NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jet fuel made up a record share of U.S. refinery output in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    March 24, 2025

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly
    Note: Refinery yield represents the percentage of finished product produced (output) from gross inputs. EIA calculates refinery yield as the net production of a finished petroleum product (output) divided by the sum of the input of crude oil, hydrogen, and other hydrocarbons and the net input of unfinished oils.

    U.S. refineries produced a record-high share of jet fuel in 2024, reflecting increased demand relative to other transportation fuels.

    Motor gasoline, distillate fuel oil, and jet fuel make up more than 85% of U.S. refinery output, with gasoline making up the largest share and distillate fuel oil making up the second largest. Refiners can shift yields among those three products in response to market conditions but are limited by refinery configuration, crude oil inputs grades, and the high costs of modifying refinery infrastructure. Refinery yields reflect the volumetric ratio of a finished product to a refinery’s combined net inputs of crude oil and unfinished oils. Changes in U.S. refinery yields reflect both changes at individual refineries and shifts in the U.S. refining fleet due to refinery openings and closures.

    Changes in demand are an important factor driving changes in refinery yields. Increased air travel, measured by both TSA passenger volume and flight departures, has increased U.S. jet fuel consumption every year following the steep decline in 2020. Although jet fuel consumption has not yet recovered to its pre-pandemic 2019 volumes because of efficiency gains and changing flight patterns, among other factors, we expect jet fuel consumption will reach a record high in 2026, based on our March Short-Term Energy Outlook.

    As the U.S. refinery fleet shifted operations toward increased jet fuel production, the U.S. refinery yield for motor gasoline decreased to its lowest share since 2015, the refinery yield for distillate fuel oil was about flat, and the refinery yield for residual fuel oil increased slightly from the previous year.

    Principal contributor: Jimmy Troderman

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. manufacturing energy consumption has continued to increase since 2010 low

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    March 25, 2025

    U.S. manufacturing energy consumption has continued to increase, according to our recently released survey results for 2022. We conduct the Manufacturing Energy Consumption Surveys (MECS) every four years, and the latest iteration shows the third consecutive increase in energy consumed in the manufacturing sector since a low point in 2010. Natural gas consumption in the manufacturing sector increased by more than all other energy sources combined, as compared with the previous MECS results from 2018.

    MECS is a nationally representative sample survey of approximately 15,000 establishments representing 97% to 98% of the manufacturing payroll. MECS collects information on U.S. manufacturing establishments, their energy-related building characteristics, and their energy consumption and expenditures through a web-based questionnaire. MECS reports separate estimates of energy use for 79 different industry subsectors and groups across U.S. manufacturing. MECS was first conducted in 1985; the most recent survey is the 11th iteration.

    Some manufacturers consume energy as both a fuel—for heat, power, and electricity generation—and as a feedstock—a nonfuel or material input. MECS uses first use, which excludes quantities of energy that were produced from other energy inputs to avoid double-counting. For example, if an establishment consumes coal to produce coke, the coal is considered first use, but not the coke.

    First use of natural gas, hydrocarbon gas liquids (excluding natural gasoline), and electricity increased the most across the manufacturing sector from 2018 and 2022. By contrast, first use of petroleum coke and steam or hot water decreased.

    This week’s initial release of MECS data is the first of several detailed manufacturing data releases we expect to publish later in 2025 and early 2026. This initial release is considered preliminary, and some data may change slightly with subsequent releases.

    Among the most significant changes for the 2022 MECS is the inclusion of hydrogen estimates, which had previously been aggregated with several other energy sources. We estimate that the first use of hydrogen totaled 170 trillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2022, or more than twice as much as the first use of distillate fuel oil (81 trillion Btu).

    Principal contributor: Tom Lorenz

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor McKee, RIDOH Announce Funding to Bolster Primary Care Training Capacity

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced today that in the coming weeks, the State will be making up to $90,000 in grant funding available to numerous primary care sites to support their work to train more students and mentor Rhode Island’s next generation of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

    RIDOH’s Primary Care Training Sites Program began accepting applications this week. This program is being supported by $2.7 million in State General Revenue funding.

    “The Primary Care Training Sites Program is one of many steps we are taking across our administration to bolster primary care in Rhode Island,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Accessible, quality primary care can lower rates of chronic conditions, lessen the burden on our hospital system, and bring down Rhode Island’s overall healthcare costs in line with the goals of our RI 2030 plan.”

    In his budget this year, Governor McKee is proposing additional measures to strengthen Rhode Island’s primary care workforce. These include increasing investments in the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program and recommending that primary care provider reimbursement rates be reviewed by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner as part of its upcoming evaluation in September 2027. These efforts are a crucial step toward fostering a more competitive primary care job market in Rhode Island.

    “Primary care is the backbone of the healthcare system in Rhode Island,” said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. “This program will encourage trainees in primary care to remain in Rhode Island after completing their education, and it will enhance Rhode Island’s clinical training capacity. Given the national shortage of primary care providers, this is more important than ever.”

    “Rhode Island has a critical shortage of primary care providers, one that is only going to get worse swiftly if we don’t take action,” said Senator Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence). “Right now, Rhode Island is on track to be short about 100 primary care providers by 2030. That’s a shortage large enough to mean 1 in 5 Rhode Islanders will be unable to find a primary care provider. As a state, we must recruit, train, retain, and sustain the number of primary care providers necessary to meet the health demands of all Rhode Islanders.”

    The program is being run in partnership with the Care Transformation Collaborative of Rhode Island (CTC-RI). CTC-RI, originally co-convened by the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), works to pilot and support initiatives and programs statewide that improve and transform primary care��from integrating behavioral health into primary care to community-focused care support for children and families. CTC-RI is developing the program curriculum that preceptors from awarded sites will be trained in and will use to train students. (A preceptor is an experienced healthcare professional who supervises and mentors students or trainees in a clinical setting.) Additionally, CTC-RI will organize learning collaboratives for clinical educators.

    “Our state is facing a significant primary care workforce shortage, resulting in too many patients left without access to much needed primary care��the backbone of our healthcare system. Thanks to our new Primary Care Training Sites Program in partnership with RIDOH, made possible by our legislature, we’re responding to the needs of our workforce, adding capacity to recruit and train future primary care providers and encourage them to stay and work in Rhode Island,” said Debra Hurwitz, MBA, BSN, RN, executive director of the Care Transformation Collaborative of RI. “While there’s no single solution to our workforce crisis, adding primary care-specific training and capacity will help us increase the provider pipeline, resulting in more access for Rhode Islanders.”

    The program will expand interdisciplinary clinical training at advanced primary care sites. The program aims to increase Rhode Island’s training capacity by 50% for nurse practitioners, physician assistant students, and physician residents. Practices can receive up to $90,000 per calendar year. Participating sites will receive funding based on their anticipated enrollment of trainees, helping to offset the costs associated with clinical education.

    Primary care students in training may conduct patient assessments, assist with medical procedures, develop treatment plans under supervision, or learn how to coordinate care within a healthcare team. At sites awarded funding through this program, preceptors play a crucial role in ensuring that trainees gain hands-on experience while providing quality care to patients.

    All applicants must be fully registered in the Rhode Island Division of Purchases’ Ocean State Procures system with a current, signed W-9 form uploaded. Full registration is required to receive a Purchase Order and begin work. Since approval can take up to three weeks, applicants are encouraged to complete registration before applying to avoid funding delays.

    The Primary Care Training Sites Program was established by the Rhode Island General Assembly in July 2024. It is dedicated to enhancing and expanding Rhode Island’s capacity to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. By supporting community-based primary care practices and preceptors, the program creates high-quality training opportunities for medical students, residents, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

    Through strategic grants, the Primary Care Training Sites Program incentivizes practices to expand their capacity to train students while supporting preceptors in mentoring the next generation of providers. (Preceptors are the clinicians who train future doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.) The program prioritizes practices recognized as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and those integrating behavioral health services, promoting collaboration across disciplines.

    For more information about the Primary Care Training Sites Program, see: https://health.ri.gov/healthcare/primary-care-training-site-program

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) Outlines Congo’s Gas Master Plan

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

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 25, 2025/APO Group/ —

    In a bid to optimize the country’s gas potential and revitalize its hydrocarbons sector, the Republic of Congo’s National Oil Company Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) has outlined its forthcoming Gas Master Plan (GMP). The plan is designed to promote gas utilization and attract foreign investment while reducing dependency on oil revenues and expanding the country’s power grid.

    The GMP was outlined by Dr. Bi-Dia-Ayo Ibata, Head of Associations Division and Supervisory Relations, SNPC during a Vision Congo & Gas Master Plan Technical Session on Day 0 of the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum in Brazzaville.

    “The main objective of the Gas Master Plan is to develop an exploration strategy in the short- and long-term to contribute to the development of natural resources and contribute to economic diversification,” Ibata stated, adding, “The five main objectives are resource maximization, economic growth and diversification, social benefits, government revenue and attracting investment.”

    According to the GMP, gas-to-power should remain a priority for the country, with low gas prices to support sustainable growth. New industrial projects and LPG supply solutions are also recommended. A natural gas aggregator – potentially the SNPC – could balance the domestic market and prioritize strategic sectors. The plan also stresses the importance of the development of a natural gas policy, which will be essential for guiding sector growth.

    During the session, a presentation by the country’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons explored the gas potential of Congo and how a national strategy will help boost production, realize project development and drive electrification in the country.

    “The strategic objective of this strategy is to increase production of liquid and gas hydrocarbons. We aim to valorize hydrocarbons by taking profit from exports and local processing,” stated Hippolyte Tchininanga, Director General of Gaz Valorization, Ministry of Hydrocarbons.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry also presented its vision for a new Gas Code, which is expected to be released soon. The code aims to create an enabling, attractive environment for foreign investment to contribute to the development of natural gas. The Gas Code will also govern the legal and regulatory terms of natural gas exploration and development in Congo.

    “The scope of the upcoming Gas Code includes exploration activities, development, exploitation, aggregation, collection, transport and storage of natural gas,” stated Faida Ebenga, Administrative and Legal Advisor at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, adding, “Approval of the Gas Code is imminent. We consider the Gas Code ready to be transmitted to the Secretary General of the government for approval.”

    One of Congo’s flagship natural gas projects is energy supermajor Eni’s Congo LNG project. With a planned capacity of 2.4 million tons per annum, the project provides 70% of the country’s electricity through natural gas. Phase 2 of the Congo LNG project is currently under construction.

    “Phase 2 is being executed right now. As part of the project, we aim to have 38 new wells in development. We want to install six new wellhead platforms, one new separation and boosting hub, a new onshore gas pre-treatment plant, two FLNG facilities and finally have a liquefaction capacity of 3 million tons per annum,” stated Alberto Nocerino, Technical Director, Eni Congo.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Asia remains key growth engine for global economy

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Despite increasing global economic uncertainty, Asia has remained a key growth engine for global economy, according to a report released at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on Tuesday.

    The weighted real GDP growth rate of Asia is projected to reach 4.5 percent in 2025, an increase from 4.4 percent in 2024, according to the annual report titled “Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress.”

    Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said that the region is nurturing new potential and opportunities and has become an important force and cornerstone stabilizing and underpinning the global economy.

    Asian economies, particularly China and the ASEAN, continue to demonstrate strong resilience despite numerous challenges, leading the world in areas including economic growth, trade in goods and services, and regional integration, Zhang said.

    Asia’s economic performance last year beat the projections made by institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations, said Zhang Yuyan, a professor on international politics and economics with the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

    Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

    Themed “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future,” this year’s forum bears great practical and long-term significance as global development is clouded with increased uncertainties due to rising unilateralism, trade protectionism and geopolitical tensions, according to analysts.

    At purchasing power parity, the ratio of Asia’s GDP among the global total will rise to 48.6 percent in 2025, up from 48.1 percent in 2024, the report estimated.

    It noted that global foreign investments have increased their reliance on Asian economies amid fluctuations, and China and the ASEAN are the most appealing economies in Asia.

