. The FPSO is expected to begin operations by late 2025, joining the existing Ngoma FPSO and producing hydrocarbons from the Agogo and Ndungu fields. The new unit will boost production by 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) and features cutting-edge carbon capture and storage technology. Notably, it incorporates the world’s first post-combustion CO₂ capture plants installed on an FPSO, marking a significant step forward in reducing emissions from offshore production.

    Azule Energy’s broader portfolio includes 18 licenses – 11 of which the company operates – spanning both Angola and Namibia. In December 2024, the company finalized a strategic farm-in to Block 2914A in Namibia’s PEL 85, marking its first international expansion. In 2024, Azule’s net production reached 210,000 bpd, with oil and condensates making up 80% of output. The company is targeting 250,000 bpd by 2027 as it advances its upstream operations.

    In addition to oil and gas, Azule Energy is leading efforts to deliver low-carbon energy solutions in Angola. In partnership with Sonangol, the company is developing the Caraculo Solar Project in Namibe Province, with a total capacity of 50 MW. Phase one came online in 2023, delivering 25 MW of clean power to the grid.

    Azule Energy is also deeply committed to local content and social development. In 2024, the company inaugurated a new school in Huambo, offering educational access to 720 students. Alongside its Block 15/06 partners, it also handed over two education facilities to the Government of Cabinda in 2024, funded by project revenues and reinforcing the social impact of Angola’s energy industry

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Engineers of the Future: GUU Introduces High School Students to Scientific Projects

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    Representatives of the State University of Management held a series of meetings with 10th-11th grade students as part of the RosGeoTech Advanced Engineering Schools project.

    The children were told about the digitalization of the fuel and energy business and modern management technologies in industry management (FEC), and were also introduced to the PISh “PRO PROJECT” competition and given advice on preparing an individual project.

    Before the start of the master class, the Head of the Scientific Research Coordination Department of the State University of Management Maxim Pletnev introduced the guests to the activities of the RosGeoTech Scientific and Technical School, which covers alternative energy, power engineering, oil and gas, autonomous unmanned and robotic innovative systems.

    The head of the Advanced Engineering School, Andrey Luzhetsky, also addressed the event participants with a welcoming speech.

    As part of the additional general development program, students became familiar with the development trends of the energy industry (3D technologies), studied management technologies related to the use of drones for geological exploration and detection of damage in electrical networks, as well as the concept of digital twins (digital fields and substations) and elements of risk-oriented management in the risk management system.

    The students also began to master the basics of machine learning in the fuel and energy sector, using a simple algorithm as an example, became familiar with the formulation of tasks, identifying problems and creating a competitor matrix. They were explained what machine learning is, who is behind its development, and also looked at the learning tasks and their solution, after which they “hacked” the algorithms.

    In addition, a presentation was given on the All-Russian Project Competition for High School Students “PRO PROJECT”. The deadlines and key stages of the competition were discussed, as well as the specifics of team and individual participation and the topics of the areas. Both unsuccessful projects (for example, essays and papers) and successful ones (startups and product developments) were analyzed using examples. In conclusion, the schoolchildren asked questions about the preliminary assessment of their project ideas and were invited to join the competition group on VKontakte, where all relevant information is published.

    The event was aimed at introducing schoolchildren to the RosGeoTech PISh project, which helps train future specialists in the field of engineering sciences.

    Let us recall that the Advanced Engineering School “RosGeoTech” was created on the basis of GGNTU named after academician M.D. Millionshchikov together with the State University of Management. In March 2025, based on the results of the work carried out in 2024 and the defense of the project before the Council of the Advanced Engineering School, “RosGeoTech” received a large grant for further development.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/22/2025

    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 Asia-Pac: CE begins Zhejiang visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee today arrived in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, to start a four-day visit programme, touring local innovation and technology facilities, and meeting Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Zhejiang.

     

    Upon arriving in Hangzhou in the afternoon, Mr Lee, along with a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation he is leading, visited the ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific & Technological Innovation Center to learn more about the latest developments in innovation and technology collaboration between Hong Kong and Hangzhou.

     

    The Chief Executive pointed out that Zhejiang University is one of the eligible Mainland universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, and over 4,000 of its graduates have been approved to pursue their careers in Hong Kong through the scheme.

     

    He also highlighted that the centre serves as a major innovation and technology platform in Zhejiang, bringing together talent skilled in the collaborative development of industry, education and research sectors.

          

    In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner, hosted by the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Zhejiang, where he engaged with Hong Kong people and representatives of Hong Kong enterprises in Zhejiang to find out more about their daily lives and developments.

     

    He encouraged them to leverage their strengths to serve Zhejiang enterprises in going global and attracting foreign investment, with a view to contributing to mutual benefits and the high-quality development of Hong Kong and Zhejiang.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Human trafficking-fueled fraud ring dismantled in joint Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana operation

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    22 April 2025

    LYON, France – Two suspected traffickers have been arrested and 33 people rescued from a criminal network that sequestered victims and forced them into exploitative pyramid schemes.

    The successful operation was carried out by police in Côte d’Ivoire, following a joint investigation with Ghanaian authorities and support from INTERPOL.

    The case was brought to the attention of police in Ghana by the father of two victims who had been lured through fake job ads online. His daughters had paid nearly USD 9,000 to travel to Canada for work via a recruiter that used a Canadian phone number, giving the employment offer a sense of legitimacy.

    In reality, the victims had been trafficked to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire for the purpose of exploitation where they were held against their will. Under physical and psychological coercion, including threats and abuse, they were forced to perpetuate the scam by enrolling new victims using popular multi-level marketing platforms.

    To conceal the exploitation from friends and family, the organizers provided victims with Canadian contact details and prevented them from speaking openly about the situation. Victims were taken to upmarket shops or luxury hotels in Abidjan and made to pose for photos to falsely suggest a life of comfort abroad.

    An investigation was launched in Ghana after one victim escaped the captors and returned home, alerting families and giving crucial information to police.

    Thanks to a police cooperation agreement between Western African countries that enables free cross-border movement for criminal investigations, the escaped victim returned to Côte d’Ivoire to give vital evidence. As a key witness, the individual was able to provide intelligence for the rescue operation. The relatives of victims still held captive were also assisted with travel to Abidjan to give additional information to local forces.

    Côte d’Ivoire – Victims were kept in harsh conditions

    Throughout the investigation INTERPOL acted as a coordinator between the two countries, facilitating the organization of raids on two key locations in February 2025. The successful mission, carried out by specialized agencies in Côte d’Ivoire, resulted in two arrests and the release of 33 victims.

    The rescued victims, who came from four different countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo—were referred to a local NGO for assistance and care. The main suspect was arrested and handed over to Ghanaian authorities for legal proceedings.

    Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:

    “This success involving Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana is an excellent example of how important police cooperation is when it comes to fighting human trafficking scams. Because of their joint efforts, victims have been saved and those responsible are now facing justice. INTERPOL will continue supporting our member countries’ work to bring down these criminal networks and put an end to human trafficking in all its forms.”

    Youssouf Kouyate, Director General of the Côte d’Ivoire National Police said:

    “Our close cooperation with INTERPOL and Ghanaian police was pivotal to the achievements of this operation and is a testament to the strength of our regional partnerships. I would like to commend the bravery of the victims who came forward to assist in this investigation and to reaffirm our commitment to pursuing and dismantling the networks that perpetrate these crimes.”

    Scams on the rise: What to look out for

    Exploitative pyramid schemes are a growing threat in West and Central Africa, often following similar patterns to the case outlined above. Victims are typically promised employment or educational opportunities abroad and persuaded to pay upfront fees for travel or administration costs.

    Once ensnared by human traffickers, their personal documents are confiscated and they are often subjected to a horrific range of abuses, including forced labour, extortion, physical violence or sexual exploitation. To bring in new victims they are regularly forced to target their own friends, family or personal acquaintances, preying on trust to expand the scheme.

    INTERPOL urges the public to be extremely cautious when approached about work or study opportunities, even when introduced by a personal contact. Some of the red flags to look out for include:

    • Requests for personal information or money – One of the clearest signs of a scam is a request for payment or investment during the application, interview or onboarding process. You should never have to part with your money to receive a legitimate offer.
    • Pressure tactics – Scammers may create urgency by setting short deadlines or claiming the offer will go to someone else if you don’t respond quickly. Genuine recruiters will allow you time to consider the opportunity.
    • Too-good-to-be-true offers – Is the offer vague or poorly explained? Did you receive it without a thorough interview? Are the salary or conditions unusually generous? Compare it with similar offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
    • Online presence – In the past, a simple online search could often expose a scam through its amateur website or unprofessional communication. Today, many criminal groups set up convincing companies or imitate well-known brands, often with a polished digital presence.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Harbour Grace — Harbour Grace RCMP responds to vehicle crash; driver flees from police in another vehicle and is arrested

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Harbour Grace RCMP responded to a vehicle crash near Hearts Desire that occurred on April 15, 2025. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene in another vehicle. Both drivers were arrested.

    Shortly before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Harbour Grace RCMP received the report of the crash. As officers were attending, information received indicated that the driver of the vehicle was departing the crash in another vehicle. Police observed the described vehicle in the oncoming lane, traveling at a high rate of speed head-on towards the marked police vehicle. The police vehicle swerved to avoid a collision as the suspect vehicle passed by.

    Police turned the patrol vehicle around to attempt a traffic stop and observed the suspect vehicle pull into a residential driveway in Hearts Content. Officers pulled into the driveway, blocking the possible exit and the suspect vehicle reversed into the marked police vehicle. The driver of this vehicle, a 23-year-old woman, showed signs of drug impairment. She was arrested for impaired operation, flight from police and dangerous operation.

    The driver involved in the Hearts Desire crash, a 26-year-old man, was unlicensed and was operating a vehicle without insurance or registration. He remains under investigation for multiple offences under the Highway Traffic Act.

    The woman was transported to the detachment where a drug recognition evaluation was completed. Officers await the results of the testing to determine if charges of drug impaired driving are appropriate. She also remains under investigation for flight from police, dangerous operation and assault with a weapon. Charges are anticipated.

    No one was injured.

    The investigation is continuing.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: MoneyHero Offers End-to-End Car Insurance Purchase Journey in Hong Kong through Strategic Partnership with bolttech

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) (“MoneyHero” or the “Company”), a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia, today announced the launch of its end-to-end car insurance purchasing journey in Hong Kong. In collaboration with global insurtech bolttech, this innovative enhancement enables customers to compare and receive real-time insurance quotes while seamlessly completing their entire car insurance purchase directly on MoneyHero’s platform—an industry milestone in Hong Kong.

    Enhancing Car Insurance Experience with AI Capabilities

    The enhanced platform allows customers to:

    • Compare real-time quotes from leading insurers
    • Customize coverage options based on their needs
    • Purchase policies instantly without redirection to third-party sites
    • Receive immediate confirmation and policy issuance

    By integrating bolttech’s advanced insurance exchange technology, MoneyHero ensures accuracy, efficiency, and a fast, hassle-free experience for customers. This launch marks a major advancement for MoneyHero, building on its initial strategic partnership with bolttech previously announced on October 8, 2024, which introduced real-time car insurance pricing comparisons. With the introduction of a fully integrated purchasing experience, customers can now enjoy unparalleled convenience, a streamlined process, and expedited policy issuance.

    Hong Kong’s motor vehicle business recorded gross written premiums of over HK$5 billion1, with insurance penetration in Hong Kong reaching 17.2% in 20232 — offering a compelling opportunity for transformation through data-driven, embedded distribution. For insurers, this enhancement translates to a higher volume of policies sold and improved customer acquisition, solidifying MoneyHero’s position as a valuable digital distribution partner in the evolving insurance landscape.

    A Stronger Digital Insurance Offering

    The introduction of this fully integrated car insurance journey aligns with MoneyHero’s strategic pillars of leading the insurance brokerage and enhancing its conversion expertise. MoneyHero’s platform has already demonstrated impressive results with travel insurance, achieving conversion rates up to two times higher due to its seamless end-to-end purchasing model. MoneyHero anticipates similar success with car insurance, which will drive increased sales for insurers and contribute to robust revenue growth.

    Strong Insurance Growth and Market Expansion

    MoneyHero’s insurance business has emerged as a significant growth driver, with revenues from this vertical increasing by 54% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2024. The Company expects full-year 2024 growth in its insurance business surpassing its Q3 level of 9.5% of its group revenue, driven by the expansion of end-to-end purchasing journeys across multiple insurance categories.

    This enhancement builds on the success of MoneyHero’s travel insurance platform, which has experienced strong adoption and improved conversion rates due to its streamlined purchasing process. In the upcoming quarters, the Company plans to further enhance insurance purchasing experience across other markets and product lines, ensuring the Company remains at the forefront of innovation in the industry.

    Rohith Murthy, CEO of MoneyHero, said: “Customers increasingly seek a seamless experience where they can compare, select, and purchase insurance all in one place. With this launch in Hong Kong, we are not only streamlining the car insurance shopping process—we are fully embracing the entire purchasing journey. Our data indicates that end-to-end insurance transactions yield significantly higher conversion rates, and we anticipate strong adoption in Hong Kong. This initiative represents a natural evolution of our partnership with bolttech3, and we believe we have found the perfect partner to enhance our offerings. Together, we are taking a pivotal step toward positioning MoneyHero as the go-to destination for digital insurance in the region. With bolttech’s technological expertise and commitment to innovation, we are confident in our ability to significantly improve the purchase experience for our customers.”

    Philip Weiner, CEO for Asia and Middle East of bolttech added: “Following our partnership announcement late last year, we are excited to be heading into the next stage with MoneyHero. Our insurance exchange platform will enable them to deliver a more intuitive and transparent user experience, enhancing the overall car insurance purchasing journey for consumers in Hong Kong. Together with MoneyHero, we look forward to bringing more value-added services to consumers.”

    About MoneyHero Group

    MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) is a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia. The Company operates in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines.  Its brand portfolio includes B2C platforms MoneyHero, SingSaver, Money101, Moneymax and Seedly, as well as the B2B platform Creatory.  The Company also retains an equity stake in Malaysian fintech company, Jirnexu Pte. Ltd., parent company of Jirnexu Sdn. Bhd., the operator of RinggitPlus, Malaysia’s largest operating B2C platform. MoneyHero had over 270 commercial partner relationships as at September 30, 2024, and had approximately 7.4 million Monthly Unique Users across its platform for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The Company’s backers include Peter Thiel—co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and the Founders Fund—and Hong Kong businessman, Richard Li, the founder and chairman of Pacific Century Group. To learn more about MoneyHero and how the innovative fintech company is driving Greater Southeast Asia’s digital economy, please visit www.MoneyHeroGroup.com.

    About bolttech

    bolttech is a global insurtech with a mission to build the world’s leading, technology-enabled ecosystem for protection and insurance. bolttech serves customers in more than 35 markets across Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa.

    With a full suite of digital and data-driven capabilities, bolttech powers connections between insurers, distributors, and customers to make it easier and more efficient to buy and sell insurance and protection products.

    For more information, please visit www.bolttech.io.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This document includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States federal securities laws and also contains certain financial forecasts and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this communication, including, but not limited to, statements as to the Group’s growth strategies, future results of operations and financial position, market size, industry trends and growth opportunities, are forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “predicts,” “intends,” “trends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and forecasts and reflect the views, assumptions, expectations, and opinions of the Company, which are all subject to change due to various factors including, without limitation, changes in general economic conditions. Any such estimates, assumptions, expectations, forecasts, views or opinions, whether or not identified in this communication, should be regarded as indicative, preliminary and for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results. The forward-looking statements and financial forecasts and projections contained in this communication are subject to a number of factors, risks and uncertainties. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the Company’s ability to attract new and retain existing customers in a cost effective manner; competitive pressures in and any disruption to the industries in which the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) operates; the Group’s ability to achieve profitability despite a history of losses; and the Group’s ability to implement its growth strategies and manage its growth; the Group’s ability to meet consumer expectations; the success of the Group’s new product or service offerings; the Group’s ability to attract traffic to its websites; the Group’s internal controls; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the Group’s ability to raise capital; media coverage of the Group; the Group’s ability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; changes in the regulatory environments (such as anti-trust laws, foreign ownership restrictions and tax regimes) and general economic conditions in the countries in which the Group operates; the Group’s ability to attract and retain management and skilled employees; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or any other pandemic on the business of the Group; the success of the Group’s strategic investments and acquisitions, changes in the Group’s relationship with its current customers, suppliers and service providers; disruptions to the Group’s information technology systems and networks; the Group’s ability to grow and protect its brand and the Group’s reputation; the Group’s ability to protect its intellectual property; changes in regulation and other contingencies; the Group’s ability to achieve tax efficiencies of its corporate structure and intercompany arrangements; potential and future litigation that the Group may be involved in; and unanticipated losses, write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges, taxes or other liabilities that may be incurred or required and technological advancements in the Group’s industry. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2023 on Form 20-F (File No.: 001-41838), registration statement on Form F-1 (File No.: 333-275205), and other documents to be filed by the Company from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, there may be additional risks that the Company currently does not know, or that the Company currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations, plans, projections or forecasts of future events and view. If any of the risks materialize or the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause their assessments to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. The inclusion of any statement in this document does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. In addition, the analyses of the Company contained herein are not, and do not purport to be, appraisals of the securities, assets, or business of the Company.

    For MoneyHero inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations:
    MoneyHero IR Team
    IR@MoneyHeroGroup.com

    Media Relations:
    MoneyHero PR Team
    Press@MoneyHeroGroup.com

    For bolttech inquiries, please contact:
    FTI Consulting on behalf of bolttech
    bolttech@fticonsulting.com

    _______________________________

    1 Insurance Authority, Market Overview, https://www.ia.org.hk/en/infocenter/statistics/files/GB_Market_Overview_2023_Eng_Final.pdf

    2 Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, https://www.fstb.gov.hk/en/financial_ser/insurance-industry.htm

    3 An affiliate of the Company.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Byrna Technologies Announces the Debut of the Byrna CL, the World’s Most Concealable Less-Lethal Launcher

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Byrna Technologies Inc. (“Byrna” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BYRN), a personal defense technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions, today announced the official launch of its highly anticipated Byrna Compact Launcher (“CL”). The Company will begin accepting orders for this revolutionary new launcher on April 24, with product shipments beginning May 1.

    Weighing just 0.76 pounds and measuring only 6.81 inches in length – smaller than a smartphone – the Byrna CL is the most concealable less-lethal launcher ever made. Along with its compact form, the CL delivers the same powerful energy density on impact as Byrna’s most advanced model to date, the Byrna LE. Engineered for everyday carry, the CL offers a sleek, no-snag design for quick unholstering and is red dot compatible for enhanced accuracy.

    “The Byrna Compact Launcher is a major step forward in less-lethal innovation,” said Bryan Ganz, CEO of Byrna. “Our team set out to design a product that would appeal to both new and experienced users who want maximum stopping power in a smaller, more concealable form factor. We’re proud to bring to market a launcher that is 38% smaller than our flagship Byrna SD and yet delivers the same force per square inch as our LE model.”

    Key Features and Technical Specifications:

    • Size: 6.81″ L x 5.1″ H x 1.18″ W
    • Weight: 0.76 lbs
    • Projectile Speed: 400 feet per second
    • Effective Range: 60 feet
    • Caliber: Fires proprietary .61 caliber projectiles engineered to deliver the same energy density as .68 caliber rounds
    • Shot Capacity: 15 rounds per 8g CO₂ cartridge
    • Materials: Constructed from high-grade aluminum, steel, and brass
    • Compatibility: Red dot ready, customizable with accessories

    The CL’s new .61 caliber projectile will be exclusive to Byrna and produced at the Company’s new ammunition facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Conceived, designed and manufactured in America from 90% U.S. content, the Byrna CL is the Company’s first truly All-American launcher and highlights Byrna’s progress to onshore manufacturing.

    Pricing and Availability: The Byrna Compact Launcher has a base MSRP of $549.99. Customers can join the waitlist starting today here. Launchers will be available for order beginning April 24 and the Company and its dealers will begin shipping on May 1.

    To experience the CL in person, customers can visit select Byrna stores and Premier Dealers nationwide. Use the store locator to find the nearest in-store demo experience.

    About Byrna Technologies Inc.
    Byrna is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions. For more information on the Company, please visit the corporate website here or the Company’s investor relations site here. The Company is the manufacturer of the Byrna® SD personal security device, a state-of-the-art handheld CO2 powered launcher designed to provide a less-lethal alternative to a firearm for the consumer, private security, and law enforcement markets. To purchase Byrna products, visit the Company’s e-commerce store.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, are forward-looking. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “anticipates,” and “believes” and statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “might,” “occur,” “be achieved,” or “will continue to.” Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing of orders and shipments of the Byrna CL, expected performance, Byrna’s progress to onshore manufacturing, and pricing. Forward-looking statements include descriptions of currently occurring matters which may continue in the future. Forward-looking statements are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates, and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied.

    Any number of risk factors could affect our actual results and cause them to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, potential cancellations of existing or future orders including as a result of any fulfillment delays, product rollout issues, introduction of competing products, negative publicity, supply chain constraints, other factors, changes in the markets for security products and non-lethal defense technology could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The order in which these factors appear should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority. We caution that these factors may not be exhaustive; accordingly, any forward-looking statements contained herein should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Investors should carefully consider these and other relevant factors, including those risk factors in Part I, Item 1A, (“Risk Factors”) in our most recent Form 10-K, should understand it is impossible to predict or identify all such factors or risks, should not consider the foregoing list, or the risks identified in our SEC filings, to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties, and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

    Investor Contact:
    Tom Colton and Alec Wilson
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    949-574-3860
    BYRN@gateway-grp.com

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b56d0767-d8bb-4ce7-9121-c175536afc18

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c16cc8ad-1bd0-4580-a20e-a57be1071da6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BigCommerce and Noibu Share Joint Vision of Curated Composability to Deliver Seamless Site Performance and Accelerated Innovation for Online Merchants

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BigCommerce (Nasdaq: BIGC), a leading provider of open, composable commerce solutions for B2C and B2B brands and retailers, today announced discussions regarding a potential expansion of its commercial partnership with Noibu, a leading ecommerce intelligence platform that helps brands detect, prioritize, and resolve revenue-impacting issues while delivering seamless customer experiences. The partnership, if finalized, would reflect the joint value of “curated composability,” enabling brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors of all sizes to leverage best-in-class solutions without the procurement delays or complex integrations.

    “BigCommerce sees the ecommerce landscape becoming more complex with the growing number of channels being introduced,” said Travis Hess, CEO at BigCommerce. “Engaging and selling through multiple channels has created an orchestration challenge for brands and organizations. Our composable approach addresses that challenge by allowing them to leverage best-in-class partners and capabilities. By partnering with Noibu, we would deliver a frictionless way to unlock deeper customer experience insights, site intelligence, reduce development cycles and drive revenue — all without the delay of traditional contracting.”

    Through this proposed integration, brands and retailers would be able to seamlessly activate Noibu’s enterprise-grade ecommerce intelligence capabilities without the need for separate contracts. This would streamline procurement, simplify operations, and empower teams to uncover a wide range of technical and customer experiences issues — from hidden bugs to performance bottlenecks — that can hinder revenue growth. With comprehensive error detection, root-cause analysis, and prioritized recommendations, merchants could innovate faster, enhance digital experiences, and capture more conversions.

    Unlocking Conversion Opportunities at Speed

    Today, BigCommerce and Noibu enable brands to innovate confidently by identifying and resolving potential shopper experience issues before they affect revenue.

    Later this year, BigCommerce plans to make it easier for its enterprise customers to purchase Noibu without additional procurement friction or integration complexity.

    Key partnership benefits would include:

    • Faster Time to Value: Noibu could be activated instantly through the BigCommerce agreement — eliminating delays and enabling immediate performance insights.
    • Proactive Revenue Protection: Instead of waiting for problems to surface, merchants could continuously monitor their storefront for high-impact disruptions and prioritize fixes based on business value.
    • Collaborative Merchant Success: BigCommerce and Noibu teams would work in sync, offering a fully supported solution that strengthens the merchant experience from storefront to support.

    “Our collaboration with BigCommerce and Noibu has led to significant improvement in our ecommerce operations,” said Mike Hoefer, director of web product and strategy at King Arthur Baking. “The combination of Noibu’s advanced error monitoring and resolution capabilities and BigCommerce’s robust ecommerce platform has helped us enhance our site performance, increase customer satisfaction and avoid potential revenue losses.”

    A Partnership Built for Growth

    The proposed structure of this partnership would ensure that BigCommerce and Noibu could support merchants at every stage of growth — whether optimizing conversion rates, scaling traffic during peak seasons or maintaining performance across complex ecommerce architectures.

    “At Noibu, we share BigCommerce’s vision of empowering merchants to deliver fast, reliable, and insight-driven ecommerce experiences,” said Kailin Noivo, president and co-founder of Noibu. “By joining forces, we would eliminate the guesswork from issue resolution and help brands recover every dollar of potential revenue—all through one streamlined, unified solution.”

    To learn more about the existing Noibu-BigCommerce integration, and how to activate it, visit https://www.bigcommerce.com/apps/noibu/

    Read King Arthur Baking’s case study to learn more about how the brand is leveraging BigCommerce and Noibu: https://www.noibu.com/customers/case-studies/king-arthur-baking-company-noibu-case-study

    About BigCommerce
    BigCommerce (Nasdaq: BIGC) is a leading open SaaS and composable ecommerce platform that empowers brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors of all sizes to build, innovate and grow their businesses online. BigCommerce provides its customers sophisticated professional-grade functionality, customization and performance with simplicity and ease-of-use. Tens of thousands of B2C and B2B companies across 150 countries and numerous industries rely on BigCommerce, including Coldwater Creek, Harvey Nichols, King Arthur Baking Co., MKM Building Supplies, United Aqua Group and Uplift Desk. For more information, please visit www.bigcommerce.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

    About Noibu
    Noibu is the leading ecommerce intelligence platform trusted by global brands to detect, prioritize, and resolve technical issues that disrupt the customer journey and impact revenue. By surfacing hidden errors, performance blockers, and root causes, Noibu empowers teams to deliver seamless shopping experiences, reduce lost revenue, and innovate with confidence. Learn more at www.noibu.com.

    BigCommerce® is a registered trademark of BigCommerce Pty. Ltd. Third-party trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

    Media Contact:
    Brad Hem
    pr@bigcommerce.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Auto Shanghai 2025: Cerence AI Partners with Industry Leaders to Showcase xUI, its Hybrid, Agentic AI Assistant Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI and BURLINGTON, Mass., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) (“Cerence AI”), a global leader pioneering conversational AI-powered user experiences, will demo Cerence xUI™, its agentic AI assistant platform that works across the edge and the cloud, for the first time at Auto Shanghai 2025. The platform will be showcased in both English and Mandarin in partnership with Great Wall Motor (GWM) and TCL, a leading consumer electronics company.

    Cerence AI will demonstrate xUI in a GWM car, unveiling the future of LLM-powered in-car experiences in a real vehicle setting. In addition, in partnership with TCL, Cerence AI will showcase an in-car interaction experience integrating Cerence xUI with TCL’s Intelligent Automotive solutions in a state-of-the-art driving simulator. The demos will include:

    • Multi-Modal SLM – New multi-modal capabilities with CaLLM Edge™ that make in-car interactions smarter, more perceptive, and more human than ever, going far beyond pure infotainment.
    • Integrated Model Architecture – Cerence xUI leverages the CaLLM™ family of language models, third-party LLMs, real-time data sources, and contextual data from the car to create an engaging, conversational interface. In Cerence AI and TCL’s joint demo, users will also have simple access to DeepSeek.
    • Dual- and Multi-Seat Interaction and Multi-Screen Synchronization – Voice-controlled screen casting and operations will allow for synchronized interactions between front and rear seats, fostering collaboration among the driver, passengers, and Cerence xUI for intelligent dialogue.
    • Smart Home Integration – Seamless connectivity between Cerence xUI and TCL’s extensive ecosystem of smart home systems, allowing for intelligent home control directly from the car.

    “Auto Shanghai 2025 marks an important milestone in the Cerence xUI journey, with the first public demo of our next-gen, agentic AI platform,” said Christian Mentz, Chief Revenue Officer, Cerence AI. “We are thrilled to team up with industry leaders GWM and TCL as our innovation partners telling this exciting story to the world. With GWM, we continue our long-term partnership to bring AI innovation to their cars as they expand globally, and it’s an honor to have a GWM vehicle in our booth as the first illustration of Cerence xUI in a real car. And, we are excited to collaborate with TCL to showcase advanced in-car interaction, as well as together explore opportunities beyond automotive.”

    “In the era of intelligent mobility, voice has become the most natural bridge between humans and vehicles. As a global leader in AI-powered voice technology, Cerence continues to push the boundaries of smart interaction,” said Nicole Wu, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, GWM. “At GWM, we are proud to partner with Cerence to co-create intelligent cockpit experiences that are not only advanced, but intuitive and human centric. Looking ahead, we believe our continued collaboration will drive innovation and shape a smarter, more connected future of mobility.”

    Ryan Hao, General Manager, TCL Automotive BU, said, “As TCL continues to expand its presence in the automotive sector, this collaboration underscores our shared commitment to innovative breakthroughs. By combining TCL’s cutting-edge intelligent cockpit technologies with Cerence AI’s extensive automotive experience and leading advancements in AI, we aspire to revolutionize the future of mobility through transformative opportunities.”

    Cerence AI’s booth at Auto Shanghai is located at NECC Shanghai, Hall 8.2, booth number 8BD002. To learn more about Cerence AI, visit www.cerence.ai, and follow the company on LinkedIn.

    About Cerence Inc.
    Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) is a global industry leader in creating intuitive, seamless, AI-powered experiences across automotive and transportation. Leveraging decades of innovation and expertise in voice, generative AI, and large language models, Cerence powers integrated experiences that create safer, more connected, and more enjoyable journeys for drivers and passengers alike. With more than 500 million cars shipped with Cerence technology, the company partners with leading automakers, transportation OEMs, and technology companies to advance the next generation of user experiences. Cerence is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with operations globally and a worldwide team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI innovation. For more information, visit www.cerence.ai.

    Contact Information

    Kate Hickman | Tel: 339-215-4583 | Email: kate.hickman@cerence.com 

    The MIL Network –