NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: LockerMap Expands with Fleet Pricing and Mobile Apps to Help Truck Drivers Receive Personal Packages on the Road

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Austin, TX, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LockerMap, the leading package pickup locator, has announced new fleet pricing and mobile apps designed to help truck drivers easily receive their personal online orders while on the road. LockerMap aggregates publicly accessible, secure package lockers, helping truck drivers and travelers find a convenient pickup location for their personal packages. With thousands of retail lockers and other pickup locations mapped, LockerMap is now offering fleet subscriptions at just $20 per driver per year, making it an affordable perk for trucking companies to provide their drivers. Individual drivers can also subscribe to LockerMap Plus for access to premium features designed to make finding pickup locations even easier.

    “Truckers spend weeks or months on the road, and receiving personal packages isn’t as easy as it is for someone at home,” said Justin Capogna, founder of LockerMap. “Our new Fleet Pricing makes it simple for companies to give their drivers easy access to pickup locations nationwide, with zero management required. And for individual drivers, LockerMap Plus provides powerful tools to find the most convenient pickup spots along their routes.”

    Drivers Experiencing Real Benefits on the Road

    “As a professional driver, finding package lockers along my route was nearly impossible before LockerMap. This application has completely solved that challenge for me,” said Chris K., independent owner-operator.

    “LockerMap has allowed me to discover convenient pickup locations along my regular routes. It’s significantly improved my quality of life on the road,” said Shannon B., long-haul driver.

    Fleet Pricing: Hassle-Free for Companies, Game-Changing for Drivers

    LockerMap’s Fleet Pricing is designed to be a low-cost, zero-maintenance benefit for trucking companies. Every driver enrolled through a fleet subscription receives full access to LockerMap Plus, ensuring they can take advantage of premium features like truck stop filtering and route-based searching. Fleets receive a custom signup link for drivers to join, and there’s no need to manage seats or subscriptions, just a simple, flat-rate cost per driver with bulk discounts available.

    For truck drivers, LockerMap makes picking up personal packages significantly easier—reducing the frustration of rejected deliveries at truck stops, unnecessary detours, and wasted time searching for lockers.

    Learn more at lockermap.com/fleet-pricing.

    LockerMap Plus: Premium Features for Individual Drivers

    LockerMap is free to use, allowing anyone to browse and locate pickup locations. For truck drivers and frequent travelers who need more advanced features, LockerMap Plus provides:

    • Truck stop filtering – Find pickup locations at truck stops nationwide.
    • Route-based searching – Easily locate package pickup points along your planned route.
    • More detailed location info – Get precise details on locker types and operating hours.

    Drivers can upgrade to LockerMap Plus to access advanced search and filtering options, making it faster and easier to find the best pickup locations along their route.

    New iOS & Android Apps Make Finding Pickup Locations Even Easier

    LockerMap is available on web, iOS, and Android, ensuring drivers can access it anywhere. The new apps are available now in the App Store and Google Play and introduce truck stop filtering and route-based searching, helping drivers find the most convenient package pickup points without detouring off their route.

    With over 20,000 pickup locations in the U.S., including 650+ at truck stops, LockerMap is the first and only tool built specifically to help truckers, RVers, and frequent travelers access convenient package pickup locations.

    About LockerMap

    LockerMap helps people find package pickup locations with ease, offering a powerful search tool for Amazon lockers, package pickup solutions, and more. Whether you’re a trucker, RVer, traveler, or a shopper looking for a secure delivery option, LockerMap makes it easy to pick up packages safely and conveniently. Learn more at lockermap.com. 

    Press inquiries

    LockerMap
    https://lockermap.com
    Justin Capogna
    press@lockermap.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Anjuna Named to Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative Companies List

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anjuna, a leader in Universal Confidential Computing and AI Data Fusion Clean Rooms, today announced its selection to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025. This recognition underscores Anjuna’s groundbreaking advancements in security and privacy, enabling enterprises to unlock new value from AI and data collaboration without compromising confidentiality.

    Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies list celebrates organizations that are reshaping industries and redefining business. This is not Anjuna’s first recognition; the company was also named a winner in the Next Big Things in Tech Awards in the Security & Privacy category in 2023 for its Universal Confidential Computing Platform, Anjuna Seaglass.

    Anjuna’s latest honor comes amid significant company momentum. Earlier this year, Gartner recognized Anjuna as a Tech Innovator in Preemptive Cybersecurity for its role in safeguarding enterprises against emerging AI-driven threats. Additionally, Anjuna announced this month that it has secured major customers in the digital payments industry, including a Fortune 500 financial institution, all leveraging Anjuna’s technology to implement secure AI-driven processing, analytics, and collaboration in financial services.

    Innovation at the Core of Anjuna’s Mission

    At the heart of Anjuna’s innovation is Anjuna Northstar, the first AI Data Fusion Clean Room, which redefines secure AI-driven collaboration by enabling enterprises to fuse, analyze, and derive insights from multiple data sources without ever exposing it. First announced in December of 2024, Northstar offers an out-of-the-box, intrinsically secure environment, supporting industries from financial services to healthcare in unlocking AI-driven innovation.

    “Being named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list is an incredible honor that validates our mission to make security intrinsic, not an obstacle, to AI-driven collaboration,” said Ayal Yogev, CEO and co-founder of Anjuna. “This recognition highlights not only our cutting-edge technology but also the real-world impact we’re having—helping enterprises across industries securely unlock the value of their most sensitive data.”

    The full list of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies honorees can now be found at fastcompany.com. It will also be available on newsstands beginning March 25. To learn more about Anjuna, please visit anjuna.io

    Meet Anjuna at NVIDIA GTC 2025

    Anjuna’s recognition comes as the NVIDIA GTC conference is underway in San Jose CA, where the company is showcasing its latest innovations. Anjuna’s solutions integrate seamlessly with NVIDIA’s Confidential Computing-enabled Hopper and Blackwell architectures, empowering enterprises to run AI workloads with uncompromising security and privacy. Attendees are invited to visit booth #3311 to chat with Anjuna experts and see firsthand how Anjuna Northstar and Seaglass are enabling AI security and data collaboration.

    About Anjuna
    Anjuna unlocks secure, AI-driven innovation with two groundbreaking solutions. Anjuna Seaglass, the Universal Confidential Computing Platform, delivers ubiquitous data privacy and intrinsic cloud security. Anjuna Northstar, the AI Data Fusion Clean Room, builds on Seaglass to provide an out-of-the-box, private environment for limitless AI-driven data collaboration and value discovery. Anjuna works with enterprises around the globe, including financial services, government, healthcare and SaaS. Anjuna is backed by prominent investors, including Playground Global, Insight Partners, M Ventures, and SineWave Ventures.

    Media Contact:
    Mauricio Barra, VP of Marketing for Anjuna
    Email: mauricio.barra@anjuna.io

    An image accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ac29037-1bfb-456f-84f8-33af76572a4e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mark Werner, CFA Joins Laffer Tengler Investments as Portfolio Manager

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc., a boutique investment management firm for high-net worth individuals, institutional clients and platform advisors is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Werner as Portfolio Manager and Strategy Team member of the Dividend Growth Strategy team. Werner brings with him over two decades of investment experience at asset and wealth management firms.  

    “Our dividend growth strategy is best in an important and unique strategy; we welcome Mark’s experience and market expertise,” says Nancy Tengler, CEO and CIO of Laffer Tengler Investments. “Adding Mark to our team will help expand our investment strategy offerings as well as add to the firms’ equity research efforts. His background offers the team additional expertise in portfolio management to benefit our valued clients.”  

    “Laffer Tengler’s proven model was immediately appealing,” says Werner. “I am excited to join the Laffer Tengler team to provide the firm’s clients with diversified and tailored investment strategies.”  

    Werner’s background includes building and developing asset allocation strategies, conducting in-depth fundamental equity research across global markets, and managing portfolios for both institutional and private clients. Throughout his career, he has held investment and portfolio management roles at firms such as Fred Alger Management, Merrill Lynch, Ashfield Capital Partners, and AXA Rosenberg Investment Management.  

    Werner holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Financial Analysis and Investment Management from St. Mary’s College and is a CFA charter holder.  

    About Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc.  

    Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with national distribution and an office in Scottsdale, Arizona, is an asset management firm providing investment solutions to Institutional, Platform and high-net worth clients. The company is an investment advisor registered with the SEC, and it offers advisory services. Laffer Tengler Investments, Inc. is an affiliate of ButcherJoseph. Nancy Tengler, CEO and CIO, has been managing large cap value strategies for over 35 years. The investment team has an average of 20 years of experience in the investment management business.  

    Media Contact

    Deborah Kostroun, Zito Partners
    deborah@zitopartners.com
    +1 (201) 403-8185

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: NRRP steering committee meeting to verify progress of National Programme for the Guaranteed Employability of Workers (GOL)

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    A steering committee meeting for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) was held at Palazzo Chigi today, focusing solely on the ‘Inclusion and Cohesion’ mission. The purpose of the meeting, called and chaired by Minister for European Affairs, the NRRP and Cohesion Policy Tommaso Foti and attended by Undersecretary of State to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies Claudio Durigon as well as by regional presidents and representatives from the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, was to verify in detail the progress of the reform to enhance active labour market and education and training policy services – the national programme for the guaranteed employability of workers (‘GOL’) – at regional level.

    Today’s steering committee meeting on the Inclusion and Cohesion Mission follows on from the healthcare-focused steering committee meeting held on 6 March and forms part of the enhanced monitoring of NRRP measures, which see regions playing an active role in their implementation, launched by the Government ahead of negotiations with the European Commission regarding possible adjustments aimed at ensuring that final targets are reached and the allocated resources are deployed in full.

    “The ongoing checks into the Plan’s implementation status – stated Minister Foti – will allow the Government to take targeted action to complete reforms and investments on time, with positive effects on citizens’ lives, and to confirm Italy’s leading position in Europe with regard to the roll-out of its NRRP, in terms of goals achieved, total resources received, instalments received and payment requests formalised”.

    The ‘GOL’ programme, implemented by Italy’s Regions and Autonomous Provinces, is primarily aimed at job seekers and recipients of social safety net benefits or income support measures as well as vulnerable workers and the unemployed, providing incentives for active labour market policy programmes that are personalised according to individuals’ different needs.

    The steering committee meeting also reviewed the positive physical progress of the reform, which provides for three targets to be met by the end of 2025: as of today, 65% of the final target has been reached, with 1.9 million beneficiaries compared with the 3 million planned; with regard to the aforementioned beneficiaries, 800,000 are participating in vocational training, 300,000 of whom are receiving digital skills training. The third goal to be reached is the enhancement of at least 80% of job centres, by improving quality services, analysing skill requirements, drawing up individual training plans and offering effective welcome and employment guidance services. At the same time, the steering committee also took note of the limited financial progress of the measure falling under the responsibility of regional authorities, which currently stands at 9.3% of distributed resources, in order to establish a reallocation of the measure’s remaining financial resources to other virtuous projects falling under active labour market policies. This is without prejudice to the Meloni Government’s tireless efforts to implement measures aimed at boosting employment, especially in the Mezzogiorno.

    In order to help regional authorities verify schedules and achieve the planned objectives, a certification has been created to attest to progress towards reaching the final target of the GOL reform in accordance with the Plan’s time frames and conditions, as well as financial progress. This review process will enable regional authorities to clarify current progress towards the target and the progress of spending compared with the amount allocated, as well as to present proposals and targeted and shared actions to use the resources that won’t be absorbed by the reform.
    The NRRP task force within the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, working in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, ensures the utmost cooperation with the authorities in charge of implementation, providing appropriate support for the preparation of the certifications.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Biggest shake up to welfare system in a generation to get Britain working

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Biggest shake up to welfare system in a generation to get Britain working

    Largest welfare reforms for a generation to help sick and disabled people who can and have the potential to work into jobs – backed by a £1 billion investment, unveiled by the Work & Pensions Secretary today [Tuesday 18 March]. 

    • Work Capability Assessment to be scrapped and “right to try” work guarantee to be introduced in drive to tear down barriers to work
    • Changes will unlock work, boost employment, and tackle the broken benefits system to unlock growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change

    Record £1 billion employment support measures announced to help disabled and long-term sick people back into work.