    As the world’s most economically dynamic region, Asia has become an increasingly vital player in global cross-border direct investment, with the inward and outward foreign direct investment dependence of Asian economies on the region itself reaching 49.15 percent in 2023, according to the report.

    It also noted that China continues to be the center of global manufacturing value chains.

    Since 2017, global trade in intermediate goods has been more reliant on China than on North America. Global dependence on China for intermediate goods stood at 16 percent in 2023, compared with 15 percent for North America.

    The trade frictions initiated by the United States in 2018 have not strengthened its position in the global manufacturing value chains, the report noted.

    China and Asia have become the center of free trade, said Temir Porras, managing director of Global Sovereign Advisory, stressing that it is always positive to see that China is committed to promoting free trade and sharing development opportunities with the world.

    As a major achievement of Asian economic integration, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has injected new vitality into the member economies, bringing certainty into the uncertain global economy and trade landscape, the report said.

    In 2024, the total trade value within the region rose about 3 percent from a year ago, with trade among most member economies achieving year-on-year growth, data showed.

    A report on Asia’s sustainable development was also unveiled on Tuesday, highlighting the region’s rapid progress in emerging green technologies, positioning it as a potential leader in advanced battery materials and biodegradable plastics, among others.

    China now sources 85 percent of its new energy capacity from renewables, while Indonesia and Singapore are leading efforts in carbon capture and storage, according to this report.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai home to 4 industrial clusters at the trillion-yuan level

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

    SHANGHAI, March 25 — China’s Shanghai Municipality has nurtured four industrial clusters at the trillion-yuan level in the fields of electronics and information technology, automobiles, high-end equipment, and software and information services, according to the Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference, which opened on Tuesday.

    In 2024, the scale of the city’s electronics and information technology sector reached 1.2 trillion yuan (about 167 billion U.S. dollars). Shanghai’s automotive cluster reported a scale of 1.1 trillion yuan last year, with nearly 280,000 local plates issued for NEVs during the period.

    The city has also been engaged in the development of other key industrial chains, including integrated circuits, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, fashion consumer goods, advanced materials, and new energy and green low-carbon solutions.

    The conference offered 15.42 million square meters of space, supported by 50.9 billion yuan in industrial ecosystem funding, for investment projects. Through policy incentives, resource matching and favorable services, the city is providing global innovators and enterprises with first-mover scenarios and project opportunities.

    “Shanghai is not only home to Otis China’s headquarters but also our global R&D center,” said Judy Marks, chair, CEO and president of Otis, an elevator industry leader. “We have full confidence in our development in the Chinese market and are committed to long-term growth here.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Boao establishes zero-carbon zone in pursuit of sustainable development

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

    BOAO, Hainan, March 25 — China’s Boao has announced the establishment of its first zero-carbon zone, a significant step forward in the country’s pursuit of low-carbon development, according to authorities in Hainan.

    One expert has said that the achievement is a pioneering example for global carbon reduction efforts, and underscores China’s commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainable development.

    Spanning about 190 hectares, the demonstration zone includes Dongyu Island, which is the permanent site of the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference.

    By focusing on green building renovation and renewable energy adoption, the demonstration zone has successfully reduced carbon dioxide emissions from buildings and other infrastructure from 11,300 tonnes in 2019 to zero tonnes in 2024, according to data from local authorities.

    Since its formal inauguration in 2001, the BFA has served as a key platform for the advancement of green development across Asia, facilitating the exchange of insights to promote sustainable growth in the region and beyond.

    Asia is rapidly advancing in emerging green technology, positioning itself as a potential leader in such fields as advanced battery materials and biodegradable plastic, boosted by strong industrial capabilities and policy support, according to a report released on Tuesday by the BFA.

    China is at the forefront of Asia’s expanding green hydrogen industry and now sources 85 percent of its new energy capacity from renewables, according to the report.

    Asia’s largest emitters, including China, have set ambitious climate targets, the report notes. It says that according to the United Nations Environment Programme, China and India have been assessed as likely to meet their current 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions targets with their existing policies.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stephenville — Arrest warrant issued for Corey Killam

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Bay St. George RCMP is looking to arrest 33-year-old Corey Killam who is wanted for two counts of failing to comply with a release order in relation to the following charges:

    • Dangerous operation
    • Resisting or obstructing a peace officer
    • Possession of a controlled drug or substance for trafficking

    Killam, who is known to evade police, frequents the Bay St. George, Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor areas.

    Anyone having information about the current location of Corey Killam is asked to contact Bay St. George RCMP 709-643-2118. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting Aliens

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 97 months in prison for conspiracy to transport aliens.

    According to court documents, Victor Ubaldo Hernandez-Ortega, 33, of Durango, worked as a load driver for a known human smuggler. As such, he would pick up illegal aliens in El Paso and transport them to other locations in El Paso or to a predetermined location in Albuquerque, New Mexico in exchange for $100 to $500 per alien. Additionally, Hernandez-Ortega was recruited to oversee two stash houses, between which more than 200 illegal aliens were harbored.

    Hernandez-Ortega had previously been granted four voluntary departures, most recently on June 9, 2024, through Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He was arrested Aug. 21, 2024, and pleaded guilty Dec. 20, 2024.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Dearden prosecuted the case.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: French string quartet Quatuor Béla set to stop off in Derry-Londonderry as part of NI tour

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    French string quartet Quatuor Béla set to stop off in Derry-Londonderry as part of NI tour

    25 March 2025

    Walled City Music and Moving On Music (Belfast) present Quatuor Béla, one of France’s leading string quartets on a rare tour of Northern Ireland, supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Queens University Belfast.

    Guided by the personality and work of Béla Bartok, the quartet play and deliver programmes with sincere conviction. Recognized for their “diabolical technique” (Télérama), Quatuor Béla have become one of the leading European quartets working with contemporary composers such as Garth Knox, Kaija Saariaho and Francesca Verunelli.

    Founded in 2006 by four musicians from the National Higher Conservatory of Music of Lyon and Paris, the Béla Quartet were brought together by a shared passion for the repertoire of the 20th century. The quartet is committed to championing new compositions and exploring the relationship between composers and performers.

    This tour of NI will feature significant works of the classical repertoire with Beethoven’s Serioso Quartet, Fauré’s only string quartet, alongside works by Queens University associated composers Piers Hellawell, and world premieres by Simon Mawhinney and Pedro Rebelo.

    The tour will begin in Christ Church Derry on Thursday 3rd April with Walled City Music, continuing to St Macartin’s Enniskillen with Music in Fermanagh, Market Place Theatre Armagh on Saturday 5th and finishing in Harty Room QUB Belfast on Sunday 6th April.

    For concert details and tickets for the Derry performance, please visit www.walledcitymusic.com.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The capital’s municipal vehicles have been switched to summer operating mode

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Specialists from the city services complex have switched road cleaning equipment to summer mode. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Due to the established positive average daily air temperature, the entire fleet of municipal vehicles has been switched to summer maintenance mode. To ensure daily cleaning of the city, watering equipment has been installed on the vehicles,” noted Petr Biryukov.

    The main part of municipal equipment works all year round thanks to attachments, which are changed depending on the specifics of seasonal work. Now brushes, plows, rotors, anti-icing material distributors have been removed from road cleaning machines. After that, diagnostics and scheduled maintenance were carried out. Equipment that was not used in winter was de-preserved and brought into readiness.

    Containers with emergency supplies of anti-icing materials were taken to temporary storage warehouses and installed at dangerous sections of roads, near transport, social and commercial facilities.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/151774073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Driver of Second Human Smuggling Vehicle Involved in 2021 Del Rio Incident Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DEL RIO, Texas – A Salvadoran national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 120 months in prison for his role in a deadly human smuggling operation that occurred in 2021.

    According to court documents, Juan Alonso Barrientos-Quintanilla, 23, was apprehended and identified as one of 12 illegal aliens who fled from one of two vehicles involved in a failed human smuggling operation on Highway 277, March 15, 2021. The other vehicle, driven by Sebastian Tovar, crashed, killing eight of its nine illegal alien passengers.

    Following the crash, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered the second smuggling vehicle, leading to the attempted traffic stop and, subsequently, Barrientos-Quintanilla and the other illegal aliens fleeing on foot. All 12 illegal aliens were apprehended. Barrientos-Quintanilla initially claimed to be one of the aliens being smuggled, however, he later admitted to being the load driver of the vehicle. He pleaded guilty July 23, 2023 to one count of aiding and abetting illegal alien transportation resulting in death.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    Homeland Security Investigations, USBP and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ames Nurse Practitioner and Business Owner Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexually Abusing and Trafficking Dozens of Children and Adults

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    DES MOINES, Iowa – An Ames man was sentenced today to life in federal prison on each of fifteen counts of sex trafficking by fraud and coercion.

    According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Carl Dale Markley, 45, from at least 2001 to April 2023, used fraud and coercion to cause dozens of teenage boys and young men, and a few young women, to engage in sex acts in exchange for money or some other benefit. Markley was a nurse practitioner in Ames and owned several businesses. Over a course of years, Markley used his professions and position in the community to befriend and gain the trust of victims, and then groom and repeatedly sexually abuse them. For a number of victims, Markley placed hidden cameras in locations to record this abuse.

    Markley exploited the trust his victims placed in him. He lied to victims that sex acts and sexual contact were needed because, among other things, he was conducting research for various research institutions or sexual-health companies, his insurance company required victims to undergo physicals which he could perform, or he was obtaining advanced degrees. None of Markley’s justifications were true.

    The criminal investigation into Markley’s activities began in December 2022, when the Ames Police Department received a complaint that Markley had been conducting physicals on minor male children without parental consent. Ultimately, the Ames Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation interviewed hundreds of victims and witnesses, completed roughly thirty-five search warrants, and obtained documents and other materials from various research institutions and sexual-health-related entities. They also seized and searched dozens of electronic devices, including seven cellphones and ten computers determined to be Markley’s and on which they located the hidden-camera materials Markley had created, internet-based child pornography, including images depicting children under the age of twelve, and other evidence of Markley’s crimes.

    At sentencing, Markley continued to provide false justifications for his behavior. Chief District Judge Stephanie M. Rose described Markley’s claims as “delusional.”

    In November 2023, Markley was charged with 17 federal crimes, including 15 counts of sex trafficking by fraud and coercion, one count of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and one count of possession of child pornography. In November 2024, Markley pleaded guilty to the 15 sex-trafficking counts.

    “This case is a stark reminder that those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain will be held accountable,” said Ames Police Department Police Chief Geoff Huff. “We commend the bravery of the victims who came forward and the relentlessness of our officers and partner agencies in bringing this perpetrator to justice.”

    FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Carl Markley used trust and manipulation to exert control over his victims and fulfill his criminal sexual fantasies. His young victims suffered reprehensible abuse. The FBI and our local, state, and federal partners are committed to bringing sexual predators to justice, holding them accountable for their crimes and helping to provide a path towards healing for survivors.”

    DCI Assistant Director Don Schnitker said, “Today marks a significant victory in Iowa’s ongoing fight against human trafficking.  The survivors in this case showed immense bravery in coming forward, and today’s outcome ensures that Markley will never harm another person again.”

    “Markley’s life sentence was absolutely warranted and necessary to permanently prevent anyone from being victimized by him again,” said United States Attorney Richard Westphal. “His defiance and failure to accept responsibility only exemplifies what a monstrous sexual predator he is. Our gratitude to the courage of the victims in this investigation and the dedication of the law enforcement personnel who identified and proved Markley’s horrendous acts of sex trafficking and abuse.”

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This criminal case was investigated jointly by the Ames Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle J. Essley and Amy L. Jennings prosecuted the case with the assistance of Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs.

    Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances.

    Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. If anyone has information about this case, they are urged to call the Ames Police Department, FBI, or Iowa’s Division of Criminal Investigation, or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Point Predictive Releases 2025 Auto Lending Fraud Trends Report Revealing $9.2 Billion Industry Risk

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Point Predictive, the leader in artificial intelligence solutions for consumer lending, today released its comprehensive 2025 Auto Lending Fraud Trends Report. Drawing from an unprecedented dataset of over 250 million historical applications and billions in reported fraud and defaults, the report reveals that auto lenders face an estimated $9.2 billion in fraud loss exposure for 2025 – the highest ever measured.

    The comprehensive report analyzing fraud patterns on $4 trillion of submitted loan applications reveals that first-party fraud—where borrowers or dealerships misrepresent information to lenders—accounts for 69% of the $9.2 billion fraud risk exposure that the auto lending industry faced in 2024.

    “While dramatic cases of organized crime ring stealing identities make headlines, our data reveals that the true story behind most auto lending fraud is an array of misrepresentations,” said Frank McKenna, Chief Innovation Officer of Point Predictive. “Borrowers using their own names who inflate their income, misrepresent their employment, utilize credit washing techniques, or create new credit profiles with Credit Profile Numbers (CPNs) account for the overwhelming majority of fraud risk, yet these patterns often go undetected.”

    Some of the revealing statistics include the following:

    • First-party fraud and misrepresentations dominate the landscape, with income and employment misrepresentation accounting for 43% of total fraud risk ($3.9 billion).
    • Rising Default Risk: Point Predictive’s Early Payment Default Risk Index has increased 25% in the last 24 months.
    • Bust-out fraud has grown by over 26% in the last 24 months as the economy softens and more people resort to monetizing cars.
    • Systematic Dealer Risk, such as repeatedly inflating car values and using fake employment for borrowers, increases lenders’ default risk for those dealers by as much as 500%.

    The report also explores emerging threats, including the explosive growth of AI-powered fraud tools and their potential impact on lenders in 2025 and beyond. An analysis of criminal Telegram channels revealed a 644% increase in conversations about AI and deepfakes used for fraud between 2023 and 2024, featuring sophisticated schemes such as synthetic identity generators, deepfake videos aimed at bypassing identity verification, and AI-generated counterfeit identification documents.

    “This year’s report represents our largest analysis of auto lending loan data to date,” said Tim Grace, CEO of Point Predictive. “The extensive scale of our consortium and proprietary risk data provides us unparalleled visibility into fraud patterns that lenders’ own data simply cannot reveal. This data enables us to provide solutions that assist lenders in funding loans that do not contain fraud and misrepresentation while avoiding the losses associated with the array of hidden schemes that can lead to defaulted loans.”

    Point Predictive actively assists lenders and dealers in combating these evolving fraud threats with its comprehensive suite of solutions. The company’s AutoPass™ product uncovers hidden default patterns using sophisticated fraud and early payment default scores complemented with more than 120 risk alerts. It allows lenders to securely automate up to 80% of lending decisions while preventing 40-60% of early payment defaults.

    For dealerships, BorrowerCheck™ protects against both first and third-party fraud, helping prevent costly buybacks from lenders and providing faster and easier responses from lenders. This allows dealers to sell more cars faster and safely.

    Additionally, IEValidate™ is helping lenders and dealers safely validate income and employment to avoid fake employers, forged paystubs, and document fraud. Compared to other solutions, IEValidate is much more affordable and provides higher response rates and better accuracy.

    The 2025 Auto Lending Fraud Trends Report is available now via the link https://landing.pointpredictive.com/auto-lending-fraud-report-2025

    For more information, contact info@pointpredictive.com.

    About Point Predictive

    Point Predictive powers a new level of lending confidence and speed through the unique combination of artificial and natural intelligence using decades of risk management expertise. The company’s data and technology solutions quickly and accurately identify truthful and untruthful disclosures on loan applications. As a result, lenders can fund most loans without requiring onerous documentation such as paystubs, utility bills, or bank statements, improving funding rates by up to 50% while reducing overall early payment default losses by more than 30%. Subsequently, borrowers get loans faster, and lenders realize a more profitable bottom line.

    Media Contact: Jill Robb jrobb@pointpredictive.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia to showcase latest optical innovations to network the cloud for the AI era at OFC50

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia to showcase latest optical innovations to network the cloud for the AI era at OFC50

    • New optical networking powerhouse to demonstrate bolstered product portfolio and pioneering innovations.
    • Nokia offers solutions and industry firsts to help network operators more efficiently address capacity demands driven by rapid growth in data center builds and AI workloads.
    • Nokia to hold executive briefing at OFC50 to provide optical insights in the era of AI.

    25 March 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced today that it will be showcasing its comprehensive set of networking solutions designed to help operators network the cloud and meet the connectivity challenges of the artificial intelligence (AI) era at the OFC50 conference in San Francisco to be held March 30 to April 3, 2025.

    The increasing prevalence of cloud-based services and applications, notably AI workloads, is driving significant increases in data center capacity. New AI services delivered by cloud service providers, including hyperscale and webscale operators, internet exchange and colocation providers, and CSPs who are building dedicated managed optical fiber networks and data centers in support of AI initiatives, all require optimized solutions that can enable simple network scaling while minimizing power consumption.

    “The solution to challenges posed by AI and cloud-based connectivity demands starts with scale, but it certainly doesn’t end there. Nokia’s expanded portfolio of optical network solutions and technology capabilities delivers tangible network value that supports our customers’ long-term business success. At OFC50, it’s our pleasure to show these off publicly for the first time. Visitors to this iconic show will find Nokia occupying two booths; because there’s simply too much innovation to fit into just one,” said James Watt, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Optical Networks at Nokia.

    The Nokia solutions portfolio, which includes several new pioneering innovations, will help network operators more efficiently address capacity demands driven by rapid growth in data center builds and AI workloads, while driving down power per bit, simplifying network architectures, and increasing automation and security.

    Nokia will showcase its latest optical networking innovations and industry-firsts at this year’s OFC, including:

    • New Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Optical Line System: optimized for high-capacity data center interconnection (DCI). A new highly integrated C+L and feature rich WDM optical line system with enhanced optical client optical management facilitating seamless support of a wide variety of input wavelengths including lower power coherent pluggables – ideal for providing maximum scalability for DCI with cost-effective, and operationally efficient connectivity.
    • Pluggable Optimized Muxponder and Transponder (X-Ponder) Line Cards: A new series of line cards for Nokia’s compact modular transport platforms utilizing high-performance 400Gb/s and 800Gb/s pluggable coherent optics supporting efficient transponder and muxponder aggregation capabilities.
    • Multi-Haul 800Gb/s Coherent Pluggables: Live demonstration of the industry’s first multi-vendor interoperable multi-haul 800Gb/s pluggable coherent optics in industry standard form-factors including QSFP-DD800 and OSFP. Supporting a wide variety of deployment configurations including transponders and coherent routing, these solutions offer network operators a low-cost and power efficient solution for applications up to 2000km.
    • Intra-Data Center Connectivity Solutions: Live demonstration of Nokia’s ultra-low power 1.6Tb/s intra-datacenter optical connectivity solutions that can drive down the power required for high-speed connectivity by as much as 70%. This innovative technology can be seamlessly integrated into fully retimed, half-retimed, and linear drive pluggable solutions to support any intra-data center connectivity requirements.

    In addition, Nokia will demonstrate its comprehensive multi-layer networking solutions, featuring industry-leading solutions, including:

    • Embedded Optical Solutions: The industry’s leading and record-setting 1.2Tb/s embedded coherent optics operating over C+L line systems, enabling operators to scale fiber capacity up to 76.8Tb/s in the C+L bands.
    • Enhanced Network Security Solutions: Innovative Quantum-Safe Networking solutions for optical and IP networks, to provide the highest level of network protection against existing and future hacking threats.
    • AI Powered Network Automation: Enabling automated management, coordination and service activation with unified network visualization across IP, optical and cross-domain layers to simplify network operations, increase resiliency, and monetize networks with new and faster service deployment.
      • Routing & Switching: High-performance data center switching and flexible Coherent Routing interconnectivity solutions delivering automated operations with un-matched reliability, scalability, and flexibility.
        • Broadband Fiber Access Solutions: For 25G and 50G passive optical networks (PON) and coherent solution overlays for PON networks to deliver 100G business services.

    Nokia will hold an executive investor, analyst and media briefing at OFC50 on April 2 from 8:30 – 9:30am PDT in the Moscone Center, Level 3, Room #314. The Optical leadership team will be on stage to discuss evolving industry trends and how Nokia’s expanded portfolio of optimized optical networking solutions is solving critical network operator challenges in the era of AI and hyperscale cloud-based connectivity. The event will be publicly available via live webcast and replay on the Investor Relations section of Nokia’s website, under Events.

    For more information on Nokia’s participation at OFC, visit us at OFC50 | Nokia.com.

    Multimedia, technical information and related news 
    Web Page: Optical Network Solutions
    Web Page: Nokia at OFC50

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Descope Announces New Capabilities to Help Ecommerce Companies Deliver Omnichannel User Experiences

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ALTOS, Calif., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Descope, the drag & drop customer identity and access management (CIAM) platform, today announced a host of capabilities to help ecommerce and online retail companies provide secure and omnichannel authentication experiences to their end customers across the buying funnel. Notable additions include securely tracking anonymous users with temporary tokens, enabling unified native login flows across web and mobile, and integrations with WooCommerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and Shopify Plus.

    Ecommerce businesses of all sizes face customer identity challenges at every stage of the buyer funnel. With around 86% of site visitors being anonymous, the first challenge is to reliably convert these users into signups without adding undue friction. The next challenge is to create a balanced onboarding and account creation flow that simplifies signups for real users while keeping fraudulent signups at bay. Finally, large ecommerce organizations have an identity silo problem. Struggles to reconcile login processes across web and mobile or to unify the experience across native sites and third-party hosted stores like Shopify or WooCommerce prevents online retail organizations from providing a singular user journey.

    The Descope no / low code CIAM platform helps organizations easily create and customize their entire authentication and user journey using visual workflows. Hundreds of customers including GoFundMe, Databricks, Navan, and You.com use Descope to reduce user friction during onboarding, enhance protection against account takeover attacks, and unify identities across customer-facing apps. The capabilities highlighted in this announcement further help ecommerce companies serve users across devices and sub-brands while adding the right security controls at the right time.

    “Using Descope has helped us adapt quicker to changing customer needs without spending engineering resources,” said Nitin Shingate, CTO of GoodRx. “Whether it’s easily adopting passwordless methods like One Tap, adding risk-based MFA, or unifying identity flows across web and mobile apps, Descope provides workflow-based building blocks to help us achieve these goals much faster than before.”

    “The solution for many user experience, security, and visibility challenges for ecommerce converge on customer identity,” said Rishi Bhargava, co-founder of Descope. “We are excited for ecommerce companies to leverage our new capabilities to provide seamless user identity experiences across their digital properties. We’re especially proud to partner with leading identity intelligence tools like Telesign and reCAPTCHA Enterprise to secure customers against account takeover and fraud without adding friction.”

    Anonymous user tracking

    Companies can now track anonymous user activity by assigning temporary tokens to securely capture user traits (e.g. device type, traffic source, attribution) without needing authentication. When the users eventually create an account, all the captured anonymous traits will be folded into the same user record, helping companies improve the effectiveness of acquisition initiatives.

    Anonymous user tracking also helps companies offer frictionless guest checkout processes while still making user activity tracking possible.

    Native mobile flows

    Ecommerce companies can now use the same Descope user journey across web and mobile applications, offering native-looking login experiences on mobile without redirects and without any extra engineering work. Native mobile flows help retail organizations easily adopt passwordless authentication methods like passkeys and social login to boost mobile-driven conversions and purchases. Check out tutorials for Swift and Kotlin to learn more.

    Ecommerce platform integrations

    Countless ecommerce companies rely on hosted platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud to power their storefronts, but the authentication options available therein are either laborious to implement, basic, or expensive. Moreover, ecommerce companies with multiple brand sites–some of them home-grown, some of them on hosted platforms–struggle with identity silos and fragmented account creation across sites.

    Organizations can now power these hosted sites with signup, login, MFA, and SSO with Descope:

    • Shopify: Shopify Plus customers can add Descope as an identity provider and use it as the authentication layer for secure, user-friendly login.
    • WooCommerce: Organizations can use the existing Descope WordPress plugin to enhance their WooCommerce authentication, including anonymous user tracking, Google One Tap, and step-up authentication for sensitive user actions.
    • Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Salesforce CC customers can use Descope as an OpenID Connect provider to add authentication and MFA, as well as unify identity management across Salesforce CC and other storefronts.

    Resources

    About Descope

    Descope is a drag & drop CIAM platform. Our no / low code solution helps hundreds of organizations easily create and customize their entire user journey using visual workflows – from authentication and authorization to MFA and federated SSO. Hundreds of customers use Descope to reduce user friction, prevent account takeover, and get a unified view of their customer journey. Founded in 2022, Descope is backed by Lightspeed and Notable Capital (previously GGV Capital) and is a member of the FIDO Alliance.

    Media Contact
    Erica Anderson
    Offleash for Descope
    descope@offleashpr.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/89b9e1c1-f9eb-43e0-a6af-4586adea70ad

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8c841eb-64c9-493c-a079-4eea47497c3f

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CAI Elevates Financial Gains, Market Strategies and Community Impact in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ALLENTOWN, Pa., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CAI, a global services firm, announced today consecutive growth into 2025 with a company revenue surge amounting to $1.38 billion, new client engagements and a global workforce surpassing 9,000 associates.

    “Our commitments to innovation, client success and corporate social responsibility are the driving factors to our ongoing success,” said Tom Salvaggio, president and CEO at CAI. “We don’t just quantify our growth by a number, we measure it based on the trust of our clients, the impact on our communities and the camaraderie and collaboration of our associates. The milestones from 2024 will propel us in 2025.”

    Portfolio Achievements

    Public Sector portfolio grew its market presence and welcomed new clients including state departments, educational institutions and municipalities. Contingent Workforce Solutions, a leading service offering in the portfolio’s success, experienced record-breaking results through program acquisitions and other expansions.

    Commercial portfolio improved customer satisfaction and cost efficiency rates with blended solutions of CAI’s Service Desk and AI technologies. Made evident by its results, a top tax technology firm achieved a 25% increase in first-level resolution rates with their Service Desk after the first year.

    As a ServiceNow Partner, CAI helped a commercial product company achieve:

    • Three-day reduction in testing time
    • 90%-95% customer satisfaction rates
    • Fast ability to recover from system outages

    CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, specializing in autism employment, helped many neurodivergent individuals find employment opportunities. These roles included business analyst, quality assurance analyst, software developer and others across several industries. With skills such as attention to detail, pattern recognition and problem resolution, both employers and candidates have found success. Honored for the program’s aspects on talent acquisition and management, learning and development, human resources and technology, CAI Neurodiverse Solutions earned the 2024 Disability Matters Award in the Workforce category.

    Technology and Innovation

    With ongoing participation in the National Association of Counties (NACo) AI Exploratory Committee, CAI and other founding corporate partners contributed to the AI County Compass, a comprehensive toolkit designed for the safe and effective deployment of generative AI technologies in county government.

    In practice, a state county’s Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center deployed AI to enhance data-handling efficiency while maintaining operational security. The safeguarded data system enables law enforcement to more quickly solve violent and non-violent crimes.

    Technology-enabled efforts earned CAI the bronze Stevie® Award for Best Use of Technology in Customer Service, and Globee® Awards for American Business in two categories: Gold in Achievement in Technology Adoption and Sliver in Digital Collaboration Achievement. Awards underscored the firm’s technology expertise to improve the client experience and foster innovative workplaces.

    Philanthropy and Community Engagement

    Committed to philanthropy since the company was founded in 1981, CAI continued to champion its five corporate social responsibility (CSR) pillars: Accessible Education, Helping Families Thrive, Food Accessibility, Neurodiversity and Sustainability.

    Dozens of investments and programs benefited local and global communities, including:

    • Salvaggio Academy: A private elementary school founded and funded by CAI and the Salvaggio family, relocated to a more expansive space on a college campus improving student programs and STEAM curriculums
    • CAI United Fund: An investment initiative formed from the partnership between CAI and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, provides financial support to United Way Community Schools Network to reduce absenteeism and improve academic outcomes for over 19,000 students
    • SHE for Society: A nonprofit in India aimed to provide educational opportunities, opened its second computer lab with CAI associates giving users access to conduct research

    CAI earned the bronze Stevie Award for Best CSR Strategy reflecting the firm’s dedication to maximize the tangible impact made for communities around the globe.

    New Leadership and Additional Accolades

    Jon Taglieri joined CAI as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He oversees all activities of Finance, Accounting, Governance and Compliance, which includes reporting, planning, strategy and cash management. Previously, Jon served as CFO for a multibillion-dollar federal government contractor.

    Abe Hunter was appointed to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and President, Public Sector from his previous role as Executive Vice President, Public Sector for CAI. As CRO, Abe leads enterprise-wide strategies to amplify sales, optimize operations, enhance customer relations and elevate CAI’s market presence. In the dual role, he continues to direct strategies as the company targets new markets and technologies within government.

    Kate Forbes joined CAI as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and provides strategic direction to prepare CAI for growth and scale. She oversees the technology roadmap for internal applications, delivering business value through objectives-based prioritization and technical implementation. Previously, Kate held the position of CIO for a multimillion-dollar global SaaS company.

    In addition to the aforementioned honors, CAI earned a total of 16 awards including:

    • Newsweek: America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, Parents & Families and the signature list
    • Disability:IN: 100 score on the Disability Equality Index
    • Inspiring Workplaces: North America’s Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces
    • Top Workplace: Lehigh Valley and Delaware regions
    • OnCon Icon: Top 50 Learning & Development Teams, Top 50 Talent Acquisition Teams, and Top 10 HR Professional for Tammy Harper, CHRO at CAI

    To learn more about CAI, visit www.cai.io

    For career opportunities, visit careers.cai.io/us/en

    About CAI

    CAI is a global services firm with over 9,000 associates worldwide and a yearly revenue of $1.3 billion+. We have over 40 years of excellence in uniting talent and technology to power the possible for our clients, colleagues, and communities. As a privately held company, we have the freedom and focus to do what’s right—whatever it takes. Our tailor-made solutions create lasting results across the public and commercial sectors, and we are trailblazers in bringing neurodiversity to the enterprise.

    Contact:

    Madison Oler
    PR & Communications Specialist
    CAI
    Madison.oler@cai.io

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Justin Sun: TRON Meme Season 2.0 Embodies the Community-Driven Spirit of Web3

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a leading global crypto exchange, has once again drawn market-wide attention following the launch of TRON Meme Season 2.0, sparked by a viral tweet from Justin Sun, Founder of TRON and Global Advisor to HTX. The announcement has fueled renewed interest in TRON-based meme tokens, reaffirming TRON’s position as a hub for innovation and high-performance infrastructure.

    To further engage the community, HTX and SunPump co-hosted an X Spaces session titled “TRON Ecosystem Evolution: Meme Coins Surge! Is SunPump Primed for a Spectacular Ascent?”. The session featured Justin Sun’s broader vision for the TRON meme economy and included participation from notable ecosystem players such as TokenPocket, SunDog, SunCat, $PUSS, and Cyber Dog, and community thought leader Trav.

    Why TRON Is Positioned for Meme Coin Momentum

    The rise of meme coins in the TRON ecosystem reflects the platform’s technical strengths and community-driven growth. Justin Sun emphasized that liquidity, seamless infrastructure, and a frictionless user experience make TRON a natural launchpad for viral Web3 assets.

    The TRON network currently hosts over $64 billion in USDT, a record high that directly benefits token trading pairs and meme coin liquidity. In addition, TRON’s newly introduced zero-gas model allows users to cover network fees using USDT, with 90% of costs subsidized, resulting in fees of less than 1 USDT per transaction—greatly enhancing accessibility and usability.

    The initiative is further supported by strong exchange partnerships. Major centralized exchanges including HTX, Poloniex, Kraken, Gate.io, KuCoin, and MEXC have committed to supporting TRON-based meme coin listings and trading, boosting exposure and liquidity across global markets.

    The Community as a Catalyst

    During the X Spaces event, Sun underlined the importance of community in shaping the meme coin movement, “It’s important to adopt the community values and see what people want. We need to follow where the traffic goes and what the community is interested in the most.”

    He added, “We have learnt a lot from previous cases and the mistakes. We will do it way better than what we have done before. 2.0 also represents the resilience of the team and the community. It shows a spirit that we will always do it.”

    Looking Ahead: AI Infrastructure and a Potential TRX ETF

    TRON Meme Season 2.0 marks one of the major highlights of Q1 2025, following the successful launch of USDD 2.0, which has now reached a market cap of nearly $300 million.

    In Q2, HTX and TRON DAO will continue to prioritize the growth of meme assets, while also introducing AI-driven infrastructure tools. Sun shared that an AI infrastructure layer is expected to go live in the coming months, which he described as “one of our top products.”

    Additionally, with regulatory sentiment in the U.S. becoming more constructive, Sun hinted that a TRX ETF listing may be possible within this year.

    Meanwhile, HTX continues its growth trajectory, recently ranking among the Top 5 CEXs globally by user funds, as reported by DefiLlama. Sun remarked, “HTX is growing to be a more and more competitive exchange. We’re making sure that people can trade safely on HTX.”

    About HTX

    Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

    As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

    To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord. For further inquiries, please contact glo-media@htx-inc.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/d7f4a5b2-1a46-4c25-941a-92f6325a7bf0

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wrap Taps Former EXIM Bank Executive Stephen M. Renna to Spearhead International Growth and Financing Strategy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wrap Technologies (NASDAQ: WRAP) (“Wrap” or, the “Company”), a global leader in innovative public safety technologies and non-lethal tools, today announced the appointment of Stephen M. Renna as a Strategic Advisor to the Company. Mr. Renna brings more than 35 years of executive experience in both public and private sectors and will focus on international expansion, with an emphasis on Made-in-USA exports and financing strategies through U.S. government resources.

    A seasoned expert at the intersection of business and government, Mr. Renna served as Chief Banking Officer at the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), where he led the execution of trade financing solutions in support of U.S. exporters, managing a $50 billion portfolio and a $40 billion pipeline. At Wrap, he is expected to advise on leveraging programs, such as the EXIM Bank and the Department of Defense (“DoD”) Office of Strategic Capital, to expand Wrap’s international go-to-market strategy and enhance its international pipeline for services like the Company’s BolaWrap and Managed Safety and Response (MSR).

    “Steve’s appointment underscores our commitment to transforming how U.S. safety technologies are deployed worldwide,” said Jared Novick, President of Wrap. “We believe that his unmatched expertise in federal finance and international deal-making will not only increase our competitiveness globally—but also allow us to create a strategic advantage for U.S.-made public safety solutions.”

    “We have had strong international interest, with many potential purchases, in the final stages,” said Scot Cohen, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Wrap. “We believe offering financial solutions will help deepen our value proposition in a way that also aligns with U.S. strategic interests.”

    Mr. Renna’s career includes leadership roles that positioned American companies to win global contracts against foreign state-backed competitors. As Head of The Advocacy Center at the U.S. Department of Commerce, he helped coordinate government support for U.S. firms bidding on international government contracts—facilitating wins on more than 200 projects totaling over $147 billion in value.

    Made in USA Products and Services

    The Company believes Mr. Renna’s insights will be instrumental in aligning Wrap’s mission with critical U.S. government initiatives, including the China and Transformational Exports Program (CTEP), which offers competitive financing for key strategic sectors—such as public safety, AI, and communications—to help counter growing Chinese influence in emerging markets.

    “We believe Wrap is uniquely positioned to advance American leadership in public safety innovation,” said Mr. Renna. “I am excited to help extend Wrap’s impact by unlocking financing tools that enable U.S. technologies to compete—and win—on the global stage.”

    Mr. Renna currently serves as Principal at Federal Agency Finance Advisors, LLC, where he advises companies on accessing financing from federal agencies including EXIM, DOE, and the DoD. He previously led the federal agency practice at Ankura’s Global Strategic Advisory Group and served as Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council.

    He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Fairfield University.

    About Wrap Technologies, Inc.

    Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) is a global leader in public safety solutions, bringing together cutting-edge technology with exceptional people to address the complex, modern day challenges facing public safety organizations.

    Wrap’s BolaWrap® solution is a safer way to gain compliance—without pain.

    This innovative, patented device deploys light, sound, and a Kevlar® tether to safely restrain individuals from a distance, giving officers critical time and space to manage non-compliant situations before resorting to higher-force options. The BolaWrap 150 does not shoot, strike, shock, or incapacitate—instead, it helps officers operate lower on the force continuum, reducing the risk of injury to both officers and subjects. Used by over 1,000 agencies across the U.S. and in 60 countries, BolaWrap® is backed by training certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), reinforcing Wrap’s commitment to public safety through cutting-edge technology and expert training.

    Wrap Reality™ VR is a fully immersive training simulator to enhance decision-making under pressure.

    As a comprehensive public safety training platform, it provides first responders with realistic, interactive scenarios that reflect the evolving challenges of modern law enforcement. By offering a growing library of real-world situations, Wrap Reality™ equips officers with the skills and confidence to navigate high stakes encounters effectively, leading to safer outcomes for both responders and the communities they serve.

    Wrap Intrensic is an advanced body-worn camera and evidence management system built for efficiency.

    Designed for efficiency, security, and transparency to meet the rigorous demands of modern law enforcement, Intrensic seamlessly captures, stores, and manages digital evidence, ensuring integrity and full chain-of-custody compliance. With automated workflows, secure cloud storage, and intuitive case management tools, it streamlines operations, reduces administrative burden, and enhances courtroom credibility.

    Trademark Information Wrap, the Wrap logo, BolaWrap®, Wrap Reality™ and Wrap Training Academy are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and abroad. All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Statement This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should”, “believe”, “target”, “project”, “goals”, “estimate”, “potential”, “predict”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Moreover, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the expected benefits of the acquisition of W1 Global, LLC, the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards; the Company’s ability to successfully implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company’s ability to manufacture and produce products for its customers; the Company’s ability to develop sales for its products; the market acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company’s product solutions; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the business impact of health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; the impact resulting from geopolitical conflicts and any resulting sanctions; the ability to obtain export licenses for counties outside of the United States; the ability to obtain patents and defend intellectual property against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors mentioned in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67eef813-7ed2-4fff-8a52-90422bb56c55

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan – 2:45 PM

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

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the Department of State, on March 25, 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
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    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: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
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    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIA3r7hSbck

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: Triumph Financial Announces New Leadership Appointments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triumph Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFIN) today announced a series of key leadership appointments designed to strengthen its organizational structure and position the company for long-term growth and innovation in the transportation and financial services industry.

    Kim Fisk has been named president, factoring. She joined Triumph in 2012 and has served in key leadership roles within the factoring segment’s credit, underwriting and operations. Fisk has a proven track record of driving business performance and operational excellence in the transportation industry. She succeeds Tim Valdez, who will transition to the role of chairman of the factoring segment. In this new capacity, Valdez will provide strategic oversight and guidance to ensure the continued success of the factoring segment.

    Todd Ritterbusch has taken on an expanded role as president, payments and banking. He joined Triumph in 2019, initially serving as TBK Bank’s chief lending officer until 2022, when he was appointed president of the bank. With over 25 years of banking experience, his comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations and strategic vision will be instrumental in leading Triumph’s banking and payments segments.

    David Vielehr has been named president of LoadPay, Triumph Financial’s digital banking platform for the trucking industry. Vielehr joined Triumph in 2024 to assist in bringing LoadPay to market. With extensive experience in financial technology and product development, he is well-positioned to lead the next phase of growth and innovation for the LoadPay product.

    “These leadership appointments reflect our commitment to building a strong, focused structure that positions Triumph to achieve our ambitious goals,” said Aaron P. Graft, founder, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Triumph Financial. “Kim, Todd and David are experienced leaders with the expertise and vision needed to drive innovation and deliver value to our customers and shareholders.”

    These leadership changes illustrate Triumph Financial’s commitment to aligning its business segments to drive operational excellence and strategic growth. By fortifying its leadership structure, the company is better positioned to enhance customer value, accelerate innovation, and provide impactful solutions to the transportation industry.

    About Triumph Financial
    Triumph Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFIN) is a financial holding company focused on payments, factoring, intelligence and banking. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, its diversified portfolio of brands includes TriumphPay, Triumph, TBK Bank and LoadPay.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Triumph Financial’s expected financial results or other plans are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” and the forward-looking statement disclosure contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2025. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and Triumph Financial undertakes no duty to update the information.

    Source: Triumph Financial, Inc.

    Triumph Investor Relations Contact
    Luke Wyse
    Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations
    lwyse@tfin.com | 214-365-6936

    Triumph Media Contact
    Amanda Tavackoli
    Senior Vice President, Director of Corporate Communication
    atavackoli@tfin.com | 214-365-6930

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c244bec5-8915-448b-b9bf-b763af095a27

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/454bd04e-f88a-4c61-93c2-71fddce0b8fc

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/882e91fe-0f00-47a5-a586-0e727d246a41

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Assembles First ZEUS™ Advanced Portable Microreactor Hardware for Initial Testing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, N.Y., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it has assembled the first reactor core hardware of its ZEUS microreactor for initial non-nuclear testing.

    ZEUS, a solid core battery reactor, is being developed by NANO Nuclear as part of the next generation of portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors to provide clean, scalable power for data centers, remote locations, industrial sites, military operations, and disaster relief scenarios. The successful validation of the reactor core through scaled testing will position NANO Nuclear to advance toward full prototype construction and licensing efforts in the coming years.

    The assembled hardware consists of a 1:2 scale block, precisely engineered to be representative of a fuel element of the ZEUS microreactor core. This milestone represents a major advancement in NANO Nuclear’s continued development of its proprietary microreactor technology.

    The initial testing phase will focus on the assessment of the thermo-mechanical performance of the block under anticipated prototypical conditions for ZEUS. The results will inform the next stages of reactor development. These results will be crucial for verifying engineering plans, refining physics models, and optimizing ZEUS core and heat management systems.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.’s fuel element being set up for testing.

    “We are very excited to have completed the first ZEUS reactor core block for non-nuclear testing,” said Prof. Peter Hosemann, Head of Nuclear Reactor Design and Materials of NANO Nuclear. “This very precise component will be heated conventionally using linear heaters as fuel rod surrogates. The test will be used to verify temperature distribution, to investigate fit tolerances, and to confirm and benchmark our models, paving the way for a larger sub-core assembly.”

    “I am thrilled to see our transition from design to hardware assembling and testing for a key component of our ZEUS reactor,” said Prof. Massimiliano Fratoni, Senior Director and Head of Reactor Design of NANO Nuclear. “The lack of an in-core fluid in our ZEUS design not only simplifies greatly the design but also enables rapid prototyping and non-nuclear testing. We are expecting to iterate quickly through progressively larger scale tests up to full core.”

    Figure 2 – Single core block fully outfitted with linear heaters as fuel rod surrogates (left image) Infrared camera image of the block during initial test (right image).

    NANO Nuclear’s engineering team is preparing to mount insulation, fixtures, and instrumentation to create a single-block demonstration unit, which will eventually scale up to a fully functional demo core assembly. In the next phase, the team will integrate cabling, sensors, and additional structural components to build a fully instrumented demo unit. This will enable the team to gather essential data on heat transfer, material performance, and overall reactor safety margins, facilitating real-world validation of the ZEUS reactor’s thermal and structural performance and ensuring that the design meets expectations before full-scale assembly.

    “Achieving this hardware milestone represents a major step forward in our ZEUS microreactor program,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “This testing will provide our team with the key thermal and mechanical insights needed to fine-tune the core design before full-scale fabrication and regulatory engagement.”

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

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

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN

    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE

    NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

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

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: POET to Demonstrate Cutting-Edge Light Source and Industry-leading 1.6T Optical Engines for AI Applications at OFC Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company“) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), a leader in the design and implementation of highly-integrated optical engines and light sources for artificial intelligence networks, today announced it plans to demonstrate its latest technology innovations and products at the Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) Conference, which will be held in San Francisco, California from April 1st to April 3rd, 2025. POET’s executive management team and engineers will be meeting customers and industry analysts at the Company’s booth No. 5315 during the Exhibition.

    POET Blazar™ Demo (Invitation Only): Senior technical and executive management of select technology companies will have the opportunity to observe the highly anticipated POET Blazar prototype in private meetings with POET management. Built on the POET Optical Interposer™ platform, Blazar is a ground-breaking light source solution to power both co-packaged optics (CPO) and high-bandwidth, chip-to-chip, light-based data communications links. Named after an extremely bright galactic object, Blazar utilizes POET’s wafer-level chip-scale packaging technology to create a high-power, multi-channel light source as an alternative to traditional DFB laser-based solutions. Wafer-level chip-scale technology significantly lowers the cost of the light source, provides larger scale and better reliability, and promises to increase the effective supply of Indium Phosphide, a rare and limited compound semiconductor material commonly used as the light-producing element in lasers. 

    “Given the vast potential of our ELS (external light source) solution and the sensitive nature of the technology, we have opted to limit its exposure, which is why we are selecting a number of senior technologists and executives to an invitation-only viewing,” POET Chairman and CEO Dr. Suresh Venkatesan said. “The Blazar can transform the economies of scale for AI connectivity with an architecture that reduces costs and increases scale and manufacturing efficiency. With the massive amount of compute power that AI demands, we believe that the Blazar offers an economically superior solution to achieving next-generation performance. It is a crucial component to getting to 3.2T in pluggable optical modules and achieving the higher speeds, bandwidth and low-latency needed for chip-to-chip data communication links.”

    POET Teralight™ 1.6T Optical Engine (Live Public Demo): In partnership with Mitsubishi Electric, POET will unveil its Teralight product line of 1.6T highly integrated transmit and receive optical engines offering a complete optical system-on-chip architecture that reduces cost and simplifies module design. The 1.6T transmit engine includes only four externally modulated laser chips, rather than the standard eight lasers for 1.6T transceivers, due to Mitsubishi Electric’s unique 2x200G EML laser design, a cost reduction in the most expensive transmit component. Built-in high-speed drivers, monitor photo diodes, a thermistor and optical multiplexers (for FR4 applications) make this the most highly integrated system-on-chip available on the market. The receive engine includes photo diodes, trans-impedance amplifiers (TIAs) and demultiplexers (for FR4 applications). The POET Optical Interposer design eliminates the use of wire bonds between devices, which reduces the RF crosstalk to achieve industry-leading performance at the highest speeds available on the market. The system-on-chip architecture allows customers to use the same board design for 1.6T DR8 and 2xFR4 pluggable modules, a feature unique to POET that eliminates the need for separate DR and FR engineering teams, which has been a standard development approach within the industry.

    Leading Module Customers Incorporating POET Optical Engines: Among the leading suppliers offering modules based on POET’s optical engines, LuxshareTech will be demonstrating 400G and 800G DR and FR modules at OFC (Booth #4905) and Adtran (formerly ADVA) will demo a highly integrated Quattro 100G LR4 in their private demo room. Quattro LR4 integrates four instances of 100G LR4 into a single QSFP-DD form factor, quadrupling the density of 100G ports in 400G switch and routing platforms. This module has gained intense interest from both hyperscalers and telecom network providers for its performance and cost-effectiveness.

    Product Showcase: POET will also have a product showcase of its current portfolio suite of optical engines and light sources at its booth. Some of those products have been designed into customer solutions that will be demonstrated at the POET booth as market-ready applications.

    Lightwave Award: In addition, Company representatives will collect the recently announced Elite Score award at the Lightwave+BTR Innovations Reviews Reception, which is scheduled to be held at the Moscone Center in Rooms 307/308 on March 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST.

    About POET Technologies Inc.
    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers. POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET’s Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems. POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained “Edge” computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Company’s expectations with respect to the success of the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products, including with the Blazar light source and 1.6T optical engines featured in today’s announcement, and expectations regarding its successful development of high speed transceiver solutions and its penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets.

    Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the completion of its development efforts with its customers, the ability to build working prototypes to the customer’s specifications, and the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure to demonstrate the Blazar light source a 1.6T optical engines at the upcoming OFC Conference, failure to produce optical engines on time and within budget, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Company’s products to meet performance requirements for AI and datacom networks, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s projects, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, including those in today’s announcement, and the ability of its customers to deploy systems that incorporate the Company’s products. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
    120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d68dcbe-ead9-40e0-82ba-ddc1a655791c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: VERB Delivers Remarkable 2024 Financial Performance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Quadruple Digit % Gains Year-Over-Year and Triple Digit % Gains Quarter-Over-Quarter Reflected in 2024 Form 10-K

    Debt-Free and $13.50 Cash Value Per Common Share*

    Increased Growth Projected For Q1 2025

    LAS VEGAS and LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., March 25, 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 filed its Form 10-K reporting financial and operating results for the full year and the quarter ending December 31, 2024.

    Summary Financial Results

    For the Year Ended December 31, 2024

    • Total revenue was $895 thousand, an increase of $832 thousand, or 1,321%, over the previous year. Represents the greatest amount of revenue generated since the strategic sale of the Company’s direct sales SaaS business unit in June 2023
    • Cash Value per common share – $13.4 (*includes value of highly-liquid professionally managed investments)
    • *Year-End Cash position $13.5 million ($8.5 million cash, plus $4.9 million in highly-liquid investments). Does not include $1.7 million cash added in Q1 2025.
    • Strong Cash Position – expected to fund operations into 2028 and beyond
    • Net loss from continuing operations reduced by $4.3 million, represents an improvement of 29% over prior year
    • Operating loss reduced by $2.2 million, represents an improvement of 16% over prior year
    • General and Administrative expenses reduced by $0.3 million, represents an improvement of 2% over prior year, indicates enhanced Company financial performance attributable to increases in revenue – not excessive cost cutting measures
    • All Remaining Debt retired in Q1 2025

    Three Months Ended December 31, 2024

    • Total Q4 revenue – $723 thousand, an increase of $694 thousand, or 2,393%, from the prior year comparable quarter – represents an increase of $595 thousand, or 465% over Q3. Indicates enormous revenue growth in Q4 attributable to management’s recent operational and marketing changes which are further validated by projected Q1 2025 results.

    Results of Operations

    Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023

    The following is a comparison of the results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

        Years Ended December 31,  
        2024     2023     Change  
                       
    Revenue   $ 895     $ 63     $ 832  
                             
    Costs and expenses                        
    Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation
    and amortization shown separately below    		     224       19       205  
    Depreciation and amortization     1,077       2,331       (1,254 )
    General and administrative     11,238       11,508       (270 )
    Total costs and expenses     12,539       13,858       (1,319 )
                             
    Operating loss from continuing operations     (11,644 )     (13,795 )     2,151  
                             
    Other income (expense)                        
    Interest income     692       –       692  
    Unrealized loss on short-term investments     (44 )     –       (44 )
    Interest expense     (237 )     (1,193 )     956  
    Financing costs     (90 )     (1,239 )     1,149  
    Other income, net     812       1,162       (350 )
    Change in fair value of derivative liability     1       221       (220 )
    Total other income (expense), net     1,134       (1,049 )     2,183  
                             
    Net loss from continuing operations   $ (10,510 )   $ (14,844 )   $ 4,334  


    Revenue

    Revenue was $895 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $63 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The revenue increase of $832, representing an increase of 1,321%, is primarily attributable to revenue received from our MARKET.live business unit services packages and from our Go Fund Yourself business unit.

    Revenue was $723 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $29 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The revenue increase of $694, representing an increase of 2,393%, is primarily attributable to tremendous growth from our MARKET.live business unit services packages and from our newly-formed Go Fund Yourself business unit.

    Revenue was $723 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $128 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The revenue increase of $595, representing an increase of 465%, is primarily attributable to tremendous growth from our MARKET.live business unit services packages and from growth in our Go Fund Yourself business unit.

    The table below sets forth our quarterly revenues from the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (first quarter following the direct sales SaaS sale) through the quarter ended December 31, 2024, which reflects the trend of revenue over the past six fiscal quarters:

    Operating Expenses

    Depreciation and amortization expense was $1,077 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $2,331 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $1,254 is due to a revision in the amortization of software development costs resulting from extending the life of the asset on January 1, 2024.

    General and administrative expenses including stock compensation expense were $11,238 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $11,508 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $270 or 2%, in general and administrative expenses including stock compensation expense is primarily due to a decrease in stock compensation expense and a decrease in legal fees.

    Other Income (Expense), net

    Other income (expense), net, was $1,134 for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was primarily attributable to other income, net of $812 and interest income, net of $455 both offset by financing costs of $90.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Overview

    As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had the following balances of cash, restricted cash, and highly liquid investments.

          As of December 31,
    		  
          2024       2023  
                 
    Cash   $ 7,617     $ 4,353  
    Restricted Cash     878       –  
    Investments: Government-Backed Securities     3,731       –  
    Investments: Corporate Bonds     1,182       –  
    Total     13,408       4,353  

    Subsequent to December 31, 2024, we received $1,724 of our ERC short-term receivable.

    Conference Call Information

    VERB CEO, Rory J. Cutaia will hold a conference call today, March 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the 2024 results and strategic plans for 2025. A telephonic replay of the conference call is available from 4:00 p.m. Eastern time today through April 8, 2025.

    VERB Q4 and FY 2024 Earnings Call
    Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
    Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (10:00 a.m. Pacific time)

    To access by phone: Please call the conference telephone number 10-15 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization.

    Meeting Link: CLICK HERE
    Toll Free: 1-877-407-4018
    Toll/International: 1-201-689-8471
    Telephonic Replay: Available after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

    Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
    International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
    Replay ID: 13752553

    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 Twitter: https://twitter.com/VerbTech_Co
    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
    This communication contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, or achievements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual, quarterly and current reports filed with the SEC and the risk factors included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC today. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact: investors@verb.tech

    Media Contact: info@verb.tech

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/98fa0d86-9d94-4cfa-97f5-ffd4c89edad9

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c013f2c6-3f17-4624-bd9a-60b7c28ab5fe

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: OMV to Present at the Oil & Gas Virtual Investor Conference March 27th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OMV (VIE:OMV), based in Vienna, focused on oil, gas, and chemicals, today announced that Oana Goje, Deputy Head of Investor Relations, will present live at the Oil & Gas Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on March 27th, 2025.

    DATE: March 27th
    TIME: 10:00 AM ET
    LINK: https://bit.ly/4c9SfRW
    Available for 1×1 meetings: March 27th

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • OMV and ADNOC to create USD 60+ bn global polyolefins champion

    OMV and ADNOC to create USD 60+ bn global polyolefins champion | OMV.com

    • OMV unveils innovative ReOil® plant to transform end-of-life plastics into circular feedstocks

    OMV unveils innovative ReOil®plant to transform end-of-life plastics into circular feedstocks | OMV.com

    About OMV

    It is our purpose to re-invent essentials for sustainable living. OMV is transitioning to become an integrated sustainable chemicals, fuels and energy company with a focus on circular economy solutions. By gradually switching over to the low carbon business, OMV is striving to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest. In 2024, the company generated revenues of 34 billion euros with a diverse and talented workforce of around 23,600 employees worldwide. OMV shares are traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange (OMV) and in the US as American Depository Receipts (OMVKY). For more information, please visit www.omv.com. 

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®

    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:

    OMV
    Oana Goje
    Deputy Head of Investor Relations
    Tel.: +43 (1) 40440-21600
    investor.relations@omv.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mae Reeves used showstopping hats to fuel voter engagement and Black entrepreneurship

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Reneé S. Anderson, Collections Manager, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution

    Mae Reeves and her husband, Joel, pose with her hats at Mae’s Millinery in Philadelphia, circa 1953.
     Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Gift from Mae Reeves and her children Donna Limerick and William Mincey Jr., CC BY-NC-SA

    Lula “Mae” Reeves, one of the first Black women in Philly to own her own business, created one-of-a-kind and custom hats for celebrities, socialites, professionals and churchgoing women in downtown Philadelphia for over 50 years.

    She made hats for everyday wear, hats for special occasions, and magnificent “showstoppers,” as she called them. Her celebrity clients included Eartha Kitt, Marian Anderson, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and members of the du Pont and Annenberg families.

    A pink cartwheel-style hat with flowers from Mae’s Millinery.
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Gift from Mae Reeves and her children Donna Limerick and William Mincey Jr., CC BY-NC-SA

    I am a museum specialist at the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution and an expert in costumes, textiles and millinery fashion.

    In 2009, I was called upon to visit Mae’s Millinery, her former store at 41 N. 60th St. in West Philadelphia, to help select objects for a new permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian that recreates Reeves’ shop and showcases some of her stunning designs.

    I also met Reeves in person for the first time that day at a nursing home in Darby, Pennsylvania. She was 96 years old.

    A few years later, I returned to Philadelphia to attend Reeves’s 100th birthday celebration. It was during that visit that I learned, to my surprise and intrigue, that Reeves had also used her millinery shop as a polling station.

    Mae Reeves, pictured in first row on right, poses with models wearing her designs.
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Gift from Mae Reeves and her children Donna Limerick and William Mincey Jr., CC BY-NC-SA

    Black velvet turban on display

    During my first meeting with Reeves, she shared her memory of the first hat she created after she opened her 60th Street store, a beautifully decorated shop, in 1941. Her original millinery shop was at 1630 South St., and many of her famous clients followed her to the new location in West Philadelphia.

    Reeves recalled creating a black velvet turban that she placed in the window. A young woman walked by on her way home from work and was enthralled. The woman returned to try it on and, Reeves told me, visualized the impressive fashion statement she would make. She purchased the turban for about US$20 – roughly $430 in today’s dollars.

    To open her West Philly millinery store, Reeves had secured a $500 business loan in 1940 from the Citizens and Southern Bank and Trust. The Black-owned bank catered to Philadelphia’s African American community, as most white-owned banks refused to loan money to Black customers.

    Reeves was proud to tell me how she had secured the loan entirely on her own – with no co-signer – by maintaining a reputation of “good standing” and having sound business plans. She was also extremely proud that she “paid back all of the loan.”

    A business card for Mae’s Millinery in West Philadelphia.
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Gift from Mae Reeves and her children Donna Limerick and William Mincey Jr., CC BY-NC-SA

    From millinery shop to polling station

    To transition her millinery shop to a polling station, Reeves told me that she and her second husband, Joel Reeves, who sold newspaper advertisements, would remove the beautiful furniture and decorative items to accommodate the polling machines.

    To get the word out about the designated polling station, the couple distributed handbills and hung posters throughout the neighborhood. Reeves offered plates of food to politicians who stopped by and cake to the voters. She wanted to create a safe and welcoming polling place while also emphasizing the importance that Black Philadelphians exercise their right to vote.

    Reeves was also a longtime member of the Freedom Day Association, a group formed in 1941 in Philadelphia to ensure younger African Americans understand the importance of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery; the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the U.S; and the 15th Amendment, which prohibits denying any citizen’s right to vote on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.

    The association was started by Maj. Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former U.S. Army paymaster, educator, politician, civil rights advocate and founder of the Citizens and Southern Bank – the bank that had offered May that $500 loan. Reeves admired Wright, who had been born into slavery, and considered him a close friend and business associate. She kept a copy of his portrait photo on display in her millinery shop.

    A turquoise turban-style hat with brooch made by Mae Reeves.
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Gift from Mae Reeves and her children Donna Limerick and William Mincey Jr., CC BY-NC-SA

    Barbecues and beach trips

    In March 2025, I spoke with Reeves’ daughter, Donna Limerick, by phone. She told me Reeves had been a member and president of the 60th Street Business Association, which promoted good business practices, shared marketing strategies and encouraged support for other businesses in the association.

    Reeves was also active in the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers, a Black trade group sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women. The group’s purpose was to promote Black women in the fashion industry by developing their business skills and fostering collaboration and access to mainstream fashion. The Philadelphia chapter was formed in 1950.

    Despite her many professional and civic commitments, Reeves also took care of those closest to her. Limerick shared with me how her parents would take neighborhood kids to their summer home in Mizpah, New Jersey. They would ply the children with delicious homemade meals and desserts, organize regular barbecues and beach trips, and teach the kids to fish.

    Reeves passed away in 2016 at the age of 104. I hope her story encourages others – as it has encouraged me – to be brave enough to dream; to be diligent enough to actualize your dreams; to be mindful to support your community; to be a person of grace; and to be careful to always expect, seek and give joy.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

    Reneé S. Anderson 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. Mae Reeves used showstopping hats to fuel voter engagement and Black entrepreneurship – https://theconversation.com/mae-reeves-used-showstopping-hats-to-fuel-voter-engagement-and-black-entrepreneurship-250735

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Deep-sea mining threatens sea life in a way no one is thinking about − by dumping debris into the thriving midwater zone

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alexus Cazares-Nuesser, Ph.D. Candidate in Biological Oceanography, University of Hawaii

    A cnidarian is attached to a dead sponge stalk on a manganese nodule in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Diva Amon and Craig Smith, University of Hawaii at Mānoa

    Picture an ocean world so deep and dark it feels like another planet – where creatures glow and life survives under crushing pressure.

    This is the midwater zone, a hidden ecosystem that begins 650 feet (200 meters) below the ocean surface and sustains life across our planet. It includes the twilight zone and the midnight zone, where strange and delicate animals thrive in the near absence of sunlight. Whales and commercially valuable fish such as tuna rely on animals in this zone for food. But this unique ecosystem faces an unprecedented threat.

    As the demand for electric car batteries and smartphones grows, mining companies are turning their attention to the deep sea, where precious metals such as nickel and cobalt can be found in potato-size nodules sitting on the ocean floor.

    Images of marine life spotted in the midwater zone.
    Bucklin, et al., Marine Biology, 2021. Photos by R.R. Hopcroft and C. Clarke (University of Alaska Fairbanks) and L.P. Madin (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), CC BY, CC BY

    Deep-sea mining research and experiments over the past 40 years have shown how the removal of nodules can put seafloor creatures at risk by disrupting their habitats. However, the process can also pose a danger to what lives above it, in the midwater ecosystem. If future deep-sea mining operations release sediment plumes into the water column, as proposed, the debris could interfere with animals’ feeding, disrupt food webs and alter animals’ behaviors.

    As an oceanographer studying marine life in an area of the Pacific rich in these nodules, I believe that before countries and companies rush to mine, we need to understand the risks. Is humanity willing to risk collapsing parts of an ecosystem we barely understand for resources that are important for our future?

    Mining the Clarion-Clipperton Zone

    Beneath the Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii, a hidden treasure trove of polymetallic nodules can be found scattered across the seafloor. These nodules form as metals in seawater or sediment collect around a nucleus, such as a piece of shell or shark’s tooth. They grow at an incredibly slow rate of a few millimeters per million years. The nodules are rich in metals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese – key ingredients for batteries, smartphones, wind turbines and military hardware.

    As demand for these technologies increases, mining companies are targeting this remote area, known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, as well as a few other zones with similar nodules around the world.

    A map shows mining targets in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, southeast of Hawaii, upper left. APEIs are protected areas.
    McQuaid KA, Attrill MJ, Clark MR, Cobley A, Glover AG, Smith CR and Howell KL, 2020, CC BY

    So far, only test mining has been carried out. However, plans for full-scale commercial mining are rapidly advancing.

    Exploratory deep-sea mining began in the 1970s, and the International Seabed Authority was established in 1994 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to regulate it. But it was not until 2022 that The Metals Company and Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. fully tested the first integrated nodule collection system in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.

    The companies are now planning full-scale mining operations in the region and expect to submit their application to the ISA by June 27, 2025. The ISA will convene in July 2025 to discuss critical issues such as mining regulations, guidelines and benefit-sharing mechanisms.

    A visualization of a deep-sea mining operation shows two sediment plumes. Source: MIT Mechanical Engineering.

    The proposed mining process is invasive. Collector vehicles scrape along the ocean floor as they scoop up nodules and stir up sediments. This removes habitats used by marine organisms and threatens biodiversity, potentially causing irreversible damage to seafloor ecosystems. Once collected, the nodules are brought up with seawater and sediments through a pipe to a ship, where they’re separated from the waste.

    The leftover slurry of water, sediment and crushed nodules is then dumped back into the middle of the water column, creating plumes. While the discharge depth is still under discussion, some mining operators propose releasing the waste at midwater depths, around 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).

    However, there is a critical unknown: The ocean is dynamic, constantly shifting with currents, and scientists don’t fully understand how these mining plumes will behave once released into the midwater zone.

    These clouds of debris could disperse over large areas, potentially harming marine life and disrupting ecosystems. Picture a volcanic eruption – not of lava, but of fine, murky sediments expanding throughout the water column, affecting everything in its path.

    The midwater ecosystem at risk

    As an oceanographer studying zooplankton in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, I am concerned about the impact of deep-sea mining on this ecologically important midwater zone. This ecosystem is home to zooplankton – tiny animals that drift with ocean currents – and micronekton, which includes small fish, squid and crustaceans that rely on zooplankton for food.

    Sediment plumes in the water column could harm these animals. Fine sediments could clog respiratory structures in fish and feeding structures of filter feeders. For animals that feed on suspended particles, the plumes could dilute food resources with nutritionally poor material. Additionally, by blocking light, plumes might interfere with visual cues essential for bioluminescent organisms and visual predators.

    Manganese nodules can also be found on the seafloor off the southeastern United States.
    NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-Sea Exploration

    For delicate creatures such as jellyfish and siphonophores – gelatinous animals that can grow over 100 feet long – sediment accumulation can interfere with buoyancy and survival. A recent study found that jellies exposed to sediments increased their mucous production, a common stress response that is energetically expensive, and their expression of genes related to wound repair.

    Additionally, noise pollution from machinery can interfere with how species communicate and navigate.

    Disturbances like these have the potential to disrupt ecosystems, extending far beyond the discharge depth. Declines in zooplankton populations can harm fish and other marine animal populations that rely on them for food.

    Life in the deep sea has other values. Source: The Economist

    The midwater zone also plays a vital role in regulating Earth’s climate. Phytoplankton at the ocean’s surface capture atmospheric carbon, which zooplankton consume and transfer through the food chain. When zooplankton and fish respire, excrete waste, or sink after death, they contribute to carbon export to the deep ocean, where it can be sequestered for centuries. The process naturally removes planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

    More research is needed

    Despite growing interest in deep-sea mining, much of the deep ocean, particularly the midwater zone, remains poorly understood. A 2023 study in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone found that 88% to 92% of species in the region are new to science.

    Current mining regulations focus primarily on the seafloor, overlooking broader ecosystem impacts. The International Seabed Authority is preparing to make key decisions on future seabed mining in July 2025, including rules and guidelines relating to mining waste, discharge depths and environmental protection.

    A map shows areas with nodules being considered for exploration and mining. Source: International Seabed Authority

    These decisions could set the framework for large-scale commercial mining in ecologically important areas such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Yet the consequences for marine life are not clear. Without comprehensive studies on the impact of seafloor mining techniques, the world risks making irreversible choices that could harm these fragile ecosystems.

    Alexus Cazares-Nuesser receives funding from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Past research received funding from The Metals Company Inc. through its subsidiary Nauru Ocean Resources Inc.

    – ref. Deep-sea mining threatens sea life in a way no one is thinking about − by dumping debris into the thriving midwater zone – https://theconversation.com/deep-sea-mining-threatens-sea-life-in-a-way-no-one-is-thinking-about-by-dumping-debris-into-the-thriving-midwater-zone-247690

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Engineering students explore how to ethically design and locate nuclear facilities in this college course

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Aditi Verma, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan

    While nuclear power can reap enormous benefits, it also comes with some risks. Michel Gounot/GODONG/Stone via Getty Images

    Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.

    Title of course:

    Socially Engaged Design of Nuclear Energy Technologies

    What prompted the idea for the course?

    The two of us had some experience with participatory design coming into this course, and we had a shared interest in bringing virtual reality into a first-year design class at the University of Michigan.

    It seemed like a good fit to help students learn about nuclear technologies, given that hands-on experience can be difficult to provide in that context. We both wanted to teach students about the social and environmental implications of engineering work, too.

    Aditi is a nuclear engineer and had been using participatory design in her research, and Katie had been teaching ethics and design to engineering students for many years.

    What does the course explore?

    Broadly, the course explores engineering design. We introduce our students to the principles of nuclear engineering and energy systems design, and we go through ethical concerns. They also learn communication strategies – like writing for different audiences.

    Students learn to design the exterior features of nuclear energy facilities in collaboration with local communities. The course focuses on a different nuclear energy technology each year.

    In the first year, the focus was on fusion energy systems. In fall 2024, we looked at locating nuclear microreactors near local communities.

    The main project was to collaboratively decide where a microreactor might be sited, what it might look like, and what outcomes the community would like to see versus which would cause concern.

    Students also think about designing nuclear systems with both future generations and a shared common good in mind.

    The class explores engineering as a sociotechnical practice – meaning that technologies are not neutral. They shape and affect social life, for better and for worse. To us, a sociotechnical engineer is someone who adheres to scientific and engineering fundamentals, communicates ethically and designs in collaboration with the people who are likely to be affected by their work.

    In class, we help our students reflect on these challenges and responsibilities.

    Why is this course relevant now?

    Nuclear energy system design is advancing quickly, allowing engineers to rethink how they approach design. Fusion energy systems and fission microreactors are two areas of rapidly evolving innovation.

    Microreactors are smaller than traditional nuclear energy systems, so planners can place them closer to communities. These smaller reactors will likely be safer to run and operate, and may be a good fit for rural communities looking to transition to carbon-neutral energy systems.

    But for the needs, concerns and knowledge of local people to shape the design process, local communities need to be involved in these reactor siting and design conversations.

    Students in the course explore nuclear facilities in virtual reality.
    Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images

    What materials does the course feature?

    We use virtual reality models of both fission and fusion reactors, along with models of energy system facilities. AI image generators are helpful for rapid prototyping – we have used these in class with students and in workshops.

    This year, we are also inviting students to do some hands-on prototyping with scrap materials for a project on nuclear energy systems.

    What will the course prepare students to do?

    Students leave the course understanding that community engagement is an essential – not optional – component of good design. We equip students to approach technology use and development with users’ needs and concerns in mind.

    Specifically, they learn how to engage with and observe communities using ethical, respectful methods that align with the university’s engineering research standards.

    What’s a critical lesson from the course?

    As instructors, we have an opportunity – and probably also an obligation – to learn from students as much as we are teaching them course content. Gen Z students have grown up with environmental and social concerns as centerpieces of their media diets, and we’ve noticed that they tend to be more strongly invested in these topics than previous generations of engineering students.

    Aditi Verma receives funding from the Department of Energy. She is a board member for Good Energy Collective.

    Katie Snyder 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. Engineering students explore how to ethically design and locate nuclear facilities in this college course – https://theconversation.com/engineering-students-explore-how-to-ethically-design-and-locate-nuclear-facilities-in-this-college-course-248636

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The solution to workplace isolation might be in the gap − the generation gap

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Megan Gerhardt, Professor of Management, Farmer School of Business, Miami University

    The potential for friendships and mentorships between colleagues in different stages of life are often overlooked. OwenPrice/E+ via Getty Images

    Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the United States finds itself in the midst of another public health crisis. This particular pandemic is a psychological one: widespread loneliness and isolation.

    About half of adults in the U.S. report feeling lonely – what former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has characterized as an epidemic. The increase in social isolation has extensive costs for “schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity, and engagement are diminished,” he wrote in 2023.

    As a business school professor who studies intergenerational relationships, I believe that our workplaces hold untapped potential for alleviating isolation. When colleagues do form friendships at work, they often gravitate toward people their own age. But fostering meaningful connections across generational lines can benefit not just organizations, but workers’ own sense of purpose and mental health.

    Working solo

    The COVID-19 pandemic affected all ages differently. Prior to 2020, it seemed that younger generations were leading a strong push away from working in the office. Once many Americans were working remotely, however, Generation Z – those born 1997-2012 – reported the highest levels of loneliness.

    Remote work may be common for Gen Z, but that doesn’t mean they prefer it.
    Fiordaliso/Moment via Getty Images

    The problem, I’d argue, is how organizations’ early questions about working through the pandemic centered on efficiency. Was it possible do our jobs remotely? Would we be as productive? Was remote work viable long term? For many jobs, the answer was yes, resulting in persistent work-from-home options even after it became physically safe to return to offices.

    Yet companies overlooked crucial elements that contribute to employees’ commitment and well-being, particularly strong relationships between colleagues. These factors are especially vital during early career years as young workers establish networks, learn their roles and develop professional identities – all considerably more challenging in remote or hybrid environments.

    Just 31% of U.S. employees feel engaged on the job, according to January 2025 data from Gallup – a 10-year low. Only 39% of employees strongly feel that someone at work cares about them as a person, and only 30% strongly agree that someone cares about their development.

    Workers under 35, especially members of Gen Z, experienced a more significant decline in engagement than other age groups, dropping 5 points compared with the previous year.

    5 generations

    Since hybrid and remote work appear to be here to stay, we need innovative solutions to combat disconnectedness. One overlooked opportunity might lie in a demographic reality that many organizations view as a challenge.

    Today, there are five generations in the workplace, more than any other time in history. This increase in diversity is primarily due to older workers remaining in the workforce longer than in the past, whether because of economic necessity or increased longevity and health.

    In 2024, 18% of the U.S. workforce belonged to Gen Z. They’ve surpassed the baby boomers, born 1946-1964, who make up 15%. Gen X, meanwhile – the generation born 1965-1980 – comprise 31%. The largest group are millennials, born 1981-1996, who represent 36% of workers. Finally, 1% of the workforce belong to the Silent Generation, born 1928-1945.

    While such age diversity presents challenges, it also holds unique potential.

    The importance of workplace friendships is well documented. Research has found positive workplace relationships are beneficial to teamwork, career development and building a sense of community, and they help employees find more meaning in their work. Workplace friendships can help offset job stress and exhaustion and contribute to mental health. The benefits of such relationships can reach beyond the workplace, increasing overall well-being.

    However, these friendships rarely cross generational lines. A phenomenon known as “age similarity preference” often causes us to gravitate toward people similar in age, including among our co-workers. This broader tendency to connect with people we deem most similar to ourselves is well documented, and age can be a particularly visible sign of surface-level difference – one that leads people to assume, often incorrectly, that they hold similar views.

    Employees talk in the cafeteria of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., in 2023.
    Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

    While natural, this tendency limits interactions and relationships,
    leading to higher levels of conflict. Not only do intergenerational connections at work bring professional benefits, but they can combat isolation.

    For example, relationships with colleagues from different generations tend to have fewer feelings of competition and pressure, as they likely occupy different life and career stages. An older colleague who has navigated office politics or balanced raising young children with career demands can provide valuable advice and support to co-workers facing these challenges for the first time.

    Forming intergenerational friendships can help break down negative stereotypes about people who are older or younger by revealing areas of common interest.

    Beyond Gen Z

    The benefits of these relationships extend beyond younger generations, especially given how widespread post-pandemic loneliness is.

    Cross-generational relationships don’t just magically happen – companies can help foster them.
    Tempura/E+ via Getty Images

    Adults in mid-to-late career stages – Gen Xers and baby boomers – are in their prime years for “generativity”: the life stage when people are most likely to be motivated to share knowledge and expertise, preparing the next generation for success. Generativity leads to benefits for the mentors too, such as higher self-esteem.

    People of all ages benefit from meaningful intergenerational relationships, but it takes an effort to create them. Employers can help by setting up opportunities to connect. For example, a mutual mentoring program can be a fantastic way to encourage not only learning, but unexpected friendships as well.

    Jonna, a Gen Xer I met through my generational consulting work, sought out a Gen Z mentor at her office and was grateful for her insight, as well as the chance to give advice. “I like to believe I am someone with a growth mindset and in touch with current realities, but I quickly learned that Hannah had perspectives on many things that stretched me and my thinking,” she said. “Our partnership has helped me approach every situation with curiosity instead of judgment.”

    Hannah, her mentor-mentee, found the partnership just as beneficial. The experience was “a reminder that regardless of age, we all have something to contribute, and bridging generational gaps can lead to innovative solutions and a richer understanding of the world.”

    Reaching out to colleagues who are significantly older or younger might seem unexpected. But it may also build a more connected, resilient workforce, where wisdom and innovation flow freely across generational divides.

    Megan Gerhardt 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 solution to workplace isolation might be in the gap − the generation gap – https://theconversation.com/the-solution-to-workplace-isolation-might-be-in-the-gap-the-generation-gap-250571

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s desire to ‘un-unite’ Russia and China is unlikely to work – in fact, it could well backfire

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Linggong Kong, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science, Auburn University

    Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Getty Images

    Is the U.S. angling for a repeat of the Sino-Russian split?

    In an Oct. 31, 2024, interview with right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson, President Donald Trump argued that the United States under Joe Biden had, in his mind erroneously, pushed China and Russia together. Separating the two powers would be a priority of his administration. “I’m going to have to un-unite them, and I think I can do that, too,” Trump said.

    Since returning to the White House, Trump has been eager to negotiate with Russia, hoping to quickly bring an end to the war in Ukraine. One interpretation of this Ukraine policy is that it serves what Trump was getting at in his comments to Carlson. Pulling the U.S. out of the European conflict and repairing ties with Russia, even if it means throwing Ukraine under the bus, can be seen within the context of a shift of America’s attention to containing Chinese power.

    Indeed, after a recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump told Fox News: “As a student of history, which I am – and I’ve watched it all – the first thing you learn is you don’t want Russia and China to get together.”

    The history Trump alludes to is the strategy of the Nixon era, in which the U.S. sought to align with China as a counterbalance to the Soviet Union, encouraging a split between the two communist entities in the process.

    Yet if creating a fissure between Moscow and Beijing is indeed the ultimate aim, Trump’s vision is, I believe, both naive and shortsighted. Not only is Russia unlikely to abandon its relationship with China, but many in Beijing view Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war –- and his foreign policy more broadly – as a projection of weakness, not strength.

    A growing challenge

    Although Russia and China have at various times in the past been adversaries when it suited their interests, today’s geopolitical landscape is different from the Cold War era in which the Sino-Soviet split occurred. The two countries, whose relationship has grown steadily close since the fall of the Soviet Union，have increasingly shared major strategic goals – chief among them, challenging the Western liberal order led by the U.S.

    Soviet soldiers keep watch on the Chinese-Soviet border during a monthslong conflict in 1969.
    Keystone/Getty Images

    Both China and Russia have, in recent years, adopted an increasingly assertive stance in projecting military strength: China in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, and Russia in former Soviet satellite states, including Ukraine.

    In response, a unified stance formed by Western governments to counter China and Russia’s challenge has merely pushed the two countries closer together.

    Besties forever?

    In February 2022, just as Russia was preparing its invasion of Ukraine, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping announced a “friendship without limits” – in a show of unified intent against the West.

    China has since become an indispensable partner for Russia, serving as its top trading partner for both imports and exports. In 2024, bilateral trade between China and Russia reached a record high of US$237 billion, and Russia now relies heavily on China as a key buyer of its oil and gas. This growing economic interdependence gives China considerable leverage over Russia and makes any U.S. attempt to pull Moscow away from Beijing economically unrealistic.

    That doesn’t mean the Russian-Chinese relationship is inviolable; areas of disagreement and divergent policy remain.

    Indeed, there are areas that Trump could exploit if he were to succeed in driving a wedge between the two countries. For example, it could serve Russia’s interests to support U.S. efforts to contain China and discourage any expansionist tendencies in Beijing – such as through Moscow’s strategic ties with India, which China views with some alarm – especially given that there are still disputed territories along the Chinese-Russian border.

    Putin know who his real friends are

    Putin isn’t naive. He knows that with Trump in office, the deep-seated Western consensus against Russia – including a robust, if leaky, economic sanctions regime – isn’t going away anytime soon. In Trump’s first term, the U.S. president likewise appeared to be cozying up to Putin, but there is an argument that he was even tougher on Russia, in terms of sanctions, than the administrations of Barack Obama or Joe Biden.

    So, while Putin would likely gladly accept a Trump-brokered peace deal that sacrifices Ukraine’s interests in favor of Russia, that doesn’t mean he would be rushing to embrace some kind of broader call to unite against China. Putin will know the extent to which Russia is now reliant economically on China, and subservient to it militarily. In the words of one Russian analyst, Moscow is now a “vassal” or, at best, a junior partner to Beijing.

    Transactional weakness

    China for its part views Trump’s peace talks with Russia and Ukraine as a sign of weakness that potentially undermines U.S. hawkishness toward China.

    While some members of the U.S. administration are undoubtedly hawkish on China – Secretary of State Marco Rubio views the country as the “most potent and dangerous” threat to American prosperity – Trump himself has been more ambivalent. He may have slapped new tariffs on China as part of a renewed trade war, but he has also mulled a meeting with President Xi Jinping in an apparent overture.

    Beijing recognizes Trump’s transactional mindset, which prioritizes short-term, tangible benefits over more predictable long-term strategic interests requiring sustained investment.

    This changes the calculation over whether the U.S. may be unwilling to bear the high costs of defending Taiwan. Trump, in a deviation from his predecessor, has failed to commit the country to defending Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by Beijing.

    Rather, Trump had indicated that if the Chinese government were to launch a military campaign to “reunify” Taiwan, he would opt instead for economic measures like tariffs and sanctions. His apparent openness to trade Ukraine territory for peace now has made some in Taiwan concerned over Washington’s commitment to long-established international norms.

    Insulating the economy

    China has taken another key lesson from Russia’s experience in Ukraine: The U.S.-led economic sanctions regime has serious limits.

    Even under sweeping Western sanctions, Russia was able to stay afloat through subterfuge and with support from allies like China and North Korea. Moreover, China remains far more economically intertwined with the West than Russia, and its relatively dominant global economic position means that it has significant leverage to combat any U.S.-led efforts to isolate the country economically.

    Indeed, as geopolitical tensions have driven the West to gradually decouple from China in recent years, Beijing has adapted to the resulting economic slowdown by prioritizing domestic consumption and making the economy more self-reliant in key sectors.

    A souvenir shopkeeper displays Matryoshka dolls featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
    Misha Friedman/Getty Images

    That in part also reflects China’s significant global economic and cultural strength. Coupled with this has been a domestic push to win countries in the Global South around to China’s position. Beijing has secured endorsements from 70 countries officially recognizing Taiwan as part of China.

    China’s turn to exploit a split?

    As such, Trump’s plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war by favoring Russia in the hope of drawing it into an anti-China coalition is, I believe, likely to backfire.

    While Russia may itself harbor concerns about China’s growing power, the two country’s shared strategic goal of challenging the Western-led international order — and Russia’s deep economic dependence on China — make any U.S. attempt to pull Moscow away from Beijing unrealistic.

    Moreover, Trump’s approach exposes vulnerabilities that China could exploit. His transactional and isolationist foreign policy, along with his encouragement of right-wing parties in Europe, may strain relations with European Union allies and weaken trust in American security commitments. Beijing, in turn, may view this as a sign of declining U.S. influence, giving China more room to maneuver, noticeably in regard to Taiwan.

    Rather than increasing the chances of a Sino-Russia split, such a shift could instead divide an already fragile Western coalition.

    Linggong Kong 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. Trump’s desire to ‘un-unite’ Russia and China is unlikely to work – in fact, it could well backfire – https://theconversation.com/trumps-desire-to-un-unite-russia-and-china-is-unlikely-to-work-in-fact-it-could-well-backfire-252243

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –