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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Global: As tuberculosis cases rise in the US and worldwide, health officials puzzle over the resurgence of a disease once in decline

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Karen Dobos, Professor of Microbiology, Colorado State University

    A microscopic view of _Mycobacterium tuberculosis_, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. koto_feja/E+ via Getty Images

    An outbreak of tuberculosis, or TB – a lung disease that is often accompanied by a hacking cough – began in January 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas, and two nearby counties and continues as of early March 2025. To date, 147 people have been reportedly diagnosed with TB in the outbreak, with 67 becoming ill. The remaining 80 people diagnosed with TB in Kansas contracted the illness but showed no symptoms, which is called a latent infection.

    TB is the leading infectious cause of death around the world, outpaced only by COVID-19 during the first three years of the pandemic.

    The Conversation asked microbiologists Karen Dobos and Marcela Henao-Tamayo, both from Colorado State University, to explain why this ancient disease seems to be making a comeback.

    What’s the history of TB?

    Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the organism that causes the disease tuberculosis in humans. The disease has been infecting humans for thousands of years. Researchers found evidence of the disease 9,000 years ago in the excavated remains of people who lived in the Eastern Mediterranean region during that time.

    Reports of TB date back to around 410-400 B.C.E., when the physician Hippocrates termed the disease phthisis, an archaic word that means a progressive “wasting away,” due to the way people with the disease become emaciated.

    TB was also known as consumption for the same reason. Similarly, it was called the white plague or white death – due to anemia from the disease, with people appearing pallid or chalky – leading to near-certain death. Untreated active TB, meaning cases that are symptomatic, is highly lethal.

    About half of all people with untreated active TB die from the disease, whereas treatment reduces the death rate to 12%.

    One of the more colorful phrases describing TB is “the king’s evil.” This is a form of TB that also causes neck swelling and lesions, a condition called scrofula. During the Middle Ages, people believed that the touch of a king could cure a person from this form of TB through miraculous intervention.

    TB infections, which are typically found in the lungs, have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

    Finally, TB was most ominously called the “robber of youth” due to its historical propensity to afflict people 15 to 30 years old.

    In 1865, Jean Antoine Villemin, an army physician in Paris, demonstrated that TB could be transmitted from infected animals to healthy ones through inoculation. Before these studies, the cause of TB was presumed to be primarily constitutional, by either an inherent predisposition or from unhealthy or immoral lifestyles.

    The microorganism causing TB was ultimately discovered in 1882 by the German physician Robert Koch. Koch announced his findings on March 24, 1882, a day globally recognized as World TB Day.

    How does TB spread?

    Tuberculosis is spread by small infectious droplets in the air. A TB patient may emit these droplets by coughing, singing and potentially from regular breathing that occurs during sleep or resting.

    One form of TB can be spread through unpasteurized dairy products. While rare, there have been reports of TB transmission through bone graphs, in which healthy, donated bone material is used to replace damaged bones.

    Close-up view of an infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
    Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

    The origin of the TB outbreak in Kansas remains unknown as of early March 2025. The outbreak has disproportionately affected those in low-income communities, and two people have died from it.

    Importantly, a patient with untreated TB can infect 10 to 15 others.

    Could the COVID-19 pandemic be a factor?

    The COVID-19 pandemic has played a pivotal role in the resurgence of TB. Cases increased globally by 4.6% from 2020 to 2023, reversing decades of steady declines in the disease. In the U.S. alone, TB cases rose by more than 15% from 2022 to 2023.

    During mandatory shutdowns, people were less able to access health care centers for early diagnosis of TB or to fill prescriptions for treatment, perhaps due to the fear of contracting COVID-19 while visiting a medical care facility. COVID-19-related disruptions in care resulted in nearly 700,000 excess deaths from TB.

    Access to health care may not be the only factor behind this uptick. Medical supply shortages and delays in shipment may have also played a role. For example, the U.S. experienced shortages of one of the primary TB drugs between 2021 and 2023.

    As illustrated by this 1963 photo, TB is often detected by an X-ray of the chest.
    Smith Collection/Gado/Archive Photos via Getty Images

    What are the main treatments?

    Multidrug treatment is currently the only way to cure TB and stop its spread.

    Prior to the late 1930s, when the first antibiotic for TB treatment was developed, TB treatments included bloodletting and consumption of cod liver oil. The most popular treatment involved isolated sanatoriums in high-altitude areas such as the Adirondacks and the Rocky Mountains, where the cold, dry air was believed to be a cure. Scholars at the time suggested that the potential for cure was due to these environments being more invigorating for the body and providing more restful sleep. There is no evidence to support these beliefs.

    Streptomycin was the first antibiotic treatment to become available for TB, in the 1940s. However, the microorganism quickly became drug resistant. A second antibiotic, called isoniazid, was developed as a first-line treatment against TB in the 1950s. Again, the microorganism became drug resistant.

    Two- and four-drug combinations are now used to treat both latent infections and active disease. Treatment of active TB requires at least six months of uninterrupted therapy. Disruptions in treatment result in further spread of TB and the emergence of multidrug resistant TB, which requires additional drugs and more than nine months of treatment.

    All TB drugs are toxic; the quality of life for TB patients deteriorates during treatment and remains so throughout their lives. Finding cases and treating TB illness early, before symptoms begin, is important because it not only reduces the spread of disease but also greatly reduces drug toxicity.

    What should people be aware of?

    People should be aware that TB is still a public health problem across the globe. Education on the transmission, treatment and need for active work to eradicate TB is the best defense.

    One of the reasons why education and awareness about TB are so important is that a person with latent TB may be unknowingly harboring the microorganism for years. In the absence of symptoms, these people are unlikely to seek care and will not be diagnosed and treated unless identified as part of an outbreak, as was the case for more than half of the patients in Kansas.

    Karen Dobos receives funding from NIAID, NIH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

    Marcela Henao-Tamayo receives funding from NIAID, NIH and OEDIT.

    – ref. As tuberculosis cases rise in the US and worldwide, health officials puzzle over the resurgence of a disease once in decline – https://theconversation.com/as-tuberculosis-cases-rise-in-the-us-and-worldwide-health-officials-puzzle-over-the-resurgence-of-a-disease-once-in-decline-249450

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: DOGE threat: How government data would give an AI company extraordinary power

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Allison Stanger, Distinguished Endowed Professor, Middlebury

    Elon Musk has simultaneous control of DOGE and his AI company xAI. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

    The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has secured unprecedented access to at least seven sensitive federal databases, including those of the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration. This access has sparked fears about cybersecurity vulnerabilities and privacy violations. Another concern has received far less attention: the potential use of the data to train a private company’s artificial intelligence systems.

    The White House press secretary said government data that DOGE has collected isn’t being used to train Musk’s AI models, despite Elon Musk’s control over DOGE. However, evidence has emerged that DOGE personnel simultaneously hold positions with at least one of Musk’s companies.

    At the Federal Aviation Administration, SpaceX employees have government email addresses. This dual employment creates a conduit for federal data to potentially be siphoned to Musk-owned enterprises, including xAI. The company’s latest Grok AI chatbot model conspicuously refuses to give a clear denial about using such data.

    As a political scientist and technologist who is intimately acquainted with public sources of government data, I believe this potential transmission of government data to private companies presents far greater privacy and power implications than most reporting identifies. A private entity with the capacity to develop artificial intelligence technologies could use government data to leapfrog its competitors and wield massive influence over society.

    Value of government data for AI

    For AI developers, government databases represent something akin to finding the Holy Grail. While companies such as OpenAI, Google and xAI currently rely on information scraped from the public internet, nonpublic government repositories offer something much more valuable: verified records of actual human behavior across entire populations.

    This isn’t merely more data – it’s fundamentally different data. Social media posts and web browsing histories show curated or intended behaviors, but government databases capture real decisions and their consequences. For example, Medicare records reveal health care choices and outcomes. IRS and Treasury data reveal financial decisions and long-term impacts. And federal employment and education statistics reveal education paths and career trajectories.

    What makes this data particularly valuable for AI training is its longitudinal nature and reliability. Unlike the disordered information available online, government records follow standardized protocols, undergo regular audits and must meet legal requirements for accuracy. Every Social Security payment, Medicare claim and federal grant creates a verified data point about real-world behavior. This data exists nowhere else with such breadth and authenticity in the U.S.

    Most critically, government databases track entire populations over time, not just digitally active users. They include people who never use social media, don’t shop online, or actively avoid digital services. For an AI company, this would mean training systems on the actual diversity of human experience rather than just the digital reflections people cast online.

    A security guard prevented U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., from entering an EPA building on Feb. 6, 2025, to see DOGE staff working there.
    Al Drago/Getty Images

    The technical advantage

    Current AI systems face fundamental limitations that no amount of data scraped from the internet can overcome. When ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini make mistakes, it’s often because they’ve been trained on information that might be popular but isn’t necessarily true. They can tell you what people say about a policy’s effects, but they can’t track those effects across populations and years.

    Government data could change this equation. Imagine training an AI system not just on opinions about health care but on actual treatment outcomes across millions of patients. Consider the difference between learning from social media discussions about economic policies and analyzing their real impacts across different communities and demographics over decades.

    A large, state-of-the-art, or frontier, model trained on comprehensive government data could understand the actual relationships between policies and outcomes. It could track unintended consequences across different population segments, model complex societal systems with real-world validation and predict the impacts of proposed changes based on historical evidence. For companies seeking to build next-generation AI systems, access to this data would create an almost insurmountable advantage.

    Control of critical systems

    A company like xAI could do far more with models trained on government data than building better chatbots or content generators. Such systems could fundamentally transform – and potentially control – how people understand and manage complex societal systems. While some of these capabilities could be beneficial under the control of accountable public agencies, I believe they pose a threat in the hands of a single private company.

    Medicare and Medicaid databases contain records of treatments, outcomes and costs across diverse populations over decades. A frontier model trained on new government data could identify treatment patterns that succeed where others fail, and so dominate the health care industry. Such a model could understand how different interventions affect various populations over time, accounting for factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic status and concurrent conditions.

    A company wielding the model could influence health care policy by demonstrating superior predictive capabilities and market population-level insights to pharmaceutical companies and insurers.

    Treasury data represents perhaps the most valuable prize. Government financial databases contain granular details about how money flows through the economy. This includes real-time transaction data across federal payment systems, complete records of tax payments and refunds, detailed patterns of benefit distributions, and government contractor payments with performance metrics.

    An AI company with access to this data could develop extraordinary capabilities for economic forecasting and market prediction. It could model the cascading effects of regulatory changes, predict economic vulnerabilities before they become crises, and optimize investment strategies with precision impossible through traditional methods.

    Elon Musk’s xAI company is well financed.

    Infrastructure and urban systems

    Government databases contain information about critical infrastructure usage patterns, maintenance histories, emergency response times and development impacts. Every federal grant, infrastructure inspection and emergency response creates a data point that could help train AI to better understand how cities and regions function.

    The power lies in the potential interconnectedness of this data. An AI system trained on government infrastructure records would understand how transportation patterns affect energy use, how housing policies affect emergency response times, and how infrastructure investments influence economic development across regions.

    A private company with exclusive access would gain unique insight into the physical and economic arteries of American society. This could allow the company to develop “smart city” systems that city governments would become dependent on, effectively privatizing aspects of urban governance. When combined with real-time data from private sources, the predictive capabilities would far exceed what any current system can achieve.

    Absolute data corrupts absolutely

    A company such as xAI, with Musk’s resources and preferential access through DOGE, could surmount technical and political obstacles far more easily than competitors. Recent advances in machine learning have also reduced the burdens of preparing data for the algorithms to process, making government data a veritable gold mine – one that rightfully belongs to the American people.

    The threat of a private company accessing government data transcends individual privacy concerns. Even with personal identifiers removed, an AI system that analyzes patterns across millions of government records could enable surprising capabilities for making predictions and influencing behavior at the population level. The threat is AI systems that leverage government data to influence society, including electoral outcomes.

    Since information is power, concentrating unprecedented data in the hands of a private entity with an explicit political agenda represents a profound challenge to the republic. I believe that the question is whether the American people can stand up to the potentially democracy-shattering corruption such a concentration would enable. If not, Americans should prepare to become digital subjects rather than human citizens.

    Allison Stanger receives funding from the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University.

    – ref. DOGE threat: How government data would give an AI company extraordinary power – https://theconversation.com/doge-threat-how-government-data-would-give-an-ai-company-extraordinary-power-250907

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How 18F transformed government technology − and why its elimination matters

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kayla Schwoerer, Assistant Professor of Public Administration & Policy, University at Albany, State University of New York

    18F was a group of technology hotshots within the GSA. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    Healthcare.gov, the government health insurance marketplace website, launched in October 2013 only to buckle under the weight of just 2,000 simultaneous users. As millions of Americans stared at error messages and frozen screens, a political crisis unfolded, but so did a new era of government technology.

    The result was 18F, an in-house digital services consulting agency that brought Silicon Valley expertise to government, challenging decades of outdated procurement practices and introducing a radical new approach to building digital public services.

    Founded on March 19, 2014, by Presidential Innovation Fellows, 18F was housed within the Technology Transformation Services department of the General Services Administration, or GSA. The name 18F was derived from the address of GSA headquarters: 1800 F Street. On March 1, 2025, just a few weeks shy of 18F’s 11th anniversary, the Trump administration eliminated the agency and laid off its staff.

    As a researcher who studies public administration and technology, I have observed the transformational role 18F played in government digital services. The unit’s elimination raises the question of what the future of those services will look like.

    Impact of 18F

    18F served a unique role as an in-house digital consultancy for the U.S. government, drawing on innovative strategies to improve public service through technology. Within 18F, teams consisting of designers, software engineers, strategists and product managers worked together with federal, state and local agencies to not only fix technical problems but to build, buy and share technology that helped to modernize and improve the public’s experience with government services.

    Over nearly 11 years, 18F built an impressive portfolio of successful digital projects that transformed how people interact with the U.S. government. Even if the average person is unfamiliar with 18F, the odds are quite high that they have at least encountered one of its many products or services.

    18F staff describe the group’s mission and work.

    For example, 18F supported the Internal Revenue Service in creating IRS Direct File, a free online tax filing tool that provides taxpayers with a simplified filing process. As of today, IRS Direct File is available in 25 states and is expected to serve 30 million eligible taxpayers during the 2025 tax filing season.

    18F has been pivotal in modernizing and securing digital systems to help create more streamlined and secure user experiences for the public. For instance, Login.gov is a secure single sign-on platform that simplifies access to multiple government services for users.

    Perhaps the most notable of 18F’s modernization efforts that touches nearly every aspect of government today is the U.S. Web Design System. The comprehensive design system was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Digital Service in 2015. It helps support dozens of agencies and makes nearly 200 websites more accessible and responsive to user needs.

    How 18F worked

    What set 18F apart was its approach. Rather than spending years on giant information technology contracts that often failed to deliver, 18F championed agile development. Agile and lean methodologies have been popular in Silicon Valley startups and software companies for decades due to their flexibility and focus on rapid iteration.

    By applying agile development principles, 18F focused on breaking down large projects into manageable pieces with incremental improvements based on frequent user feedback. This approach allowed continuous adaptation spurred by user feedback and changing requirements while reducing risk.

    Another cornerstone of 18F’s innovative approach was its focus on user-centered design. By focusing on the needs of the people who actually used government services, 18F was able to go beyond merely satisfying technical requirements to design digital products that were more accessible and user-friendly. The idea was to understand the end users and the problems they encountered in order to effectively design products and solutions that addressed their needs. It also aimed to provide a consistent user experience and earn the users’ trust in the services.

    By prioritizing open-source development and collaboration, 18F also helped to make government IT more affordable. Making project code transparent meant that agencies could reuse the code and reduce the cost of duplicate development efforts across agencies and levels of government.

    18F also had a hand in helping agencies develop their own technology capacity, whether by teaching them how to build software using open-source development and agile methodologies or by teaching agencies how to hire and oversee technology vendors themselves. This model was especially beneficial for state and local agencies following 18F’s expansion in 2016 to provide services to state and local government agencies that receive federal funding.

    End of an era

    The elimination of 18F marks the end of an era, raising concerns about both current and future technology projects. As of now, there does not appear to be a succession plan, leaving many federal agencies without ongoing support for their digital transformation efforts. Critics also argue that the loss of 18F means the loss of significant technical expertise within the government.

    These changes come at a time when agencies are experiencing substantial personnel shifts, rendering digital services potentially even more critical. As agencies brace for more personnel cuts, the public may need to rely more on digital services to fill the gap amid growing staffing shortages.

    Since the news was announced, current and former 18F team members as well as advocates of the unit have taken to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, and LinkedIn, to share stories of its successes, honor its legacy and share 18F resources.

    Kayla Schwoerer 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. How 18F transformed government technology − and why its elimination matters – https://theconversation.com/how-18f-transformed-government-technology-and-why-its-elimination-matters-251333

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – March 6, 2025 – 2:00 PM

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

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on March 6, 2025.
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

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

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

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

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

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WhIa1seDdo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni meets with Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    A meeting was held at Palazzo Chigi this morning between the Government and representatives from the National Union of Italian Criminal Bar Associations (‘Unione delle Camere Penali Italiane’, ‘UCPI’), chaired by the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni. The meeting was also attended by Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano, Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, UCPI President Francesco Petrelli, UCPI Secretary Rinaldo Romanelli and, via video link, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.

    President Meloni expressed her gratitude to the lawyers for the great work they do every day to support justice and outlined the main characteristics of the constitutional reform in the process of being examined by Parliament, the aim of which is the separation of careers between judges and public prosecutors in order to ensure equality of arms between prosecution and defence.

    Minister Nordio and Undersecretary of State Mantovano also talked about the measures that have already been adopted and the actions taken by the Government to bring an end to prison overcrowding, which remains one of the Government’s goals.

    The Government will meet with Italian Criminal Bar Associations again in the future, in order to maintain a stable forum for discussion aimed at modernising the administration of justice.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call goes out for Mancunians to claim £200 to pay heating bills

    Source: City of Manchester

    More than a quarter of a million pounds aimed at supporting people experiencing fuel poverty has been claimed across Manchester, with a final call for people to come and make a claim.*

    At the end of 2024 the Council announced a Winter Hardship Fund for eligible residents which would allow them to claim up to £200 to help cover the cost of energy bills. 

    To date, the Council has used its full allocation of this fund, distributing £263,000 to more than 1,000 households. 

    This fund has been the latest initiative of the Council’s in its bid to alleviate the worst of the cost-of-living crisis. Over the past two years the Council has spent millions of pounds rolling out a wide range of schemes aimed at helping people who have been hit the hardest. 

    Ranging from providing meals for school-age children, to helping pay fuel bills, to connecting people electronically, we want to make sure that people know that two years on, help is still available. 

    To date the Council has: 

    • Directed more than £1m of supplies to community foodbanks and groups since 2022, spending an additional £155,000 on food-related support for residents 

    • Distributed more than 2,000 phones, laptops or computers to people who may be digitally excluded, as well as providing more than 7,000 SIM cards since 2020. 

    • Made £1.9m in grant payments to nearly 1,200 residents to help them stay in their homes; an additional 2,359 discretionary payments have been made during 2023-24. 

    • The Holiday Activity Fund, which provides free activities as well as a free meal to children during the holidays as seen more than 24,000 children attend during half terms and summer holidays. 

    While there is still a lot more that can be done, the Council hopes that this shows that there is always support available for people who need it and that help is often just a phone call away. 

    Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “The response to our Winter Hardship Fund has been overwhelming, and it just goes to show how important it was that we launched this initiative. 

    “Even though we have helped more than 2,000 people and spent more than £250,000 I would still ask people who have not already done so to get in touch with us to claim money which could make a significant impact to help pay their bills. 

    “This also goes to demonstrate the value in the range of other support and assistance that we have been providing since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis. These have been a difficult number of years and it has been hard to see the depth of its impact. However, as a Council we have been resolute in finding ways to help people and mitigate the worst of its effects. 

    “Help is there and for anyone struggling I would urge them to call our cost-of-living support line on 0800 023 2692.” 

     

    Useful Information:

    *For people to be eligible to make a claim on the Hardship Fund they must: 

    Be aged 66 or over on 23 September 2024 and will not receive a winter fuel payment from the department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
    Not be in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit from the Council. If you receive either and are aged 66 or over on 23 September 2024, you will be sent a payment automatically by the Council and do not need to complete this form.
    Live within the area covered by Manchester City Council. If you aren’t sure, you can check your postcode.
     

    Breakdown of Winter Hardship Fund spend: 

    We have paid 1,268 under 80 households £150 payments = £190,200  

    We have paid 364 80+ households £200 payments = £72,800  

    Total 1,632 payments = £263k 

    From the launch of the scheme on 18 November 2024 to the 23rd Feb 2025 we have received a total of 2,294 applications. 

     

    Cost of Living Advice Line: 0800 023 2692, free to call, line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has established year-round discounted travel for children on long-distance trains

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Document

    Resolution of March 4, 2025 No. 266

    The cost of travel on long-distance trains for all children aged 10 to 18 will be half the cost of an adult ticket on the same route. The decree on this was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    According to the document, this rule will apply to compartment, reserved seat and general carriages of long-distance trains of all categories, with the exception of high-speed trains.

    Until now, the procedure for providing benefits varied depending on the age of the children. In addition, benefits were only available to full-time students in comprehensive schools from September to May. In this case, children had to provide a certificate from the school each time. There were no such benefits for other students, including students in technical schools and colleges.

    “Thanks to the decision taken, travel by rail will become more affordable for parents with children, and families will be able to travel around the country more often, which is especially important during summer vacations and holidays,” Mikhail Mishustin noted during Government meetings on March 6.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Deer Lake — Deer Lake RCMP investigates fraud at Shears Building Supplies in Deer Lake, seeks public’s assistance locating building materials

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Deer Lake RCMP is investigating a fraud that occurred at Shears Building Supplies in Deer Lake. Various building materials, including bundles of shingles, siding and siding accessories, were fraudulently obtained.

    On February 26, 2025, police received the report from the business identifying a fraud that had occurred in November of 2024. On November 25, three males attended the building supply store and fraudulently obtained various building supplies. They departed in a white GMC truck with a utility trailer in tow. An image is attached.

    The materials, valued at nearly $15,000.00, included:

    • Bundles of IKO Marathon Plus Dual black shingles
    • Bundles of KAYCAN siding – colors Cabot red and Boulder grey

    Images of the materials are attached.

    Police believe the supplies may have been sold by those who obtained them and are looking to identify and speak with those who may have purchased these products. The investigation is continuing.

    Anyone who suspects they may have purchased these specific items or anyone who has any information about this crime, including the identity of the individuals in the pickup truck, are asked to contact Deer Lake RCMP at 709-635-2173. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei Wins GSMA GLOMO ‘Best Mobile Network Infrastructure’ for GigaGreen Radio

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei Wins GSMA GLOMO ‘Best Mobile Network Infrastructure’ for GigaGreen Radio

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 6, 2025] At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, Huawei’s GigaGreen Radio series products grabbed the GSMA Global Mobile (GLOMO) Award “Best Mobile Network Infrastructure”. This award recognizes Huawei’s innovation in ultra-wideband, multi-antenna, and energy-saving solutions that bring 5G to all bands. The series is simple to deploy and boasts superb performance and low power consumption, setting a new benchmark for operators looking to build 5.5G-oriented foundation networks as mobile AI is coming fast.
    Huawei’s GigaGreen Radio wins GSMA GLOMO “Best Mobile Network Infrastructure”

    Huawei GigaGreen Radio is a next-generation RF platform, encompassing a comprehensive lineup of product forms tailored to diverse network requirements for a full set of scenarios, such as indoor, outdoor, urban, and suburban areas. The platform features the industry’s only implementation of ultra-wideband beamforming for efficient scheduling of discrete 5G bands and cross-band beamforming, which have been an outstanding formidable challenge of the mobile industry. This places GigaGreen Radio in a good position to enable operators to build multi-band networks more efficiently to provide tenfold uplink capacity, tenfold speeds, and 10 dB better coverage. Furthermore, GigaGreen Radio boasts industry-leading ‘0 Bit 0 Watt 0 Loss’, supporting a 99% shutdown depth during off-peak hours and millisecond-level wakeup. This reduces power consumption without compromising experience, ensuring high energy efficiency at all times for low carbon emissions. With such leading performance, GigaGreen Radio signals the future of green mobile networks.
    Since its launch, GigaGreen Radio has become the preferred option for operators from many countries and regions. For the operators who are moving their networks to 5G, GigaGreen RRU integrates sub-3 GHz bands in one box, and significantly improves user experience and traffic without adding extra tower rental and electricity costs. This is a huge boost for operators’ revenue while helping maintain their operational expenditure (OPEX). For the operators who are building 5G-Advanced networks, GigaGreen AAU series products can efficiently consolidate multiple wideband spectrum into one module with their integrated deployment capabilities, enabling them maintain their leading brand presence. As mobile AI is approaching fast, GigaGreen Radio provides operators an ideal solution to building multi-band 5.5G networks that feature ultra-high uplink capacity, ultra-low latency, and ultra-wide coverage. They will supercharge a wide array of innovative mobile AI applications that highlight human-hu man, human-machine, and machine-machine interactions, pioneering industry transformation towards smart connectivity.
    Fang Xiang, Vice President of Huawei Wireless Solution said, “Thank you to GSMA, analysts, and global operator customers for your recognition and trust in Huawei. Pursuing ultimate performance, optimal energy efficiency, and simplified deployment is our shared goal. Huawei collaborates with customers to build the GigaGreen Radio series, driving global network upgrades. In the future, we will continue to innovate with our customers, advancing the telecommunications industry toward intelligent connectivity.”
    MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world. For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni meets with Associazione nazionale magistrati

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, chaired a meeting between the Government and the National Association of Magistrates (‘Associazione Nazionale Magistrati’, ‘ANM’) at Palazzo Chigi this afternoon.
    The Vice-Presidents of the Council of Ministers, Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, the Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, and Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano were also present.

    The frank and productive meeting focused on the constitutional reform regarding the separation of careers between judges and public prosecutors and the ‘CSM’ [‘High Council of the Judiciary’], which is being examined by Parliament.

    President Meloni thanked the ANM for the observations and points raised during the discussion, and expressed her readiness to begin a process of dialogue on the reform’s ordinary implementing laws and the eight-point document presented by the ANM regarding the administration of justice.

    The Government reiterated its determination to continue rapidly along the path to implement the constitutional reform, hoping for its swift approval.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Changes in regulation of the cash transportation market: results of the discussion of the Bank of Russia report

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    The professional community supports the introduction of additional measures to regulate the cash collection and transportation market. Most experts spoke in favor of creating equal conditions for all participants. These are results of the discussion report of the Bank of Russia.

    The participants in the discussion confirmed the points made inreport Problems: reduced availability of cash collection and transportation services in some regions, increased unfair competition and personnel shortages in the industry.

    The Bank of Russia intends to create conditions for attracting more companies to this market. In addition to banks, other organizations that transport cash are planned to be included in the regulatory perimeter. It is envisaged to maintain a register of such carriers. It is proposed to establish liability measures for organizations that will provide money transportation services but are not included in the register.

    These initiatives will help combat unfair competition and improve the availability of services, including in remote areas.

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

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

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23431

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev met with a detachment of volunteer civil servants from the Far Eastern regions who returned from the North-Eastern Military District

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Yuri Trutnev held a meeting with a detachment of volunteer state civil servants who returned home after fulfilling their duty to defend the Motherland.

    March 6, 2025

    Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev held a meeting with a group of volunteers – state civil servants who returned home after fulfilling their duty to defend the Motherland.

    The detachment was formed six months ago. It included 27 people: employees of the office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and nine regions of the Far Eastern Federal District (Buryatia – 2, Yakutia – 4, Transbaikalia – 3, Kamchatka – 2, Primorye – 2, Khabarovsk Krai – 1, Sakhalin Oblast – 3, Jewish Autonomous Oblast – 2, Chukotka – 3). The volunteers worked in two directions (Kursk and Donetsk), carried out reconnaissance of the forces and assets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on various modifications of UAVs. All volunteers were awarded the medals of the Ministry of Defense “Participant of the Northern Military District”, and the members of the Kursk group (21 people) were additionally awarded the medal “Defender of the Kursk Region”.

    “I want to thank you for the decision you made to go into the combat zone. I know that many of you carried out tasks that risked your lives, and did them well. I am sure that the memory of your work will remain for a long time. This will help you perceive life differently, perceive the work that we do together differently. Understand more how necessary it is. Maybe you will be a little tougher. This is also normal. All this will remain in the memory of Russia and in the memory of your families. In any case, today you can confidently say that you are not just ready to defend the Motherland, but you defended it. So thank you. I bow to you all. You know that we are preparing new groups. And it will be like this until we win. Until Russia wins. We will make every effort to bring this victory closer,” said Yuri Trutnev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister reported that the Patriotic priority development area has been created to modernize and expand production facilities that manufacture military and dual-use products. “Such support is already being provided to 26 Far Eastern enterprises that manufacture FPV drones, aircraft-type UAVs, electronic warfare and reconnaissance equipment, sights, snow and swamp vehicles, hemostatic tourniquets, bulletproof vests and other products. Last year, together with the commanders of units participating in the special military operation, the tactical and technical characteristics of the manufactured products were determined. All products are tested for compliance with current conditions at the front and supplied to units of the Eastern Military District. In 2023–2024, 22.5 thousand products have already been sent to the special military operation zone, another 13 thousand products are being prepared for shipment, 27 thousand products will be manufactured and supplied by the end of the first quarter of 2025,” Yuri Trutnev specified.

    The volunteers received letters of gratitude from the Deputy Prime Minister for their service to the Motherland, their courage and personal example of selfless fulfillment of military duty during the special military operation. And in turn, they thanked Yuri Trutnev, the office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and all Far Eastern regions for their assistance and support, and also handed over to the Deputy Prime Minister a captured drone of the Ukrainian Armed Forces that they shot down and a Victory Banner signed by all members of the detachment.

    “In April last year, Yuri Petrovich Trutnev set the task of forming a third detachment of Far Eastern civil servants to provide assistance in the SVO zone. It took about five months to select personnel and form the detachment. And this coincided with the enemy’s attack on the Kursk region. Therefore, we carried out our main task there. The detachment consisted of 27 federal employees. We left for the Kursk region in mid-August. And for six months we carried out combat missions in the SVO zone. I believe that the detachment has fully completed the tasks assigned to it, and now it has returned to its regular civilian jobs in full force. In my opinion, when the Motherland has problems, especially military ones, any man, regardless of his official position, is obliged to take up arms and stand up to defend the Fatherland. And an official has double responsibility. He is a civil servant. The state gave him a job, a salary, a position in society. “And his first duty is to come to the defense of the Motherland, if necessary,” noted Mikhail Kagan, a member of the detachment, commander of the aerial reconnaissance group, and deputy plenipotentiary representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: ING publishes 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ING publishes 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F

    ING filed today its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2024 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The 2024Form 20-F will be available on the ING website and can be downloaded from the SEC website (sec.gov) today. Shareholders or holders of ADRs can also request a hard copy of ING’s audited financial statements, free of charge, at www.ing.com/Investor-relations/Financial-performance/Annual-reports.htm.

    Note for editors

    For more on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr.

    ING PROFILE

    ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries.

    ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).

    ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING’s ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as ‘AA’ in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics’ view, ING’s management of ESG material risk is ‘Strong’. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that’s not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate.

    IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION

    Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 (‘Market Abuse Regulation’).

    ING Group’s annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS- EU’). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding. Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: (1) changes in general economic conditions and customer behaviour, in particular economic conditions in ING’s core markets, including changes affecting currency exchange rates and the regional and global economic impact of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and related international response measures (2) changes affecting interest rate levels (3) any default of a major market participant and related market disruption (4) changes in performance of financial markets, including in Europe and developing markets (5) fiscal uncertainty in Europe and the United States (6) discontinuation of or changes in ‘benchmark’ indices (7) inflation and deflation in our principal markets (8) changes in conditions in the credit and capital markets generally, including changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness (9) failures of banks falling under the scope of state compensation schemes (10) non- compliance with or changes in laws and regulations, including those concerning financial services, financial economic crimes and tax laws, and the interpretation and application thereof (11) geopolitical risks, political instabilities and policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, including in connection with the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the related international response measures (12) legal and regulatory risks in certain countries with less developed legal and regulatory frameworks (13) prudential supervision and regulations, including in relation to stress tests and regulatory restrictions on dividends and distributions (also among members of the group) (14) ING’s ability to meet minimum capital and other prudential regulatory requirements (15) changes in regulation of US commodities and derivatives businesses of ING and its customers (16) application of bank recovery and resolution regimes, including write down and conversion powers in relation to our securities (17) outcome of current and future litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations or other regulatory actions, including claims by customers or stakeholders who feel misled or treated unfairly, and other conduct issues (18) changes in tax laws and regulations and risks of non-compliance or investigation in connection with tax laws, including FATCA (19) operational and IT risks, such as system disruptions or failures, breaches of security, cyber-attacks, human error, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including in respect of third parties with which we do business and including any risks as a result of incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed outputs from the algorithms and data sets utilized in artificial intelligence (20) risks and challenges related to cybercrime including the effects of cyberattacks and changes in legislation and regulation related to cybersecurity and data privacy, including such risks and challenges as a consequence of the use of emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of artificial intelligence and quantum computing (21) changes in general competitive factors, including ability to increase or maintain market share (22) inability to protect our intellectual property and infringement claims by third parties (23) inability of counterparties to meet financial obligations or ability to enforce rights against such counterparties (24) changes in credit ratings (25) business, operational, regulatory, reputation, transition and other risks and challenges in connection with climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion and other ESG-related matters, including data gathering and reporting and also including managing the conflicting laws and requirements of governments, regulators and authorities with respect to these topics (26) inability to attract and retain key personnel (27) future liabilities under defined benefit retirement plans (28) failure to manage business risks, including in connection with use of models, use of derivatives, or maintaining appropriate policies and guidelines (29) changes in capital and credit markets, including interbank funding, as well as customer deposits, which provide the liquidity and capital required to fund our operations, and (30) the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the most recent annual report of ING Groep N.V. (including the Risk Factors contained therein) and ING’s more recent disclosures, including press releases, which are available on www.ING.com.

    This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.

    Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are “green” or “sustainable.” Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.

    This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING’s control.

    Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.

    This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Artificial intelligence: rooting out bias and stereotypes

    Source: United Nations 4

    Women

    As online tools using various forms of artificial intelligence become increasingly common, calls are growing for more action to ensure that they do not create or perpetuate stereotypes and gender bias.

    During High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in September, the topic of AI was the focus of several side-events featuring industry experts and UN officials.

    In a session entitled “Paving new Pathways for Women in Tech”, Mita Hosali, the Deputy Director of the UN’s News and Media Division, spoke to Sarah Steinberg, Head of Global Public Policy Partnerships at LinkedIn, Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Civility and Partnerships for Roblox, and Hélène Molinier, Senior Advisor on Digital Cooperation at UN Women.

    Soundcloud

    Ms. Hosali began by describing the lack of female representation in the tech world: overall, around a quarter of those working in the industry are women, dropping to about 11 per cent at the executive level. Women make up just 18 per cent of AI researchers.

    Data analysis by the LinkedIn platform, responded Ms. Steinberg, shows that women are not only under-represented, but their numbers are actually declining in terms of hiring rates.

    “When it comes to the industries and the fields that are really driving the future – STEM, the green economy, AI – we see women significantly underrepresented and not making sufficient progress in closing that gap”, she warned.

    Ms. Steinberg added that, in her view, AI will create new forms of employment, but “we have to be aware of the fact that it’s going to reshape the jobs and skills that we already have”: in the shorter term, she declared, “women are at a greater risk of losing their jobs than men, due to the introduction of AI tools in the wider economy”.

    © ADB/Ariel Javellana

    Girls attend a science class at a school in Indonesia.

    Giving a voice to the marginalized

    Roblox, an online platform for the creation of games and experiences, boasts almost 80 million daily active users. Ms. Bhaumik expressed optimism about the future, and the promise of generative AI in democratizing opportunities for women and girls, and marginalized individuals.

    Roblox, she said, can help to “level-set gender equality, making sure those voices who are very, very faint in the background really come to the forefront”.

    Hélène Molinier addressed the issue of bias in the development of AI systems, which can have serious real- world consequences. Many products, she said, contain bias, in areas ranging from image generation to chat bot moderation. She reminded the audience that the decision to put these products on the market despite their flaws, remains the responsibility of humans.

    Bridging the AI divide

    In another side-event, Ms. Hosali interviewed Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, on the issue of effective guardrails for AI, and how to ensure that they strike the right balance between providing protection and allowing innovation to flourish.

    Existing UN norms, said Mr. Singh, such as international treaties and commitments including the Sustainable Development Goals, are useful guides. However, another concern is the lack of representation in the Global South, in terms of infrastructure and talent.

    Mr. Singh called for efforts to bridge the AI divide to be focused on three areas: ensuring that legislators and decision-makers understand the importance of the technology as a public good; providing local researchers and innovators with the necessary data to enable them to build homegrown solutions; and international cooperation in terms of sharing models that have worked in other places.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Summer Camp Registration March 1 at North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Summer Camp Registration March 1 at North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

    Summer Camp Registration March 1 at North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
    jejohnson6

    KURE BEACH

    Summer camp registration opens March 1 at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) for a season filled with adventures indoors and outdoors for children ages 5 to 14. Campers will have encounters with animal ambassadors, explore the marsh, make new friends and for older campers, kayak in the Cape Fear River Basin. Camp season runs mid-June through mid-August, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Because of the unique and immersive nature of the Aquarium summer camps, some fill up immediately.

    Trained camp staff work to make every day a one-of-a-kind adventure for campers in age groups from 5-6, 7-8, 9-11 and 12-14.

    “Camp season is an exciting time at the Aquarium for our creative and expert staff who look forward to sharing their passion for conservation and marine life with young campers,” said Sammy Calderon, lead special activities instructor, NCAFF. “It is very rewarding to experience their joy and hear about their favorite adventures at camp.”  

    NCAFF Summer Camp Categories

    Aquanauts: Ages 5-6 become immersed in weekly topics through animal interaction, play, storytelling, crafts, and hands on outdoor activities.
    Marine Detectives: Ages 7-8 use their investigative skills in animal programs, outdoor excursions, and interactive games to better understand new concepts.
    Ocean Explorers: Ages 9-11 participate with staff in experiences outdoors, and behind the scenes at the Aquarium, to discover each weekly topic.
    Coastal Crusaders: Ages 12-14 venture farther to explore various coastal habitats and discover how the Aquarium and local organizations work to protect these environments. These campers also interact more directly with staff to gain hands-on learning in conservation work.

    The mission of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. To achieve this mission, the Aquarium team is committed to giving a diverse community access to the enriching conservation experience unique to the Aquariums.
    To register for summer camp, visit 2025 NCAFF Summer Camps.

    Video: See 2023 Summer Camp video on ncaquariumffInstagram

    About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher  

    The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $12.95 ages 13-61; $10.95 children ages 3-12; $11.95 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; EBT card holders: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members.

    Feb 28, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Archives to Host Free Virtual Program on the Regulation of Midwives, 1900-1940

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: State Archives to Host Free Virtual Program on the Regulation of Midwives, 1900-1940

    State Archives to Host Free Virtual Program on the Regulation of Midwives, 1900-1940
    jejohnson6

    This Women’s History Month, learn about changes to the practice of midwifery in the early twentieth century in North Carolina.

    Yale University student Jenesis Nwainokpor will present a free online program discussing the transition from traditional midwifery to the increasingly professionalized field of obstetrics, “Where Did All the Midwives Go?: Statistical Authority in the Regulation of Midwifery in North Carolina, 1900-1940.” At the turn of the 20th century, American physicians sought to control southern midwives, most of whom were Black. Their efforts reduced professional competition by blaming midwives for high rates of infant mortality and led to sweeping governmental regulation, eventually driving these care workers to virtual extinction.

    The event is scheduled Thursday, March 13, from noon-1:00 p.m.

    Register in advance for online participation. https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_ag8T1464Q9igwmEL2k69vg#/registration For more information, contact Adrienne Berney, adrienne.berney@dncr.nc.gov; 919-814-6863.

    About the State Archives The State Archives serves as the custodian of North Carolina’s historical records, preserving and providing public access to a wealth of archival materials. Through its diverse collections, educational programs, and exhibitions, the State Archives plays a crucial role in promoting an understanding and appreciation of North Carolina’s rich historical legacy.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Mar 1, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ‘Cheers to 10 years,’ a Birthday and Living History Celebration

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: ‘Cheers to 10 years,’ a Birthday and Living History Celebration

    ‘Cheers to 10 years,’ a Birthday and Living History Celebration
    jejohnson6

    Join us in celebrating with the dedicated staff of the CSS Neuse Museum, devoted volunteers, and Friends of the CSS Neuse Museum board members as we commemorate ten years of promoting local history. Attend our “Cheers to Ten Years: Anniversary Celebration and Living History” on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. We warmly invite our community and all visitors to explore the new exhibits and interactive enhancements that have enriched the museum over the past decade.

    Together, we will delve into the fascinating history of the CSS Neuse ironclad, the significant battles that occurred in eastern North Carolina during the Civil War, and how they influenced the lives of the residents of Lenoir County. During the program, historic interpreters and volunteers will be stationed throughout the museum to showcase their displays, enriching the content of the permanent exhibits. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and engage with our interactive features, while families will appreciate using our scavenger hunt to explore the museum together! Additionally, visitors can examine and handle artifacts from the CSS Neuse Museum’s teaching collection.

    The museum will offer several lectures in the theater room, including:

        • Presenter: Cliff Tyndall will present his book, “A Snapshot of Kinston and Lenoir County During the Civil War,” at 11 a.m.

        • Presenter: Jim Reifinger, Development of Small Arms, 1 p.m.

        • Presenter: Matthew Young, The Crew of the CSS Neuse, 2 p.m.

    A temporary exhibit, “The Toll of War” is on view on the observation platform of the mezzanine level. Curated by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, the exhibit underscores the physical and emotional toll of the conflict on individuals who endured it. The exhibit will remain on display through March 27.

    About the CSS Neuse Museum
    The CSS Neuse is the only remaining commissioned Confederate ironclad above water. It was part of a new technology that the Confederacy used to combat the superior manpower and firepower of the Union Navy. Learn about this technological advance and warfare in eastern North Carolina at the CSS Neuse Museum. The Confederate Navy launched the CSS Neuse, attempting to gain control of the lower Neuse River and New Bern, but ultimately destroyed the vessel to keep it out of Union hands.

    The CSS Neuse Museum is located at 100 N. Queen St., Kinston, N.C., and open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $5/Adult: 18 – 64 years old, $4/Senior: 65+, $3/Child: 3 -17 years old. Ages 2 and under are free. As a Blue Star Museum program member, all active-duty military personnel with ID and their families of up to five members get free admission.

    Please contact Rachel Kennedy at (252) 526-9600 x222 for more information. The CSS Neuse Museum is a part of the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Mar 1, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Managers Can Help Their Gen Z Employees Unlock the Power of Meaningful Work − Here’s How

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Finding fulfilling and motivating work is a challenge for many people, but it can be especially difficult for those just starting their careers. And as Generation Z professionals – those born between 1997 and 2012 – increasingly seek personalized career paths, managers are tasked with helping employees find meaning in their roles while also meeting organizational goals.

    Some managers may view Gen Z’s desire for meaningful work as a form of entitlement, but dismissing it can be costly. Research shows that employees who find their work meaningful experience greater job satisfaction, which directly boosts productivity. Meanwhile, ignoring this need can lead to higher employee turnover and “quiet quitting.” In short, helping younger employees find meaning on the job isn’t just good for them – it’s a smart business strategy.

    As business professors who study meaningful work, we wanted to understand how managers can help younger staff thrive. So one of us – Kelly Kennedy – conducted a research study at Baylor University in which she interviewed a range of Gen Z professionals. Then, together with leadership consultant Shanna Hocking, we analyzed the results to identify three crucial factors that can help managers unlock meaning for early-career professionals. These are self-knowledge, adding value, and relationships.

    By addressing these areas, managers can foster a supportive environment where Gen Z professionals thrive.

    The 3 keys to meaningful work

    Self-knowledge is about understanding who you are and what you value, and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses. Research shows self-awareness can be a powerful tool for creating a productive and engaged workforce.

    To help Gen Z employees develop self-knowledge, encourage them to reflect on what energizes and interests them. To get the ball rolling, you can ask them to think about their college experiences, internships and important personal milestones. These reflections can help them uncover patterns in what they enjoy and what drives their motivation.

    Additionally, many Gen Z professionals seek roles that align with their values. It’s common for them to focus on developing a sense of purpose that extends beyond a specific job title.

    For example, one young employee we interviewed, who works in fashion merchandising, told us, “I will make things beautiful and that will be my life.” This is a flexible sense of purpose – one that isn’t tied to any particular job, but rather to a bigger vision of impact. A smart manager will connect day-to-day tasks to employees’ larger goals, helping them see how their contributions fit into the bigger picture.

    Adding value at work comes down to two key things: feeling recognized and knowing one’s contributions make a difference. Our study found that adding value and feeling valued play a crucial role in shaping workplace meaning. For example, when asked what makes work meaningful, a Gen Z worker said, “being part of a team where you are able to contribute and directly see the impact of your work, regardless of the level you are at.”

    So, how do you make Gen Z employees feel recognized? It can be as simple as giving praise or as big as offering a raise. But for many young professionals, meaningful work goes beyond just perks – it’s about feeling like their efforts contribute to a larger goal and make a positive impact on society.

    Finally, how people get work done in the office is often tied to the relationships they have.

    Previous research has shown that Gen Z professionals are more likely to thrive in work environments that prioritize diversity and inclusion and encourage positive relationships between colleagues. Our conversations with Gen Z workers backed that up: They told us they valued quality relationships, collaboration, and support from managers and colleagues.

    Managers can foster this type of environment by encouraging team members to meaningfully connect. As a Gen Z private equity analyst shared with us, “When you work such long hours, it’s nice knowing there’s others in the trenches with you.”

    Building strong relationships with direct reports is also important. Gen Z professionals value being mentored by their managers and receiving regular feedback and honest communication. Research has shown connection at work is powerful for creating a meaningful environment of trust for employees of all ages.

    We also found that Gen Z appreciates being able to take risks – and potentially fail – in a safe space. That’s why mentorship programs can be impactful; they help young professionals develop skills, build confidence and find meaning in their work by providing a safe space for learning and growth.

    3 questions to unlock the power of meaningful work

    Reflection and coaching are powerful tools that help early career employees develop self-awareness, add value and build strong relationships. This work may seem daunting at first, but it’s easy to incorporate into the regular conversations you’re already having as a manager. To bring out the best in your Gen Z employees, start by asking three simple questions during your next one-on-one meeting.

    1. When have you felt most energized at work?

    Asking this question can help early career employees gain a deeper understanding of what motivates them. By identifying key moments, both you and the employee can gain valuable insight into their priorities and interests. Pay close attention to the specific aspects of their work that spark enthusiasm, and observe nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions – they can reveal just as much as words about what truly excites them.

    Make it a dialogue by sharing what you’ve noticed about the employee’s interests and discussing ways to tap into their motivations. Then, encourage the employee to find tasks and projects that align with their interests and bring them to the next one-on-one to discuss. From there, when assigning new tasks, be sure to highlight how the work connects to the employee’s interests and the organization’s larger goals.

    1. Where do you feel you contribute the most?

    This question helps early career employees recognize their strengths, allowing them to contribute more effectively and feel like a valued part of the team. As they respond, look for recurring themes in how they approach their work and the quality of their output.

    Help employees see the bigger picture by connecting their efforts to departmental objectives and the company’s overall mission. Highlight how their skills and contributions make a difference – not just in their own work but in supporting their colleagues and driving team success. And be on the lookout for opportunities to genuinely acknowledge their contributions in real time, as well as during performance reviews.

    1. Whom in the company do you want to learn from or work more closely with?

    Bringing up an employee’s work relationships in a one-on-one meeting might seem unconventional, but it’s a valuable opportunity to guide them in building strong partnerships. Plus, showing genuine interest in their connections reinforces your own relationship with them.

    As you discuss their workplace interactions, pay attention to whom they mention and why. Their responses can offer valuable insights into their career aspirations, potential collaboration opportunities and the relationships they find most meaningful.

    Also, remember: You don’t have to have all the answers. If a Gen Z employee comes to you with a question, use it as a chance to connect them with other team members or subject-matter experts. Encouraging them to seek out knowledge from others not only strengthens their network but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.

    As Gen Z professionals seek more personalized and fulfilling career paths, managers play a critical role in supporting them. Helping early career team members reach their professional goals will, in turn, help organizations reach their own goals. So if you’re a manager, asking these three simple questions during one-on-one meetings can lead to happier, more motivated workers and a more productive and stable organization.

    Originally published in The Conversation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Student Club Bringing Free Medical Clinic to Willimantic This Weekend

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    More than 200 UConn student volunteers will join together with teams of medical, dental, and vision care providers this Saturday and Sunday as the University’s Medical Clinic Club, in partnership with the nonprofit Remote Area Medical, takes over Windham Middle School in Willimantic to offer a free pop-up health care clinic to area residents.

    Patient parking will open at midnight on Saturday, March 8, for the clinic, with doors opening at 6:00 a.m. as services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis – at no cost – with doors closing once the day’s capacity is reached.

    Parking starts again at midnight on Sunday, March 9, with doors opening at 6:00 a.m. and the two-day clinic ending once it again reaches capacity.

    Patients should plan to attend as early as possible to ensure they’re able to be seen. All services are free and open to the general public. No identification is required, and Spanish-language interpreters and providers will be on-site and readily available for both days.

    This weekend’s free clinic marks the second occasion that the Medical Clinic Club has organized this event to offer no-cost care to those in need in the greater Willimantic area alongside Remote Area Medical, or RAM, which helps run the clinics.

    The first clinic, held in March 2024 and led by UConn alum Brooke DiVasto ’24 (CLAS), saw more than 400 volunteers provide more than $150,000 in free health care services to 212 patients over two days, according to Cameron Costa ’26 (CLAS), a physiology and neurobiology major at UConn Storrs and the club’s current president and community host group lead.

    “We’re all just super excited, because it’s nice to see the impact of an initiative,” Costa says. “Having that first year under our belts, we were able to meet these patients. A lot of us were able to hear their stories, hear how infrequently they were able to get medical care, and seeing that impact really gives us the drive and passion to keep doing this work.”

    The student-driven clinic, Costa says, is led by a nine-person organizing team that spends the better part of the year planning, organizing, and fundraising to support the effort.

    Over the past 12 months, the club has raised more than $30,000 in private donations and through a GoFundMe campaign as well as through grants used to help fund the clinic. They’ve been aided in their efforts by their fiduciary partner, Access Agency, and by financial support from Undergraduate Student Government and through a Co-op Legacy Fellowship Program – Change Grant from the University’s Office of Undergraduate Research.

    The Change Grant, Costa explains, was used to outfit a new Resource Hallway for the clinic, where patients will have access to nonperishable food items, personal care items, and other supplies they can take home with them after receiving care – an addition to this year’s clinic that the student organizers are excited to be able to offer to those who attend.

    “We’ve got diapers and baby food, baby formula,” Costa says. “Hygiene products, things like hairbrushes, nail clippers, toothbrushes and toothpaste. We’ve got a lot of different nonperishable food options, like pasta and rice, but also soups and vegetables and stews. We did a book sorting event at the Mansfield Public Library, alongside the Friends of the Mansfield Library, and we got a lot of books from them that we thought would be good for the elementary-to-middle school level, study books for parents or kids to take with them. We’ve got some emergency options, like emergency thermal blankets, winter hats and gloves – because it’s still a little bit cold out. We cast a very wide net on the items we wanted to have in the hallway.”

    While volunteer registration for this year’s clinic has closed – response from the UConn community was enthusiastic, and the club met its volunteer goals weeks ago, Costa says – the club is already organizing for next year and beyond.

    UConn students interested in joining in the effort are encouraged to connect with the club through UContact in order to receive the most up-to-date information on volunteer opportunities, to become an active member, or to learn more about the club’s work. UConn students interested in volunteering for the next clinic are urged to sign up early, Costa says.

    This year, club members also plan to expand the scope of their work, Costa explains, to help those who attend this weekend’s clinic find the care they need beyond the actual clinic days.

    “A big thing about us is that it’s not just free care for this one day – follow-up care is super important,” he says. “After the clinic, all of our volunteers will come together for two nights to call back all of these patients to help them organize follow-up care. We’ve already worked with some local medical, dental, and vision offices that are in the area and are open to new patients, open to patients who may not have insurance, or open to patients that maybe have Medicare or Medicaid.

    “So, it definitely a big job, and it’s a lot of work, but it’s very meaningful work, and we’re all really happy and grateful that we have support to do this.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Promoting Healthcare Excellence with Evidence Based Practice at NHB

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    The commitment to enhance medical readiness was visually evident recently at Naval Hospital Bremerton.

    U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Nurse Corps officers, along with hospital corpsmen assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command Bremerton, honed their evidence based practice skills at a TriService Nursing Research Program Evidence Based Practice training class.

    “This is a big deal for nurses because two instructors came from out of town to teach this class which takes us through all the steps of EBP to come out and be ready to do a EBP project,” said Lt. Cmdr. Maggy Mitzkewich, NMRTC Bremerton Specialty Care department.

    The training class, in conjunction with the Uniformed Services University, was held to refine attendees’ knowledge on the values of evidence based practice designed to help military nurses care for warfighters on the field of battle as well as retirees and dependents at a military treatment facility.

    “Most nurses at Naval Hospital Bremerton work in a clinic environment, but we need to be ready to deploy in our primary subspecialty,” explained Mitzkewich. “Using evidence based practice, we can target the best training methods to keep our skills up to date using proven ideas such as skills fairs or virtual reality.”

    Nurse Corps officers stationed at NHB, as well as other military treatment facilities, routinely are tasked for operational missions. NHB has recently deployed nurses to augment Navy fleet forces, support multiple Navy and Marine Corps locales across the Indo-Pacific theater, and assist U.S. Naval Forces Central Command needs and more.

    The Tri-Service Nursing Research Program training class curriculum, under the auspices of organizers Laurie Migliore and Ellen Kroll, followed what is known as the Iowa Model, a practical process which provides a structured outline for conducting principles of evidence-based practice.

    “The process uses a format based on the five stage formula of problem/population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and time,” said Mitzkewich, noting that a nurse can use evidence base practice knowledge to help improve quality healthcare and patient safety programs.

    “As nurses, we use evidence based practice by integrating research, clinical expertise, and patient preference to make informed decisions about care,” continued Mitzkewich. “It is something we learn about in nursing school and continue to use and develop throughout our daily practice and careers. It is a tool that helps ensure we are keeping our patients safe and helping them reach their healthcare goals.”

    According to Mitzkewich, examples of evidence based practice initiatives are NHB nurses updating the command’s patient falls policy and medication administration policy to ensure all staff members are adequately trained on both and that the hospital is using the most effective protocols to ensure patient safety.

    Two of the EBP initiatives the class participants worked on were, ‘Implementing an effective medication administration training and competency for nurses and corpsmen’ and ‘Using evidence to create an effective outpatient falls protocol.’

    Both initiatives are important in any healthcare locale.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, patient falls in a hospital setting, especially amongst elder beneficiaries, are a constant risk. The National Institute of Health also affirms that medication administration errors, such as wrong patient, wrong dose, wrong prescription, are all dispensing issues which are preventable.

    Mitzkewich attests that being able to implement evidence based practices to improve healthcare delivery is a gratifying experience for nurses, as well as their patients.

    “It is rewarding because the initiative that come from this class will affect real change in patient safety and knowledge, skills and abilities at our command,” stated Mitzkewich.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. Announces Progress in Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Trial by Executing an Agreement with Contract Research Organization CellCarta to Manage Translational Assays

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company continues toward the initiation of its Phase 1 Clinical Trial in AML for CER-1236

    SOUTH SAN FRANSCISCO, Calif., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., (Nasdaq: CERO) (“CERo” or the “Company”) an innovative immunotherapy company seeking to advance the next generation of engineered T cell therapeutics that employ phagocytic mechanisms, announces the execution of an agreement with contract research organization (CRO) CellCarta to manage translational assays for the Company’s upcoming Phase 1 clinical trial of CER-1236 for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). This is important progress as the Company prepares to enroll patients in the trial, as CellCarta will be responsible for key data elements, including pharmacokinetics, cytokine secretion, and target detection. The CRO will also support our clinical trial sites with sample kitting, shipment, and overall logistics to ensure clinical sample integrity is maintained during transport to testing sites.    

    CEO Chris Ehrlich commented, “We are diligently working toward enrolling patients in our Phase 1 clinical trial and each new milestones brings us closer to that event. The collection of samples and testing their chemistry is an essential aspect of the clinical trial process in liquid tumors, as they provide key data readouts beyond the safety data in a Phase 1 trial. Further, we are collaborating with multiple additional organizations to ensure that all aspects of the trial, down to logistics and transportation of samples, are in place and ready for execution. Combined with our ongoing work in solid tumors, which we expect to report on in the near term, and the careful management of our resources, we remain optimistic about the progress of CERo Therapeutics and look forward to continuing regular communication.”

    About CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

    CERo is an innovative immunotherapy company advancing the development of next generation engineered T cell therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Its proprietary approach to T cell engineering, which enables it to integrate certain desirable characteristics of both innate and adaptive immunity into a single therapeutic construct, is designed to engage the body’s full immune repertoire to achieve optimized cancer therapy. This novel cellular immunotherapy platform is expected to redirect patient-derived T cells to eliminate tumors by building in engulfment pathways that employ phagocytic mechanisms to destroy cancer cells, creating what CERo refers to as Chimeric Engulfment Receptor T cells (“CER-T”). CERo believes the differentiated activity of CER-T cells will afford them greater therapeutic application than currently approved chimeric antigen receptor (“CAR-T”) cell therapy, as the use of CER-T may potentially span both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. CERo anticipates initiating clinical trials for its lead product candidate, CER-1236, in 2025 for hematological malignancies.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations of CERo the timing and completion of the reverse stock split, and the acceptance and implementation of its proposed plan of compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this communication, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When CERo discusses its strategies or plans, it is making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, CERo’s management.

    Actual results could differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this communication. Certain risks that could cause actual results to differ are set forth in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on April 2, 2024, and the documents incorporated by reference therein. The risks described in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can CERo assess the impact of all such risk factors on its business, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements made by CERo or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. CERo undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Contact:
    Chris Ehrlich
    Chief Executive Officer
    chris@cero.bio

    Investors:
    CORE IR
    investors@cero.bio

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Gov’t work report in Braille shows China’s care, support for people with disabilities

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

    Gov’t work report in Braille shows China’s care, support for people with disabilities

    Updated: March 6, 2025 20:23 Xinhua
    This photo shows the government work report in both Braille (L) and text at a meeting attended by national political advisors from the sector of welfare and social security at the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. During this year’s two sessions, a Braille version of the government work report was provided for the first time to members of the CPPCC National Committee with visual impairments. The special document highlights China’s care and support for people with disabilities. [Photo/Xinhua]
    National political advisors share a Braille version of the government work report at a meeting attended by national political advisors from the sector of welfare and social security at the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A national political advisor reads the government work report in Braille at a meeting attended by national political advisors from the sector of welfare and social security at the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Li Qingzhong, a national political advisor and chairman of the China Association of the Blind, shows the government work report in Braille at a meeting attended by national political advisors from the sector of welfare and social security at the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A national political advisor reads the government work report in Braille at a meeting attended by national political advisors from the sector of welfare and social security at the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – “Insecurity prevails in Bukavu where not a night goes by without three or four bodies found on the street”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “Not a night goes by in Bukavu without finding three or four bodies on the street. Bodies also emerge from the lake,” report local church sources in Bukavu, the capital of the Congolese province of South Kivu (in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo), which fell into the hands of the M23 rebel movement in mid-February (see Fides, 17/2/2025). Our sources, who have requested anonymity for security reasons, describe a city where the law of the strongest prevails. “Criminal gangs are still active, but they do not usually kill…. Small or large thefts are committed by these gangs, but the major looting is carried out with impunity by the M23 and its allies: a bank was emptied and three cassiterite deposits were looted”.It is also noted that “the looting that the city experienced before Sunday, February 16, the day of the official entry of the M23, was not only due to young people who found the weapons left behind by the fleeing soldiers of the regular Congolese army (FARDC). The M23 had already entered the city on Friday, February 14, and the major looting in the Kadutu market, accompanied by devastation, took place on Saturday, February 15”.The report also shows how the looting by the occupiers is taking place on a large scale: “The last known theft of minerals took place in the night of Thursday to Friday, February 27-28, in the Nguba district: 34 already sealed barrels of cassiterite ready for sale were rolled into large buses and loaded in the middle of the night after tying up two guards and beating and abducting two others, who were only released on Sunday. On the radio, the new authorities called on the population to report the looting. ‘To whom?’ asked a dejected operator of the plant.” “But when armed bandits attack and people call the M23 soldiers, they come and ruthlessly shoot everyone they meet in the area, even if it is only eight in the evening. They shoot to kill, they say they have no bullets to waste. On March 4, the Red Cross buried some of the victims of the February 27 attacks in the Bagira cemetery (see Fides, 27/2/2025), other bodies were recovered by the families. The new authorities gave an envelope of money to the families of those killed, but they say they have little money because the war is expensive”. “There are hardly any cars on the road, apart from taxis and old cars. The better ones have either already been taken over by the M23 or are kept hidden. If you are driving a Land Cruiser, they can easily stop you and ask for the keys. Cars are sent to Rwanda, just like looted minerals. So if there was any need for proof in whose name this war is being fought…” The insecurity has practically brought social life in Bukavu to a standstill. The sources report that “classes in schools have not resumed because parents are afraid to let their children leave the house; moreover, they would not know how to pay the quarterly fees in the face of increasing misery. And: who will pay the teachers’ salaries? The journalists have been told what to do: sing the glory of the occupiers, not to spread information from Kinshasa, but only their information, no longer speak of ‘occupied zones’ but of ‘liberated zones’, no ‘press Union’, they themselves will give the journalists an ID, each media outlet will have to declare its location”. “And on the streets, a cloak of sadness lies over everyone, which is very unusual for the Congolese people,” conclude our sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 6/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/HONG KONG – PIME missionary Giosuè Bonzi leaves Hong Kong: Sixty years of commitment to people with disabilities

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 6 March 2025

    Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Father Giosuè Bonzi of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), an Italian missionary from Bergamo, has left Hong Kong and his physically and mentally disabled children and young people at the age of 85 and returned to his home in Lombardy. With the appreciation and affection of Hong Kong Catholics and non-Catholics, who were equally moved and sad, Father Bonzi returned to Italy in mid-February after 60 years of missionary work in Hong Kong. His children and young people accompanied him to the airport to say goodbye.According to “KungKaoPo”, the weekly newsletter of the Diocese of Hong Kong, Father Bonzi has won everyone over with his unconditional love and tireless spiritual commitment to the weakest in society. His work has also been recognized by the civil authorities, who have awarded him various honors over the past decades, an important sign of recognition for the valuable service of the missionary and his collaborators. He, who arrived in Hong Kong in 1967, barely a year after his ordination, acknowledges the praise with the modest words: “What did I do in Hong Kong? Nothing special,”.Father Bonzi founded “Fu Hong Society”, and throughout his life he worked for the weakest of Hong Kong’s highly technological and developed society, welcoming them into his centers for the disabled, about fifty in number. In the days of farewell, the missionary took part in masses and celebrations organized by various communities to express their gratitude and love for this man who will leave a legacy of compassion, faith and dedication, but above all the gift of hope for the last.Father Giosuè Bonzi, a native of San Giovanni in Bianco in the province of Bergamo, was born in 1940. He entered the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) and was ordained a priest in 1966. His mother would have liked to see him become a diocesan priest, perhaps as a parish priest in one of the churches in the surrounding area. Instead, he was immediately sent to the mission in Hong Kong, where he worked first in the education field as director of an institute and then in the health field as chaplain of the “Caritas Medical Centre” hospital. For several years he was director of pastoral care for people with disabilities.According to the website of the “Fu Hong Society”, after more than half a century of existence, the Society, founded in 1977, currently has more than 70 service units divided into different categories and programs, providing rehabilitation services to more than 4,000 people with disabilities, including people with intellectual disabilities, autism disorders and people with physical disabilities. In addition to inpatient care, the Catholic organization also offers programs for outpatient rehabilitation, professional training and community support for people with disabilities. The founder of the society himself has always lived with disabled children, to whom he dedicated his life in the name of Christ’s charity. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides, 6/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests criminal alien and foreign fugitive wanted for felony drug trafficking in Brazil

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested criminal alien and fugitive from justice Leandro Romano de Souza, 27, for a felony drug trafficking conviction in Brazil, Jan. 27.

    “The arrest of this criminal alien, who illegally entered the U.S. in an attempt to evade justice, underscores our relentless commitment to identifying and apprehending individuals who exploit our borders to escape accountability,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde. “We remain dedicated to working closely with our international law enforcement partners to ensure that foreign fugitives seeking refuge in our communities are swiftly located and removed from our community.”

    Romano de Souza entered the United States at or near Calexico, California, without inspection or admission by an immigration officer in April 2024. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Romano de Souza and released him on an order of recognizance.

    The Criminal Enforcement Court of the District of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil issued an arrest warrant for Romano de Souza in September 2024 to serve the remainder of his 14 plus year sentence in Brazil.

    ICE arrested Romano de Souza during an enhanced operation in Peabody, Jan. 27. Romano de Souza remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

    Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. butane exports reached a new record in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    March 6, 2025

    The United States is exporting record volumes of normal butane as global demand for liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) surges. U.S. normal butane exports averaged nearly 500,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2024, a 12% increase from the previous year, and have increased every year since 2006.

    Butane is used residentially and commercially as a fuel, primarily for cooking. It’s also used as a gasoline blendstock during the winter and as a base chemical to make rubbers and plastics. Butane can also be converted to isobutane through isomerization, a key process for producing high octane gasoline components.

    Butane is similar to propane; both are considered LPGs. LPGs are byproducts of natural gas processing and crude oil refining. U.S. LPG production has grown rapidly with the increase in natural gas production, especially in liquids-rich regions such as the Eagle Ford in Texas and the Marcellus and Utica in the Northeast. Echoing trends in the propane market, higher production of butane has led to lower prices in the United States relative to global benchmarks in East Asia and the Middle East, increasing global demand for U.S. butane.

    The United States is the largest butane exporter in the world, with most exports bound for Asia and Africa. Butane has a higher boiling point than propane, so butane is less expensive to store and transport in warmer climates than propane. In 2024, 41% of U.S. butane exports went to Asia and 36% went to Africa. The top Asian importers were Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea, while Morocco and Egypt took in the most U.S. butane in Africa. These five countries account for more than half of the United States’ butane exports.

    Generally, butane demand has grown along with petrochemical demand. However, in many developing markets, governments have subsidized butane as a replacement for other fuels, such as wood or charcoal, because it is a cleaner indoor burning fuel for uses such as cooking or heating. Morocco, for example, has subsidized butane since the 1940s (although the government started phasing subsidies out in April 2024). Indonesia and India also have LPG subsidies in place.

    Data source: Bloomberg L.P. and Argus

    Low U.S. butane spot prices relative to other global benchmark spot prices led to a consistently wide price spread throughout 2023 and 2024, incentivizing more butane shipments from the United States than from other countries. However, the U.S. Gulf Coast butane’s discount to East Asia and Saudi Arabia decreased at the end of 2024, after butane prices rose in the United States at a faster rate than in other regions. Despite the decreasing price spread in the second half of 2024, U.S. exports remained high, averaging 12% more than the same period in 2023.

    Principal contributor: Josh Eiermann

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NMRTC Twentynine Palms Sailors sharpen skills and build camaraderie at shooting event

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Sailors from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms gathered for a team building, morale, and marksmanship event on Feb. 26, 2025, reinforcing weapons proficiency and strengthening unit cohesion. The event provided Sailors across various rates with the opportunity to practice shooting, many of whom do not regularly handle firearms in their daily military duties.

    “The shooting event was great for team building and served as an opportunity to exercise our lethal warfighting capabilities,” said Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Diego Escalante from San Diego, Calif.

    Participants used the event to emphasize the importance of basic firearms knowledge and safety for all service members, regardless of their occupational specialties.

    “Being in the military, I feel all rates should have at least some familiarity with basic firearms and firearms safety, which this event allowed us to cover,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Samuel Schoep, from Hudson, New York. “Shooting is a requirement for my rate, so being able to get out onto the range helps keep my required skills fresh.”

    The event was especially beneficial for Sailors in roles where firearms proficiency can make up a component of their rate’s responsibilities.

    “As an RP (Religious Program Specialist), we are expected to be skilled with firearms due to chaplains not being able to fire or carry. We serve as their protection and point man.” Escalante said. “In this unit, my mission changes within the dynamic of a hospital environment, so I don’t use firearms regularly. However, that won’t always be the case at future duty stations.”

    “For my rate I must qualify for Marksman annually on the Navy Handgun Qualification Course, so having the opportunity helped me brush up on my shooting,” added Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice Thuan Nguyen from Bradenton, Florida.

    For a hospital corpsman, shooting proficiency can be critical in operational environments where they may be required to provide medical aid in combat situations. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Logan Wilkerson, from Columbus, Georgia, highlighted why corpsmen need to be capable of being armed in the line of duty.

    “For the general population, the thought of medical personnel using a weapon is generally unheard of,” Wilkerson said. “However, in the military, a Hospital Corpsman providing life-saving measures in a combative environment is very likely. When caring for an injured service member, we (corpsmen) can turn to the Hospital Corpsman Pledge — specifically, ‘I will not knowingly permit harm to come to any patient.’ To me, this means defending my patient.”

    Wilkerson explained the historic importance of firearms use for corpsmen by referencing the heroic actions of Hospital Apprentice 1st Class Robert E. Bush, the namesake of the hospital where he serves, who received the Medal of Honor for his valor in the Battle of Okinawa.

    “With the (plasma) bottle held high in one hand, Bush drew his pistol with the other and fired into the enemy ranks until his ammunition was expended,” Wilkerson recounted. “History has proven that familiarity and practice with putting rounds down range can mean the difference between life and death for a corpsman’s patient. After all, a common saying from corpsmen is that one of the best forms of medicine is rounds down range.”

    The event also served as a platform for fostering camaraderie among service members beyond their typical work environments. Lt. Jason Wang, Operations Management Department Head and Healthcare Administrator from Sylmar, Calif., shared that one of the reasons he set up the event was to offer a unique way for colleagues to bond.

    “There are a lot of private gun owners or individuals — both civilian and active duty — who know how to shoot and safely handle a gun,” Wang said. “Bringing together individuals who enjoy and share this hobby allows co-workers to relate to each other in ways beyond just their job functions.”

    Twentynine Palms provides unique opportunities for shooting practice due to its desert environment and access to range facilities on base. While some service members expressed that shooting ranges are available at most duty stations, the terrain in Twentynine Palms offers a distinctive experience and more access to opportunities.

    “The major difference from other duty stations is the terrain,” Wilkerson said. “Out here in the desert, with the mountains and rocks as backdrops, it doesn’t take much imagination to put yourself in a different time and place.”

    “The environment allows more opportunities to shoot in the desert and on base than other larger metropolitan bases. Additionally, the base here is more relationship and network-based which creates opportunities in comparison to larger bases where it is easy to get lost on who is who in the zoo,” added Wang.

    Sailors expressed a desire for more frequent opportunities to refine their weapons-handling skills, recognizing the value in staying proficient even if their current assignments do not require regular firearms use.

    “The concept of firearms can be foreign to many and basic bootcamp isn’t remotely enough to gain comfortability and skill. Different rates and units come with different priorities,” Escalante explained. “In a place like a naval hospital, even though our corpsmen often serve a different mission here, at least one to two refresher courses per year would only benefit us as service members.”

    The event underscored NMRTC Twentynine Palms’ commitment to bolstering operational readiness, morale, and unit cohesion.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sailors and Marines Ready Their Casualty Response Skills aboard USS America (LHA 6)

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Sailors and Marines aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) train to respond to casualties of all grades, in war and peace. USS America’s medical department integrates and serves Sailors and Marines alike. As part of a joint effort, the Sailors of the ship and those assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) participate in medical drills to ready their proficiency in trauma care.

    “The integration of green and blue side corpsmen is very different, but I like it because you see how everybody’s roles come together,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jalen King, assigned to the 31st MEU. “We’re going through our fundamentals with one end goal. To get our patient to the next higher echelon of care.”

    One aspect of medical readiness is training for mass casualty treatment. Integrated drills serve as a vital training for both blue and green side corpsman. Mass casualty drills are a simulated scenarios that test the capabilities of the integrated Navy and Marine Corps medical team aboard USS America, preparing the providers to treat a strenuous number of inbound casualties. A large influx of patients all at once tests, refines and enhances their current medical capabilities while improving the corpsmen’s abilities to triage a variety of wounded warriors from the battlefield.

    “The purpose of the mass casualty drill is always to test your skills. You have to do this to refresh your muscle memory and skills because medicine is always changing,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Benjamin Guinto, assigned to the 31st MEU. “You need to up to date on the latest instructions, the best way of treating a patient, and all possible medical interventions.”

    It is very important that the blue and green side corpsman go through practice drills to create cohesion and efficiency amongst all those involved. Joint training allows for the sharpening of the basic and advanced skills of new members supporting the medical mission, as there is a constant flow of personnel arriving to the ship with each patrol—each with knowledge to be gained and given.

    “It is a growing and a learning process, but it is definitely getting better,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Dyanna Keiji, assigned to USS America. “I get more confident in our ability to work together as a team if we ever had to actually deal with an actual emergency or influx of mass casualties.”

    Each side has a different set of skills, such as field medicine with green side corpsmen and bedside medicine for the blue side corpsmen. It takes time to understand each respective branch’s equipment and techniques. There come some learning curves for the green side corpsman as most are not used to practicing critical care aboard a ship.

    “Working with the blue side corpsman during the mass casualty drills has been going pretty well. Having not been on a ship before, I am learning where things are and the process on how they do these drills,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jomari Cruz, assigned to the 31st MEU. “I am learning a lot from them and it is uplifting.”

    Despite being more familiar with the ship and the equipment aboard there are difficulties as well for blue side corpsman—such as fluid communications with the green side or understanding field medical equipment. Sailors who may have only been a blue side corpsman may come across a certain experience or situation that is more familiar to their green side counterpart, so gaining more insight on how to approach and handle a new situation gives greater awareness and overall familiarity with the unknowns that come with the overall job of being a corpsman.

    “It is pretty empowering working with the green side corpsmen because they bring a different skill set and we have different backgrounds when we are working together,” said Hospital Corpsman Guadalupe Beech, assigned to Fleet Surgical Team Seven (FST 7). “It always feels like a safe environment to ask questions. If there is something that I do not know, there’s a good chance the green side might know.”

    The mass casualty drills help the corpsman train and expect what could come, but it is also informative to the surrounding Sailors who are not directly involved with the drill. The drills display a possible reality at any moment to those who could have a chance to be a helping hand at any given moment.

    “From the people that just watch us do the drills, I think it opens their eyes that this is not just practice, this might happen and makes them think what they will you do when this happens,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Alexander Naval, assigned to FST 7. “As a bystander, what part can you play if the medical team is busy? From stretcher bearers to directing the traffic or controlling the crowd, we need everyone to not just watch, but help the medical team.”

    No matter the situation, green and blue side corpsmen continue to work together to grow and evolve their skill set prior to coming together for the drills. The medical world is ever growing and corpsmen continue learning new things every day to help those in their time of need, even if they do not know when that may be.

    “The greatest takeaway is that we are learning every day,” said Chief Naval. “For the junior Sailors, this is the biggest learning experience they can get because we are looking at real world scenarios that could happen in the near future, so we are making them ready for any situation. We are here to guide them on what to do and what to expect in case a mass casualty actually happens.”

    On this winter patrol, the corpsmen of the USS America and the 31st MEU have worked together tirelessly to improve, grow together, and above all else, be prepared and ready for any situation. The combined forces of the blue and green medical team have seen the self-improvement amongst each other and within themselves, feeling more ready than ever as they continue to treat the integrated Navy and Marine Corps teams.

    “The integration between the green and blue side has been the best that I have ever seen. I have been in FST 7 since 2022 and I have never seen it this good,” Beech stated, “We communicate daily, we see each other’s patients, and I feel that our morale is good as well.”

    America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: NAVCENT Hosts Mental Health Campaign at NSA Bahrain

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    MANAMA, Bahrain— Mental health providers, chaplains, counselors, and support service groups aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain gathered to kick off the 2025 Mental Health Campaign, March 4.

    The five-session campaign, hosted by the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Religious Ministries Team, features topics including learning the resources, best practices for navigating mental health, building the human connection, creating positive environments, and effective leadership.

    The first session covered learning the resources, allowing participants to connect with counselors from Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Bahrain, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Bahrain mental health professionals, Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC), and other embedded mental health officers and licensed social workers supporting the installation.

    “The overall goal of the event is to help leadership continue to develop a deliberate mental health strengthening strategy through the information promulgated in alignment with CNO’s [Chief of Naval Operations] Quality of Service initiative, while building collaboration between the Bahrain mental health entities,” said Cmdr. Devon Foster, NAVCENT/ U.S. 5th Fleet deputy chaplain. “There are more than 20 designated caregivers on island consisting of chaplains, MFLCs, LSWs [licensed social workers], psychologists, as well as the professional doctors and nurses at Serene Hospital. This was all about learning the resources from the Navy’s Mental Health Playbook and Roadmap. While our services as providers can overlap, our session shows how each caregiver cares and provides unique amenities within their portfolio.”

    NSA Bahrain’s mental health roadmap outlines key resources available on the installation for personnel seeking support, ranging from connecting with friends, family, and chains of command, to seeking support from providers through outpatient care off-base.

    During the event, Capt. Jorge Brito, NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet force surgeon, discussed the importance of brain health, emphasizing risk factors, and ways to promote healthy brain function. The presentation included an interactive activity which allowed participants the opportunity to brainstorm ways they thought individuals could improve brain health through implementing or abstaining from certain factors. The exercise validated some beliefs, and challenged common misconceptions about brain health.

    The Mental Health Campaign will continue with Session 2, covering best practices for navigating mental health.

    “By understanding these services each person can seek assistance from one or more of these professional to meet their needs,” said Foster. “If the help can best be served through another provider, the person will be referred to whomever can give them the care they need.”

    NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and coalition maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by providing security for ships, aircraft and tenants on board NSA Bahrain and assigned detachments. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family with honor, courage and commitment.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Electric Hydrogen partners with Texas-based Titan to deliver modularized manufacturing for electrolyzer plants

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COLUMBUS, Texas, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Electric Hydrogen, global manufacturer of high-power electrolyzer plants, announced its strategic partnership with Titan, a Texas-based leader in process equipment manufacturing, for the fabrication and assembly of its 100 megawatt (MW) electrolyzer plant product. This partnership underscores Electric Hydrogen’s commitment to support U.S. industrial competitiveness and development of a skilled, local workforce in the hydrogen industry.

    At Titan’s facility in Columbus, Texas, fabrication and assembly of Electric Hydrogen’s first commercial 100MW Plant—a solution that enables up to 60% lower total installed costs for electrolytic hydrogen—is complete. The partnership with Titan illustrates how growth in the hydrogen industry creates opportunities for expansion of energy businesses and jobs in Texas. To build Electric Hydrogen’s electrolyzer process skids, Titan deployed the same expertise and workers that it would have deployed to build traditional oil and gas infrastructure. This 100MW Plant project, which will support more than 300 good-paying jobs in the State, signals the beginning of a growing hydrogen industry in Texas.

    “By combining Electric Hydrogen’s proprietary advanced technology with Titan’s world-class process equipment fabrication expertise and facilities, we are able to deliver a superior electrolyzer solution at half the cost of others in the market,” said Raffi Garabedian, Electric Hydrogen’s CEO and Co-founder.

    To ensure reliable and rapid deployment, Electric Hydrogen’s fully-integrated 100MW Plant is pre-assembled and pre-tested before shipment to the customer site. This unique fabrication model leverages Titan’s excellence in high-volume chemical equipment production and rigorous quality practices.

    “Our team’s deep expertise and commitment to scalability through standardized processes are closely aligned with Electric Hydrogen’s modular product offering and we are thrilled to be bringing the 100MW Plant to customers to grow America’s hydrogen economy,” said Titan CEO Chris Werner.

    To learn more about Electric Hydrogen’s 100MW Plant, visit https://eh2.com/.

    About Electric Hydrogen
    Electric Hydrogen manufactures, delivers and commissions the world’s most powerful electrolyzers to make clean hydrogen projects economically viable today. The company’s complete 100 megawatt (MW) Plant includes all system components required to turn water and electricity into the lowest cost clean hydrogen. Electric Hydrogen has a team of more than 300 people in the United States and Europe. The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Devens, Massachusetts. To learn more about how critical industries leverage Electric Hydrogen’s advanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology, visit https://eh2.com/.

    Contact
    V2 Communications for Electric Hydrogen
    electrichydrogen@v2comms.com

    About Titan
    Titan Production Equipment (“Titan”) is a market leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of Specialty Engineer-to-Order complex Separation and Processing & Treating equipment used in traditional oil & gas applications, as well as manufacturing a variety of clean energy products, including green hydrogen, sulfur recovery and carbon capture technologies. Titan Production Equipment has 365,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Columbus, Texas and has grown from an initial 42 employees in 2018 to a peak of 350 people in 2024. Titan is owned by a private equity fund controlled and managed by New York private equity firm Castle Harlan, Inc. (“Castle Harlan”). For more information about Titan, visit www.titanpeq.com.

    Contact
    info@titanpeq.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7c8d6ae2-42c9-4a19-acc4-6e6aa457dcc7

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ea7f82a-8ceb-4f77-9a49-f9d077f6d031

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/712a442b-4682-4cd3-9199-97d5eb843279

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