    The new measures are designed to ensure a welfare system that is fit for purpose and available for future generations – opening up employment opportunities, boosting economic growth and tackling the spiralling benefits bill, while also ensuring those who cannot work get the support they need as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    This will end years of inaction, which has led to one in eight young people not currently in work, education or training and 2.8 million people economically inactive due to long term sickness – one of the highest rates in the G7. 

    The number of people receiving one of the main types of health and disability benefit, Personal Independence Payments (PIP), has also risen rapidly and is becoming unsustainable. 

    Since the pandemic, the number of working-age people receiving PIP has more than doubled from 15,300 to 35,100 a month. The number of young people (16-24) receiving PIP per month has also skyrocketed from 2,967 to 7,857 a month. Over the next five years, if no action is taken, the number of working age people claiming PIP is expected to increase from 2 million in 2021 to 4.3 million, costing £34.1 billion annually. 

    All this has driven the spiralling health and disability benefits bill, forecast to reach £70 billion a year by the end of the decade, or more than £1 billion a week. This is equivalent to more than a third of the NHS budget, and more than three times as much as is spent on policing and keeping communities safe.

    Speaking in Parliament today, Liz Kendall announced a sweeping package of reforms to overhaul the system, so it better supports those who need it while tearing down barriers to work including:

    Ending reassessments for disabled people who will never be able to work and people with lifelong conditions to ensure they can live with dignity and security

    Scrapping the controversial Work Capability Assessment to end the dysfunctional process that drives people into dependency – delivering on the government’s manifesto commitment to reform or replace it

    Providing improved employment support backed by £1 billion – one of the biggest packages of employment support for sick and disabled people ever – including new tailored support conversations for people on health and disability benefits to break down barriers and unlock work

    Legislating to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work. 

    To ensure the welfare system is available for those with the greatest needs now and long into the future, the government has made bold decisions to improve its sustainability and protect those who need it most, including:

    • Reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support and aren’t indefinitely written off.
    • Targeting Personal Independence Payments for those with higher needs by changing the eligibility requirement to a minimum score of four on at least one of the daily living activities to receive the daily living element of the benefit, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria.
    • Rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit to improve the Standard Allowance. Raising it above inflation by 2029/30, adding £775 annually in cash terms.
    • Consulting on delaying access to the health element of Universal Credit until someone is aged 22 and reinvesting savings into work support and training opportunities through the Youth Guarantee.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    We inherited a fundamentally broken welfare system from the previous government. It does not work for the people it is supposed to support, businesses who need workers or taxpayers who foot the bill.

    This government will always protect the most severely disabled people to live with dignity. But we’re not prepared to stand back and do nothing while millions of people – especially young people – who have potential to work and live independent lives, instead become trapped out of work and abandoned by the system. It would be morally bankrupt to let their life chances waste away. 

    When I talk about opportunity for all, I mean it. That’s why we are bringing forward the biggest changes to the welfare system in a generation and improving support for those who need it. Ensuring those who can work do work is not only right, but it will also improve living standards and drive growth, the number one priority in our Plan for Change.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    Our social security system must be there for all of us when we need it, now and into the future. That means helping people who can work to do so, protecting those most in need, and delivering respect and dignity for all. 

    Millions of people have been locked out of work, and we can do better for them. Disabled people and those with health conditions who can work deserve the same choices and chances as everyone else.

    That’s why we’re introducing the most far-reaching reforms in a generation, with £1 billion a year being invested in tailored support that can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances – including their changing health – while also scrapping the failed Work Capability Assessment.

    This will mean fairness for disabled people and those with long term health conditions, but also for the taxpayers who fund it as these measures bring down the benefits bill. 

    At the same time, we will ensure that our welfare system protects people. There will always be some people who cannot work because of their disability or health condition. Protecting people in need is a principle we will never compromise on.

    In her statement to Parliament, the Work and Pensions Secretary outlined the clear case for change to the welfare system and set out her commitment to ensuring that disabled people and those with a health condition have the same opportunities to work as anyone else.

    In particular, she highlighted that the UK has one of the highest reported rates of working-age people out of work due to ill health in Western Europe and the UK is the only major economy whose employment rate hasn’t recovered since the pandemic – exacerbated by a broken NHS with millions of people on waiting lists. 

    The government has already made huge progress to fix the NHS, including by hitting the manifesto commitment to deliver over two million extra elective care appointments seven months early, and bringing forward a wider programme for NHS reform through the rollout of community diagnostic centres and 10-year plan. The Health Secretary has also sent crack teams spearheaded by top clinicians into areas of high economic inactivity, and the latest data shows waiting lists in these areas have reduced at almost double the rate of the rest of the country. 

    The reformed system will be built on a straightforward guarantee: any disabled person or person with a long-term health condition who is claiming out of work benefits will be able to access high quality, tailored help into a job. It will also mean that those who cannot work will always get the support they need. In Scotland and Wales, we will work closely with the devolved governments as we develop this package of support.

    The reforms are based on five key principles:

    Protecting disabled people who can’t and won’t ever be able to work and supporting them to live with dignity by:

    • Income Protection: Those currently in receipt of UC health will benefit from the increased standard allowance and will not be affected by plans to reduce UC health in future. 
    • Extra Financial Support: For people who receive the new rate of UC health in the future system, we are proposing a new premium for individuals with severe, life-long health conditions who will never be able to work. The details, eligibility criteria and rate of this premium will be set out in due course.
    • Ending Reassessments: Reassessments for disabled people and people with life-long conditions who will never be able to work will be scrapped.
    • Improving Safeguarding Practices: The government will look at how safeguarding practices for the most vulnerable can be improved and improve experiences with the system, working with stakeholders to identify areas for improvement. 

    Delivering better and more tailored employment support to get more people off welfare and into work. This includes: 

    • £1 Billion employment package to deliver tailored support for disabled people and those with long-term conditions.
    • New Support Conversations to provide earlier opportunities for people with health conditions to discuss work goals and available help.
    • Investing in the Youth Guarantee by delaying access to UC health element until age 22 and reinvesting savings into work support and training for young people.

    Stopping people from falling into long-term economic inactivity through early intervention and support by:

    • Access to Work Scheme: We will consult on improvements to help people start and stay in work with reasonable adjustments including aids, appliances and assistive technology. These would be the first substantive changes to Access to Work since its introduction in 1994
    • Unemployment Insurance: We will reform contributory benefits (ESA and JSA) into a single, non-means tested, time-limited benefit for those who have paid into the system to ensure people get the support they need to find a new job that makes the most of their skills, contributing to a dynamic and productive economy.

    Restoring trust and fairness in the system by fixing the broken assessment process that drives people into dependency on welfare by:

    • Scrapping the WCA to end the labelling of people as either ‘can or can’t work’ and consulting on a new single assessment. Under the new system, any extra financial support for health conditions (including PIP, ESA or UC health) will be assessed via a new single assessment which will be based on the PIP assessment – considering on the impact of disability on daily living, not on capacity to work.
    • Increasing Face-to-Face Assessments for PIP and the WCA to improve the quality of assessment decision while ensuring we continue to meet the needs of those with who may require a different method of assessment.
    • Longer term reform of the PIP Assessment – In the long term we will set out broader reforms to the PIP assessment, and intend first to carry out a review involving experts and stakeholders to adapt and improve it.
    • Right to Try Guarantee: which will ensure someone trying work or on a pathway towards employment will never lead to an immediate reassessment or award review.
    • Restarting Mandatory Reassessments: We will reintroduce reassessments for incapacity benefits, with exceptions for those who will never work and those under special rules for end-of-life care. Reassessments have largely been switched off since 2021, leaving people stuck on benefits when they could be helped into work and to improve their quality of life.

    Ensuring the system is financially sustainable to keep providing for those who need it most by:

    • Changing PIP Eligibility:  PIP will be targeted more on those with higher needs by requiring a minimum of four points on one daily living activity, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria.. DWP will work with DHSC to ensure that existing people who claim PIP who may no longer be entitled to the benefit following an award review under new eligibility rules have their health and eligible care needs met. The government is consulting on how best to achieve this.

    • Rebalancing Universal Credit: by improving the Standard Allowance to provide more adequate support. The government plans to raise the Standard Allowance above inflation by 2029/30, adding £775 in cash terms annually. This aims to avoid people having to choose between employment or adequate financial support. This change addresses the current issue where the health element rate is double that of the standard allowance, creating an incentive for people to prove they are unfit to work to claim the health element and access greater financial support.

    Further Information

    • This is a significant reform package that is expected to save over £5 billion in 2029 to 2030. The government will publish OBR-certified costings of individual measures at the Spring Statement on 26 March. 
    • The UC standard allowance increase of £775 per year is for a single person aged 25 or over. Equivalent percentage increases will be applied to the standard allowances of couples and those aged under 25.
    • This consultation applies to England, Wales and Scotland. Note that the proposals in the consultation will only apply to the UK Government’s areas of responsibility in Scotland and Wales.
    • We will bring forward primary legislation this session to enable delivery of the PIP additional eligibility requirement and UC rebalancing reforms from 26/27, subject to parliamentary approval. The Right to Work Guarantee will be delivered through separate primary legislation which will be introduced in due course. 

    • In Scotland, some elements of support for disabled people and people with health conditions remain reserved (for example, the health element in UC) and some have been devolved to the Scottish Government (for example PIP and DLA). The proposals in this paper would only apply directly to UK Government areas of responsibility in Scotland. The interactions between the reserved and devolved systems will need to be fully considered before they are implemented.

    • DWP and the Scottish Government both have powers to provide different types of employment support in Scotland. Some elements of our employment support offer will apply across Great Britain. We will respect the Scottish Government’s devolved powers in relation to skills, health and employment support and work with the Scottish Government as we work through the details of the package and what this will mean in terms of additional funding and delivery in Scotland.

    • In Wales, DWP is responsible for social security and employment support. Welsh Ministers also have powers to provide employment support outside Jobcentre Plus. Some elements of our employment support offer will apply across Great Britain. We will respect the Welsh Government’s devolved powers in relation to skills, health and employment support and work with the Welsh Government as we work through the details of the package and what this will mean in terms of additional funding and delivery in Wales.

    • Social security and employment support are transferred in Northern Ireland, although the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive work closely together to maintain parity between their respective social security systems. However, the consultation welcomes comments from individuals and organisations in Northern Ireland, which will then be shared with the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: TopLine Financial Credit Union Advocates for Members in Washington D.C.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAPLE GROVE, Minn., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 2 to March 5, 2025, as part of the annual America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference, the credit union industry’s largest advocacy event.

    During the conference, TopLine executives and officials, along with over 6,000 other credit union professionals, board members and Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) staff members, discussed several top credit union issues with key legislative staff members. The group met with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith as well as members of the U.S. House and their staff. Meetings focused on expanding credit union’s opportunities to serve more Minnesotans, emphasizing the importance of preserving our not-for-profit financial cooperative tax status, fighting back on efforts to disrupt the interchange system, and maintaining an independent credit union regulator – all are very important to the health of the credit union industry.

    TopLine spent valuable face time meeting with lawmakers and sharing members’ stories on how TopLine provides safe and affordable financial services to help members with all of their financial needs, from buying cars and homes, saving for retirement and investing in small businesses. These conversations emphasized the importance of preserving the tax status of credit unions, which allows credit unions to continue to do what they do best: focus on serving members and communities instead of chasing profits. Credit unions advocates shared with lawmakers that any limitation or curtailment of the tax status would have a dramatic impact on the $950 million in direct financial benefits Minnesota credit unions provide their members and over $4 billion in economic output in the state.

    “The Governmental Affairs Conference united credit union champions from across the nation to discuss key policies, engage with legislators on Capitol Hill, and reinforce to lawmakers and regulators why credit unions are America’s best financial partner—prioritizing people over profits, strengthening communities, and enhancing financial well-being for all,” said Mick Olson, President and Chief Executive Officer at TopLine Financial Credit Union. “TopLine representatives had meaningful discussions with our state lawmakers, emphasizing the importance of preserving our not-for-profit financial cooperative tax status. This fundamental aspect of our structure enables us to build a stronger, healthier financial future for the consumers we serve.”

    America’s Credit Unions is the premier national trade association serving America’s credit unions. The not-for-profit trade group is governed by volunteer directors who are elected by their credit union peers. To learn more, visit www.americascreditunions.org.

    Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) is the statewide trade association that works to ensure the success, growth and vitality of Minnesota credit unions. For more information, visit www.mncun.org.

    TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 9th largest credit union, with assets of over $1.1 billion and serves over 70,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its ten branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, Maple Grove, Plymouth, St. Francis and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com or www.ahcu.coop. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members, as well as employees and retirees of Anoka Hennepin School District #11, Anoka Technical College, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hoffman Enclosures, Inc., GRACO, Inc., and their subsidiaries. Visit us on our Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about the credit union’s foundation, visit www.TopLinecu.com/Foundation.

    CONTACT:
    Vicki Roscoe Erickson
    Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
    TopLine Financial Credit Union
    verickson@toplinecu.com | 763.391.0872

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46b657cc-d617-4f18-a6af-6e6d0a03cb26

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HUMAN Sightline Revolutionizes Bot Management with AI-Enhanced Insights to Detect, Isolate, and Track Attackers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HUMAN Security, Inc., a leading cybersecurity company committed to safeguarding every step of the customer’s online journey by defending against bots, fraud, and digital risk, announced today HUMAN Sightline, an innovative suite of capabilities that detects, isolates, and tracks individual bot profiles. HUMAN Sightline enables security teams to conduct faster investigations and optimize their response to evolving threats in the era of AI. This fundamentally transforms bot management by delivering never-before-seen insights into automated traffic.

    “The bot mitigation landscape is swiftly evolving with the proliferation of AI-generated threats, and the industry can no longer rely on last-gen methods to detect and investigate next-gen threats,” said Christos Kalantzis, CTO of HUMAN. “Bots are becoming more sophisticated, and organizations must respond with advanced detection techniques to protect their business and drive security optimization strategies at scale. With HUMAN Sightline, we are putting data-driven investigation tools straight into the hands of our customers and their security teams.”

    With HUMAN Sightline, customers can isolate individual attacker profiles and uncover what each one is doing in granular detail. HUMAN’s secondary detection engine analyzes all automated activity on an application and segments it into distinct profiles, going beyond simple anomaly detection or basic signature mapping. Using sophisticated data modeling, HUMAN Sightline identifies and tracks nuanced shifts in bot behavior as they occur. This enables security analysts to see the activity of individual bot profiles over time, as well as their sophistication, capabilities, and the specific factors that distinguish them from humans and other bots on the application.

    “The responsibility of security is making decisions, and HUMAN Sightline helps us make decisions,” said Omri Lotan, Site Reliability Engineer at Fiverr. “Of course, we want to block bots, but when a tool just blocks bots without explaining why, I still have to investigate it. HUMAN Sightline gives me all the details I need to understand what exactly a bot was doing and why it was blocked. I can zero in on specific threat behaviors and turn these learnings into targeted mitigation strategies.”

    HUMAN Sightline offers three key benefits that revolutionize bot management:

    1. Focus and accelerate investigations: Surfaces distinct bot activities, attack paths, and changing behaviors, such as bots targeting specific products or visiting select pages at a glance. Security teams can then uncover hidden patterns and zero in on key attacks, transforming their investigative capabilities.
    2. Translate attack data into a board-ready threat narrative: Allows teams to present business-level visualizations of bot behavior and show the effect of their actions over time. This empowers security teams to lead with data-backed authority, bridging the gap between deep technical analysis and business actions.
    3. Optimize your security strategy for your unique threats: This enables security teams to gain unprecedented clarity on each attacker’s actions and intent to define threat priorities. This real-time adaptability empowers security teams to proactively identify new threat patterns, respond faster, and stay agile against evolving risks.

    “HUMAN Sightline completely transforms how the industry thinks about bot management,” said Bryan Becker, Senior Director of Project Management at HUMAN. ”In an industry used to anomaly detection as the only way to measure bot attacks, HUMAN Sightline isolates each bot profile to give security practitioners unprecedented visibility into the behavior of specific threats on their application.”

    HUMAN Sightline insights will be available through a new set of dashboards in HUMAN’s Application Protection package. They will also be available in Account Takeover Defense and Scraping Defense at no additional cost.

    About HUMAN
    HUMAN is a leading cybersecurity company committed to protecting the integrity of the digital world. We ensure that every digital interaction, transaction, and connection is authentic, secure, and human. Our Human Defense Platform safeguards the entire customer journey with high-fidelity decision-making that defends against bots, fraud, and digital threats. Each week, HUMAN verifies 20 trillion digital interactions, providing unparalleled telemetry data to enable rapid, effective responses to even the most sophisticated threats. Recognized by our customers as a G2 Leader, HUMAN continues to set the standard in cybersecurity. To ensure your digital connections are trusted, visit www.humansecurity.com

    Contact information:
    Masha Krylova, Director of Communications
    masha.krylova@humansecurity.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/65debe93-90d3-4833-b82d-dabd0a88cb38

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SECU Foundation Awards $150,000 to Rural Investment Collaborative for Improving Rural Leadership and Economic Opportunities in Appalachian Region of North Carolina

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RALEIGH, N.C., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rural Investment Collaborative (RIC), a program of Appalachian Community Capital, has received a $150,000 challenge grant from SECU Foundation. The funding will support a two-year pilot program to improve leadership and economic opportunities for rural communities across North Carolina.

    RIC was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and is a collective of foundations, financial centers, educational institutions, and government agencies working cooperatively to enhance the workforce and economic outcomes for rural communities.

    “We are thrilled to provide essential funding to help the Rural Investment Collaborative expand access to needed resources and systems to foster long-term change,” said SECU Foundation Board Vice Chair Mona Moon. “We look forward to seeing the positive impacts as the participating groups work to address rural infrastructure, social determinants of health, access to care, disaster recovery, and healthy living in their communities.”

    “The SECU Foundation’s generous support of the Richmond Federal Reserve’s Rural Investment Collaborative has been critical to ensuring the success of the program,” said President and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital Donna Gambrell. “The Foundation’s grant is assisting community leaders from small towns and rural areas in North Carolina to develop investment-ready project proposals and to make access to funding easier.” 

    About SECU and SECU Foundation
    A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 87 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $53 billion in assets. It serves more than 2.8 million members through 275 branch offices, 1,100 ATMs, Member Services Support via phone, www.ncsecu.org, and the SECU Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high-impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $300 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

    Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director, secufoundation@ncsecu.org

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/720d3f26-4426-401d-9148-bf0b71d93183

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Surf therapy for children with disabilities: how it’s changing lives in South Africa

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Roxy Davis, Doctor of philosophy, University of Cape Town

    Children with disabilities face significant challenges in South Africa. Firstly there are delayed diagnoses which can lead to complications. The high cost of healthcare and little financial support for their families can limit their access to healthcare services altogether.

    There is also little access to rehabilitation services. Inadequate facilities and a shortage of trained personnel are just some of the obstacles.

    I started thinking about ways to get over these obstacles when I noticed that people with disabilities weren’t well represented in my sport.

    As a competitive surfer and instructor, I had always celebrated the ocean’s ability to inspire confidence and resilience.

    Every day, the beach was alive with activity – surfers, families and ocean lovers. Yet among them, I rarely saw people with disabilities in the water.

    I began to notice that the beachfront itself, the infrastructure, the culture, and even my own surf school, weren’t actively creating space for inclusivity.

    This would eventually become the cornerstone of the Roxy Davis Foundation, established in 2019, and later my doctoral research focusing on ocean-based therapy for children with disabilities.

    I found surf therapy enhanced the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of these children.

    New therapy

    Surf therapy teaches people with disabilities to surf to promote psychological, physical and psychosocial well-being.

    The first peer reviewed publication on surf therapy appeared in 2010 and focused on Aboriginal children in Australia. It was about mitigating the inter-generational trauma suffered as a result of the government-sanctioned removal of Aboriginal children from their families, a policy that only ended in the 1970s.

    In 2020 a review of a 10-year period included 29 studies into war veterans and young adult cancer survivors, among others.

    One such study focused on children with autism spectrum disorder. The study took place in the north-west of Ireland. Children said they felt happier and free, while their parents said they were more relaxed and confident.

    A South African study with children with autism spectrum disorder explored the feasibility and unique benefits of an existing surf therapy programme and reported largely positive results.

    My own research involved an adapted surf therapy programme for children with a range of disabilities.

    Five children aged between 12 and 16 were enrolled. Altogether there were 35 participants including parents, counsellors, volunteers, physiotherapists and surf instructors.

    Four of the five children were from under-resourced communities in South Africa’s Western Cape province and all had either a physical, sensory, intellectual or cognitive impairment.

    None of the children had taken part in ocean sports before.

    Getting into the water

    For six weeks the children took part in a three-hour surf therapy session on a Friday afternoon.

    The first goal was to get the kids in the water. We used mobility mats, surfboards with handles and amphibious beach wheelchairs to help.

    Each child was taught now to surf according to their pace of learning and ability.

    There was also a “surfers’ circle” with a discussion topic for each session.

    After six weeks we conducted follow-up interviews to see what changes the children had experienced, and if these had any influence on their lives outside surfing.

    We also asked parents and counsellors to identify the most significant changes in the children.

    ‘I felt free and confident’

    Final interviews were completed one year later.

    Charlie, aged 12, with cerebral palsy: “If my brothers want to go surfing I don’t have to stay behind and just watch them, I can go surf with them. It is so cool to surf with my dad and my brothers.”

    Charlie’s teacher: “His self-awareness level and how he sees himself in the world has really improved.”

    Tala, aged 15, with cerebal palsy: “Once I started surfing, I felt free and confident. Even in other spaces, when I’m not surfing, like, ‘Yeah I can surf, I can do something like surfing that I didn’t know that I could do before.’ ”

    Tala’s school psychologist: “She went into this feeling very insecure, nervous and anxious. She said she will always remember who she was and how she felt before she went to the programme and how she came out of it … to be able to use that feeling and apply it to a different situation, that’s huge for her.”

    Princess, aged 15, with spina bifida: was determined to “wean” herself off using nappies after gaining confidence through surf therapy.

    Princess’s guardian described her experience as similar to “winning a gold medal … She was more confident in herself than ever. She is off that nappy completely now.”

    Thabo, aged 14, a leg amputee: “Before session one, I was feeling nervous and excited, but as soon as I got in the sea, the nerves disappeared. You look and realise you can actually do that. I feel like I belong in the ocean.”

    After the final session he said: “I can relax, I can be in control of my urges and my temper. I’m now not always thinking about what people think about me. I can be myself in many ways.”

    Rowan, aged 15, a quadruple amputee: “Before I started surfing, I was thinking I can’t do it until I tried it and just being there was like beyond being able to speak in my wildest dreams. I couldn’t believe I could surf in the ocean riding some waves.

    “On my first session, I was like ‘If I can do it, I can do it for the rest of my life’.”

    In his second interview he said: “My goal is to become a national champion and to become a Paralympic champion.”

    One year after the surf therapy programme he entered a provincial parasurfing competition, which he won. He was then selected to participate in the South African Para Surfing Championships in 2022, where he came second. Later that year he was selected to represent South Africa at the World Para Surfing Championships in California. Nineteen months after starting surfing, in December, on his 16th birthday, he competed in the World Championships and was placed 17th.

    Surf therapy demonstrates what’s possible when we focus on ability rather than limitation.

    Roxy Davis is affiliated with the Roxy Davis Foundation.

    – ref. Surf therapy for children with disabilities: how it’s changing lives in South Africa – https://theconversation.com/surf-therapy-for-children-with-disabilities-how-its-changing-lives-in-south-africa-245290

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ethiopia’s war may have ended, but the Tigray crisis hasn’t

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Assefa Leake Gebru, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Strategic Studies , Mekelle University

    For over 20 years, Ethiopia was led by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, a coalition of four ethnic-based political parties representing Tigray, Amhara, Oromo, and Southern nations, nationalities and peoples. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front was the most influential party within the coalition. However, in 2018, when the Prosperity Party came into power, the front lost its important role in government.

    On 4 November 2020, the federal government launched an attack on Tigray, terming it a military offensive against political aggression from the Tigrayan front. This sparked a war that lasted two years, and caused severe damage to people and resources. The African Union’s lead mediator in the crisis, Olusegun Obasanjo, estimated about 600,000 civilians were killed. This makes it one of the most destructive conflicts of the 21st century.

    On 2 November 2022, the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front signed a peace deal in South Africa, the Pretoria agreement. More than two years later, however, Tigray still faces immense political and humanitarian challenges. Assefa Leake Gebru, who has studied post-war Tigray, explains what’s happening.

    What’s the current situation in Tigray?

    The 2022-2022 war and its lingering effects have thrown the Tigray region into chaos. People are grappling to get basics like food, water and medicine. The regional economy was devastated by the war. There have been no rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts so far. Humanitarian aid is limited. Imagine if your local grocery store ran out of everything and couldn’t restock – that’s the situation I have witnessed and studied in Tigray, which is affecting millions of residents.

    Additionally, the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front are now fighting among themselves for power. The division is mainly between two factions: one led by former regional president Debretsion Gebremichael and the other by Getachew Reda, who heads the interim administration.

    In January 2025, leaders of Tigray’s military forces supported calls from the Debretsion faction for new regional leadership. The interim administration opposed this, calling it a soft coup. The federal government considers the political faction led by Debretsion illegitimate. The military leaders’ decision also sparked public protests, with Tigrayans calling for a separation between the military and politics.

    This internal division has weakened the interim administration, which was installed as part of the Pretoria agreement in March 2023.

    Given this situation, the interim administration remains fragile amid serious humanitarian concerns and security threats facing the region. The interim government and dysfunctional law enforcement institutions aren’t strong enough to fix things.



    Read more:
    What is federalism? Why Ethiopia uses this system of government and why it’s not perfect

    Economically, jobs remain scarce. A 2024 survey found a youth unemployment rate of 81%. This situation has been created by economic collapse, asset plunder during the war and the absence of a functioning government.

    Socially, people are stressed and hurting, like a community still reeling from a major fallout. It’s a pile-up of problems that are making life incredibly tough.

    What, exactly, is the Pretoria agreement?

    The Pretoria agreement is an important peace deal between Tigray’s political leaders and the federal government. It was signed in Pretoria, South Africa, on 2 November 2022. The African Union facilitated the peace talks hosted by South Africa.

    The goal of the agreement? End the violence that began in 2020, keep people safe by calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, allow aid like food trucks to roll in, disarm Tigray fighters and set up an interim government to restore order.

    It also aimed to re-establish the Ethiopian government’s control over federal installations in Tigray.

    What has been implemented and what hasn’t?

    There has been some positive progress. The Pretoria agreement established the interim government. Some everyday services are back, like banks reopening and planes flying again. A few Tigray fighters have put down their weapons.

    But here’s where it gets messy. Soldiers from Eritrea – which supported the Ethiopian army in the Tigray war – and militias from another Ethiopian region, Amhara, are still hanging around Tigray, raising security threats. They’re preventing internally displaced persons from going back home.

    The plan to fully disarm Tigrayan fighters hasn’t been completed either. This threatens regional stability, undermines peace efforts and increases the risk of renewed violence.

    What are the implications of not fully executing the Pretoria agreement?

    First, the region’s humanitarian crisis could worsen. An estimated one million displaced people are grappling with high levels of food insecurity, and thousands of schools remain closed. A weak interim government and the continued occupation of parts of Tigray by armed groups has hindered the restoration of services and stifled economic progress.

    Second, the division within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front makes it hard to lead the region under an interim administration. A lack of consensus on power-sharing has hindered effective governance, undermining the intended transitional authority.

    Third, a weak interim government can’t keep civilians safe, which was a pillar of the Pretoria agreement. Economically, the lack of jobs and skyrocketing prices are hitting Tigrayans hard. Socially, everyone’s on edge.

    Finally, there’s a risk of igniting further conflict in the region along the political fault lines between Debretsion and Getachew. There is a high chance of this situation being manipulated by Eritrean forces, who weren’t involved in the negotiations that led to the Pretoria agreement. The fractures in the interim government provide an opportunity for neighbouring Eritrea to support one faction against the other, which could escalate into war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front has been one of Eritrea’s bitterest enemies. The antagonism between the two led to the 1998-2000 war between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

    If these tensions keep up, Tigray will remain stuck in an awful cycle. The African Union and international community must address these issues to prevent a spiral into further chaos.

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

    – ref. Ethiopia’s war may have ended, but the Tigray crisis hasn’t – https://theconversation.com/ethiopias-war-may-have-ended-but-the-tigray-crisis-hasnt-251846

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Spanish speakers in Philadelphia break traditional rules of formal and informal speech in signs around town

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Guarin, Adjunct professor, Temple University

    Spanish-language signs in Philadelphia contradict the grammar lessons most of us were taught. Daniel Guarin Buitrago, CC BY-ND

    I’ve discovered something fascinating about how Spanish speakers in Philadelphia address each other and communicate through public signs.

    The discovery is part of my research on language patterns in Philadelphia – and it challenges what many students learn in Spanish class.

    Remember those lessons where you learned to use the formal “usted” with strangers and “tú” with friends? Well, the signs on Philadelphia’s streets show that Spanish speakers actually use pronouns differently.

    In Spanish, unlike modern English, speakers must choose between different ways of saying “you” when addressing someone. Some Spanish dialects use up to four different forms – “tú,” “usted,” “vos” and the Colombian “sumercé” – but the Spanish speakers writing signs in Philadelphia have settled on just two: “tú” and “usted.”

    But here’s where it gets interesting: In Philadelphia, the choice between these forms doesn’t follow the traditional rules we all thought we knew.

    What the signs tell us

    After analyzing 250 signs across three neighborhoods with a significant number of Spanish speakers – the Golden Block, in North Philadelphia; Olney, in North Philadelphia; and South Philadelpha’s Italian Market corridor – and online spaces such as social media from different Hispanic organizations in the city, I found some surprising patterns in how these forms are used.

    Bilingual signs written in both Spanish and English tend to use the verb form associated with formal “usted” – imagine a store window announcing, “Please wear a mask / Por favor, utilice una mascarilla.” But signs written only in Spanish often use the informal “tú,” even when addressing strangers. This challenges the common assumption that we should always use formal language with people we don’t know.

    My study suggests the purpose of the message matters more than formality. When signs make requests, they typically use “usted.” But when they’re trying to persuade or invite people to do something, “tú” is more common. A sign saying, “Please wait to be seated” typically uses “usted,” while one saying “Join us for our grand opening!” uses “tú.”

    A city’s changing voice

    Philadelphia’s Spanish-speaking history stretches back to the late 1800s, with waves of migration bringing distinct varieties of the Spanish language to the city.

    Puerto Rican communities arrived in the 1940s and ‘50s, followed by Colombians in the ’70s and ’80s, and more recently, Mexican and Central American immigrants in the early 2000s.

    What’s particularly noteworthy is the absence of “vos” in these signs, despite Philadelphia’s significant Salvadoran population who traditionally use this form. This suggests newer communities are adapting their language in signs to match the more established Spanish-speaking groups in the city.

    Why this matters

    These findings tell us something important about language in immigrant communities.

    Rather than creating an entirely new dialect, Philadelphia’s Spanish speakers are finding common ground in how they communicate. It’s a reminder that language rules are often more flexible than we think, shaped by real-world use rather than textbook guidelines.

    The next time you’re walking through Philadelphia’s Spanish-speaking neighborhoods, pay attention to the signs around you. They’re not just giving directions or advertising services – they’re showing us how language evolves when different communities come together in a new home.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

    Daniel Guarin 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. Spanish speakers in Philadelphia break traditional rules of formal and informal speech in signs around town – https://theconversation.com/spanish-speakers-in-philadelphia-break-traditional-rules-of-formal-and-informal-speech-in-signs-around-town-249444

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor announces new £6 million fund to support survivors of domestic abuse

    Source: Mayor of London

    • New £6 million investment from Mayor will help ensure thousands of victims and survivors of domestic abuse get the help and support they need to reach safe accommodation, and rebuild their lives for the long term
    • Since its launch in 2021, the Mayor’s Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation (DASA) programme has ensured more than 23,500 victims and survivors have received support
    • Additional funding builds on Sadiq’s record £233 million funding to tackle violence against women and girls in all its forms
    • Mayor visits voluntary organisations Refuge, Solace and Asha in Lambeth to see first-hand how his Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation (DASA) programme is supporting the most vulnerable in London’s diverse communities

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced a new £6 million package of funding to support grassroots community organisations delivering life-changing support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence across the capital.

    The funding will be used to fund keyworkers, helplines, advocates who can help support victims find new housing, legal advice, counselling and specialist play therapy for children alongside a range of other initiatives.

    It is part of Sadiq’s £54 million investment in his Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation (DASA) programme1 which funds vital support and services for survivors and their children in safe accommodation. 

    The additional £6 million announced today builds on the record support the Mayor has already provided for domestic abuse services in London, which includes the delivery of 81 vital services for domestic abuse survivors between 2022 and 2024.2

    Since it launched in 2021, the Mayor’s DASA programme has helped more than 23,500 survivors of domestic abuse, including vulnerable men, women, and children from across London’s communities rebuild their lives. Thanks to new City Hall investment, it is expected that thousands of more victims and survivors will benefit over the course of the Mayor’s DASA programme.

    The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) found that an estimated 2.3 million people aged 16 or over in the UK had experienced domestic abuse in the last year ending March 2024.3 In London there were 86,863 police recorded domestic abuse offences in the 12-month period to February 2025.4

    Sadiq is continuing to work in partnership with community organisations, government, charities, the police and other partners to support victims of domestic abuse access safe housing and one-to-one support to cope and recover from trauma and abuse.

    However, victims and survivors are still facing barriers in receiving the help they need and the situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis which is forcing many people who have been impacted to stay with abusers or face financial hardship.

    The Mayor is determined to ensure that all Londoners in need are able to access the domestic abuse support they need, in a way that benefits them. To help achieve that, Sadiq has today set out a new refreshed approach to Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation which will create more safe spaces for victims and survivors from minority backgrounds – included faith-based communities and those with more complex needs. The new approach will help communities from London’s diverse communities feel more comfortable reaching out for support. 5

    Today, the Mayor visited voluntary organisations Refuge, Solace and Asha in Lambeth to see first-hand how his funding will continue to help dedicated staff deliver high-quality care and support for survivors of domestic abuse and their families.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Domestic abuse refuges and community organisations are a lifeline for so many Londoners in need. Despite caseloads growing, grassroot support groups are struggling to survive due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and years of underfunding from the previous government.

    “So I’m pleased to be working with partners to fund vital support services for thousands of survivors of domestic abuse and violence who need safe accommodation across our city.

    “The investment I have announced today will build on my record £233 million funding to tackle violence against women and girls in all its forms and help community organisations continue their life-changing work with some of the most vulnerable people experiencing domestic abuse so we can build a safer and fairer London for everyone.”

    Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: “The Mayor’s funding for domestic abuse victims and survivors is changing lives. Since 2021, the DASA programme has ensured more than 23,500 victims and survivors have received the support they need to move forward.

    “This latest investment and refreshed strategy will help us do even more and ensure Londoners of all backgrounds can access the vital one-to-one care they need to rebuild their lives. All of this is happening alongside record funding for the police to go after the worst domestic abuse offenders and better education and public campaigns to tackle the root causes of misogyny and domestic violence.”

    Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said: “This vital new investment from the Mayor will ensure thousands of victims and survivors of domestic abuse in safe accommodation receive the help they need to rebuild their lives.

    “This will enable grassroots community organisations to continue delivering life-changing services for victims, including helplines and therapy, as we build a safer London for all.”

    London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, said: “It’s absolutely critical that victims and survivors affected by domestic abuse and violence receive the support and help they need to access safety and rebuild their lives.

    “I know first-hand from my work with victims across the capital just how important these specialist services are; safe accommodation offers survivors a lifeline and ensures they can escape their abusers. Whilst there is a still a lot more work to do to tackle the root causes of domestic abuse, I hope this new funding from City Hall will support the most vulnerable victims and survivors in our diverse communities.”

    Cllr Claire Holland, the Leader of Lambeth Council, said: “We are proud of Lambeth’s leading work to support women and girls who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse and to work with the Mayor of London on our shared ambitions to keep women and girls safe.

    “This visit recognises Lambeth’s long history of strong local funding, partnerships and expertise. We are committed to tackling gender based violence in all its forms in our borough and have protected these services from the deep funding cuts our sector has faced over many years. Lambeth Council’s strategy for tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) has been in place since 2021 and sets out how the council works with its partners on the issue over the following five years. It builds on previous strategies and a decade of work to establish effective services, partnerships and processes that support victims and survivors and their children and hold perpetrators to account.

    “Lambeth council funds 52 refuge bed spaces, which is the highest number of commissioned domestic abuse safe accommodation beds in any London borough, and twice as many as the London average. The majority offer culturally specific support in recognition of the evidenced benefit of tailored support for women and their children fleeing abuse. There is also specialist community-based support for victims and survivors of all genders and ages who are at risk of gender based violence through our free, confidential and independent service, the Gaia Centre. We look forward to working with the Mayor and his team on a fair and sustainable offer for those fleeing domestic abuse across London.”

    Martina Palmer, Head of Services at Refuge, said: “Refuge is delighted to welcome a new strategy for domestic abuse safe accommodation from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). Violence against women and girls (VAWG) in London remains at ‘endemic’ levels, and funding for safe accommodation for survivors is an integral part of what’s needed to make good on the Government’s pledge to halve VAWG within the next decade.

    “Refuges play a lifesaving role for survivors by giving them the space, safety and support required to rebuild their lives free from abuse. We are proud to be continuing our work with Lambeth and other expert partners to deliver a co-ordinated approach to domestic abuse that is inclusive, accessible and tailored to each survivor’s individual needs.”

    Nahar Choudhury, Chief Executive of Solace, said: “Safe and accessible accommodation is a lifeline for survivors of domestic abuse, and we welcome the Mayor’s commitment to improving provision across London. Solace has been proud to contribute to the consultation on this strategy, which takes important steps to expand safe accommodation, strengthen specialist support, and remove barriers for those most in need.

    “We are particularly pleased to see a focus on grant funding for ‘by and for’ services, improving sanctuary schemes, expanding move on housing, and investing in psychologically informed environments. We look forward to continuing our work with the Mayor’s Office and partners to ensure every survivor in London has a secure place to rebuild their life.”

    Ila Patel, Director of Asha, said: “We welcome the Mayor’s new strategy for Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation, which is an important step in ensuring survivors have the support they need.

    Specialist by and for organisations like Asha play a crucial role in supporting women who are often the most vulnerable and least visible.

    “Working together with our Lambeth partners, we have delivered quality support to survivors, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and empowered to rebuild their lives. As a small organisation, this achievement was made possible through the DASA funding, which has been vital in enabling us to provide this essential support.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: Three new methods of cardiovascular surgery are available to city residents

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Three new high-tech methods of performing cardiovascular surgeries have become available to Muscovites free of charge. Additional funding has been allocated for their implementation. This is about in his telegram channel Sergei Sobyanin reported.

    If there are medical indications, surgeons can perform operations using different methods. Among them is endovascular removal of blood clots from the main veins.

    “Previously, patients with venous thrombosis were treated mainly with anticoagulants, the effectiveness of which was limited. Now doctors perform minimally invasive interventions through a small puncture, delivering instruments to the site of thrombosis through the vascular network. This reduces the risk of complications and speeds up recovery,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    New methods also include repeated arterial prosthetics using homografts. Patients who have previously undergone vascular surgery can undergo repeated minimally invasive interventions using bioprostheses. This increases the chances of successful treatment and saves the lives of seriously ill patients.

    Another new technology is ultrasound transcatheter thrombolysis. This method combines the administration of thrombolytic drugs with ultrasound to dissolve blood clots inside the vessels. It is especially effective in the treatment of pulmonary embolism – the safety of therapy increases.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12514050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fatal collision close to The Strand

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police are on scene and dealing with a collision close to The Strand, WC2.

    Officers were called at 11:41hrs on Tuesday, 18 March following a collision involving a van and pedestrians.

    Three pedestrians suffered injuries, with a woman in her twenties sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Two pedestrians have been taken to hospital, one has potentially life-threatening injuries, and the other has minor injuries.

    The driver of the van, a 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion causing death by careless driving and driving with concentration of specified controlled drug above specified limit.

    He remains in custody.

    Enquiries are ongoing and a crime scene is in place.

    This collision is not being treated as terrorism-related.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cocoa Man Who Drove Across the State to Commit Armed Robbery in Tampa and Shot Employee in the Face Charged

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the filing of a criminal complaint charging Phillip Johnson (21, Cocoa) with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, robbery, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.  

    According to the complaint, during the early morning hours of February 1, 2025, three individuals traveled from Brevard County to Tampa to commit a robbery. After arriving in Tampa, the three individuals went inside the Dreams Club near Ybor City. The three individuals were wearing all black clothing, ski masks, and armed with rifles and handguns.  

    While inside, the three individuals demanded money from the victim, and Johnson ultimately shot the victim in the face. 

    A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with great assistance provided by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Cocoa Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.

    This case is 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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Haines City Man Arrested for String of Convenience Store Robberies

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the arrest of Davian Walker (19, Haines City) for robberies of convenience stores throughout the Middle District of Florida. If convicted, Walker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. 

    According to the complaint and court statements, Walker committed five robberies over the course of less than three months. Each robbery involved Walker brandishing what appeared to be a handgun to store clerks and demanding cash.

    Through an investigation into the first four robberies, law enforcement was able to link Walker to the robberies by identifying his phone number and the vehicle Walker was using to travel to each of the robberies. Using that information, law enforcement tracked and ultimately arrested Walker shortly after he committed a robbery in Titusville during the early morning hours of March 13, 2025.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the Zephyrhills Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Titusville Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.

    This case is 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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Transnational Criminal Organization That Dispatched Thousands of Kilograms of Cocaine From the Venezuela/Colombia Border Dismantled

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Tampa, FL – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the dismantlement of a transnational criminal organization (TCO) that operated out of La Guajira, a peninsula on the Venezuelan/Colombian border. From there, the organization dispatched thousands of kilograms of cocaine intended for the United States and Europe.

    Socrates Barros-Fince Transnational Criminal Organization

    Name

    Age

    Sentence Imposed
    Socrates Gabriel Barros-Fince, a/k/a “Chunchun,” “Chun,” “Indio,” “El Loco,” “Tawara,” “Chupo”

    45

    		 17 years, 6 months
    Cristian Camilo Cordoba-Cuesta, a/k/a “Cris,” “El Primo”

    37

    		 14 years
    Jorge Leonardo Diaz-Ramos, a/k/a “40,” “Numerito”

    35

    		 7 years, 3 months
    Santander Barros-Pulido, a/k/a “Pollo,” “Tio,” “Divino”

    57

    		 15 years, 8 months
    Nefer Alfonso Hinojosa-Larrada, a/k/a “El Negrito,” “Divino”

    45

    15 years, 8 months

     

    According to the plea agreements, the above-named individuals were part of a transnational criminal organization that dispatched cocaine-laden vessels to the Dominican Republic and Spain. From the Venezuela/Colombia border, the organization planned smuggling trips and recruited crewmembers for that purpose. It was foreseeable to the conspirators that some of the cocaine was intended for the United States.

    The investigation resulted in several seizures totaling over 6,700 kilograms associated with the organization that were prosecuted in the United States and abroad, to include:

    • Seizure of about 932 kilograms of cocaine near the Dominican Republic on August 15, 2016;
    • Interdiction of a go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea on November 9-10, 2016, smuggling about 700 kilograms of cocaine and prosecuted in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico;
    • Interdiction of a go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea on October 4, 2018, smuggling over 450 kilograms of cocaine and prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida;
    • Interdiction of the M/V KARAR carrying about 4,000 kilograms of cocaine off the coast of Galicia, Spain on April 25, 2020, resulting in the arrests of 15 crewmembers and a dozen Spanish organized crime members.

    This case is 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.

    This prosecution is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Panama Express Strike Force Initiative, whose mission is to disrupt and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations involved in large scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and related activities. The OCDETF Panama Express Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. The Colombian National Police, Spanish National Police, and Spanish Coast Guard provided critical investigative support. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá assisted in the extradition of these defendants. The prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: ZOOZ Power Enhances Global Strategy with New Energy Storage Solutions, Advanced Energy Management System and Expended Sales Team

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tel-Aviv, Israel, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZOOZ Power (Nasdaq and TASE: ZOOZ), a leading provider of flywheel-based power boosters and energy management systems for enabling ultra-fast EV charging solutions, announced today the enhancement of its strategic focus with the introduction of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and an enhanced Energy Management System (EMS) designed to lead to maximizing EV charging performance and cost efficiency, along with the expansion of its sales team.

    The newly introduced Energy Storage System (ESS), in addition to ZOOZ Power’s intelligent* boosting offering, allows charging operators to significantly reduce electricity costs by storing energy during off-peak periods and deploying it during peak demand hours. This new addition to ZOOZ Power’s offering of systems to manage and improve overall power delivery to clusters of ultra-fast EV chargers substantially lowers operational expenses and enhances overall cost efficiency of EV charging infrastructure.

    Additionally, ZOOZ Power has upgraded its Energy Management System (EMS), improving the benefits of both the Intelligent Power Booster solution (ZOOSTER) and the new ESS offerings. The advanced EMS operates locally on-site, providing real-time management and rapid response capabilities to efficiently control energy flow, reduce power peaks, and extend battery lifecycles.

    The ZOOZTER Intelligent Power Booster continues to play a vital role in ZOOZ Power’s comprehensive solution, offering ultra-fast EV charging even in locations with limited grid capacity. By providing high-power bursts during charging sessions, the ZOOZTER effectively mitigates grid constraints, allowing consistent and reliable ultra-fast charging without costly infrastructure upgrades.

    In conjunction with its technological advancements, ZOOZ Power is expanding its global sales team. The Company is excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Ilan Tevet as the new Vice President of Global Sales. With over 25 years of experience in global B2B sales, business development and marketing, Ilan has a proven track record of driving growth. His deep expertise will be instrumental in accelerating ZOOZ Power’s planned global expansion.

    Furthermore, ZOOZ Power is strengthening its worldwide sales presence by appointing new sales managers in strategic markets, including the UK, Germany, and France. Further expansions are planned in other regions to align with the growing adoption of electric vehicles.

    “Our new ESS solutions, the enhanced EMS, and the strategic expansion of our sales team are pivotal steps toward providing comprehensive, efficient, and cost-optimized EV charging infrastructure,” said Erez Zimerman, CEO of ZOOZ Power. “With Ilan’s leadership and our expanded sales force in key markets, we are uniquely positioned to support and drive the global shift toward EV adoption.”

    *As used in this Press Release, intelligent boosting and Intelligent Power Booster refer to the ZOOZ Power Energy Management Software, which dynamically manages and optimizes energy consumption at the charging site

    About ZOOZ Power
    ZOOZ Power is a leading provider of flywheel-based power boosting and energy management solutions, enabling the widespread deployment of ultra-fast charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) while overcoming existing grid limitations.

    ZOOZ Power pioneers its unique flywheel-based power-boosting technology, enabling efficient utilization and power management of a power-limited grid at an EV charging site. Its flywheel technology allows high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective ultra-fast charging infrastructure.

    ZOOZ Power’s sustainable, power-boosting solutions are built with longevity and the environment in mind, helping its customers and partners accelerate the deployment of fast-charging infrastructure, thus facilitating improved utilization rates, better efficiency, greater flexibility, and faster revenues and profitability growth. ZOOZ Power is publicly traded on NASDAQ and TASE under the ticker ZOOZ

    For more information, please visit: www.zoozpower.com/

    Investor Contact:
    Miri Segal – CEO
    MS-IR LLC
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    Media enquiries:
    Media@zoozpower.com

    Forward-Looking Statement
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of ZOOZ Power. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding ZOOZ Power, and any of ZOOZ Power’s strategy, future operations and statements related to the collaboration between ZOOZ Power and “ON” charging network (including any plans to implement ZOOZ Power’s solution and upgrade an additional site of “ON” on Route 6) are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause ZOOZ Power’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and other risks and uncertainties are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of ZOOZ Power’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as well as other documents that may be subsequently filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the limited operating history and evolving business model of ZOOZ Power, ZOOZ Power’s future prospects, ZOOZ Power’s planned global expansion, including the timing and the results thereof, statements regarding ZOOZ Power’s newly introduced Energy Storage System (ESS), intelligent boosting offering and Energy Management System (EMS), their adoption by the market and any benefits that they may have to ZOOZ Power, its operations, financial position and its current and potential customers, statements regarding the expansion of ZOOZ Power’s sales team and the effect of that expansion on ZOOZ Power’s planned global expansion, financial condition, market position and results of operations, statements relating to ZOOZ Power’s market position, statements regarding the demand for ZOOZ Power’s products, and the potential outcome of ZOOZ Power’s collaborations with third parties for installation of its flywheel-based power boosting solution. These forward-looking statements are only estimations, and ZOOZ Power may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in any forward-looking statements, so you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements made in this Press Release. Management of ZOOZ Power has based these forward-looking statements largely on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that such persons believe may affect ZOOZ Power’s business, financial condition and operating results. Forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release are made as of the date hereof, and none of ZOOZ Power or any of its representatives or any other person undertakes any duty to update such information except as may be expressly required under applicable law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jacksonville Convicted Drug Dealer Indicted On Federal Charge Of Escaping From Halfway House

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Brian Keith Speights (67, Jacksonville) has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Jacksonville for escaping from custody at a halfway house in Jacksonville. If convicted, Speights faces up to five years in prison and a maximum of three years’ supervised release.

    According to court documents, in 2019, Speights was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison after being convicted of using his Jacksonville residence to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, and for possessing several firearms in furtherance of illegal drug trafficking. On January 2, 2025, he knowingly and willfully escaped from custody at the Bridges Federal Reintegration Center in Jacksonville, where he was lawfully confined serving the sentence imposed in 2019. Speights was arrested on this new federal charge on March 17, 2025, and his arraignment and detention hearing are set for March 19, 2025.  

    An indictment is only an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Summit Nanotech Corporation Closes US$25.5M Funding Round to Accelerate Commercialization of their Direct Lithium Extraction Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Summit Nanotech Corporation (“Summit”), a leader in sustainable lithium extraction technology, announced today that it has successfully closed US$25.5 million in funding led by Evok Innovations and BDC Capital’s Climate Tech Fund, with participation from Xora Innovation, Capricorn Investment Group, Mitsui Kinzoku – SBI Material Innovation Fund, and LG Technology Ventures.

    “This funding comes at a pivotal time for Summit as we strengthen our strategic partnerships and transition from demonstration to full-scale commercial design,” said Amanda Hall, Founder and CEO. “We are ready to provide our industry-leading solution to lithium mining companies who want to maintain a strong focus on economics and environmental responsibility.”

    Summit’s innovative direct lithium extraction (“DLE”) technology, denaLi™, combines system and fully integrated water recycling. Data analytics and AI are harnessed for advanced process control that ensures reduced water use, maximum sorbent lifespan, maximum lithium recovery and leading on-stream reliability, driving levelized lithium costs down. By unlocking more resources economically, Summit’s technology will strengthen international supply chains.

    Nobuyoshi Sogabe, General Manager at Mitsui Kinzoku, expressed enthusiasm about the investment: “We are committed to make an effort to achieve a lithium supply chain from brine by collaborating our advanced material synthesis, processing, and scaling technologies with Summit’s innovative denaLi™ system, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.”

    In the last six months, Summit has achieved key milestones, including commissioning a demonstration plant in Northern Chile, successful sorbent qualification results with a major lithium mining company, and launching their proprietary data analytics platform. With strong investor backing and a commitment to innovation and cost reduction, Summit is well-positioned to drive the future of sustainable lithium extraction.

    “The demand for electric vehicles will soon outpace growth in lithium supply. Summit’s technology addresses this challenge by optimizing lithium extraction from brine to produce high-quality lithium at a lower cost,” said Cheri Corbett, Partner at BDC Capital’s Climate Tech Fund. “We need to get more competitive lithium to market if we are to meet the global demand for electric vehicles. That’s why we’re working with results-driven leaders like Amanda and her team. A great example of a growth-minded Canadian business, exactly the kind that BDC is designed to help get to the next level.”

    About Summit Nanotech Corporation

    Summit is a leading provider of direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology for the lithium mining industry. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Summit has invented a patented sorbent, DLE process technology, and data analytics platform that, when combined, improves project economics by over $1,000 per tonne LCE and unlocks additional plant capacity compared to competing DLE technologies. Its technology selectively and efficiently captures lithium ions from brine which, after conversion, can be sold directly to a battery manufacturer. Summit partners with mining and oil and gas companies to accelerate and optimize their lithium resources.

    As the world shifts toward electrification, Summit is committed to building a cleaner, more responsible lithium supply chain for future generations.

    Learn more at summitnanotech.com.

    Media Contact:

    Kristen Gray
    Manager, Communications and Investor Relations
    media@summitnanotech.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/20d7e71d-1bb4-4c64-b152-1b74dfa09897

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Fullstory Has Successful Second Half: Sees Sustained Enterprise Customer Growth, Launches Innovation Solutions with Google, and Becomes First In Industry Certified In Responsible AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fullstory, a leading behavioral data company, today announced several milestones the company reached in the second half of its fiscal year, including customer growth in key market segments, co-developed partner solutions, and certification for responsible AI.

    Following a strong first half, Fullstory’s momentum carried through the remainder of its year, and the company continues to see an increasing appetite for digital behavioral data. Its recent research findings highlighted the significant opportunity for enterprises to improve customer experiences and anticipate buyer needs through AI-driven personalization, a task that hinges on nuanced customer behavioral insights made available only through this unique data source.

    Customer and Partner Momentum
    Fullstory continues to see noteworthy growth in its enterprise customer base. Large accounts have been its fastest-growing customer segment for the past six consecutive quarters, with sustained double-digit growth for the past 14 consecutive quarters. In the second half of its fiscal year, Fullstory added several large and well-respected organizations to its customer portfolio, including: one of the largest crowdfunding platforms; a top 10 airline; one of the largest cruise lines; a Fortune 100 technology company; a high-end fashion house; a prominent online retail styling service; a Fortune 500 bank; a luxury women’s retailer; and one of the largest online gaming and sports betting companies in North America.

    Its inaugural customer awards, announced in January 2025, included winners across industries. The winners were Autodesk—Customer Experience Champion; Chipotle—Analytics In Action; LTK—AI Innovator; NOBULL—Fastest Time To Value; Patagonia—Data-Driven Innovator; PepsiCo—Cross-Platform Creator; and Pizza Hut—Digital Transformation Leader.

    Fullstory also continued to deepen its relationship with key partners across the ecosystem, activating its digital behavioral data in unique ways to deliver value to customers. In the fall of 2024, Fullstory and Google launched a number of Innovation Solutions that address specific mission-critical use cases across industries:

    Fullstory, alongside NVIDIA and Palo Alto Networks, will present additional top-of-mind use cases, like monetizing AI agents, at Google Cloud Next in April 2025.

    Leadership Appointments
    In addition to the appointments of President Jason Wolf and Chief Product and Technology Officer Claire Fang in the first half of its year, Fullstory added notable roles, including:

    • Chief Customer Officer: Adam Spisak, who has nearly two decades of experience and a depth of knowledge in customer success, was appointed Chief Customer Officer.
    • Chief Revenue Officer: Phil Simpson, a longtime Fullstory employee and former Salesforce sales executive, was appointed Chief Revenue Officer.

    Industry Recognition
    Fullstory continued to lead and innovate by being the first in the digital behavioral data analytics space to receive ISO/IEC 42001, the accredited certification for responsible AI.

    “We are honored to be not only the first in our industry but also amongst some of the largest and most trusted companies in the world to receive ISO/IEC 42001 certification,” said Mark Stanislav, vice president of security engineering & governance, risk, and compliance at Fullstory. “The power of AI must be matched with responsible, early security diligence to allow exciting new solutions to meet the expectations that customers should place on their vendors.”

    To learn more about Fullstory, visit www.fullstory.com.  

    About Fullstory
    Fullstory is on a mission to help technology leaders make better, more informed decisions by injecting behavioral data into their analytics stack. The company’s patented technology unlocks the power of quality behavioral data at scale by transforming every digital visit into actionable data and insights. With Fullstory, enterprises can get closer to their customers’ true sentiments and intentions to predict what they want, create personalized experiences, and drive conversion, loyalty, and revenue. Fullstory is headquartered in Atlanta, USA, with regional teams across North America, EMEA, and APAC. For more information, visit www.fullstory.com.

    Fullstory Media Relations
    Alexandra King
    Director of Communications
    pr@fullstory.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Pivotal Appoints Marjorie Dickman to its Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pivotal, the market leader in light electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced the appointment of Marjorie Dickman to its board of directors. A global government affairs and geopolitical expert, Ms. Dickman is consistently recognized among the nation’s top public policy executives and top women in technology. For decades, she has led corporate strategies that navigate complex regulatory landscapes in the U.S. and abroad – creating opportunities, managing risk and growing market share.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Marjorie to Pivotal’s Board of Directors. Her wisdom of U.S. and global government affairs and her deep business acumen in the emerging tech and transportation sectors are invaluable to our growth,” said Ken Karklin, Chief Executive Officer, Pivotal. “This is an exciting time for Pivotal. Our aircraft offer a new way to experience flight, and our aero architecture is ready for public safety and defense use cases.”

    “I am excited to join the board and delighted that my extensive experience in tech and transportation innovation aligns with Pivotal’s mission,” said Marjorie Dickman. “I am especially pleased that my regulatory expertise in navigating global market access and competition can be an asset for Pivotal’s growth in the eVTOL market.”

    About Marjorie Dickman
    Ms. Dickman is a highly seasoned government affairs expert and attorney, based in Washington, D.C.

    She built her career leading government engagement and communication strategies for multinational technology companies – with a focus on rapidly evolving sectors like AI, automated and connected vehicles, cybersecurity, data privacy, Internet of Things (transport, energy, manufacturing), and secure communications for defense and first responders. Her track record of success building trusted government relationships, influencing public policy, and navigating regulatory and legal frameworks has earned numerous accolades. Examples include “Tech Titan” Policy Influencer, Global HERoes Role Model, and Most Powerful Women in Tech.

    As BlackBerry’s first Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer and direct report to the CEO/Executive Chairman, Ms. Dickman opened the company’s Washington, D.C. office in 2020. She built BlackBerry’s Global Government Affairs and Public Policy organization from the ground up, including the company’s Government Relations and Technical Standards teams operating in the U.S., Canada, EMEA, the UK, LATAM, and APJ.

    Prior to BlackBerry, Ms. Dickman led a highly successful 16-year career at Intel Corporation – most recently launching and leading global government affairs for two of Intel’s most ‘disruptive’ businesses: Automated Driving and the Internet of Things – where she managed teams across the U.S., EMEA, China and Japan. Prior to Intel, she practiced law at a prominent Washington firm, specializing in telecom regulation and M&A.

    Ms. Dickman has been appointed to the Boards of the Eno Center for Transportation, Consumer Technology Association (CES), U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center and Cybersecurity Leadership Council, No. Virginia Technology Council, and George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing. She is an honors graduate of Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.) and Duke University (A.B., Public Policy).

    About Pivotal
    Pivotal designs, develops, and manufactures light eVTOL aircraft. An industry pioneer, Pivotal is renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to be commercially available and delivered to customers in the United States. In October 2023, Pivotal introduced its next generation production aircraft, the Helix, and in January 2024 began sales of the Helix. The company’s distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable technology platform have been under continuous improvement for well over a decade, and today, Pivotal has the most mature technology in the light eVTOL category. Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public safety, and defense applications. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. For videos and more information, visit https://pivotal.aero.

    Media Contact:
    Heidi Groshelle
    press@pivotal.aero

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fd7ffc9-f2e7-429c-b5b0-55ff0a50da3d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Pacific AI Launches to Tackle Growing AI Legal Risks with a Free AI Policy Suite

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEWES, Del., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pacific AI, a new company focused on helping organizations deliver legal and compliant artificial intelligence (AI) systems, has launched today. Created by the CEO of John Snow Labs, Pacific AI was established to address the rapidly changing regulatory landscape. The company offers a free AI Policy Suite, as well AI Governance Certification to guarantee responsible use of AI in accordance with the most current laws and regulations.

    The AI Policy Suite is a comprehensive, continuously updated set of policies designed to ensure compliance with more than 80 AI-related laws, regulations, and standards across national, state, and international jurisdictions. By translating complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, actionable policies within one, central framework, the AI Policy Suite:

    • Eliminates compliance overhead by keeping organizations up to date with evolving laws, from NIST, ISO, and the EU AI Act, down to state and local laws
    • Translates legal requirements into practical controls and policies
    • De-duplicates overlapping obligations from multiple regulatory sources

    To accelerate industry-wide adoption and encourage community feedback, Pacific AI is making the AI Policy Suite available for free. The suite will be introduced in an upcoming webinar at 2pm ET on Wednesday, March 19. Hosted by Pacific AI CEO David Talby and AI Governance Lead Maria Baranchikova, the event will provide insights into today’s AI governance landscape and how to best mitigate risks.

    “In 2024, lawmakers in 45 states introduced 635 AI-related bills, of which 99 became laws. In the healthcare industry alone, there were an additional 13 guidance frameworks, not even inclusive of all new regulatory rules and industry standards,” said Talby. “Compliance requirements are emerging faster than teams with even the best intentions can track. Pacific AI aims to reduce legal liability, financial, and reputational risks by providing a framework that simplifies AI compliance so businesses can focus on growing and innovating.”

    Pacific AI also offers an AI Governance Certification, available when organizations adopt AI policies, implement AI governance, and pass a Pacific AI audit. With certification, companies can attest that an AI governance framework has been implemented and that its AI services are compliant across the US. Companies like Opptly are already experiencing value in certification for their proprietary AI platform.

    “At Opptly, ensuring compliance with evolving AI regulations is a top priority. We recognize the need for proactive solutions to keep pace with rapid changes. Pacific AI’s Governance Certification ensures our AI platform meets the highest compliance standards, enhancing risk management and strengthening customer trust,” said Lori Hock, CEO, Opptly.

    For an introduction to the Pacific AI Policy Suite, register for our webinar. To learn more about Pacific AI, visit https://pacific.ai/.

    About Pacific AI
    Pacific AI is dedicated to helping organizations deliver AI systems that comply with the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape in the USA. Whatever your starting point, Pacific AI can help you reach the next level of AI governance, implement tools and controls for compliance, or audit and certify what you’ve already built. To learn more, visit: https://www.pacific.ai.

    Contact
    Gina Devine
    Head of Communications
    Pacific AI Corp.
    gina@pacific.ai

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nowutalk AI Unveils Voice-First Sales Agent for Shopify

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOLMDEL, N.J., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    The AI-powered sales agent enhances sales processes while assisting merchants in making informed decisions—Nowutalk AI is now live.

    Nowutalk AI has set to transform online shopping with the first voice-driven sales agent for Shopify stores, bringing the ease of in-store conversation to digital shopping. Unlike traditional chatbots, Nowutalk AI goes beyond answering questions by actively facilitating sales.

    With a simple voice command, customers can browse products, get instant recommendations, and complete purchases hands-free. But it’s not just about voice—behind every interaction, Nowutalk AI gathers real-time intelligence to help merchants make data-backed business decisions.

    “E-commerce owners struggle with data overload. We don’t just automate sales—we help them understand their customers better, in real-time,” said Serge Beck, CEO of Nowutalk AI. “We built a voice agent that does more than just talk—it learns, adapts, and helps businesses grow.”

    LIVE on Shopify & Protected by a Patent
    Merchants can install it on Shopify and start converting voice interactions into sales. The technology is also patented, making it a first-mover in voice-driven e-commerce intelligence.

    Real Traction & Influencer Backing

    • Strategic partnerships are rolling out to integrate Nowutalk AI into more high-traffic e-commerce platforms.
    • 60% of the team are engineers, ensuring a product built for scale.

    Why This Matters for E-commerce Owners

    • Increased Conversions: Customers shop faster with conversational commerce.
    • Data-Driven Sales: Merchants receive intelligence reports to optimize inventory & marketing.
    • Seamless Integration: Works instantly with Shopify—no complex setup.

    Getting Involved

    About Nowutalk AI
    Nowutalk AI is transforming digital interactions with next-generation AI-powered voice sales agents. The company delivers human-like conversations that convert browsers into buyers by integrating core Intelligence, natural language processing, and adaptive learning. As a leader in voice-first AI technology, Nowutalk AI is setting a new standard for customer engagement and sales automation in e-commerce.

    Testing the waters legal disclosure.
    We are ‘testing the waters’ to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited. If sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities will be accepted. No part of the purchase price will be received until a Form C is filed and only through Wefunder’s platform. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

    Contact

    Nowutalk Team
    Nowutalkai, Inc.
    c.calvo@nowutalk.ai

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99efae28-802e-4274-b92d-b32c1f912421

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LyondellBasell and Covestro announce permanent closure of PO11 unit at Maasvlakte

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAASSVLAKTE, Netherlands, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LyondellBasell (LYB) and Covestro have jointly decided to permanently close the Propylene Oxide Styrene and Monomer (POSM) production unit (PO11) at the Maasvlakte site in the Netherlands. This decision comes after thorough and careful consideration and is driven by the continued pressure on Maasvlakte’s profitability due to global overcapacities, a strong increase of imports from Asia and high costs of European production. Unfortunately, this situation is expected to continue, so longer-term profitable production is not anticipated.

    “While the decision to shut down the PO11 unit is difficult, we must ensure all assets within our portfolio are a long-term strategic fit,” said Aaron Ledet, executive vice-president, I&D and Supply Chain. “We are prioritizing our core assets which play a key role in our technology differentiation and circularity or provide attractive returns over the cost of capital. We take our obligations toward our employees, European employee reps, councils and unions seriously. We have engaged with them in line with these obligations and will continue to do so. We would like to thank them for the constructive dialogue. We are also in communication with customers, suppliers and other parties across the value chain and will continue to do business as usual. There is no change to our working relationship, and we continue to focus on providing an exceptional customer and supplier experience.”

    “As part of our Sustainable Future Strategy, we’re continuously working to optimally position Covestro to be a reliable partner for our customers and to operate competitively in a challenging market environment,” said Hermann-Josef Dörholt, head of the Performance Materials Business Entity at Covestro. “Due to global overcapacities, persistently weak demand, and high costs in Europe, we have jointly decided with LYB to close the PO11 plant. We will support LYB in implementing this change as socially responsibly as possible. At the same time, we remain committed to the European market and will continue to supply customers with our renowned polyether polyols portfolio.”

    The Maasvlakte site, a joint venture between LYB and Covestro, has been operational in the Rotterdam region since 2003. Between now and the end of 2026, LYB will carry out a process to safely shut down and prepare for the demolition of the asset.

    In 2024, LYB announced a strategic review of European assets of its Olefins & Polyolefins (O&P) and Intermediates & Derivatives (I&D) business units. LYB has taken the next step in evaluating the option to seek alternative ownership for the O&P sites in the strategic assessment. At this time no decisions have been made and various outcomes remain possible.

    About LyondellBasell
    We are LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) ― a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors, and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit www.lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.

    About Covestro
    Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.

    The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

    Media Inquiries LYB Global
    LyondellBasell Media Relations
    Phone: +1-713-309-7575
    Email: mediarelations@lyondellbasell.com

    Or:

    Media Inquiries LYB Europe
    Robert Kleissen, External Affairs Europe
    Phone: +31-6-273-573-98
    Email: robert.kleissen@lyondellbasell.com

    Media Inquiries Covestro
    Markus Kleine-Beck, Corporate Trade Media Relations
    Phone: +49-173-2320-686
    Email: markus.kleine-beck@covestro.com

    Svenja Paul, Corporate Media Relations
    Phone: +49-214-6009-2814
    Email: svenja.paul@covestro.com

    Forward-Looking Statements LYB
    The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, our ability to align our asset base with our strategic goals; and our ability to safely shut the asset described down and conduct demolition. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that any of the actions, events or results of the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and are based on the estimates and opinions of management of LyondellBasell at the time the statements are made. LyondellBasell does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change, except as required by law.

    Forward-Looking Statements Covestro
    This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports, which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab7935cb-361b-4c8f-82f7-81f1b6bcd387

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Urgently Secures Multi-Year Contract with On-Demand Towing and Roadside Assistance Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Va., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Urgent.ly, Inc. (Nasdaq: ULY) (“Urgently”), a U.S.-based leading provider of digital roadside and mobility assistance technology and services, today announced a new multi-year customer partner contract with an innovative provider of on-demand towing and roadside assistance. When the partnership officially launches this month, Urgently will begin providing light duty towing, technology and related services to on-demand roadside customers of the new customer partner across the U.S. and Canada.

    Under the customer parter contract, Urgently’s connected assistance platform will power the customer partner’s services, enhancing their roadside assistance offerings with streamlined operations and exceptional assistance experiences. As a tech-forward company, Urgently will deliver its comprehensive technology stack and capabilities, to meet demand for safe, quick and reliable assistance on the road.

    This collaboration is expected to grow Urgently’s volume and related revenue, and enable the new customer partner to elevate its customer experience with access to Urgently’s network of trusted service providers. By expanding its footprint in North America, Urgently continues to solidify its position as an industry leader committed to delivering exceptional roadside experiences powered by technology.

    “We are thrilled to launch this new partnership with an organization that shares Urgently’s deep commitment to providing the highest quality customer service,” said Matt Booth, Chief Executive Officer of Urgently. “Through this partnership, we will combine our shared strengths in the use of innovative technology and on-demand roadside assistance. We believe this collaboration will create tremendous value for customers, and allow us to continue expanding our presence across North America.”

    For more information about Urgently’s roadside and mobility assistance solutions visit https://www.geturgently.com/industry-solutions.

    About Urgently

    Urgently is focused on helping everyone move safely, without disruption, by safeguarding drivers, promptly assisting their journey, and employing technology to proactively avert possible issues. The company’s digitally native software platform combines location-based services, real-time data, AI and machine-to-machine communication to power roadside assistance solutions for leading brands across automotive, insurance, telematics and other transportation-focused verticals. Urgently fulfills the demand for connected roadside assistance services, enabling its partners to deliver exceptional user experiences that drive high customer satisfaction and loyalty, by delivering innovative, transparent and exceptional connected mobility assistance experiences on a global scale. For more information, visit www.geturgently.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Urgently’s future financial or operating performance. Such statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations of management of Urgently in light of historical results and trends, current conditions and potential future developments, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates and expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking terms such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “project,” “predict,” “target,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate” or “expect” or the negative of these words or other words, terms and phrases of similar nature are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements, other than historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding Urgently’s new customer partner contract and the expected growth in Urgently’s volume and related revenue, are based on the current assumptions of Urgently’s management and are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve a significant number of factors that may cause our actual performance or achievements to be materially different from any future performance or achievements stated or implied by the forward-looking statements. For factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, please see the risks and uncertainties detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 14, 2025, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other filings and reports that we may file from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements reflect Urgently’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Urgently undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

    Contacts:
    For Press: media@geturgently.com
    For Investors: investorrelations@geturgently.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American National Launches Digital Experience for Do-It-Yourself Planners Seeking Guaranteed Growth through Annuities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today American National Insurance Company announced it is now offering fixed annuity products through a simple, secure online platform in addition to its extensive network of professional agents and advisors. This innovative experience allows individuals to purchase American National’s Palladium® Multi-Year Guarantee Annuity (MYG annuity) through a do-it-yourself platform, providing them with guaranteed growth and protection from market exposure through a fast, easy digital experience.

    • A simple and secure application process takes less than 10 minutes online
    • A convenient, online customer account portal provides clients with 24-hour access
    • Annuities can be purchased starting with just $5,000
    • Guaranteed growth periods of 5, 7 or 10 years
    • Competitive, guaranteed interest rates

    For 120 years, American National has been a trusted partner in helping individuals protect their assets and secure their financial futures. As the financial landscape evolves, so do the needs and expectations of today’s consumers seeking greater control, flexibility and access to financial products. By offering its MYG annuity through an easy online experience, American National is responding to the growing number of self-directed planners by offering them the growth, stability and tax advantages they seek—all from a trusted, highly-rated carrier.

    “By making our MYG annuities available directly to consumers, we are empowering more people to use part of their retirement savings to protect against market ups and downs,” said Scott Campbell, Chief Client Experience Officer at American National. “The MYG annuity we offer through our new online experience is an excellent choice for DIY planners who want a simple and reliable way to grow their savings and secure their financial future.”

    The American National online platform complements the company’s partnerships with agents across the country serving a broad range of individuals who depend on their support for insurance and annuities. All American National annuities are backed by the company’s strong financial foundation and commitment to being a source of certainty for policyholders.

    For more information, visit Annuities.AmericanNational.com.

    MYG annuity withdrawals are subject to taxation and may incur surrender charges. Other restrictions apply. Form Series: MYG24; AI20 (Forms may vary by state). CA Form: MYG16(04). Not available in New York. Not a deposit. Not FDIC insured.

    ABOUT AMERICAN NATIONAL

    Founded in 1905 and based in Galveston, Texas, American National Insurance Company (American National) is dedicated to being a source of certainty for millions of Americans through a comprehensive range of wealth protection, retirement, and insurance products and services. American National combines our expertise and resources to cater to the diverse needs of our clients, guiding them towards financial security and peace of mind. For more information, visit our website at AmericanNational.com.

    Annuities, life insurance and other products and services are written through multiple companies. Property and casualty insurance is written through American National Property And Casualty Company, Springfield, Missouri, and affiliates. In New York, business is written through Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, United Farm Family Insurance Company, and American National Life Insurance Company of New York, Glenmont, New York. Not all products and services are available in all states. Not all companies are licensed in all states. Each company has financial responsibility only for the products and services it issues.

    Contact:
     Katie Piretti
    AVP, Corporate Communications
    Katie.Piretti@AmericanNational.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CMBlu Energy, Inc. Announces Rubicon Professional Services as a Desert Blume Project Partner

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PETALUMA, Calif., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CMBlu Energy, a leading battery technology company focused on developing and manufacturing a safe, sustainable, and secure long-duration energy storage system, announced today that it has selected Rubicon Professional Services (RPS) as a project partner for the design and engineering of Desert Blume. Announced in August 2023, Desert Blume is a 5-megawatt (MW), 10-hour-duration project developed in collaboration with Salt River Project (SRP), a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Located at SRP’s Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center in Florence, Ariz., Desert Blume is the largest organic, non-lithium energy storage project under active development in the United States, positioning SRP as the first U.S. electric utility to deploy CMBlu’s energy storage solution at this scale.

    CMBlu’s Organic SolidFlow battery technology combines a non-flammable, proprietary carbon-based solid energy storage material with water-based electrolytes, resulting in high energy density and improved performance. This technology delivers up to 5 to 10 times the energy density of conventional flow batteries, enabling a smaller footprint to operate and maintain for easy-to-deploy long-duration energy storage. Made from earth-abundant, readily available and recyclable materials, the Organic SolidFlow battery reduces reliance on rare metals and minimizes supply chain risks. CMBlu expects its battery system to cost-effectively store and deliver energy for two to three times longer per cycle than traditional lithium-ion batteries, which are typically designed for short-duration applications of up to four hours.

    For Desert Blume, battery modules are stacked three modules high on industrial racks within a building – a novel design requiring close coordination with our partners. RPS expertise is playing an integral role in the project’s realization.

    “With such an innovative design for the CMBlu Organic SolidFlow battery energy storage system, we needed a project partner that could work hand in hand with us to build the next generation of energy storage. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome RPS as our partner in this great endeavor,” said Giovanni Damato, President of CMBlu Energy, Inc. “Desert Blume represents a significant milestone and major step forward for developing non-lithium energy storage projects at scale and we look forward to building a safer, more sustainable battery project that can provide cost-effective energy reliability and resiliency to Arizonans.”

    “RPS is thrilled to partner with CMBlu on moving Desert Blume from design to approaching ‘boots on the ground,’” said Abbot Moffat, Director of Business Development with Rubicon Professional Services. “RPS has focused on critical infrastructure and BESS projects for years, so the development of non-lithium-ion long-duration storage solutions is something we’ve wanted to actively facilitate. CMBlu is at the forefront of this technology and is exactly the kind of company RPS values collaborating with. We’re confident that our extensive experience with lithium-ion BESS Projects, Data Centers, and Microgrids will translate to a smooth and successful project here with Desert Blume. In addition, SRP’s support of emerging technologies like CMBlu’s is something to celebrate.”

    Desert Blume is designed to store excess energy during the day and return that energy to SRP customers at night or when solar energy is not available. The project will store enough energy to power about 1,125 average homes for 10 hours.

    “We’re excited to see the Desert Blume pilot continuing to progress and have RPS join the project team,” said Chico Hunter, SRP Manager of Innovation and Development. “This project represents an important step in advancing long duration energy storage technology, which SRP will need to meet the significant customer growth in the Phoenix area, in the reliable, affordable and sustainable manner our customers expect.”

    A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of Desert Blume will be held in 2025, with the project expected to come online in 2026.

    About CMBlu Energy

    CMBlu Energy empowers the world with unlimited energy storage inspired by nature. CMBlu’s first-of-a-kind Organic SolidFlow battery is a safe, sustainable, and secure long-duration energy storage system made from abundant and easily sourced raw materials, eliminating many concerns often associated with lithium-ion batteries. CMBlu Energy combines the best of solid-state batteries with the architecture of flow batteries, redefining flow battery performance. CMBlu Energy supports a localized supply chain, reducing dependence on imports and ensuring energy security. CMBlu has a team of over 250 employees, including 150 scientists in Germany, Greece, and across the U.S. For more information, visit www.cmblu.com.

    About RPS

    At RPS, our mission is to make our customers successful. We accomplish this by always focusing on their goals and objectives, regardless of the ‘issue of the day’. We sincerely value our clients and the relationships we have developed with them, and understand that the effective management of critical facility planning, engineering, and construction is essential to achieving our clients’ success.

    RPS provides an innovative approach to building or upgrading critical facilities. Whether an alternative energy projects, data center, R&D lab, or telecommunications hub, RPS focuses on the owner’s interests, develops strategy, assembles a top team of technical experts, subcontractors, and equipment vendors, and then expertly manages the entire process. Find out more at www.rubiconps.com.

    About SRP

    SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about 2.5 million Valley residents, delivering more than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, irrigation laterals, and 131 miles of canals.

    Media Contact
    Nic Savo
    Silverline
    (203) 456-0843
    nic@teamsilverline.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Haman Group, one of The Largest Inbound Tour Operators in Scandinavia, Selects Flywire as its Exclusive International Payments Partner

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Flywire delivers streamlined, secure payment experiences for Authentic Scandinavia and Authentic Europe, two of the Haman Group’s leading travel brands

    Flywire integrates with Haman Group’s booking system to streamline payment processing and reconciliation for Haman’s businesses and international guests

    BOSTON, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Haman Group – one of the largest inbound tour operators in Scandinavia, announced it has selected Flywire Corporation (Nasdaq: FLYW), a global payments enablement and software company, as the exclusive international payments partner for two of the Haman Group’s leading brands, Authentic Scandinavia and Authentic Europe. The partnership will enhance the payment experience for Haman Group’s growing international clientele and provide seamless integration into the company’s booking system for efficient payment processing and reconciliation.

    Recognized as one of the most innovative and respected travel brands in Scandinavia, Haman Group offers a wide range of services for travel agencies, groups and independent travelers. From personalised itineraries and specially curated tours to guaranteed departures, Haman is backed by more than 60 years of experience in creating unforgettable trips to Scandinavia and Europe and is supported by its five travel brands including Haman Scandinavia, Cities+Tours, Terra Nova Scandinavia, Authentic Scandinavia, and Authentic Europe.

    Prior to Flywire, Haman Group relied on a legacy payments system which created inefficiencies for the organization and guests alike. For example, manual invoicing didn’t provide clients with enough visibility into additional fees, and additional charges due to FX rates and fees sometimes surprised travelers when they got their bank or credit card statements.

    Seeking to overhaul the payments process for their international guests, Haman Group selected Flywire for a few key reasons:

    • Integrated with bookings system: Processing and reconciling payments has been streamlined because Flywire is integrated with Haman Group’s booking system. Payment reminders are sent automatically, and all payment processes are digitized.
    • Elevated guest experience: Flywire provides choice, convenience, and support. Haman Group’s guests pay in their local currency, with competitive exchange rates, and have access to 24×7 live support. Travelers are also confident their payments are secure.
    • Diverse payment options: Flywire automates the currency conversion, and the company receives 100% of their payments in the currency of their choice.

    “At Haman Group, our focus is on providing our guests with once in a lifetime travel experiences,” said Trude Sivertsen, director of sales and operations at Authentic Scandinavia. “And we know that these experiences start at the very first interactions with our guests, including their very first payment experiences. We feel confident that Flywire is the optimal extension of our brand, offering our guests flexible, localized payment options, and ensuring their booking and payment experience is effortless and secure. And as a critical benefit, we can optimize our internal processes, giving us more time to focus on crafting even more memorable travel experiences.”

    “We are honored to partner with The Haman Group and deliver exceptional payment experiences for their growing footprint of travel businesses,” said Colin Smyth, SVP and GM, Travel. “With Flywire, Haman Group can both meet the needs of their clients, and gain a number of operational efficiencies to help them focus on running their organization. And given Haman Group’s extensive reach throughout Scandinavia, Flywire is thrilled to scale our capabilities across the region.”

    About Flywire

    Flywire is a global payments enablement and software company. We combine our proprietary global payments network, next-gen payments platform and vertical-specific software to deliver the most important and complex payments for our clients and their customers.

    Flywire leverages its vertical-specific software and payments technology to deeply embed within the existing A/R workflows for its clients across the education, healthcare and travel vertical markets, as well as in key B2B industries. Flywire also integrates with leading ERP systems, such as NetSuite, so organizations can optimize the payment experience for their customers while eliminating operational challenges.

    Flywire supports more than 4,500 clients with diverse payment methods in more than 140 currencies across more than 240 countries and territories around the world. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA, USA with global offices. For more information, visit www.flywire.com. Follow Flywire on X , LinkedIn and Facebook.

    About Haman Group

    Haman Group (est. 1964) offers a wide range of services for travel agencies, groups and independent travellers. From personalised itineraries and specially curated tours to guaranteed departures, we have over 50 years of experience in creating unforgettable trips to Scandinavia and Europe.

    The following five companies are part of Haman Group: Haman Scandinavia, Authentic Scandinavia, Authentic Europe, Terra Nova Scandinavia and Cities+Tours. Our colleagues are spread across five different offices. Our main offices are situated in Oslo and in Stockholm, and we also operate field offices in Tromsø, Gothenburg, Ramlösa and Cologne.

    Media Contact
    Sarah King
    Media@Flywire.com

    Investor Relations Contact
    Masha Kahn
    IR@Flywire.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Flywire’s expectations regarding the benefits of its travel clients and business, Flywire’s business strategy and plans, market growth and trends. Flywire intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “may,” “will,” “potentially,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “expect,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in Flywire’s forward-looking statements include, among others, the factors that are described in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Flywire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Flywire undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NRS seeks up to 40 apprentices

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    NRS seeks up to 40 apprentices

    Applications are now open for the 2025 apprenticeship scheme at Nuclear Restoration Services sites across the UK.

    Stan Smith, apprentice maintenance and operations engineering technician at Oldbury site

    Apprenticeships are available to anyone aged 18 or over as level 2 health physics monitors, level 3 mechanical and electrical engineering technicians or level 6 nuclear engineering degrees.

    These opportunities provide hands-on learning with some of the most experienced nuclear professionals in the world, alongside first-class training providers to support college-based study.

    NRS is committed to supporting the nuclear skills agenda and helping its apprentices to grow and succeed in a diverse and inclusive workplace, while taking forward its nationally important mission to reduce hazards and decommission nuclear sites in all parts of the UK.

    Britney Nembaware, project management apprentice at Harwell site

    Aged 18, Britney Nembaware is one of the youngest currently on the NRS apprentice programme and was particularly drawn to the scheme for the chance to gain real-world project management experience while pursuing her degree. She said:

    I was particularly attracted by the opportunity to make a tangible impact on sustainability, which is something that resonates with me personally.

    The support from my team at Harwell site has been incredible. They’ve helped me grow so quickly, giving me the chance to collaborate on project deliverables, which has been invaluable to my development.

    Every day brings an opportunity to develop. Project management isn’t something you master overnight. It takes time and experience, and this apprenticeship is giving me the tools to keep improving.

    Britney’s journey is only just beginning, with NRS supporting her to see where the apprenticeship opportunity can take her career.

    John Vickerman, Chief People Officer, said:

    We are delighted to offer up to 40 nuclear skills opportunities to help support the UK’s clean energy mission and widen our talent pool even further.

    I am very proud of the success of the NRS apprentice programme. Continued investment in our early careers skills pipeline supports the national nuclear skills goal to double the number of apprentices and graduates every year.

    These opportunities are in addition to 23 apprenticeship positions already advertised in Caithness and North Sutherland supporting NRS Dounreay.

    NDA group graduates and apprentices on a tour of Parliament

    The full list of vacancies and information about how to apply is available on the Energus website here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –