NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Federal Correctional Officers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Davonta McCrorey (25, Baltimore) has pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting federal correctional officers. McCrorey faces up to eight years’ imprisonment on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set. 

    According to court records, in March 2024, McCrorey was an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. On March 16, 2024, McCrorey aggressively charged out of his cell and struck two federal correctional officers in the face multiple times, causing injuries. McCrorey then resisted other correctional officers who attempted to restrain him by verbally threatening them with violence and biting one of them on the hand.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: CHERRY Unveils MX Northern Light – A Limited-Edition Linear Switch Crafted for the Keyboard Community

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The CHERRY MX NORTHERN LIGHT is a limited-edition linear switch engineered for peak smoothness and precision.

    K5V2 Keyboard + GP6 Northern Light Bundle also available for a limited time.

    KENOSHA, Wis. and AUERBACH IN DER OBERPFALZ, Germany, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CHERRY, the global leader in mechanical keyboard switch innovation, is proud to introduce the MX Northern Light, a limited-edition, community-crafted linear switch delivering the smoothest typing experience CHERRY has ever engineered.

    Developed by CHERRY’s in-house team of switch enthusiasts, MX Northern Light is a love letter to the keyboard community. It blends the latest MX2A innovations with never-before-seen enhancements, including an ultra-polished top housing and a custom-engineered blue bottom, resulting in a switch that’s as smooth as it is striking.

    “This is our most refined linear switch to date, and it’s made for the people who helped inspire it,” said Joakim Jansson, Managing Director of CHERRY. “MX Northern Light reflects what happens when CHERRY listens closely to its community and pushes the limits of precision engineering.”

    This exclusive set pairs the ultra-customizable K5V2 compact keyboard, featuring the new CHERRY MX Northern Light switches and uniquely designed PBT keycaps, with the matching GP6 Northern Light XL mousepad.

    Bold Bundle

    To celebrate the launch of MX Northern Light, CHERRY XTRFY is also releasing a limited-edition K5V2 + GP6 Northern Light Bundle. This exclusive set pairs the ultra-customizable K5V2 compact keyboard, featuring the new CHERRY MX Northern Light switches and uniquely designed PBT keycaps, with the matching GP6 Northern Light XL mousepad. Designed for performance and built to stand out, the bundle offers enthusiasts a premium typing and gaming experience with a cohesive, aurora-inspired aesthetic.

    Crafted by CHERRY’s in-house switch enthusiasts, the MX Northern Light features a polished top housing and a striking blue base, and is designed for the smoothest typing experience yet.

    Built by Enthusiasts, for Enthusiasts

    Crafted by CHERRY’s in-house team of engineers and enthusiasts, the MX Northern Light features a polished top housing and a striking blue base, and is designed for the smoothest typing experience yet.

    At its core, Northern Light delivers a smooth, dampened linear feel with whisper-quiet performance. Every keystroke is refined, responsive, and satisfying, and ideal for gaming, deep focus sessions, or simply enjoying the pure pleasure of a perfectly tuned mechanical switch.

    The switch is fully enhanced with the latest MX2A technology stack, including factory-applied premium lubricant that reduces friction, a noise-dampening barrel spring that softens the sound profile, and glide-optimized stem geometry paired with a polished top housing for ultra-smooth actuation.

    Built with CHERRY’s iconic Gold Crosspoint technology, Northern Light guarantees consistent performance and incredible durability, rated for over 50 million keystrokes without loss of quality. Add in its <1ms bounce time, and you have a switch that doesn’t just feel great, it keeps up with your fastest moves.

    Visually, the blue bottom housing sets Northern Light apart from every other CHERRY switch. It’s a bold look that reflects the bold thinking behind its design, which is eye-catching, distinct, and impossible to mistake for anything else.

    Northern Light (36 piece switch kit) Product Info

    • US availability: April 17
    • MSRP: $29.99
    • Amazon: Link

    K5V2 GP6 Northern Light Bundle

    • US availability: May
    • MSRP: $129.99
    • Amazon: Link

    This is a collector’s drop for the true keyboard connoisseurs, the enthusiasts who crave something rare, premium, and purpose-built.

    About Cherry

    Cherry SE [ISIN: DE000A3CRRN9] is a globally operating manufacturer of high-end mechanical keyboard switches and computer input devices such as keyboards, mice, and headsets for applications in the worlds of gaming, e-sports, office and hybrid workplaces, industry, and healthcare. Since it was founded in 1953, Cherry has been synonymous with innovative, high-quality products developed specifically to meet the various needs of its customers.

    Cherry has its operational headquarters in Auerbach in Germany’s Upper Palatinate region and over 400 employees in production facilities in Auerbach, Zhuhai (China), and Vienna (Austria) as well as in various sales offices in Auerbach (Germany), Munich (Germany), Landskrona (Sweden), Paris (France), Kenosha (USA), Chicago (USA), Taipei (Taiwan), and Hong Kong (China).

    More information is available online at https://www.cherry.de/en-us.

    Media Contact

    CHERRY@maxborgesagency.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2727fda-81c8-473a-b375-a56e56583d7f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e911935a-a210-432b-b5c3-d8606ec90ba0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/55a9db02-375c-46e7-9b22-9931184d99c9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SUNation Energy Issues Letter to Shareholders in Conjunction With Filing of Form 10-K

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RONKONKOMA, N.Y., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SUNation Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNE) (“SUNation” or the “Company”), a leading provider of sustainable solar energy and backup power to households, businesses, municipalities, and for servicing existing systems, today issued a Letter to Shareholders from CEO Scott Maskin in connection with the filing of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (“FY 2024”) on April 15, 2025. A copy of the Company’s Form 10-K is available at www.sec.gov.

    Dear Fellow Shareholder:

    I am writing to you with a renewed sense of optimism for SUNation’s future, tremendous pride in the dedication and hard work of our team, and appreciation for the continuing faith of our residential and commercial customers in our ability to provide an outstanding end-to-end solar experience. Over the last several quarters, we have made it a priority to address a variety of legacy financial, operational, and governance issues that impeded our growth potential, which included recruiting a new leadership team and a refreshed Board of Directors with relevant industry, capital markets, and public company experience.

    This journey has not been easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Many of these decisions were among the most difficult of my career, with a significant impact to our people and our investors; they were, however, necessary. While we still have work to do, we believe that we have positioned the Company to resume growth and thrive in the years ahead.

    Our results for 2024 reflect both the encouraging and unpredictable aspects of our industry, as well as the specific issues that affected our operations. The last two years have been some of the most challenging in our space, and some companies – many larger than us – have not survived. While being a smaller company can make us more vulnerable to the effects of macro conditions, it also provides us with a significant advantage – specifically, the ability to act quickly and with resolve.

    As we look ahead to 2025, we see a significant opportunity to pursue a myriad of commercial and residential opportunities in our core markets and surrounding regions, consider strategic acquisition opportunities, and fortify our operations to support a pivot to sustainable growth and profitability. For full year 2024 results, and other recent developments, please review our annual report on Form 10-K, which we filed on April 15, 2025, and can be found at www.sec.gov, free of charge.

    2024 Performance Overview and Recent Events

    Full Year 2024

    • Total sales of $56.9 million declined as expected from last year’s sales of $79.6 million driven by a decrease in residential and commercial solar projects, as well as lower service revenue. However, sales increased on a consecutive basis for each quarter of 2024 with Q4 2024 sales of $15.4 million up 9.3% from Q1 2024 sales of $13.2 million.  
    • Over 50% of our installed jobs in 2023 and 2024 came from referrals or repeat customers, a rate that ranks among the best in our industry. This also helped drive down year-over-year customer acquisition costs by approximately 8%.
    • Gross margin for 2024 improved to 35.9% from 34.8%, reflecting tighter controls over direct costs.
    • Total operating expenses declined by nearly 7% to $32.7 million from $35.2 million.
    • The decline in total operating expenses in 2024 was offset by a $3.1 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge associated with Hawaii Energy Connection (“HEC”) and a $750,000 intangible asset impairment loss related to technology related intangible assets within the HEC segment; there were no such charges realized in 2023.
    • A series of cost optimization and efficiency measures implemented in 2024 are expected to produce annual selling, general and administrative expense cost savings in 2025 of over $2.0 million.
    • Operating loss from continuing operations was $12.3 million compared to $7.5 million in 2023

    Recent Developments

    • We secured $20 million in aggregate gross proceeds via a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors (“the Offering”).
    • This fresh capital allowed us to eliminate $12.6 million of secured debt and other long-term contractual obligations. This included the repayment in full of $9.4 million of senior and junior secured debt that removed an average annual cash drain of approximately $3.4 million through 2027, and the payment in full of a $2.5 million earn out consideration.
    • This reduction in debt has produced material benefits, including lowering our annual interest expense for 2025 by an estimated $1.4 million, while enhancing cash flows that provide the flexibility necessary to invest appropriately in our long-term expansion and/or other strategic options.

    Q1 2025 Outlook

    We expect that our financial position for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 will reflect the positive effects of this deleveraging and the cost containment initiatives that began in 2024, including:

    • cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.4 million, up from cash and cash equivalents of $0.8 million at December 31, 2024; cash at March 31, 2025 did not include $5 million in gross proceeds raised as part of the Offering that closed in early April 2025.
    • total debt of approximately $9.3 million, a $9.8 million reduction from $19.1 million at December 31, 2024; this reduction does not include the impact of the above-mentioned $2.5 million earn out payment.    

    The Path Forward

    Our strategy is designed to provide customers with sustainable energy security by leveraging our people, technology, and processes to deliver solutions that improve the performance, increase the reliability, and reduce the cost of energy.

    Our industry is highly fragmented, consisting primarily of small, regional companies that control the majority of installations. We believe that this creates a great opportunity for a company like SUNation. With our corporate transformation substantially complete, an injection of fresh capital, and our outlook for the solar industry positive, we believe that the best pathway for long-term growth is a combination of organic expansion initiatives, while pursuing net profitable accretive strategic acquisition opportunities.

    With respect to organic growth, we will continue to focus on lowering customer acquisition costs by capitalizing on our premier referral rates, achieve economies of scale that support a lower cost of goods sold, and explore opportunities that widen the scope of solar services to become a one-stop shop for solar and storage-related needs. By leveraging our two-decade reputation for high quality and dependable solar installation, we are investing heavily in the operations of our roofing division, a natural extension of our solar offerings, as well as strengthening our outreach to non-SUNation clients in need of service for their existing PV and battery systems. We also believe that we can increase our service revenue by addressing service gaps created by solar providers that are no longer in business.

    Our approach to any potential acquisitions will be deliberate and thoughtful, with a focus on well-run residential and commercial solar companies in a select group of states that contain markets with the factors that are necessary for fruitful expansion. We believe that regional companies with robust corporate support are best suited to navigate their respective state and regulatory operating environments. Our acquisition criteria includes exposure to battery storage and value-added energy services, opportunities that can deliver meaningful cost and revenue synergies, and compatible business cultures, with a focus on the customer. Our goal is to achieve scale while maintaining the regional identity and connection to the community that these companies have developed over the years.

    We believe that SUNation’s value proposition of energy independence, our sterling reputation, customer-centric approach, and diversified service portfolio will help us navigate the macroeconomic environment, including tariffs, government subsidies, and interest rates.

    In Closing

    I founded SUNation in 2003 and built it into one of the largest and most respected solar installers on Long Island. This was accomplished through hard work, a respect for the customer, and surrounding myself with the best possible team. In 2022 we acquired HEC and E-GEAR, both Hawaii-based sustainable energy solution providers, as a reflection of our commitment to capitalize on the growing demand for solutions that provide home energy security.  

    After more than two decades, we are just beginning.

    I am optimistic about the future of the solar and storage industry and SUNation. Our industry creates good paying jobs and generates substantial revenue at the regional level, positioning us as a significant contributor to the national energy mix alongside oil, coal, gas, and wind. Importantly, our distributed energy solutions fortify local energy infrastructures, making us a vital part of energy security. Our industry is resilient and has always aligned with economic expansion – a stronger economy equals strong energy demand.

    I remain committed to capitalizing on the significant opportunities inherent in our industry and delivering long-term value to our shareholders.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Scott Maskin
    Chief Executive Officer

    Corporate Update Call / Submit Question in Advance

    Management will host a Corporate Update call on Wednesday, April 23 at 10:00 am ET. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing:

    • Domestic: (800) 715-9871
    • International: (646) 307-1963
    • Passcode: 5681681

    The conference call will also be accessible via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s web site at https://ir.sunation.com/news-events or via this link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/2sjxvf6u.

    Questions may be submitted in advance to ir@sunation.com with the subject line “Corporate Update Questions.” The deadline for submitting questions is April 22 at 5:00 PM ET.

    About SUNation Energy, Inc.

    SUNation Energy, Inc. is focused on growing leading local and regional solar, storage, and energy services companies nationwide. Our vision is to power the energy transition through grass-roots growth of solar electricity paired with battery storage. Our portfolio of brands (SUNation, Hawaii Energy Connection, E-Gear) provide homeowners and businesses of all sizes with an end-to-end product offering spanning solar, battery storage, and grid services. SUNation Energy, Inc.’s largest markets include New York, Florida, and Hawaii, and the company operates in three (3) states.

    Forward Looking Statements 

    Our prospects here at SUNation Energy Inc. are subject to uncertainties and risks. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor provided by the foregoing Sections. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond the control of management. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation. The Company cannot predict or determine after the fact what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements or other statements. The reader should consider statements that include the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “should”, or other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends, to be uncertain and forward-looking. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information respecting factors that could materially affect the Company and its operations are contained in the Company’s filings with the SEC which can be found on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. Achieves B Corp™ Certification, Demonstrating Leadership in Purpose-Driven Business

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Sustainability Roundtable, Inc. (SR Inc) proudly announces that it is now a Certified B CorporationTM (B Corp™), joining a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact, performance, accountability, and transparency. This prestigious certification, granted by B Lab™, affirms SR Inc’s commitment to using business as a force for goodTM.

    B Corp™ certification is awarded to businesses that meet rigorous criteria in areas such as environmental impact, employee well-being, community engagement, and positive contributions to customers’ lives. SR Inc particularly excelled in governance standards, reflecting its strong dedication to stakeholders, recently affirmed by its Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) status. With this certification, SR Inc showcases its commitment to driving economic change and its unwavering focus on meeting rising social and environmental standards.

    “Building on the support we received from our shareholders that enabled SR Inc to become a Public Benefit Corporation earlier this year, becoming a certified B Corp™ further demonstrates SR Inc’s deep commitment to leading with purpose. Doing both in 2025 brings home how we are growing our roots deeply into the purpose we share with our world-leading clients,” said Jim Boyle, CEO and founder of SR Inc. “At SR Inc, we’re energized by our mission to accelerate the growth and implementation of best practices in more sustainable business to help align business with life. By exceeding stringent B Lab™ standards, we demonstrate to all our stakeholders that we’re not just advocates for change – we are change.”

    SR Inc’s Sustainable Business & Enterprise Roundtable (SBER) played a key role in its B Corp™ achievement as it was recognized as an Environmental Education Impact Business Model (IBM). SR Inc’s strategic advisory and support services arm, SBER helps executives set goals, drive progress, and report results in more sustainable leadership. SBER’s IBM status underscores SR Inc’s high operational performance standards, its capacity to drive business-critical corporate sustainability education, and its ability to drive positive Member-Client outcomes.

    SR Inc recently achieved its goal of helping clients cause one gigawatt (GW) of new renewable energy by 2025 – made possible through its Net Zero Consortium for Buyers (NZCB), an invitation-only, confidential renewable energy buyers’ community that opens utility-scale aggregated procurements to enterprises that cannot access them alone. SR Inc’s clients have made the NZCB the leading platform servicing businesses in North America and Europe. Now, backed by the globally recognized B Corp™ certification, SR Inc is further poised to achieve its goal of helping clients cause 10 GW of new clean energy at home and abroad through 2030.

    The B Impact Assessment™ is designed to evaluate a company’s impact on all stakeholders – workers, customers, communities, and the environment – not just shareholders. Companies must score at least 80 points to attain certification, and those scores are made publicly available to ensure transparency. To maintain certification, companies must complete the assessment and verification process every three years, proving continued alignment with B Lab™ standards, which are continually refined with input from industry experts.

    For more information about SR Inc and its commitment to positive social and environmental change, visit www.sustainround.com.

    About SR Inc

    SR Inc is a for-profit Public Benefit Corporation and certified B Corp™ missioned to accelerate the growth and adoption of best practices in more sustainable business to help align business with life. SR Inc’s Sustainable Business & Enterprise Roundtable (SBER) provides strategic advisory and support in enterprise decarbonization. SR Inc’s Net Zero Consortium for Buyers (NZCB) is a confidential buyers’ community committed to creating corporate buyer-favorable renewable energy transactions, which SR Inc clients have made the leading platform for aggregated procurements of utility-scale clean energy. In doing so, SR Inc clients are helping the NZCB democratize the financial, environmental, and human health benefits of utility-scale clean energy.

    About the B Corp™ Movement

    The B Corp™ movement is a global ok movement of People Using Business as a Force for Good®. Together, they are shifting the economic system from profiting only the few to benefitting all, from concentrating wealth and power to ensuring equity, from extraction to regeneration, and from prioritizing individualism to embracing independence.

    Media Contact
    FischTank PR
    srinc@fischtankpr.com

    Other Inquiries
    Sarah Lehan
    sarahlehan@sustainround.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HTX DAO Burns 11.3T $HTX in Q1, Sustaining Deflationary Momentum Through Stable Burn Mechanism

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX DAO, the decentralized autonomous organization behind the $HTX token, has officially announced the completion of its Q1 2025 token burn. According to the announcement, a total of 11,338,023,612,750.992 $HTX tokens were permanently removed from circulation, representing a market value of approximately $19.2 million USD. Since its inception, HTX DAO has cumulatively burned over 60.97 trillion $HTX, with an estimated total value exceeding $114 million, demonstrating strong execution of its deflationary model and long-term value alignment.

    In accordance with its governance protocol, HTX DAO allocated 50% of revenue generated by the HTX exchange in Q1 2025 toward this burn. Executions were carried out transparently via Sun.io, with complete on-chain verification available through transaction hashes. Community members can review the full burn transaction here: Burn Hash on Tronscan

    Burn Mechanism: Not a Gimmick, but a Governance-Backed Commitment

    Unlike short-term, price-focused burns used by many projects as speculative marketing tactics, HTX DAO’s burn strategy is rooted in its “Verified Revenue – Automatic Buyback – On-chain Burn” model, introduced in late 2023. This system ensures consistent and verifiable token reductions aligned with real revenue, not artificially inflated figures.

    Key elements of the HTX DAO burn mechanism include:

    • Revenue-Linked Buybacks: A fixed percentage of exchange income is used to repurchase and burn $HTX;
    • Full Transparency: All burn addresses and transactions are recorded and publicly accessible on-chain;
    • Scheduled Execution: Quarterly announcements and hash verifications published for community audit;
    • Governance Supervision: DAO governance oversees adjustments to burn ratios and policies.

    This model makes HTX DAO’s deflationary action a structural economic feature, rather than a temporary performance signal—positioning $HTX for long-term compounding value growth.

    Market Volatility Validates Mechanism Robustness

    In Q1 2025, despite Bitcoin falling from nearly $110,000 to $70,000—a drop of over 30%—and global crypto trading volumes dropping 27% from $200.7B to $146B (source: Coingecko), HTX DAO’s token burn decreased by only 15% compared to Q4 2024 ($22M to $19.2M).

    This measured reduction highlights two important truths:

    • Burn funding is derived from actual revenue, not reserves or pre-allocated marketing budgets;
    • Burn volumes follow a systematic, non-manipulative model, unaffected by short-term market panic.

    Rather than artificial inflation of value, HTX DAO reflects a rational, data-driven growth model, balancing deflation and ecosystem expansion with real income performance.

    Scarcity Effect: Circulating Supply Falls, Value Logic Strengthens

    The cumulative impact of HTX DAO’s deflationary system is becoming more pronounced:

    • Over 60.97 trillion $HTX burned, reducing overall token supply;
    • Increased scarcity for long-term holders;
    • Sustainable tokenomics, with low inflation and high burn rates—making $HTX one of the few net-deflationary exchange ecosystem tokens on the market.

    Following the footsteps of proven models like Ethereum’s EIP-1559 and BNB’s quarterly burns, HTX DAO is establishing a durable path toward value consolidation. Its staking, governance, and node programs are all structurally tied to the burn cycle—creating a positive feedback loop where ecosystem growth triggers further deflation, and vice versa.

    Leading by Example: Real DAO Execution in a Sea of Paper DAOs

    While many projects claim to be DAOs in name, few consistently execute governance-backed decisions with on-chain transparency. HTX DAO sets itself apart by delivering measurable, auditable outcomes—burns, votes, and revenue allocation—visible to all stakeholders.

    In contrast with projects known for inconsistent execution or vague treasury use, HTX DAO demonstrates:

    • High operational reliability
    • Transparent financial data
    • Clear deflationary logic

    This makes HTX DAO a standout among modern DAO ecosystems—not merely in philosophy, but in real-world delivery.

    More Than a Buzzword: DAO as a Mechanism for Value Fulfillment

    This Q1 burn underscores HTX DAO’s continued adherence to its roadmap. Despite macro challenges, it has executed a $19M burn, retained full on-chain traceability, and continued reducing its circulating supply. These attributes collectively validate the DAO’s ability to deliver on promises—not just through whitepapers, but through chain-verified results.

    With renewed user growth, ecosystem expansion, and market recovery expected later in 2025, future burn events are poised to become milestones in HTX DAO’s deflationary growth story. For a sector still grappling with the legitimacy of decentralized governance, HTX DAO offers a compelling answer to the question:

    Can DAOs truly deliver value?

    HTX DAO’s response is already written—on-chain.

    About HTX DAO

    As a multi-chain deployed decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), HTX DAO demonstrates an innovative governance approach. Unlike traditional corporate structures, it adopts a decentralized governance structure composed of a diversified group, jointly committed to the success of this organization. This unique ecosystem advocates openness and encourages all DAO participants to propose ideas that can promote the development of HTX DAO.

    Contact Information

    Website: www.htxdao.com

    Email Address: media@htxdao.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a8ef565-4f84-43ec-bab3-1fee7aebab6c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is a ‘friend-apist’ what we really want from therapy?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By David E. Tolchinsky, Professor and Dean, The Media School, Indiana University

    ‘Shrinking’ portrays a tangled web of care and connection, where therapists and patients are enmeshed in one another’s personal and professional lives. Apple TV+

    When I read the recent New York Times article “Therapy Is Good. These Therapists Are Bad,” I couldn’t help but think of the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.”

    The article details the troubling prevalence of ethical and legal boundary violations by therapists: riding an exercise bike during appointments, bringing a dog into sessions despite a patient’s fear of animals, flirting with patients and even having sex with them.

    In “Shrinking,” Jason Segel stars as Jimmy Laird, a cognitive behavioral therapist who becomes increasingly entangled in his patients’ lives. His skeptical boss, Paul Rhoades – played by Harrison Ford – critiques Jimmy’s unconventional methods while facing struggles of his own. Everyone seems enmeshed with everyone else’s personal and professional lives: A patient lives with Jimmy; Jimmy is sleeping with his colleague, Gaby; Paul secretly treats Jimmy’s daughter; Jimmy’s neighbor starts a business with Jimmy’s patient. (No one, thankfully, is sleeping with their patient.)

    Whether in real life or on screen, something strange is happening with therapy: The line between therapist and friend seems to be blurring.

    As a screenwriter who teaches a course on how to portray mental health on screen, I wonder: Are these depictions a reaction to earlier conceptions of therapists? Do they reflect a growing suspicion of authority? And ultimately, what do they reveal about what we now want from a therapist?

    The distant therapist

    Not too long ago, therapists acted like black boxes and authoritative gods.

    Take my father, a well-regarded, Freudian psychoanalyst who never shared anything about himself with his patients. He wanted to be a blank wall onto which the patient could project their fantasies.

    He saw patients at our home. When they arrived or left, my family hid to preserve the client’s anonymity. When we were out running errands and saw one of his patients, we quickly left so the patient would have no inkling of my father’s personal life.

    Traditionally, psychoanalysts tried to stay neutral, silent and enigmatic during their sessions.
    Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

    Movies from the 1940s reflect the trope of the mysterious therapist. Dr. Jaquith in the 1942 film “Now, Voyager” is a friendly presence yet remains unknowable, even as he effectively cures his patient’s mental health issues.

    Naturally, positive depictions of therapists gave rise to negative ones. Released that same year, “King’s Row” features a therapist, Dr. Tower, who seems to be a consummate professional, but ends up poisoning his disturbed daughter and killing himself, a twist that hints at an incestuous relationship between the two.

    “Ordinary People,” which won best picture at the 1981 Academy Awards, tells the story of Conrad Jarrett, a teenager who has attempted suicide, and may be contemplating it again.

    Dr. Berger, his therapist who’s played by Judd Hirsch, is friendly and empathetic, but still maintains professional boundaries. When Conrad asks how life can be worth living when it’s so painful, Berger’s comforting response – “Because I’m your friend” – is clearly a therapeutic technique, not a declaration of friendship.

    Therapists are people, too

    Later on-screen depictions of therapists humanize them as flawed individuals, just like everyone else.

    In “Good Will Hunting,” Robin Williams’ Dr. Maguire grieves over his late wife and talks about his own mental health struggles.

    Viewers are privy to the personal struggles of “The Sopranos” therapist Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Bracco. While she occasionally missteps – like when she accidentally reveals Tony Soprano’s identity – she takes her job seriously and routinely consults a fellow therapist, which is part of the ongoing learning process for practitioners. She’s human yet professional.

    Robin Williams, left, as therapist Sean Maguire in ‘Good Will Hunting.’
    Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    In “Shrinking,” however, the boundaries blur completely. The show’s messy web of care and connection is entertaining and funny. But it distorts the therapist’s role. Everyone involved – patient, family member, practitioner – is portrayed as equally flawed and equally responsible for each other’s growth. While the therapists in “Shrinking” make a lot of mistakes, the message seems to be that connection and shared vulnerability matter more than expertise.

    In Season 2, “Shrinking” does interrogate its own boundary crossing when Jimmy realizes he can’t be a therapist, friend and roommate. And Paul starts out from a position of unmovable authority and realizes that he has his own issues – and that maybe Jimmy is a better therapist than he gives him credit for.

    Finding a happy medium

    But the gestalt – if I may use a psychological term – of “Shrinking” is that therapists and patients are on a somewhat equal footing and that boundary crossing is tolerated and even celebrated.

    To me, this reflects a broader cultural shift away from trusting experts, which tangentially could be related to younger generations’ greater willingness to confront authority. Social media has blurred the lines between expertise and lay knowledge further, with influencers and celebrities sometimes positioning themselves as quasi-therapists.

    At minimum, many patients nowadays seem to be looking for an equal, two-way conversation with their therapist, someone like Jimmy who admits that his psychological issues occasionally affect his therapeutic judgment.

    This is in contrast to my father, who, at least publicly, resisted the notion that his own inner life might color his psychoanalytic interpretations. He saw himself as a scientist, uncovering the true objective source of a patient’s symptoms – an endeavor he believed could be tested with the rigor of a scientific hypothesis.

    In my father’s defense, psychoanalysts are trained to recognize and neutralize their own psychological influence. He would say he was always learning. Still, his authoritative stance – and the continued insistence by many contemporary psychoanalysts on remaining a “blank screen” – may help explain why psychoanalysis has fallen out of favor as a therapeutic approach.

    In the screenwriting classes I teach, I’ve shifted from positioning myself as an all-knowing expert to being a facilitator. I share my experience, including my mistakes and failures. But I mostly focus on helping students find their own answers. Similarly, therapy may need to balance expertise with authentic connection – say, a combination of Dr. Berger’s steady wisdom in “Ordinary People” with Dr. Maguire’s openness in “Good Will Hunting.”

    If media depictions like “Shrinking” get you to talk about mental health or seek therapy, that’s no small thing. But I think it’s important to not conflate connection with qualification. Therapists aren’t friends. They’re trained professionals. And that boundary is exactly what makes the relationship work.

    David E. Tolchinsky 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. Is a ‘friend-apist’ what we really want from therapy? – https://theconversation.com/is-a-friend-apist-what-we-really-want-from-therapy-254437

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Get involved with the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election

    Source: Scottish National Party

    As your SNP candidate for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on 5th June 2025, I am determined to continue the hard work of our dear friend and colleague, Christina McKelvie.

    Christina was a tireless champion for the community and for Scotland, and this by-election is an opportunity to honour her incredible legacy.

    Christina’s commitment to the constituency was unwavering, and my promise to you is that I will always put the people of Scotland’s interests first, just as she did. I will continue her fight for a brighter, better future for our people.

    This by-election is more important than ever for the SNP and for Scotland, against the backdrop of a recent poll showing a double-digit lead for independence support.

    In these difficult economic times, the Labour government in Westminster is failing us – ramping up cuts, treating Scotland as an afterthought, and letting our communities suffer.

    Take the issue of rising energy bills: under Labour, pensioners are being hit hard with cuts to winter fuel payments. The SNP is committed to bringing these payments back, to help those most in need.

    We also remain steadfast in our support for Scotland’s NHS. While the SNP works every day to improve access to GP services and tackle waiting times, we’ll never stop fighting to ensure that Scotland’s NHS is protected for future generations.

    This by-election is an opportunity for you to make your voice heard and get into the swing of things for the Scottish Parliamentary election in 2026.

    Please join me and my local team for this crucial by-election campaign by contacting me via email or visiting our Campaign Hub at 18 Townhead Street, Hamilton, ML3 7BE. It’s open 10am – 8pm every day between now and polling day.

    We have a number of upcoming campaigning sessions:

    Thursday 17th April
    2:30pm – Survey card delivery
    6:30pm – Canvassing

    Friday 18th April
    10:30am – Survey card delivery
    2:30pm – Canvassing

    Saturday 19th April
    10am – Canvassing
    1pm – Canvassing

    Sunday 20th April
    11am – Survey Cards delivery
    2pm – Survey Cards delivery

    Leafleting always available

    And donate to help us to reach people across every part of the constituency. Every penny will count.

    Donate now

    Your party, and your country, needs you. So, let’s get to work.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s 2025 Easter message

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s 2025 Easter message

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s 2025 Easter message.

    As Lent comes to an end and we move into the Easter weekend, I want to wish Christians everywhere remembering the death and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ a very happy Easter. The story of Easter is central to the Christian faith: it is a story of hope, redemption and renewal. 

    This Easter, as churches hold special services across the UK, and gather to celebrate with friends and family, we remember those Christians facing hardship, persecution or conflict around the world who cannot celebrate freely. 

    I also want to thank you for the ways in which you follow Christ’s example of love and compassion in serving your communities. Whether through night shelters, youth clubs, toddler groups, family support, care for the elderly or chaplaincy support, and in a multitude of other ways, you demonstrate steadfast commitment and care. 

    We can all take inspiration from the message of Easter and continue to work together for the flourishing and renewal of our country.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Professor Claire Stewart appointed to the Commission on Human Medicines as three members reappointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Professor Claire Stewart appointed to the Commission on Human Medicines as three members reappointed

    The appointment will involve a time commitment of 22 days per year. Remuneration for the role will be at a rate of £325 per attendance and preparation for meetings.

    Professor Claire Stewart has been appointed as a commissioner of the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) for four years from 3 March 2025.

    Three other commissioners of the Commission on Human Medicines have also been reappointed, with their new terms due to begin in May.

    The CHM is an advisory non-departmental public body which is sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

    The CHM advises ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicines.

    Three commissioners have been reappointed:

    • Professor Amanda Adler has been reappointed for a further two years from 1 May 2025.
    • Professor Steve Cunningham has been reappointed for a further two years from 1 May 2025.
    • Professor Yvonne Perrie has been reappointed for a further four years from 1 May 2025.

    The appointments will involve a time commitment of approximately 22 days per year including 11 meetings. Remuneration for the roles will be at a rate of £325 per meeting.

    All appointments are made in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Governance for Public Appointments.

    The regulation of public appointments against the requirements of this code is carried out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    The appointments are made on merit and political activity played no part in the decision process. However, in accordance with the code, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.

    None of the appointees have declared any political activity.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 17 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Urges Congressional Support for C-130J Program

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    WASHINGTON, April 15, 2025 — The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) wrote a letter urging members of Congress to sign a bipartisan letter supporting the C-130J Super Hercules program in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Defense Appropriations bill.

    The bipartisan letter, led by U.S. Reps. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), David Scott (D-Ga.) and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), calls on the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure continued investment in the C-130J — the only U.S.-made military airlifter currently in production.

    The letter requests the following additions in the FY26 defense budget:

    • +8 C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard (ANG)/Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)
    • +3 to +5 KC-130J aircraft for the Navy Reserve (USNR) to continue C/KC-130T recapitalization
    • +2 LC-130J ski-equipped aircraft for the ANG
    • +2 KC-130Js for the U.S. Marine Corps to replace operational losses
    • +$100 million for fleetwide Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS)
    • +$71 million for non-recurring engineering related to the ANG’s LC-130J variant

    “The C-130J is the only U.S.-made airlift currently in production, and a stable and efficient production line is vital in supporting current and future Department of Defense and allied nation airlift requirements,” wrote IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “In addition, the C-130J production line provides for thousands of high-skilled Machinists Union jobs and supports more than 27,000 jobs across its nationwide supply chain”

    The IAM Union strongly urges every member of Congress to join this bipartisan effort to help maintain a stable and efficient C-130J production line, which is essential for meeting current and future U.S. and allied airlift needs.

    Read the complete letter here.

    The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Local Partnership Expands Early Childhood Development Training for UConn Waterbury Students

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    When Alee Ennis ’25 (CLAS) began her required practicum hours for her human development and family sciences (HDFS) degree with a specialization in early childhood development, she faced a grueling commute. Without a car, she traveled nearly two hours by train and Uber each way from her home to practicum sites in Stamford and Westport – often leaving before sunrise and returning long after dark.   

    “My GPA took a hit, and I was constantly tired,” Ennis says. “But I knew this was the path I wanted.” 

    In Fall 2024, HDFS expanded its Early Childhood Specialization (ECS) program to UConn Waterbury in partnership with the Slocum School, a local Head Start program operated by TEAM Inc. The collaboration brought practicum opportunities just minutes from the Waterbury campus, making the program more accessible for students like Ennis. 

    “It changed everything,” Ennis says. “I could finally focus on the experience, the kids, and the material — without worrying about trains, rides, or losing an entire day to travel.” 

    Ennis was drawn to early childhood development after taking an HDFS course that introduced her to a more holistic approach to child development across a person’s lifespan. Initially interested in psychology, she realized the ECS program offered more hands-on, immersive learning that would prepare her to work with young children in a real-world setting. 

    Determined to stay on track despite the commute, Ennis says she worked closely with Cora D’Alessandro, instructor-in-residence and student coordinator for the ECS program. When the local practicum site launched in Waterbury, D’Alessandro was able to help Ennis transition into a preschool classroom placement. 

    “Cora made it happen,” Ennis says. “We even did an independent study so I could take a required course that was still only offered in Stamford. She made sure I stayed on track to graduate.” 

    Cora D’Alessandro, instructor-in-residence and student coordinator for the ECS program and Alee Ennis ’25 (CLAS) at Slocum School in Waterbury. (Steve Bustamante / University of Connecticut).

    The ECS program at UConn Waterbury blends research-based coursework with reflective practice and culturally responsive teaching. Students not only learn child development theory — they’re taught to apply it, observe, and adapt in real time. This collaborative model benefits students interested in teaching as well as those interested in pursuing careers across the full range of services TEAM offers, such as home visiting, health screenings, nutrition services, and a family resource center. 

    “Our students are learning how to teach, but also how to think critically about their teaching,” D’Alessandro says. “By working alongside professionals in a high-quality program like Slocum, they’re gaining the tools they need to support children and families in meaningful ways.” 

    Slocum School serves more than 200 children annually through TEAM Inc.’s Head Start program. As part of the program, Ennis was paired with a focus child for her practicum project. She documented the child’s language, motor, and social-emotional development, and worked closely with the classroom teacher to support growth in key areas. 

    “The classroom at Slocum was bigger and more diverse than what I’d experienced in Westport,” Ennis says. “I worked with kids with autism and other developmental needs. At first, I was nervous, but over time I learned how to build trust and support each child based on where they were developmentally.” 

    At Slocum, students like Ennis also work alongside experienced early childhood professionals, observing and engaging in classroom activities, assisting in curriculum implementation, and applying culturally responsive and inclusive teaching strategies. Many of the professionals at Slocum are HDFS alumni themselves, many of whom specialized in early childhood development, including TEAM Inc. CEO David Morgan ’97 (CLAS). 

    “The bedrock to our TEAM achievements is collaboration, and we’re humbled and honored that the University of Connecticut recognized and embraced this opportunity to partner with us,” Morgan says. 

    According to Fumiko Hoeft, dean of UConn Waterbury, the partnership is not only enhancing student learning but also strengthening the local early childhood education workforce. 

    “This collaboration with Slocum and TEAM Inc. is giving students the chance to stay local and still get a high-impact educational experience,” Hoeft says. “It’s a win for students, families, and the community.” 

    Ennis plans to pursue graduate study to become a child life specialist, supporting children and families navigating serious health challenges. Her time at Slocum affirmed her career goals and gave her the confidence to take the next step. 

     “I don’t think I would’ve made it through this program without the support I found here in Waterbury,” Ennis says. “Having this kind of opportunity close to home made all the difference.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Energy Efficient Living: Smart Homes, Smarter Choices

    Source: Samsung

    Smarter living is on everyone’s minds these days, and Samsung is designing its appliances and devices to help you save time, energy and money. With seamless SmartThings integration across our portfolio, you can take better control of your smart home to improve daily routines, cut down on energy costs and make a positive impact on our planet.
    From our SmartThings technology to the devices and appliances themselves, here’s how you can start doing “just one thing” to make sustainable living second nature.
    How to Lower Energy Consumption & Costs
    Smart home technology has revolutionized energy conservation–and the SmartThings app allows your tech to work together to lower energy use (and your energy bills, too). Explore these tips to start living smarter:
    1. Connect your appliances and devices to the Samsung SmartThings app. SmartThings helps you monitor your energy usage and utilize routines and automations like a pro – making things like preparing for a dinner party a breeze.
    2. Activate SmartThings Energy to discover which devices use the most energy and receive regular tips to help make smarter decisions about how and when you run your appliances. Did you know that the carbon emissions from using or charging your smart home devices vary throughout the day? You can also see your carbon emissions data based on your home’s electricity usage so you can make more informed choices.
    3. Turn on AI Energy Mode. Many of our smart devices, such as our refrigerators, TVs, washers and dryers, have AI intelligence built in, allowing you to use AI Energy Mode in the SmartThings app to analyze your energy usage patterns and intelligently reduce your energy consumption, making a difference for both the environment and your electricity bill. For example, you can activate AI Energy Mode on your Samsung TV and it will adjust brightness in real-time to match the lighting in your space. Our TVs can also recognize when you haven’t been in the room for a while (more than two hours) and lower their brightness automatically.

    4. Earn Rewards for Saving Energy. SmartThings is now giving out Samsung Rewards Points for saving energy! Accrue energy stamps that convert to Samsung Rewards for every 400wh of energy saved. Eligible users can also enroll in Flex Connect to earn $50 in Samsung Rewards for saving energy when the grid is strained.
    5. Set up energy-saving routines and control your devices remotely. Use the SmartThings routines feature to automatically set when and how your appliances and devices function. The app will even tell you if you leave a device on while you’re away — and allow you to turn it off from anywhere.
    To help get you started, we’re sharing a special Earth Day-themed SmartThings routine. Simply scan the QR code below to kick start your day with a message from your Samsung soundbar and keep your home running efficiently all day long.

    With over 600 ENERGY STAR-certified products across our portfolio, including 95% of Samsung dishwashers, 91% of our refrigerators, 55% of electric ranges and 49% of laundry products, we’re here to help make energy savings simple.
    And whether you’re looking to start enjoying energy savings or clear out your pre-loved tech drawer, Samsung makes it easy to responsibly recycle your old devices. Since 2012, we have collected over 1.4 billion pounds of e-waste in the U.S. alone, and this Earth Month, we invite you to join us on the journey. Explore our 1,700+ e-waste drop-off locations from coast to coast to feel good about saying goodbye to your tech.
    For more ways to do just one thing this Earth Month and beyond, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for tips and tricks about reducing your energy consumption and download SmartThings Energy to make the most out of your appliances’ and devices’ energy use.
    Visit Samsung.com for more on sustainability at Samsung.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Thucydides Trap: Vital lessons from ancient Greece for China and the US … or a load of old claptrap?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Andrew Latham, Professor of Political Science, Macalester College

    Retreat of the Athenians from Syracuse during a battle of the Peloponnesian War, from Cassell’s ‘Universal History,’ published in 1888. Ken Welsh/Design Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

    The so-called Thucydides Trap has become a staple of foreign policy commentary over the past decade or so, regularly invoked to frame the escalating rivalry between the United States and China.

    Coined by political scientist Graham Allison — first in a 2012 Financial Times article and later developed in his 2017 book “Destined for War” — the phrase refers to a line from the ancient Greek historian Thucydides, who wrote in his “History of the Peloponnesian War,” “It was the rise of Athens and the fear that this instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable.”

    At first glance, this provides a compelling and conveniently packaged analogy: Rising powers provoke anxiety in established ones, leading to conflict. In today’s context, the implication seems clear – China’s rise is bound to provoke a collision with the United States, just as Athens once did with Sparta.

    But this framing risks flattening the complexity of Thucydides’ work and distorting its deeper philosophical message. Thucydides wasn’t articulating a deterministic law of geopolitics. He was writing a tragedy.

    History repeats as tragedy?

    Thucydides fought in the Peloponnesian War on the Athenian side. His world was steeped in the sensibilities of Greek tragedy, and his historical narrative carries that imprint throughout. His work is not a treatise on structural inevitability but an exploration of how human frailty, political misjudgment and moral decay can combine to unleash catastrophe.

    That tragic sensibility matters. Where modern analysts often search for predictive patterns and system-level explanations, Thucydides drew attention to the role of choice, perception and emotion. His history is filled with the corrosive effects of fear, the seductions of ambition, the failures of leadership and the tragic unraveling of judgment. This is a study in hubris and nemesis, not structural determinism.

    Much of this is lost when the phrase “Thucydides Trap” is elevated into a kind of quasi-law of international politics. It becomes shorthand for inevitability: power rises, fear responds, war follows.

    But Thucydides himself was more interested in why fear takes hold, how ambition twists judgment and how leaders — trapped in a narrowing corridor of bad options — convince themselves that war is the only viable path left. His narrative shows how conflict often arises not from necessity, but from misreading, miscalculation and passions unmoored from reason.

    Even Allison, to his credit, never claimed the “trap” was inescapable. His core argument was that war is likely but not inevitable when a rising power challenges a dominant one. In fact, much of Allison’s writing serves as a warning to break from the pattern, not to resign oneself to it.

    Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict China’s President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.
    AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky

    In that sense, the “Thucydides Trap” has been misused by commentators and policymakers alike. Some treat it as confirmation that war is baked into the structure of power transitions — an excuse to raise defense budgets or to talk tough with Beijing — when in fact it ought to provoke reflection and restraint.

    To read Thucydides carefully is to see that the Peloponnesian War was not solely about a shifting balance of power. It was also about pride, misjudgment and the failure to lead wisely.

    Consider his famous observation, “Ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved.” This isn’t a structural insight — it’s a human one. It’s aimed squarely at those who mistake impulse for strategy and swagger for strength. Or take his chilling formulation, “The strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must.” That’s not an endorsement of realpolitik. It’s a tragic lament on what happens when power becomes unaccountable and justice is cast aside.

    Seen in this light, the real lesson of Thucydides is not that war is preordained, but that it becomes more likely when nations allow fear to cloud reason, when leaders mistake posturing for prudence and when strategic decisions are driven by insecurity rather than clarity.

    Thucydides reminds us how easily perception curdles into misperception — and how dangerous it is when leaders, convinced of their own virtue or necessity, stop listening to anyone who disagrees.

    It ain’t necessarily so.
    Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

    The real lessons of Thucydides

    In today’s context, invoking the Thucydides Trap as a justification for confrontation with China may do more harm than good. It reinforces the notion that conflict is already on the rails and cannot be stopped. But if there is a lesson in “The History of the Peloponnesian War,” it is not that war is inevitable but that it becomes likely when the space for prudence and reflection collapses under the weight of fear and pride. Thucydides offers not a theory of international politics, but a warning — an admonition to leaders who, gripped by their own narratives, drive their nations over a cliff.

    Avoiding that fate requires better judgment. And above all, it demands the humility to recognize that the future is not determined by structural pressures alone, but by the choices people make.

    This article is part of a series explaining foreign policy terms commonly used, but rarely explained.

    Andrew Latham 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. The Thucydides Trap: Vital lessons from ancient Greece for China and the US … or a load of old claptrap? – https://theconversation.com/the-thucydides-trap-vital-lessons-from-ancient-greece-for-china-and-the-us-or-a-load-of-old-claptrap-252954

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia

    Despite the challenges faced by local democratic activists, Thailand has often been an oasis of relative liberalism compared with neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

    Westerners, in particular, have been largely welcomed and provided with a measure of protection from harassment by the authorities. Thailand’s economy is extremely dependent on foreign tourism. Many Westerners also work in a variety of industries, including as academics at public and private universities.

    That arrangement now seems under pressure. Earlier this month, Paul Chambers, an American political science lecturer at Naresuan University, was arrested on charges of violating the Computer Crimes Act and the lèse-majesté law under Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code for allegedly insulting the monarchy.

    Chambers’ visa has been revoked and he now faces a potential punishment of 15 years in jail.

    The lèse-majesté law has become a common tool for silencing Thai activists. At least 272 people have been charged under the law since pro-democracy protests broke out in 2020, according to rights groups.

    Its use against foreigners has, until now, been limited. No foreign academic has ever been charged with it. Because of the law, however, most academics in Thailand usually tread carefully in their critiques of the monarchy.

    The decision to charge a foreign academic, therefore, suggests a hardening of views on dissent by conservative forces in the country. It represents a further deterioration in Thailand’s democratic credentials and provides little optimism for reform under the present government.

    Thailand’s democratic deficit

    Several other recent actions have also sparked concerns about democratic backsliding.

    Following a visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to China in February, the government violated domestic and international law by forcibly returning 40 Uyghurs to China.

    The Uyghurs had fled China a decade earlier to escape repression in the western Xinjiang region and had been held in detention in Thailand ever since. They now potentially face worse treatment by the Chinese authorities.

    Then, in early April, Thailand welcomed the head of the Myanmar junta to a regional summit in Bangkok after a devastating earthquake struck his war-ravaged country.

    Min Aung Hlaing has been shunned internationally since the junta launched a coup against the democratically elected government in Myanmar in 2021, sparking a devastating civil war. He has only visited Russia and China since then.

    In addition, the military continues to dominate politics in Thailand. After a progressive party, Move Forward, won the 2023 parliamentary elections by committing to amend the lèse-majesté law, the military, the unelected Senate and other conservative forces in the country ignored the will of the people and denied its charismatic leader the prime ministership.

    The party was then forcibly dissolved by the Constitutional Court and its leader banned from politics for ten years.

    In February, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission criminally indicted 44 politicians from Move Forward for sponsoring a bill in parliament to reform the lèse-majesté law. They face lifetime bans from politics if they are found guilty of breaching “ethical standards”.

    Even the powerful former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter is also the current prime minister, is not immune from the lèse-majesté law.

    He was indicted last year for allegedly insulting the monarchy almost two decades ago. His case is due to be heard in July.

    This continued undermining of democratic norms is chipping away at Thailand’s international reputation. The country is now classified as a “flawed democracy” in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, with its ranking falling two years in a row.



    Read more:
    Thailand’s democracy has taken another hit, but the country’s progressive forces won’t be stopped

    Academic freedom at risk

    The lèse-majesté law has always represented something of a challenge to academic freedom in Thailand, as well as freedom of speech more generally. Campaigners against the law have paid a heavy price.

    The US State Department has provided a statement of support for Chambers, urging the Thai government to “ensure that laws are not used to stifle permitted expression”. However, given the Trump administration’s attacks on US universities at the moment, this demand rings somewhat hollow.

    Academic freedom is a hallmark of democracies compared with authoritarian regimes. With the US no longer so concerned with protecting academic freedom at home, there is little stopping flawed democracies around the world from stepping up pressure on academics to toe the line.

    The undermining of democracy in the US is already having palpable impacts on democratic regression around the world.

    With little international pressure to adhere to democratic norms, the current Thai government has taken a significant and deleterious step in arresting a foreign academic.

    In the future, universities in Thailand, as in the US, will find it harder to attract international talent. Universities – and the broader society – in both countries will be worse off for it.

    Adam Simpson 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. Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic – https://theconversation.com/thailands-fragile-democracy-takes-another-hit-with-arrest-of-us-academic-254706

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Reckoning and resistance: The future of Black hiring commitments on campus

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Cornel Grey, Assistant Professor in Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Western University

    In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, a global reckoning on anti-Black racism ignited protests, conversations and demand for action. Across North America, universities scrambled to make public commitments to racial justice. They pledged to make changes and address systemic inequalities.

    One of the most significant commitments was what’s known as cluster hiring. Recruiting multiple Black scholars at the same time can foster a thriving intellectual community. Research shows cluster hires improve Black faculty representation and retention.

    This strategy can also help combat the isolation, hostility and lack of support that Black faculty often face in predominantly white institutions.

    Many universities pledged lofty and hopeful equity initiatives at the time. These included similar commitments to hiring Indigenous faculty in clusters, developing or expanding Black Studies programs and implementing campus-wide anti-racism strategies.

    But these pledges now face a challenging landscape.

    The United States is witnessing a growing backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and higher education in general. And Canada is not immune.

    In Canada, hiring freezes are now gripping several Canadian post-secondary institutions.

    As austerity measures as well as political shifts impact students, faculty and administrators, a big question looms. What programs will institutions cut in these times of fiscal restraint and shifting cultural values?



    Read more:
    The world is in crisis – what role should our universities play?

    The true test to racial justice committment

    In 2020, McGill made a powerful pledge: to hire 40 Black tenure-track or tenured professors by 2025 and 85 by 2032.

    According to McGill University, it has increased the number of Black tenure-track or tenured professors from 14 in 2021 to 50 in 2025. This marks a significant step toward addressing longstanding gaps in representation.

    But as public support for DEI initiatives wanes and universities face growing financial pressures, will these efforts to build a more equitable faculty be sustained?

    Several Canadian universities also pledged to create or expand Black Studies programs.

    New programs were launched at Toronto Metropolitan University, Western University, the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo. Existing initiatives at Queen’s University, Dalhousie University and York were expanded.

    Yet the development and funding of Black Studies in Canada largely remains fragile. Administrative support is often lacking and dependent on broader institutional priorities.

    Black studies programs are fragile

    Disciplines like Black Studies, Indigenous Studies and Gender Studies are not just academic pursuits. They provide students with essential analytical tools to understand our most pressing issues, including economic precarity, the erosion of civil freedoms and land sovereignty.

    These university programs are at the forefront of equity education. They are crucial to foster the ability of students and scholars to critically engage with the key challenges we face today.



    Read more:
    Afua Cooper: My 30-year effort to bring Black studies to Canadian universities is still an upward battle

    The U.S. is a warning

    Recent developments in the U.S. serve as a cautionary tale. Canadian politicians and agencies often take cues from American trends.

    Republican lawmakers have aggressively targeted DEI initiatives on campuses in several states. And new legislation bans race-conscious hiring and rewrites curricula.

    Canadian researchers receiving funding from U.S. federal agencies are being pressured to conform their scholarship to the ideological agendas of the White House.

    At the University of Alberta, the move away from DEI discourses to more neutral language like “access, community, and belonging” has marked a fundamental shift.

    In Alberta, the Provincial Priorities Act (Bill 18) now requires federal research funds to align with provincial government priorities. And in Nova Scotia, Bill 12 threatens to link university funding decisions to the government’s social and economic priorities.

    In this climate, ideas of curtailing DEI in research are no longer speculative.

    Within these changes are urgent questions about how research and funding agencies like the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) will respond.

    Research shows that including DEI frameworks in funding applications has had some positive impacts for researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, but its focus on personal responsibility and metrics can obscure the deeper forces behind inequality.

    Retaining its political edge

    Universities often frame their commitments to Black faculty hiring and Black Studies programs as part of broader DEI agendas.

    However, as scholars have long pointed out, DEI policies prioritize representation over structural transformation, reducing the presence of Black faculty to a matter of optics rather than a meaningful shift in institutional power.

    When Black Studies is treated as an administrative deliverable rather than a radical intellectual tradition grounded in resistance to oppression, it is stripped of its political edge.

    Institutional integrity

    As Canadian universities face financial pressures and shifting political tides, the commitments will now be put to the test.

    Anti-Black racism and equity cannot be a temporary trend that universities go through during times of public scrutiny. It must remain at the core of academic values, regardless of political or financial pressure.

    The fight for Black and Indigenous hiring initiatives continues and the 2020-21 promises made by universities need to be held to the highest standard. This is about sustained commitment to structural change in our institutions. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

    Cornel Grey receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    Muna-Udbi Abdulkadir Ali receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    Stephanie Latty receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

    – ref. Reckoning and resistance: The future of Black hiring commitments on campus – https://theconversation.com/reckoning-and-resistance-the-future-of-black-hiring-commitments-on-campus-253676

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why deregulating online platforms is actually bad for free speech

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael Gregory, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Clemson University

    Free speech requires freedom from fear and intimidation. AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam

    One of the first executive orders that President Trump signed after his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, was titled Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship. The order accused the previous administration of having “trampled free speech rights by censoring Americans’ speech on online platforms.”

    What Trump was referring to as censorship was the government’s attempt to work with social media and broadcasting platforms to regulate misinformation, disinformation and misleading information by removing content, limiting its dissemination or labeling it, sometimes with fact-checking included. Similar accusations had been brought before the Supreme Court in 2024, where the justices sided with the federal government, preserving its ability to interact and coordinate with social media platforms.

    However, the decision came during a trend toward deregulation of online platforms as Elon Musk removed guardrails after acquiring X, and Meta and YouTube removed policies meant to combat hate and misinformation. With Trump’s commitment to free speech protections through deregulation, online platforms are likely to remove more guardrails.

    As a scholar of legal and political philosophy, I know that deregulation and free speech are often linked. Recently there has been a significant increase in broad court rulings on the First Amendment that support deregulation in all sorts of market sectors, from contributions to political campaigns to graphic labels on cigarettes.

    This is not surprising considering that free speech has long been associated with the metaphor of free trade in ideas, closely tied to the value of a deregulated market economy. The presumption has been that the way to protect freedom of speech is through a deregulated marketplace, and speech on social media platforms is no exception. However, research on online speech shows the opposite to be the case: Regulating online speech protects free speech.

    What is content moderation?

    Free speech and its exceptions

    Free speech in the U.S. has always been accompanied by a series of exceptions, laid out clearly by the courts, that constrain speech based on a competing concern for the prevention of harm. For example, speech that threatens, incites or directly causes harm is not protected speech.

    Yet, when it comes to content-based regulation dealing with ideas or ideological expression, the courts have been clear that the government should not place burdens on speech that is objectionable. The government cannot censor speech that is false but does not lead to a specific, identifiable harm.

    Despite these legal constraints, researchers have suggested that upholding the value of free speech requires some content-based regulation. To understand this seemingly paradoxical conclusion, it’s important to understand why free speech is valuable in the first place. Free speech enables you to be an autonomous member of society by allowing you to express yourself and hear other people express themselves.

    People consider it wrong when a government bans discussion of a viewpoint or piece of content because that violates their right as speakers and listeners to engage with the viewpoint or content. In other words, having free speech is essential because citizens need to be able to choose freely what they say and listen to.

    In addition, democracy is served by having a citizenry that is able to engage freely and meaningfully in the content of their choosing. Democratic dissent, after all, was the original inspiration for free speech protections and serves as the backbone of their protections today.

    Regulating for free speech

    The need for citizens in a democratic state to be autonomous speakers and thinkers underscores the importance of content-based regulation in upholding free speech. Research has shown that hate speech online in particular and the proliferation of extremism online in general have a chilling effect on online speech through intimidation and fear. So, restrictions on hate speech can support free speech rather than undermining it.

    Hate speech is a form of speech that can diminish free speech.
    Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images

    In addition, the spread of online misinformation and the challenges of detecting it can similarly undermine the people’s ability to exchange ideas and evaluate viewpoints as autonomous speakers or listeners. In fact, research shows that users are bad at distinguishing between true and false claims online. This fundamental weakness undermines your ability to operate as an autonomous speaker or listener.

    Finally, increased polarization online, caused by the dissemination of falsehoods, undermines the democratic point of free speech protections. People cannot meaningfully engage in the marketplace of ideas on a platform where falsehoods are amplified. Importantly, this insight aligns with users’ preference that platforms remove disinformation rather than protect it.

    All of this is evidence that deregulating social media platforms is a net loss for free speech. In economic markets, maintaining a consumer’s freedom of choice requires regulations against coercion and deceit. In the marketplace of ideas, the principle is the same: The free trade of ideas requires regulation.

    Michael Gregory 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. Why deregulating online platforms is actually bad for free speech – https://theconversation.com/why-deregulating-online-platforms-is-actually-bad-for-free-speech-253015

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 17, 2025 – 2:00 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 17, 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=iHd697vvKl8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Care leavers to be considered in council policy as it becomes a ‘locally protected characteristic’

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 17th April 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council will give new lifelong rights and protections to young people who spend time in care.

    The council’s ruling cabinet have decided to make experience of care a “locally protected characteristic” within the city.

    That means that whenever the council designs a new programme or policy, it will now consider the impact of changes to services and policy on those who have been in care.

    This would allow policies to be more effective in meeting the needs of care leavers and could lead to greater access to apprenticeships and housing, or support in times of financial hardship.

    The move goes beyond the council’s statutory responsibilities – reflecting its commitment to continuing to nurture and protect care leavers throughout their adult lives.

    Evidence shows people who have spent time in residential and foster placements are more likely to face lifelong barriers in a range of areas including education, mental health and employment opportunities.

    They also often face discrimination and stigma associated with being a care leaver.

    This comes as the council continues its wider work to support care leavers through the Care Leavers Local Offer and the Next Steps duty team, who support those who leave care up to the age of 25.

    The Next Steps team provide those leaving care with a personal adviser. They support care leavers with a range of things, from finding education or employment, to accommodation and how to cope living independently, as well as being there to offer advice and support.

    Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “I welcome this decision to make experience of care a locally protected characteristic, as it will help address the lifelong inequalities that care leavers face.

    “Care leavers face significant barriers towards work and education, as well as being more likely to experience a mental health condition, but this step will allow policies to be more effective in meeting care leavers’ needs, whilst strengthening inclusion.

    “We will better understand and respond to the structural disadvantage care leavers face as we continue towards creating a healthier, fairer city where all of our residents can thrive.”

    To find out more the Care Leavers Local Offer and the work that the Next Steps team do, visit: https://www.stoke.gov.uk/careleaverslocaloffer

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Japanese expert in hoarding visits Norwich to share global insights

    Source: City of Norwich

    Professor Aso, a former nurse in Japan and now an academic specialising in the study of hoarding, was aware of the good work taking place in Norwich to support residents affected by hoarding.

    Because of this she approached us, keen to learn more about our service and to share her own learnings with us.

    Hoarding is a complex and sensitive issue which can cause profound wellbeing problems for those suffering with the condition. It can also be a very difficult issue for family members and loved ones to understand.

    On top of this, there are often real barriers to tackle when it comes to getting the relevant professional services on board to provide the right kind of support to help tackle the issue.

    Council officers have witnessed first-hand how hoarding can negatively impact the lives of some residents. To help us understand more about this we were very happy to invite Professor Yasuko Aso, a public health expert from Japan, to come to City Hall and share her insights with us – drawn from across her research into hoarding.

    Rachel Omori, independent living and collaboration manager at Norwich City Council said: “Bringing in international expertise helps us see what works elsewhere and where we can do better. Learning from others allows us to keep improving support for people in Norwich.”

    During her visit, Professor Aso from Wayo Women’s University and Japan’s National Institute of Public Health, met with housing colleagues from the city council and other local organisations including St Martins Housing Trust, adult social care, and the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board and INTERACT.

    Among the topics discussed was an explanation of how group workshops can help people reduce clutter and improve their quality of life.

    Professor Aso said: “In Japan, we face challenges like an ageing population, limited space, and natural disasters, which make hoarding a growing concern.
    “Norwich’s approach has given me fresh ideas to take back to my colleagues. I hope this conversation continues.”

    Those involved shared their own experiences and methods for supporting residents affected by hoarding with the aim to learn from each other and improve support services.

    Dr Jan Sheldon, chief executive of St Martins Housing Trust, said:
    “Whilst we and our partners have made great strides forward supporting people with hording behaviours over the last few years there is always more to learn. The international exchange of knowledge and experience is always important, we have much to learn from each other. It is critical that our work in this area continues to build upon our understanding and practical implementation of the Psychological Informed Environment (PIE) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC)”

    The visit, which took place earlier this month, highlights the city council’s commitment to learning from global best practice to improve lives locally, especially for residents facing complex housing and health needs. The timing of this visit helps to shine a spotlight on ‘UK Hoarding Awareness Week’ which runs from 12–16 May. Please follow our posts on social media for more updates.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: DTE Energy schedules first quarter 2025 earnings release, conference call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DETROIT, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) will announce its first quarter 2025 earnings before the market opens Thursday, May 1, 2025.

    The company will conduct a conference call to discuss earnings results at 9:00 a.m. ET the same day.

    Investors, the news media and the public may listen to a live internet broadcast of the call at dteenergy.com/investors. The telephone dial-in number in the U.S. and Canada toll free is: (888) 510-2008. The telephone dial-in USA toll is: (646) 960-0306 and the Canada dial-in toll is: (289) 514-5035. The passcode is 4987588. The webcast will be archived on the DTE Energy website at dteenergy.com/investors.

    About DTE Energy  
    DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers across Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes energy businesses focused on custom energy solutions, renewable energy generation, and energy marketing and trading. DTE has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction goals to meet aggressive targets and is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy, emission reductions and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, x.com/DTE_Energy and facebook.com/dteenergy. 

    For more information, members of the media may contact:
    Dan Miner, DTE Energy: 313.235.5555

    For further information, analysts may call:
    Matt Krupinski, DTE Energy: 313.235.6649
    John Dermody, DTE Energy: 313.235.8750

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel (NASDAQ:AREB) Congratulates Tony Stewart on History-Making Victory in NHRA Top Fuel Event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Driver to Win NASCAR Cup Race, IndyCar Race, USAC Triple Crown Championship and NHRA Pro Event

    American Rebel Light Beer Sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing Drivers Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan Celebrate Stewart Win and Head to Charlotte for American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals April 25 – 27 at zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway

    Nashville, TN, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), would like to congratulate Tony Stewart on his history-making victory in the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster (nhra.com) this past weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Tony is the first driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race, an IndyCar race, a USAC Triple Crown Championship and an NHRA Pro Event. The American Rebel Light Beer sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing (tsrnitro.com) drivers Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan proudly celebrate the Stewart win as this history-making victory draws tremendous attention to the American Rebel Light sponsorship. The Stewart victory is also very emotional for the American Rebel team as we know how much this victory means to Tony and Leah personally.

    “I haven’t been around the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series very long, but I realized it takes a lot to win one of these Top Fuel races,” said Tony Stewart. “In my career, I’ve never had to wait over a year to win a race. We always figured it out pretty quickly and we won. We needed this win. It’s been so stressful for everyone since Leah (Pruett – Stewart’s wife) nearly won the World Top Fuel Championship in 2023 when it came down to the final round of the whole season.”

    Tony Stewart replaced Leah Pruett as the driver of the Tony Stewart Racing NHRA Top Fuel Dragster at the beginning of the 2024 season. Tony and Leah were married in 2021 and Leah asked Tony to drive her car in the Top Fuel series as the couple set out to start a family. Tony drove in the Top Alcohol series, a tier below Top Fuel, in 2023.

    “When your wife wants to try to start a family and wants you to driver her car, what are you going to say?” continued Stewart. “We had a lot of changes for the team because my body weight is different. Car tubing is different, and it just takes time. It was frustrating as we just couldn’t get on a path to make consistent gains last year. Two years ago, I won my first NHRA national event in the Top Alcohol Dragster here at Las Vegas with McPhillips Racing, and now I win my first Top Fuel national event at the Strip. It’s pretty damn cool. I’ve been a motorsports fan my whole life, and I think we made racing history with the Top Fuel win. I’m not sure if there has ever been a driver to win a NASCAR Cup race, an IndyCar race, the USAC Triple Crown championship and an NHRA Pro event (Top Fuel). To do it with our team and our family was very emotional. When Leah brought Dom (their newborn son) up on stage in victory lane, my heart stopped. I got so emotional there. That is a feeling I have never had in my life before. The Four Wide setup is the equalizer for me. I’m used to racing with many cars around me. It’s tough for the guys who are not used to four cars racing at once. We can’t get to Charlotte fast enough with the next four-wide setup. I love the format.”

    The next event on the NHRA Misson Foods Drag Racing Series schedule is the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals April 25 – 27 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

    “I couldn’t be happier for Tony and Leah as I know how much the victory in Las Vegas means to them both,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “Our relationship started out as a sponsorship, turned into a friendship and now it’s family. Tony, Matt and Leah have been a big part of our incredible success opening up distributors for American Rebel Light Beer across the country. Various consultants told me opening up distributors was next to impossible, but American Rebel has proven them wrong because we have a real 12-year organic story of how we got here, and Tony, Matt and Leah’s support have poured patriotic fuel all over the fire we had already started. I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done.”

    American Rebel is an associate sponsor on the Tony Stewart driven Top Fuel Dragster and the Matt Hagan driven Funny Car for all 20 races of the NHRA Mission Foods 2025 season as well as the primary sponsor of the Matt Hagan Funny Car for five races, including the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the primary sponsor of the Tony Stewart Top Fuel Dragster for one race during the 2025 season. Being a sponsor provides opportunities for vast exposure during the race broadcasts on Fox Sports, Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2). Ratings for NHRA telecasts are very strong and visibility continues to expand through additional streaming options through NHRA.tv.

    In addition to the strong television viewership of NHRA racing, NHRA has unveiled exciting opportunities for digital media and content creators for the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Aiming to change the way influencers, content creators and digital media members experience drag racing, NHRA is working to expand its reach across social media platforms with its Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Content Creator Zone. This expansion and emphasis in the digital media space will significantly benefit American Rebel.

    American Rebel has also benefitted from the relationship with Tony Stewart Racing through the social media reach of Tony Stewart, Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett. Tony Stewart has nearly 750,000 followers on X (@TonyStewart) and over 250,000 followers on Instagram (@tsrsmoke). Matt Hagan has nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram (@matthagan_fc) and Leah Pruett has nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram (@leah.pruett).

    “Tony, Matt and Leah are such an important part of our story,” said Andy Ross. “Tony is a legendary NASCAR driver who may be the most versatile race car driver in history, having also driven in NASCAR, IndyCar, USAC, NHRA and just about anything with wheels. And Matt has 52 NHRA national event wins and is one of only four legendary Funny Car drivers to win four championships (John Force, Don Prudhomme and Kenny Bernstein are the others) and Leah has kicked in doors as a Top Fuel driver and she continues to provide unparalleled support for American Rebel at the track and on social media. Our distributors love our connection with Tony Stewart Racing as American Rebel Light Beer connects with our customers through this sponsorship.”

    It’s been said that Andy Ross wrote the most on-brand drag racing song ever with his “Nitro Lightning” that he wrote for Matt Hagan. The song gets played at the track nearly every race weekend and even has been referenced on the Fox broadcasts. Andy has performed concerts at the Texas Motorplex and the Bradenton Motorsports Park after race events and is scheduled to perform this year at the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Concord, NC.

    “What’s more American Rebel than rock ‘n’ roll and drag racing? I love victory lane and bringing the party,” said Andy Ross. “Drag racing fans are the perfect demo for American Rebel Beer and we’re looking forward to continuing this relationship a long time.”

    Primary sponsorship dates for American Rebel Beer on the Matt Hagan Funny Car are April 25 – 27 at the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Concord, NC; June 20 – 22 at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at North Dinwiddle, VA; August 14 – 17 at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, MN; September 26 – 28 at the NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis, MO; and October 30 – November 2 at the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas, NV. American Rebel Beer will also be a primary sponsor for the Tony Stewart Top Fuel Dragster on September 26 – 28 at the NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis, MO.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a domestic premium light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Tony Stewart Racing

    Headquartered in Brownsburg, Indiana, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro fields two entries in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Tony Stewart embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit more than 300 mph. The championship-winning racecar driver who has successfully transitioned to being a championship-winner team owner, formed the TSR nitro team in 2021, with 2022 marking the team’s first season in competition. Matt Hagan pilots the Funny Car and Tony Stewart took over driving duties in 2024 for wife Leah Pruett in the Top Fuel dragster as they started a family. Hagan is a four-time Funny Car champion (2011, 2014, 2020 and 2023) from Christiansburg, Virginia. Stewart hails from Columbus, Indiana and earned his first Top Fuel victory at the 2025 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. He also won the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year title. Stewart finished second in the 2023 Top Alcohol Dragster championship standings.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebelbeer.com or americanrebel.com. For investor information, visit americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of a launch party, actual launch timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com
     info@americanrebel.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enovix Appoints Ryan Benton as Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enovix Corporation (Nasdaq: ENVX), a global high-performance battery company, announced the appointment of Ryan Benton as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mr. Benton brings over three decades of financial leadership experience. He previously held key roles at ASM International and served as CFO for multiple public companies including Silvaco and Exar Corporation.

    Enovix CEO Dr. Raj Talluri added, “Ryan’s experience and transparent communication style make him an ideal leader for our finance organization and a strong voice in conveying our strategy to investors. As we get closer to achieving our top objective of commencing smartphone battery mass production, customer demand is solidifying, and we expect to see an important consumer product launch by the end of the year.”

    Chairman T.J. Rodgers said, “Ryan Benton is the best CFO candidate I’ve interviewed in a couple of years. He understands that investor candor is the best course, even if you have some disappointment to report. For example, he would have said about our recent Korean acquisition: We bought the second half of a well-run Korean company (Routejade) for a great price, and they will make our anode and cathode electrode sheets much cheaper and with higher quality than our current suppliers. With the turmoil in tariffs right now, we have a very competent Korean supplier that is capable of adding millions in profitable revenue — an unexpected bonus.”

    “I am thrilled to join Enovix,” said CFO Ryan Benton. “AI is transforming the consumer electronics industry and putting immense pressure on battery suppliers. Enovix is poised to rise to this challenge with its breakthrough architecture for silicon-anode batteries, semiconductor manufacturing culture and deep customer relationships.”

    Ryan’s first public appearance as Enovix CFO will be during the company’s first quarter 2025 earnings call on Wednesday, April 30, after the close of the market. To join the call, participants must use the following link to register: https://enovix-q1-2025.open-exchange.net/. This link will also be available via the Investor Relations section of Enovix’s website at https://ir.enovix.com. Investors may also submit questions on the registration page that they would like addressed on the call by Enovix management. Mr. Benton will also represent Enovix at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference in Boston on May 14 and the William Blair Growth Stock Conference in Chicago on June 4.

    About Enovix
    Enovix is on a mission to deliver high-performance batteries that unlock the full potential of technology products. Everything from IoT, mobile, and computing devices, to vehicles and headsets, needs a better battery. The company has developed an innovative, materials-agnostic approach to building a higher performing battery without compromising safety, and it partners with OEMs worldwide to usher in a new era of user experiences.

    Enovix is headquartered in Silicon Valley with facilities in India, Korea and Malaysia. For more information visit www.enovix.com and follow the Company on LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company’s future performance, market opportunities driven by artificial intelligence, growth strategy, anticipated product launches and customer product commercialization plans, cost and quality improvements from supply chain initiatives, and the impact of executive leadership. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, among others, those described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual and quarterly reports. Enovix undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

    Investor Contact:
    Enovix Corporation
    Robert Lahey
    Email: ir@enovix.com   

    Media Contact:
    Bateman Agency for Enovix
    Kaelyn Attridge
    Email: enovix@bateman.agency

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: VERB Closes Acquisition of AI Video Commerce Platform Lyvecom in a Deal Valued at Up to $8.5 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS and LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verb Technology Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERB) (“VERB” or the ”Company”), Transforming the Landscape of Social Commerce, Social Telehealth and Social Crowdfunding with MARKET.live; VANITYPrescribed; GoodGirlRx; and the GO FUND YOURSELF TV Show, today announces that the Company, Lyvecom, Inc. (“Lyvecom”) and the shareholders of Lyvecom entered into a definitive Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 11, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement”) to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of Lyvecom (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition closed on April 11, 2025. The purchase price paid for the shares of capital stock of Lyvecom was $3,000,000 in cash, the repayment of $1,125,000 to certain investors in Lyvecom’s Simple Agreement for Future Equity (S.A.F.E.) instruments, the payment of $100,000 to a Lyvecom related party to satisfy an existing loan to Lyvecom, and the issuance of 184,812 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Restricted Shares”) having a value of $1,000,000 on the closing date based on a 30-day volume weighted average price of approximately $5.41 per share. The Restricted Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement and a leak-out agreement. The Purchase Agreement also provides for an earn-out payment to the Lyvecom Shareholders of up to an additional $3,000,000 in cash over a 24-month earn-out period based on Lyvecom’s achievement of various performance metrics.

    The Acquisition was undertaken by VERB management in order to better position its MARKET.live platform for the accelerating revenue growth it is now experiencing and for the anticipated massive industry-wide global growth of the sector in which the Company operates. According to a recent March 2025 industry report,1“The Global Online Video Platforms market is expected to be worth around USD 117.35 Billion by 2034, up from USD 12.4 Billion in 2024. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.20% from 2025 to 2034.”

    A True Omnichannel Approach to Social Commerce
    The integration of LyveCom’s technology into Verb’s MARKET.live is expected to allow brands and merchants to deliver a true omnichannel livestream shopping experience across their own websites, apps, and social platforms while leveraging MARKET.live’s new AI-powered video content automation and personalized shopping experiences.

    Today’s brands are beholden to big social media and their ever-changing algorithms, relying heavily on their platforms and closed marketplaces to maintain access to a borrowed audience. With this acquisition and technology integration, MARKET.live will be able to offer brands full control over their audience, content, and conversions while funneling zero-party customer data back to the brand. With one-click, simulcasting brands and merchants will be able to instantly scale the broadcast of live shopping events across their own ecommerce sites and apps, marketplaces, and social platforms, maximizing audience reach and engagement while maintaining unified checkout and unified inventory management and control.

    “The future of commerce is livestreaming and shoppable video content, yet 40% of consumers hesitate to make purchases through social media due to worries about how their personal information is handled,” said Maxwell Drut, Co-Founder and CEO of LyveCom and incoming Chief Technology Officer at MARKET.live. “Likewise, there is a reluctance by many brands to give up control over their customer data when outsourcing their entire social commerce implementation to a third-party social media platform. With this integration we’re giving power back to the brands with a true omnichannel approach that connects all their channels while retaining full control over their audience, content, and conversions and allowing their customers to engage directly with the brand while shopping wherever and however they are most comfortable.”

    Advantages for Both Brands and Consumers
    In addition to social commerce capabilities across multiple social platforms, MARKET.live will now also offer brands the ability to recreate the social commerce and livestreaming experience of shoppable content directly on the brand’s own websites and mobile apps which fosters more direct two-way communication and true brand affinity between the brand and the consumer. Consumers shopping directly on a brand’s website and mobile apps are protected by the brand’s privacy policy disclosure sharing exactly how it collects, uses, processes, discloses, and retains personal data when accessing brand’s owned websites, apps, and services. This new MARKET.live integration allows brands to have better control of the messaging and end-to-end user experience and purchase journey, integrating all the features that consumers are so accustomed to on social media.

    MARKET.live customers will also have access to LyveCom’s merchant playbooks on how to manage the ever-changing social algorithms to maximize livestreams and shoppable content experiences including how to better convert customers from a borrowed to an owned audience. New and expanded strategic partnerships with Tapcart, Shopify Shop App, Klaviyo, Recharge, and agency networks will expand MARKET.live’s footprint into mobile commerce and high-growth DTC brands. Brands will also benefit from an intelligent analytics hub that will provide in-depth insights into shopper behavior, enabling merchants to refine strategies and boost conversions.

    Leveraging AI for Future Growth
    The next-generation of social commerce capabilities are rooted in AI-powered video commerce, providing brands and merchants with the ability to future-proof their businesses by redefining how consumers discover, engage, and shop in a content-driven world. With this acquisition, VERB’s MARKET.live is expected to be able to offer a truly integrated, multi-platform solution including:

    • AI-Driven Video Commerce: Advanced AI capabilities will power real-time user-generated-content creation, automated video content repurposing, and AI-powered virtual live shopping hosts that are virtually indistinguishable from human hosts, capable of real-time audience engagement.
    • AI-Generated Video UGC: A proprietary AI model trained on tens of thousands of video commerce interactions that will automate content creation for brands.
    • AI-Powered Predictive Analytics and Automated Shoppable Content: Intelligent tools designed to optimize merchandising strategies and increase conversion rates.

    “Here’s why this deal matters and here’s why we believe it will generate meaningful shareholder value,” states Rory J. Cutaia, CEO of VERB – “Everyone chasing ecommerce today is trying to figure out how to drive an audience to their ecommerce sites – which as they all discover is very, very difficult. The technology we’ve integrated into our MARKET.live platform from this acquisition, and even more exciting tech integrations from this acquisition to come, allows the brands that engage and adopt our platform to stop trying to drive an audience to a single destination and instead meet their customers and potential customers wherever they already are, on whatever platform they are, enabling brands to provide an unmatched video shopping experience that enables them to better control their narrative and own their audience. And at the end of the day, “owning the audience” is what spells ecommerce success.”

    About VERB
    Verb Technology Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERB), is the innovative force behind interactive video-based social commerce. The Company operates three business units, each of which leverages its social commerce technology and video marketing expertise. The Company’s MARKET.live platform is a multi-vendor, livestream social shopping destination at the forefront of the convergence of e-commerce and entertainment, where brands, retailers, creators, and influencers engage their customers, clients, fans, and followers across multiple social media channels simultaneously. GO FUND YOURSELF is a revolutionary interactive social crowd funding platform and TV show for public and private companies seeking broad-based exposure across social media channels for their crowd-funded Regulation CF and Regulation A offerings. The platform combines a ground-breaking interactive TV show with MARKET.live’s back-end capabilities allowing viewers to tap, scan or click on their screen to facilitate an investment, in real time, as they watch companies presenting before the show’s panel of “Titans”. Presenting companies that sell consumer products are able to offer their products directly to viewers during the show in real time through shoppable onscreen icons. VANITYPrescribed.com and GoodGirlRx.com are telehealth portals, intended to redefine telehealth by offering a seamless, digital-first experience that empowers individuals to take control of their healthcare needs. They were designed and developed to disrupt the traditional healthcare model by providing tailored healthcare solutions at affordable, fixed prices – without hidden fees, membership costs, or inflated pharmaceutical markups. GoodGirlRx.com, a partnership with Savannah Chrisley, a well-known lifestyle personality and advocate for health and wellness, offers customers access to convenient, no-hassle telehealth services and pharmaceuticals, including the new weight-loss drugs, with fixed pricing regardless of dosage, breaking away from the industry’s traditional model of excessive pricing and pharmaceutical gatekeeping.

    The Company is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV and operates full-service production and creator studios in Los Alamitos, California.

    For more information, please visit: www.verb.tech

    Follow VERB and MARKET.live here:
    VERB on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VerbTechCo
    VERB on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verb-tech
    VERB on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0eCb_fwQlwEG3ywHDJ4_KQ

    Sign up for E-mail Alerts here: https://ir.verb.tech/news-events/email-alerts

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “designed,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should” and other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Verb’s intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations regarding: the integration of LyveCom’s technology into Verb’s MARKET.live allowing brands and merchants to deliver a truly omnichannel livestream shopping experience across their websites, apps, and social platforms while leveraging AI-powered video content automation and personalized shopping experiences; the acquisition and technology integration of MARKET.live + LyveCom enabling the offering of brands full control over their audience, content, and conversions while funneling zero-party customer data back to the brand; brands and merchants simulcasting and being able to instantly scale the broadcast of live shopping events across their own eCommerce sites and apps, marketplaces, and social platforms, maximizing audience reach and engagement while maintaining checkout and unified inventory management and control; the integration enabling giving power back to the brands with a true omnichannel approach that connects all their channels and allows consumers to engage directly with the brand while shopping wherever and however they are most comfortable; the integration allowing brands to have better control of the messaging and end-to-end user experience and purchase journey, integrating all the features that consumers are so accustomed to on social media; MARKET.live customers having access to LyveCom’s merchant playbooks on how to run and maximize livestreams and shoppable content experiences including how to convert customers from a borrowed to an owned audience; agency networks expanding MARKET.live’s footprint into mobile commerce and high-growth DTC brands; brands benefitting from an intelligent analytics hub that will provide in-depth insights into shopper behavior, enabling merchants to refine strategies and boost conversions; MARKET.live’s acquisition of LyveCom offering a truly integrated, multi-platform solution. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to: Verb’s ability to derive the anticipated benefits from the acquisition; the ability to successfully integrate LyveCom’s technology into Verb’s MARKET and the other risk factors and other cautionary statements included in Verb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent periodic reports on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Except as required by law, Verb undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, changed conditions or otherwise after the date of this press release.

    1 MARKET.US – Published date: March 25 – Report ID: 143000 https://market.us/report/global-online-video-platforms-market.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Runway Growth Finance Corp. Provides First Quarter 2025 Portfolio Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MENLO PARK, Calif., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Runway Growth Finance Corp. (Nasdaq: RWAY) (“Runway Growth” or the “Company”), a leading provider of flexible capital solutions to late- and growth-stage companies seeking an alternative to raising equity, today provided an operational and portfolio update for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    “In the first quarter of 2025, Runway Growth originated high quality financing solutions to several of our existing portfolio companies within the resilient sectors of technology, healthcare and consumer services,” said David Spreng, Founder and CEO of Runway Growth. “As we navigate the current market environment, we are focused on underwriting discipline in our continued effort to preserve credit quality. With the close of the acquisition of Runway Growth’s investment adviser by affiliates of BC Partners Advisors L.P. in the first quarter of 2025, we are leveraging our shared expertise and resources to act thoughtfully on attractive opportunities that we believe will drive growth and deliver value for our shareholders.”

    Originations
    In the first quarter of 2025, Runway Growth funded three investments in existing portfolio companies. These include:

    • Completion of a new $55 million investment to existing portfolio company, Route 92 Medical Inc. (“Route 92”), funding $35 million at close, which refinanced Route 92’s existing senior term loan;
    • Completion of a $13 million follow-on investment to existing portfolio company, Elevate Services, Inc.; and
    • Completion of a new $2.7 million investment to existing portfolio company, Marley Spoon SE.

    Liquidity Events
    During the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, Runway Growth experienced the following liquidity events in its investment portfolio:

    • Full principal repayment of the Company’s senior secured term loan to Gynesonics, Inc. of $25.6 million, combined with liquidation of the Company’s holdings in Gynesonics, Inc. preferred stock, for total proceeds of $37.4 million;
    • Partial principal repayment of the Company’s senior secured term loan to FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. of $11.3 million;
    • Liquidation of the Company’s holdings of Quantum Corporation’s common stock for total proceeds of $0.7 million; and
    • Other scheduled loan principal amortization payments of $3.7 million.

    Portfolio Construction and Management
    Runway Growth is a credit-first organization, carefully structured to focus on what it believes to be the highest quality, late-stage companies in the venture debt market. The Company seeks to uphold industry-leading investment standards as well as disciplined underwriting and monitoring of its portfolio. Runway Growth is positioned as a preferred lender in the venture debt space, supporting and working closely with companies to help them reach their full growth potential. Since inception, the Company has focused on the fastest growing sectors of the economy, including healthcare, technology and select consumer services and products industries.

    As of March 31, 2025, the Runway Growth portfolio included 46 debt investments to 31 portfolio companies and 84 equity investments in 47 portfolio companies, including 26 portfolio companies where Runway Growth holds both a debt and equity investment. Investments were comprised of late and growth-stage businesses in the technology, healthcare and select consumer services and products industries. Runway Growth’s normal business operations include frequent communication with portfolio companies.

    About Runway Growth Finance Corp.
    Runway Growth is a growing specialty finance company focused on providing flexible capital solutions to late- and growth-stage companies seeking an alternative to raising equity. Runway Growth is a closed-end investment fund that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Runway Growth is externally managed by Runway Growth Capital LLC, an established registered investment adviser that was formed in 2015 and led by industry veteran David Spreng. For more information, please visit www.runwaygrowth.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Runway Growth’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Runway Growth undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

    Important Disclosures
    Strategies described involve special risks that should be evaluated carefully before a decision is made to invest. Not all of the risks and other significant aspects of these strategies are discussed herein. Please see a more detailed discussion of these risk factors and other related risks in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K in the section entitled “Risk Factors”, which may be obtained on the Company’s website, www.runwaygrowth.com, or the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

    IR Contacts:
    Taylor Donahue, Prosek Partners, rway@prosek.com
    Thomas B. Raterman, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, tr@runwaygrowth.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: One Stop Systems CEO and Chairman Issue Letter to Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ESCONDIDO, Calif., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One Stop Systems, Inc. (“We”, “OSS” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: OSS), a leader in rugged Enterprise Class compute for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and sensor processing at the edge, today issued a shareholder letter, which reviews the progress it made in 2024 and the Company’s expectations for 2025.

    Dear Fellow Shareholders

    We are excited to share the progress we made in 2024 and the opportunities ahead to profitably grow our business and create significant value for our shareholders. 2024 was a transformative year for OSS. We successfully executed a strategic transition that not only reshaped our business, but we also believe positioned us at the forefront of one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing markets—high-performance edge compute (HPeC) for AI, machine learning (ML), autonomy, and sensor fusion at the edge.

    Our ability to adapt and innovate fueled sequential revenue growth for every quarter of 2024, expanded our order volumes, and strengthened our sales pipeline. As demand for intelligent, real-time processing continues to grow across industries—from defense to aerospace to industrial and commercial applications—OSS is well positioned to capitalize on these powerful market trends.

    Since joining in June 2023, I have talked about a multi-year strategy aimed at producing significant growth within our OSS segment. Our efforts have been focused on three phases. During 2023 we successfully executed our first phase and strengthened our foundation by adding new management and board talent, and pivoting our strategy to pursue higher-margin, higher-growth opportunities across defense and commercial markets. These efforts developed a comprehensive go-to-market strategy, rebuilt our sales pipeline to over $1 billion, and reduced our exposure to legacy low margin, non-core markets.

    With a proper foundation in place to support a larger business, throughout 2024 we executed against our second phase of transformation aimed at converting our pipeline to orders and increasing our competitive position more broadly across defense markets.

    Looking at the progress of our second phase, during 2024 we created a new customer funded development revenue stream to provide more integrated solutions to our customers and establish OSS as a platform incumbent on large, multi-year programs. We believe these efforts will provide meaningful benefits to our business over the long term by contributing a higher mix of predictable recurring revenue and multi-year backlogs.  

    Customer funded development revenue grew by 118% in 2024 to $3.7 million. While still small numbers, this growth highlights our initial efforts to pursue programs that establish OSS in an incumbent position on key military and commercial applications. Development relationships are expected to take one to two years before leading to production orders. As a result, we expect certain development programs that we worked on during 2024 to transition to orders and sales in 2025. This includes commercial applications in datacenter, healthcare, and aerospace markets, combined with multiple opportunities across the U.S. Department of Defense.

    Throughout 2024, we also experienced greater adoption within our OSS segment from both defense and commercial end markets. We continue to experience high levels of interest in our solutions and increasing requests for information, proposals and white papers, as customers look for technology partners like OSS to support their expanding and highly specialized needs. These trends helped grow our customer base and broaden our customer concentration during the year.

    OSS segment growth in our defense market was from new and existing programs. We experienced demand from several programs within the U.S. Army, a renewal for the U.S. Navy P-8 program, a new HPeC solution for a U.S. intelligence agency and a new design win with a leading defense contractor in Asia for an autonomous maritime application.

    Within the defense market, we continue to work on a rugged 360-degree Situational Awareness system for the U.S. Army. If the Army chooses to fund and field this system across one or multiple combat vehicles, we estimate the value of such an opportunity could exceed $200 million in production orders over a three-to-five-year period with additional opportunities for follow on logistics, support and tech refresh options

    In our commercial end market, we experienced customer demand for our solutions from several sectors, including motorsport, autonomous trucking, commercial aerospace, and, importantly, the datacenter markets. We are pursuing a potential $200 million multi-year pipeline opportunity to provide our solutions within the composable infrastructure/datacenter market. In 2024, we announced an initial contract for 100 units with a datacenter customer. We expect our best-in-class solution will expand to multiple customers in 2025, leading to increased revenue potential for 2025 and beyond.

    While the U.S. Army Situational Awareness or composable infrastructure/datacenter opportunities remain subject to fielding and funding decisions, they represent transformative opportunities that we are pursuing to significantly transform our OSS segment

    Finally, after a weaker economy in Europe in 2024, our Bressner segment is off to a good start in 2025 with anticipated rising demand throughout the year. Our embedded position remains strong with our customers, and the programs we have pursued are aligned with our customers’ priorities. As a result, we currently expect the 2025 annual book-to-bill ratio for our OSS segment to be on the order of 1.2x. We believe a higher expected book-to-bill for 2025, on a base of higher annual revenue, showcases accelerating momentum underway for our HPeC and enterprise class compute solutions.

    We anticipate consolidated revenue of $59 to $61 million for the full year of 2025. This includes expected OSS segment revenue of approximately $30 million, representing over 20% year-over-year growth in the OSS segment. In addition, the Company expects to be EBITDA break-even for the full year of 2025. It is important to note that we expect revenue and profitability to improve at a higher rate in the second half of 2025 based on current trends and our expanding sales pipeline.

    Our solutions remain in demand and our opportunities across our commercial and defense markets are only increasing, despite recent economic and trade policies that have increased the level of global economic uncertainty over the near term. We are monitoring the potential impact tariffs may have on our supply chain. In addition, we are beginning to see opportunities emerge as certain of our product lines, specifically in our commercial markets, have the potential to be more competitive against foreign competition.

    As we enter the third year of our transformation, we are proud of our team and what we have accomplished so far and are excited to enter this next phase of accelerating growth and improving profitability.

    We believe the investments we made in 2023 and 2024 have established a solid foundation for scaling our business and capturing transformative revenue opportunities. We believe we have the right products, the right team, and the right strategy to meet the increasing demand for rugged, enterprise-class computing solutions across defense and commercial markets.

    On behalf of the OSS team and Board of Directors, we extend my sincere appreciation to our employees for their dedication, our customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their continued support. Our commitment remains steadfast: to deliver innovative solutions, drive sustainable growth, and enhance shareholder value.

    Respectfully,

    Mike Knowles
    President and CEO

    Ken Potashner
    Chairman

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

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

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

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

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

    Forward-Looking Statements
    OSS cautions you that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding OSS’ expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will” and “would” or similar words. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding future financial and operating results, OSS’ plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on OSS’ current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by OSS or its partners that any of our plans or expectations will be achieved, including but not limited to, our ability to expand our product offerings and further penetrate our target markets, future demand for AI/ML integrations, and our business strategies. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in our business, including risks described in our prior press releases and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Western Financial Group Champions Earth Day with Community Cleanup Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HIGH RIVER, Alberta, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Western Communities Foundation, the non-profit arm of Western Financial Group, is proud to participate in multi-location community clean-up and tree planting initiatives celebrating Earth Day (April 22). Thanks to an unwavering commitment to sustainability and care for our staff, customers, and the communities in which we live and work, Canada’s Insurance Broker works to create safe places across the country.

    As Western’s CEO Grant Ostir recently announced, our bold 2025 strategy and growth plans require company-wide dedication to providing a sense of security and care for our customers and local communities.

    “Ambitious goals and growth only happen when we’re taking care of each other, our customers and our environments in which we live, play and work,” said Nancy Green-Bolton, Western Communities Foundation Board Chair and Western Financial Group Chief Operating Officer. “As a proudly Canadian company, these Earth Day activities reflect our dedication to creating safe places and thriving communities across the country.”

    Our local teams will participate in various cleanup activities across the regions we serve, including British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

    Cleanup Event Details – PHOTO OPP:

    British Columbia

    • Oak Bay (Victoria), BC
      • Event: Earth Day Power Hour Community Clean-Up
      • Date & Time: April 22, 12pm-1pm
      • Location: Oak Bay Brach, 2067 Cadboro Bay Rd
    • Kelowna, BC
      • Event: City of Kelowna Adopt a Stream Clean-up
      • Date & Time: April 22, 9am-11:30am and 2:30-5pm
      • Location: Kelowna Harvey Branch, 2025 Harvey Ave
    • Cranbrook, BC
      • Event: Wildsight Co-Community Clean-Up
      • Date & Time: April 26, 10am-1pm
      • Location: Western Financial Place, 1777 2 St N

    Alberta

    • Okotoks, AB
      • Event: Town of Okotoks Community Clean-Up and Tree Planting
      • Date & Time: May 10, 9am-12pm
      • Location: Sheep River Shelter (Lions Campground), 99 Woodhaven Dr
    • Spruce Grove, AB
      • Event: Spruce Up Spruce Grove Community Clean-Up and Tree Planting
      • Date & Time: May 24, 1-4pm
      • Location: 455 King Street, adjacent to the Community Gardens

    Ontario

    • King City, ON
      • Event: King City Community Tree Planting
      • Date & Time: May 10, 1am-3pm
      • Location: Dean Plummer Park, Nobleton

    “Sustainability and social impact play a big role in our everyday operations at Western,” said Michelle Mak, Director, Western Communities Foundation. “We actively support a variety of inclusive and environmental initiatives throughout the year that positively impact local communities, and we encourage team members, regardless of role or location, to get involved. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate care and kindness in action.”

    For more information about our Earth Day initiatives and Western Communities Foundation, visit westerngives.ca. To learn more about Western Financial Group and our commitment to social impact and sustainability, visit westernfinancialgroup.ca.

    Western Financial Group Communities Foundation

    Founded in 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation serves to give back to the communities where Western employees live and work and play, and foster employee pride and engagement. The Foundation’s core donation programs include Community Infrastructure Grants, the Western Inspirational Awards for graduating high school students, and The Western Community Care Program where our teams actively raise funds for local causes. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has granted more than $9 million to support local communities.

    About Western Financial Group Inc.

    Headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance services company that has provided over one million Canadians with protection for over 100 years. Western, a proudly Canadian company, is committed to community service, customer service, innovation, growth, and people while providing personal and business insurance through our engaged team of over 2,000 people in over 200 communities, affiliates, and various connected channels.

    Since the very beginning, supporting our local communities has guided everything we do—it’s who we are. In 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation (our non-profit charity) was created as a way for our team members to give back and positively impact the people and pride in the places where we live, work, and play. To date, we have granted over $9 million back into our communities.

    Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Trimont Financial Ltd., a subsidiary of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company. Visit https://westernfinancialgroup.ca for more.

    For more information, contact Nichola Petts, PR Manager, Nichola.petts@westernfg.ca

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2c860a30-3681-4c06-b64f-6bc459ec68f5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five reasons why young-onset dementia is often missed

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Molly Murray, PhD Candidate, University of the West of Scotland

    The number of people with young-onset dementia could be even higher than current estimates suggest. AtlasStudio/ Shutterstock

    Around 57 million people worldwide have dementia. While most cases of dementia are diagnosed in older adults, about 7% of cases occur in people under 65. This number may be even higher as young-onset dementia continues to be under-recognised. This means many people may be missing out on the support they need.

    Here are five reasons young-onset dementia remains under-recognised:

    1. Dementia is typically associated with older age

    When you hear the word “dementia” do you picture someone under 65? While dementia is usually associated with older adults, the condition doesn’t discriminate based on age. In fact, anyone (even children) can be diagnosed with different forms of dementia.

    But this common assumption means many younger people may not seek a diagnosis from their doctor, as many don’t assume dementia could be causing any of the symptoms they’re experiencing.

    Doctors, too, often fail to consider the possibility of a younger person having dementia. Many people diagnosed with young-onset dementia initially had their symptoms dismissed. Some doctors even showed little concern for their experiences. It also isn’t uncommon for younger adults to be told they’re “too young” to have dementia.

    It’s not surprising then that these experiences lead to frustration, with patients and their families feeling unheard and neglected by the healthcare system.

    The misunderstanding that dementia is a disease of older adults leaves people with young-onset dementia fighting to be heard.

    2. Symptoms are different

    Dementia is most often linked to short-term memory loss. However, cognition (which encompasses all of our mental processes, from thinking to perception) is very complex. For this reason, dementia can lead to a huge variety of symptoms – such as changes in personality and language, difficulties recognising objects, judging distances or coordinating movement and even hallucinations and delusions.

    Compared to dementia in older adults, people with young-onset dementia are more likely to experience symptoms other than memory loss as the earliest signs of the condition. For instance, research shows that for around one-third of people with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the earliest symptoms they had were problems with coordination and vision changes.

    3. Rarer causes of dementia

    Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of brain disorders that all cause problems with cognition. In older adults, the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease – accounting for 50-75% of cases. But in people under 65, only around 40% of dementia cases can be attributed to Alzheimer’s disease.

    Instead, young-onset dementia tends to be caused by rarer neurodegenerative conditions, such as frontotemporal dementias. Frontotemporal dementias only affect around one in 20 people diagnosed with dementia. These conditions affect parts of the brain responsible for personality, behaviour, language, speech and executive functioning.

    For example, primary progressive aphasia is one type of frontotemporal dementia. This condition affects around three in every 100,000 people. Primary progressive aphasia mainly alters a person’s ability to communicate and understand speech.

    Primary progressive aphasia can make it difficult to communicate.
    Fida Olga/ Shutterstock

    Secondary dementias are also more common in people with young-onset dementia. These are dementias that are caused by another underlying medical condition, disease (such as Huntington’s disease or a brain tumour) or external factor (such as a viral infection, substance misuse or head injury).



    Read more:
    Young-onset Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed from as early as 30 – and the symptoms are often different

    Recognition of these rarer forms of dementia is increasing – thanks in part to celebrities such as Fiona Phillips, Pauline Quirke and Terry Jones opening up about their experiences. But there’s still much less understanding around treatment options and managing symptoms when it comes to these rarer forms of dementia. Rarer dementias are also linked to atypical symptoms, which often go missed. This prolongs the diagnostic journey.

    4. Symptoms overlap with other conditions

    Symptoms of young-onset dementia have considerable overlap with those common in certain mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression and anxiety. Symptoms might also include apathy, feelings of panic, irritability, hallucinations and delusions.

    Early symptoms of young-onset dementia may also be misdiagnosed as menopause in women, as well as a period of burnout.

    Of course, not everyone experiencing these symptoms will have young-onset dementia. But it’s important we raise awareness about symptom overlap to make the diagnosis process easier for those who do.

    5. Experiences differ between people

    The type and severity of a person’s symptoms can vary due to a variety of factors – such as their physical health, their social environment and even their stress levels. This all leads to significant variability in how dementia is experienced.

    A person’s cognitive reserve (the brain’s ability to maintain good cognitive function despite damage or brain changes) also affects their experience of dementia symptoms and how they cope with them. Some people may adapt more effectively, drawing on strong support networks, psychological resilience or their own personal coping strategies to overcome these challenges.

    All of these factors together can make it difficult to recognise symptoms of young-onset dementia, especially in its early stages.

    Need for awareness

    The under-recognition of young-onset dementia is significant. It contributes to the lack of resources, specialised care and advice, appropriate support and early diagnosis for people with young-onset dementia. While this is improving, greater awareness still needs to be brought to the experience of dementia in younger adults – especially given research shows that the progression of cognitive decline is more pronounced in younger adults.

    If you’re worried about yourself or a family member showing signs of dementia, it’s important to discuss symptoms and seek support early. You can also contact local dementia support organisations such as Alzheimer Scotland, Dementia UK, and Alzheimer Society, who can provide information, resources and guidance on support options.

    Molly Murray is a PhD student at the University of the West of Scotland. She receives a Studentship and funding from the University of the West of Scotland for completing her PhD which explores experiences of navigation in people with young-onset dementia.

    – ref. Five reasons why young-onset dementia is often missed – https://theconversation.com/five-reasons-why-young-onset-dementia-is-often-missed-254001

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Wall Street caught between a rock and a hard place as tensions between US and China rise

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Johannes Petry, CSGR Research Fellow, University of Warwick

    American investment bank JP Morgan’s logo on its Hong Kong office. Tada Images / Shutterstock

    The trade war between China and the US has spiralled into unchartered territory. On April 10, the Trump administration imposed a tariff of 125% on all Chinese imports. China called the actions unfair and responded with similar measures.

    Within the broader debate around unravelling economic ties between the US and China, where economic interdependence has increasingly been viewed as a threat to US national security, this escalation raises questions about whether global finance is also reducing its presence in China.

    After all, the risks of financial connectivity with China have been discussed prominently by US policymakers in recent years. And many financial analysts have spent much of the past year discussing whether China has become “uninvestable” due to rising geopolitical tensions.

    However, as I show in a recently published study, most global financial firms have continued to expand their presence in Chinese markets over the last decade, even as tensions have intensified.

    Crucially, they have done so on China’s terms, operating within a system that prioritises government oversight and policy goals over liberal market norms. This pragmatic accommodation is quietly reshaping the global financial order.

    China’s capital markets, which have historically been sealed off from the rest of the world, have been opening up in recent decades. This has prompted global financial firms to expand their footprint in China.

    Investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan have taken full ownership of local joint ventures. And asset managers like BlackRock or Invesco have established fund management operations on the Chinese mainland.

    Yet China has not liberalised in the way many in the west expected. Rather than conforming to global norms of open, lightly regulated markets, China’s financial system remains largely guided by the state.

    Markets there operate within a framework shaped by the policy priorities of the central government, capital controls remain in place, and foreign firms are expected to play by a different set of rules than they would in New York or London.

    Foreign investors have been allowed to buy into mainland markets, but through infrastructure that limits capital outflows and preserves regulatory oversight.

    Rather than adapting China to the global financial order, Wall Street has accommodated China’s distinct model. The motivation behind this is clear: China is simply too big to ignore.

    Take China’s pension system as an example. Whereas pension assets in the US amount to 136.2% of GDP in 2019, in China these only amounted to 1.6%. The growth potential in this market is enormous, representing a trillion-dollar opportunity for global firms.

    Consequently, index providers such as MSCI, FTSE Russell, and S&P Dow Jones – key gatekeepers of global investment – have included Chinese stocks and bonds in major benchmark indices.

    These decisions, taken between 2017 and 2020, effectively declared Chinese markets “investment grade” for institutional investors around the world. This has helped legitimise China’s market model within the architecture of global finance.

    America strikes back

    In recent years, Washington has sought to curtail US financial exposure to China through a growing set of measures. These include investment restrictions, entity blacklists, and forced delisting for Chinese firms on US stock exchanges. Such actions signal a broader effort to use finance as a tool of strategic leverage.

    The moves have had some effect. Some US institutional investors and pension funds have declared China “uninvestable”, and are reducing their exposure. American investments in China have roughly halved since their US$1.4 trillion (£1.1 trillion) peak in 2020.

    But attributing this solely to geopolitical pressure overlooks another key factor: China’s underwhelming market performance. A protracted property crisis, a government crackdown on tech companies, and a weak post-pandemic economic recovery have made Chinese markets less attractive to investors in purely financial terms.

    More strategically oriented investors from Asia, Europe and the Middle East have invested more into Chinese markets, filling gaps left by US investors. Sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East, especially, have engaged in more long-term investments as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with China.

    And at the same time, many western financial firms have doubled down on their presence in China, expanding their onshore footprint. Since 2020, institutions like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and BlackRock have opened new offices, increased their staff, acquired new licences and bought out their joint venture partners to operate independently as investment banks, asset managers or futures brokers.

    It has become more difficult to invest foreign capital in China. But western financial firms are positioning themselves to tap into China’s huge domestic capital pools and capture its long-term growth opportunities – even as they tread carefully around geopolitical sensitivities.

    Fragmenting financial order

    It is too early to predict the long-term effects of the current geopolitical tensions. But Wall Street is trying to placate both sides. On the one hand, it is adapting to capital markets with Chinese characteristics. And on the other, it is trying not to antagonise an increasingly interventionist America.

    However, while holding its breath amid further escalation and having scaled back some of its activities, Wall Street has not left China. It is instead learning how to work within the constraints of a system shaped by a different set of priorities.

    This does not necessarily signal a new global consensus. But it does suggest that the liberal financial order, once defined by Anglo-American norms, is becoming more pluralistic. China’s rise is showing that alternative models – where the state retains a strong hand in markets – can coexist with, and even shape, global finance.

    As tensions between the US and China continue to rise, financial firms are learning to navigate a world in which existing relationships between states and markets are being reconfigured. This process may well define the future of global finance.

    Johannes Petry receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the German Research Foundation (DFG).

    – ref. Wall Street caught between a rock and a hard place as tensions between US and China rise – https://theconversation.com/wall-street-caught-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-as-tensions-between-us-and-china-rise-254490

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How petrostates succeeded in watering down the world’s plan to cut shipping emissions

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Christiaan De Beukelaer, Senior Lecturer in Culture & Climate, The University of Melbourne

    The UN’s International Maritime Organization has just agreed to start charging ships for the greenhouse gases they emit. After decades of ineffective incremental tweaks to shipping emissions, the breakthrough came on April 11 at a summit in London. It makes shipping the first industry subject to a worldwide – and legally binding – emissions price.

    The positive spin is that getting any sort of deal is a major win for multilateral climate action, especially considering two strong headwinds.

    From within the meeting, there was sustained opposition to ambitious action from Saudi Arabia and other petrostates, as well as from China and Brazil. Second, the US had already disengaged from negotiations. Even so, from outside the meeting, the US administration’s tariff war and explicit threat to retaliate against states supporting a shipping pricing regime could have affected talks far more than they did.

    But we’re not sure that this agreement can be considered a success. While there is little traditional climate change denial at the IMO, “mitigation denial” is alive and kicking. Mitigation denial means making lofty promises, often in line with scientific evidence, but not adopting concrete measures able to deliver on these targets. This is exactly what petrostates pushed the IMO to do last week.

    Ultimately, the IMO has well and truly failed the most climate vulnerable, by favouring a more gradual and less certain transition to low-carbon shipping. It’s even effectively making these countries pay the price.

    What are the measures?

    The IMO agreement introduces a global fuel standard for shipping, with financial penalties for ships that don’t meet emissions targets. This is effectively a carbon-trading scheme.

    It sets two targets, both of which get tougher every year: a “base” level and a stricter “direct compliance” level. Ships that miss the direct target have to buy “remedial units”, and more expensive ones if they also fail the base level. Ships that go beyond their targets earn “surplus units”, which they can trade or save for up to two years.

    In practice, this means that the companies and countries that can invest in new technologies will earn a double dividend: they won’t pay for emissions and they will receive rewards for using low-emission fuels.

    At the same time, countries and shipping companies lacking the means to invest will effectively subsidise those early movers by paying penalties that reward them. Hardly any revenues will be available for the promised “just and equitable” transition that would ensure no country is left behind. No wonder nearly all delegates from vulnerable Pacific nations abstained from the vote at the IMO.

    For a typical ship burning heavy fuel oil in 2028, it works out at around US$25 (£19) per tonne of greenhouse gas. That’s far lower than needed to drive a rapid transition to cleaner fuels. We also still don’t know exactly how the money raised will be used.

    Delegates also agreed to update the IMO’s “carbon intensity” policy, which now requires ships to be 21.5% more fuel efficient by 2030 compared to 2019. This is a modest 2.5% improvement per year.

    Pacific island states and the UK were among those arguing for bigger cuts (up to 47%). China pushed for 15% and the EU proposed the surprisingly low 23%. The final result of 21.5% is a bad compromise that does not reflect scientific recommendations on meeting the IMO’s goals or what is possible with available technology.

    Climate action at the IMO

    This geopolitical struggle goes back decades. Following the adoption of the Kyoto protocol (a precursor of the Paris agreement) in 1997, the UN tasked the IMO with reducing shipping emissions. After two decades of little progress, in 2018 the IMO eventually set a weak target to cut emissions by 50% from 2008 levels. In 2023, that goal was strengthened to net-zero emissions “by or around 2050”, with interim targets of 20-30% cuts by 2030 and 70-80% by 2040.



    Read more:
    Why the shipping industry’s increased climate ambition spells the end for its fossil fuel use

    Most importantly, the 2023 strategy also committed to adopting legally binding measures in April 2025 to deliver on these targets. This has now happened.

    In light of that history, the new measures do constitute progress. However, their success has to be judged on whether they can actually meet the IMO’s targets.

    The 2030 goal is especially important as climate damage is proportional to cumulative emissions over time, so it’s important to cut emissions as soon as possible. If the shipping sector misses its 2030 target, it may have emitted too much carbon to still make a fair contribution to the Paris agreement.

    Academics at UCL have analysed the new IMO agreement. Unfortunately, they calculated the new policies will only deliver a 10% reduction by 2030 – that’s not even close to the 20% goal the IMO set, let alone the “strive” target of 30%.

    Mitigation denial?

    At the IMO’s closing meeting, Harry Conway, chair of its Marine Environment Protection Committee, held up a glass of water and remarked that at the start of the week, the glass was empty, now the glass is half full.

    As political spin, that image might work. But when it comes to setting a clear and ambitious path forward, the measures fall well short.

    The 2023 strategy committed nations to “strive” to deliver 30% emissions cuts by 2030. Last week’s meeting might yield 10%. Another reason why Pacific delegates abstained from voting. There is a lot more striving – and delivering – to be done.

    A credible pathway to reach net-zero by 2050 is now at risk. Strong pushback by the US, Saudi Arabia, China and Brazil, and weak leadership from the EU all played a role. Even adopting these modest measures – which requires a vote in October – and specifying operational “guidelines” afterwards will be an uphill battle.

    Christiaan De Beukelaer receives funding from the ClimateWorks Foundation.

    Simon Bullock is a member of the Institute for Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)

    – ref. How petrostates succeeded in watering down the world’s plan to cut shipping emissions – https://theconversation.com/how-petrostates-succeeded-in-watering-down-the-worlds-plan-to-cut-shipping-emissions-254638

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Television wasn’t the death knell for cinema – and that holds lessons for the creative industries and AI

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mark Fryers, Lecturer in film and media, The Open University

    KitohodkA/Shutterstock

    As television grew rapidly in popularity in the second half of the 20th century, many people assumed it would cause a knock-on crisis for the film industry. After all, it meant that viewers no longer had to leave their sofas to enjoy onscreen entertainment.

    But the reality was far more nuanced. The “death of cinema” has been habitually touted ever since the introduction of the TV, but never really came to pass. Instead, cinema found ways to work with new competition through technological innovation, aesthetic invention and engaging with challenging subject matters.

    Today, lessons from the introduction of TV demonstrate how the creative industries have navigated the introduction of new technology. And could offer some comfort to those who fear that artificial intelligence (AI) technology could be a death knell for the creative industries.

    This article is part of our State of the Arts series. These articles tackle the challenges of the arts and heritage industry – and celebrate the wins, too.

    As far back as 1938, long before its widespread popularity, film production company Paramount Studios sought to break into television. It made significant investment in DuMont Laboratories, which evolved into a pioneering commercial TV network.

    Other studios followed suit and experimented with “live cinema”. This was a form of entertainment in which broadcast images, including sporting events, were converted into 35mm film and projected onto cinema screens, and it was made throughout the 1940s.

    The “Paramount decrees” antitrust case issued by the US Supreme Court in 1948 ended the monopolistic practices of the studios, which precluded them from owning broadcast companies in favour of the radio networks. They were also ordered to sell their cinema chains, which meant that their films no longer had guaranteed screenings to the public.

    Nevertheless, they continued to form television production companies, with Columbia establishing Screen Gems in 1951 and Paramount reinvesting in the ABC network in 1952. By the 1960s, the majority of prime-time television programming was provided by Hollywood studio companies. These close ties fostered a mutually beneficial relationship.

    Cross-pollination

    After the break-up of the studios, many studio personnel found work in the television industry. It provided a training ground for future cinema stars, including as Steven Spielberg, George Clooney and John Travolta. Studios could also rent out their studios and facilities to television production companies.

    The “star system” (in which the popularity of film stars had always driven the commercial potential of cinema) was now complimented by the exposure of these stars on television programmes.

    Jaws was advertised across TV channels.
    Wiki Commons, CC BY-SA

    Many studios began using TV to advertise their films. For example, Disneyland TV programmes helped to advertise the Disney studio and its cinematic products as distinct from television. And film trailers became another important conduit for cinema advertising. The summer blockbuster era was ushered in by Jaws in 1975 with blanket advertising on every prime-time TV show.

    When early television schedules lacked enough new content to fill the airwaves, British cinema and cheap films and serials (a series of short films with cliffhanger endings; an early progenitor of television series) from the smaller Hollywood studios filled the early schedules.

    Other studio executives took note that their back catalogues of film, which mainly sat untouched in vaults, were a financial goldmine that could be ploughed back into film production and technological development. MGM, which owned titles including perennial favourite The Wizard of Oz, which CBS reserved exclusive rights to screen for 20 years, from August 1956 US$34 million (£12 million) for its titles, while Paramount held out for US$50 million (£17.8 million). Screening rights were sold to the television networks.

    As a result, television became the primary conduit for film viewing. Subsequently, more films were seen on television than on the big screen. There were 3.4 billion film viewings on UK TV in 2013 compared with 165 million cinema admissions – these are now shared with streaming and on demand services. Something had to be done to keep people going to the cinema.

    Technical and aesthetic innovation

    In attempting to preserve the experience of the big screen, widescreen, 3D and multi-track sound systems were introduced to cinemas. The move to standardised colour film accelerated, while extended film length attempted to link the cinematic experience with “high culture” such as the theatre and opera, with overtures and intermissions.

    While many were seen as gimmicky (such as “smell-O-vision” in Scent of Mystery, 1960), widescreen filming became the aesthetic choice of filmmakers, producing epic canvasses and an alternative viewing experience to the small television screen.

    A trailer for A Scent of Mystery and its ‘smell-o-vision’ marketing.

    Although many of these technologies dated back to the 1920s, small-screen competition drove technological and aesthetic innovation, and was partly financed by the tele-visual licensing of their films. Alongside these innovations, the content of the films themselves offered a demonstrable alternative to the small screen.

    By the late 1960s, Hollywood had essentially broken free from the self-imposed censorial strictures of the Hay’s production code, which regulated everything from language to interracial relationships. Instead, film-makers had absorbed the influences of documentary, avant-garde and the French New Wave, among others, as well as the rock n’ roll and counterculture movements to make bold and controversial films, such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) and Easy Rider (1969).

    The topics and levels of sex and violence portrayed in these films were unthinkable within the heavily regulated family and advertiser-friendly television industry.

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    Director Alfred Hitchcock made the most of this distinction between mediums. He utilised the agile tele-visual working crew of his TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) for the taboo-bothering horror film Psycho in 1960, suggesting that the two mediums could be related but also divided by content. This, along with the aesthetic innovations helped to elevate cinema artistically in relation to the small screen.

    And so the AI era dawns. The writers and actors strike of 2023 showed that the creative industries are ready to fight for their survival. Adaptability, as Hollywood has demonstrated throughout its history, can also be the key to continued success.

    Dr Mark Fryers received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (MA & PhD funding, 2011-2015).

    – ref. Television wasn’t the death knell for cinema – and that holds lessons for the creative industries and AI – https://theconversation.com/television-wasnt-the-death-knell-for-cinema-and-that-holds-lessons-for-the-creative-industries-and-ai-250227

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –