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  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots Receive National Recognition

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: ICYMI: North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots Receive National Recognition

    ICYMI: North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots Receive National Recognition
    hejones1

    This week, the success of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy Opportunities Pilots was featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In just under three years, the first-of-its kind innovative program has been described as a “life changer” for thousands of North Carolina families. Healthy Opportunities proves the best way to lower health care costs and create healthier communities is to reduce the need for medical care in the first place.

    The program addresses people’s social needs with services like food, housing, transportation and assistance related to interpersonal violence and toxic stress. It is part of a broader set of initiatives — including Medicaid Expansion, medical debt relief, behavioral health investments, SNAP and WIC maximization, and integrating physical and behavioral health – that are focused on improving the health and economic well-being of North Carolinians. 

    “The Healthy Opportunities Pilots are a true example of how we carry out our department’s mission to create a healthier North Carolina for all,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “As a physician, I have seen firsthand how factors outside of the exam room greatly affect whole-person health as people need food, shelter and safety to thrive. I look forward to working with the team and partners at the General Assembly to take this program statewide.”

    More than 819,000 services have been effectively delivered, and more than 38,000 NC Medicaid beneficiaries have enrolled across 33 predominantly rural counties in North Carolina since the Healthy Opportunities Pilots began providing services nearly three years ago. Participants are seeing the health benefits with fewer emergency room visits and hospital stays. Additionally, the state is seeing $1,020 in annual health care costs savings per Healthy Opportunities enrollee, and stronger local economies that are supported by local businesses from family farms to home repair. 

    “Thanks to the foresight of North Carolina lawmakers who saw the potential value and initially funded this program, people are healthier, local businesses are growing, and rural communities are stronger,” said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for NC Medicaid Jay Ludlam. “Healthy Opportunities isn’t just about lowering health care costs, it’s about keeping dollars local, building on community strengths, and making sure North Carolinians have the resources they need to stay healthy.”

    The Healthy Opportunities Pilots currently operate in three regions of the state with the support of three Network Leads: Access East, Inc.; Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear; and Impact Health. Healthy Opportunities in western North Carolina is a critical partner in helping people in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene recover from the damage left behind. Late last year, our partners from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services recognized the value in this innovative approach for lowering health care cost and approved a new 1115 waiver, renewing the Pilots, and giving North Carolina the option to expand statewide and make program improvements and changes. We are working with partners at the NCGA on options for expansion, so more people are able to access the critical services the program offers.

    To learn about the Healthy Opportunities Pilots and read more about how the program is benefiting people with Medicaid in North Carolina, visit the Healthy Opportunities Pilots webpage or the Healthy Opportunities Frequently Asked Questions.

    Mar 3, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A Palestinian-Israeli film just won an Oscar − so why is it so hard to see?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Drew Paul, Associate Professor of Arabic, University of Tennessee

    Left to right: Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham pose with their Oscars for ‘No Other Land’ at the 2025 Academy Awards. Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images

    For many low-budget, independent films, an Oscar win is a golden ticket.

    The publicity can translate into theatrical releases or rereleases, along with more on-demand rentals and sales.

    However, for “No Other Land,” a Palestinian-Israeli film that just won best documentary feature at the 2025 Academy Awards, this exposure may not translate into commercial success in the U.S. That’s because the film has been unable to find a company to distribute it in America.

    “No Other Land” chronicles the efforts of Palestinian townspeople to combat an Israeli plan to demolish their villages in the West Bank and use the area as a military training ground. It was directed by four Palestinian and Israeli activists and journalists: Basel Adra, who is a resident of the area facing demolition, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor. While the filmmakers have organized screenings in a number of U.S. cities, the lack of a national distributor makes a broader release unlikely.

    Film distributors are a crucial but often unseen link in the chain that allows a film to reach cinemas and people’s living rooms. In recent years it has become more common for controversial award-winning films to run into issues finding a distributor. Palestinian films have encountered additional barriers.

    As a scholar of Arabic who has written about Palestinian cinema, I’m disheartened by the difficulties “No Other Land” has faced. But I’m not surprised.

    The role of film distributors

    Distributors are often invisible to moviegoers. But without one, it can be difficult for a film to find an audience.

    Distributors typically acquire rights to a film for a specific country or set of countries. They then market films to movie theaters, cinema chains and streaming platforms. As compensation, distributors receive a percentage of the revenue generated by theatrical and home releases.

    The film “Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat,” another finalist for best documentary, shows how this process typically works. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 and was acquired for distribution just a few months later by Kino Lorber, a major U.S.-based distributor of independent films.

    The inability to find a distributor is not itself noteworthy. No film is entitled to distribution, and most films by newer or unknown directors face long odds.

    However, it is unusual for a film like “No Other Land,” which has garnered critical acclaim and has been recognized at various film festivals and award shows. Some have pegged it as a favorite to win best documentary at the Academy Awards. And “No Other Land” has been able to find distributors in Europe, where it’s easily accessible on multiple streaming platforms.

    So why can’t “No Other Land” find a distributor in the U.S.?

    There are a couple of factors at play.

    Shying away from controversy

    In recent years, film critics have noticed a trend: Documentaries on controversial topics have faced distribution difficulties. These include a film about a campaign by Amazon workers to unionize and a documentary about Adam Kinzinger, one of the few Republican congresspeople to vote to impeach Donald Trump in 2021.

    The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, of course, has long stirred controversy. But the release of “No Other Land” comes at a time when the issue is particularly salient. The Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Israeli bombardment and invasion of the Gaza Strip have become a polarizing issue in U.S. domestic politics, reflected in the campus protests and crackdowns in 2024. The filmmakers’ critical comments about the Israeli occupation of Palestine have also garnered backlash in Germany.

    Locals attend a screening of ‘No Other Land’ in the village of A-Tuwani in the West Bank on March 14, 2024.
    Yahel Gazit/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

    Yet the fact that this conflict has been in the news since October 2023 should also heighten audience interest in a film such as “No Other Land” – and, therefore, lead to increased sales, the metric that distributors care about the most.

    Indeed, an earlier film that also documents Palestinian protests against Israeli land expropriation, “5 Broken Cameras,” was a finalist for best documentary at the 2013 Academy Awards. It was able to find a U.S. distributor. However, it had the support of a major European Union documentary development program called Greenhouse. The support of an organization like Greenhouse, which had ties to numerous production and distribution companies in Europe and the U.S., can facilitate the process of finding a distributor.

    By contrast, “No Other Land,” although it has a Norwegian co-producer and received some funding from organizations in Europe and the U.S., was made primarily by a grassroots filmmaking collective.

    Stages for protest

    While distribution challenges may be recent, controversies surrounding Palestinian films are nothing new.

    Many of them stem from the fact that the system of film festivals, awards and distribution is primarily based on a movie’s nation of origin. Since there is no sovereign Palestinian state – and many countries and organizations have not recognized the state of Palestine – the question of how to categorize Palestinian films has been hard to resolve.

    In 2002, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rejected the first ever Palestinian film submitted to the best foreign language film category – Elia Suleiman’s “Divine Intervention” – because Palestine was not recognized as a country by the United Nations. The rules were changed for the following year’s awards ceremony.

    In 2021, the cast of the film “Let It Be Morning,” which had an Israeli director but primarily Palestinian actors, boycotted the Cannes Film Festival in protest of the film’s categorization as an Israeli film rather than a Palestinian one.

    Film festivals and other cultural venues have also become places to make statements about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and engage in protest. For example, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017, the right-wing Israeli culture minister wore a controversial – and meme-worthy – dress that featured the Jerusalem skyline in support of Israeli claims of sovereignty over the holy city, despite the unresolved status of Jerusalem under international law.

    Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev wears a dress featuring the old city of Jerusalem during the Cannes Film Festival in 2017.
    Antonin Thuillier/AFP via Getty Images

    At the 2024 Academy Awards, a number of attendees, including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali, wore red pins in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, and pro-Palestine protesters delayed the start of the ceremonies.

    As he accepted his award, “No Other Land” director Yuval Abraham called out “the foreign policy” of the U.S. for “helping to block” a path to peace.

    Even though a film like “No Other Land” addresses a topic of clear interest to many Americans, I wonder if the quest to find a U.S. distributor just got even harder.

    This article has been updated to clarify that the film was a collaborative effort between Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers. It has also been updated to reflect the film’s win at the 2025 Academy Awards.

    Drew Paul 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. A Palestinian-Israeli film just won an Oscar − so why is it so hard to see? – https://theconversation.com/a-palestinian-israeli-film-just-won-an-oscar-so-why-is-it-so-hard-to-see-249233

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Holocaust films are changing as we lose the survivor generation

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Barry Langford, Professor of Film Studies, Royal Holloway University of London

    The Holocaust is fast receding from living memory. Some 300 Auschwitz survivors were present at the 70th anniversary commemorations of the camp’s liberation in 2015. This year, just 50 attended, all of whom were children in 1945.

    Even before this generation began to pass on, researchers of the Holocaust had begun to study the ways that memory of these events have been shaped, manipulated, or indeed fabricated. Film scholar Alison Landsberg’s influential concept of “prosthetic memory” focused attention on the ways in which film, literature and other art forms can supplement or even substitute for the experiences of those who lived through historical events.

    Approaching the moment when such supplements must become the sole means for future generations to understand the Holocaust, it seems no accident that half a dozen films released in 2023 and 2024 made Holocaust memory – and its complexities – an explicit element of their narratives.

    Three of these films incorporate scenes filmed on location in Poland at former Nazi death camps. Perhaps the most unexpected example is The Zone of Interest (2023). A brief documentary sequence filmed at the modern-day Auschwitz museum concludes director Jonathan Glazer’s meticulous (though highly stylised) recreation of the idyllic domestic life of camp commandant Rudolf Höss and his family.



    Read more:
    The Zone of Interest: new Holocaust film powerfully lays bare the mechanisms of genocide

    It’s the only sequence that crosses the otherwise impermeable boundary separating the Höss family compound from the camp itself. It might be interpreted as a kind of reality check for the audience – a reminder that yes, this all did really happen. But that seems an improbably ingenuous stance for so intelligent a filmmaker.

    More plausibly, the sequence is a reflexive extension of the film’s interrogation of the strategies by which atrocity can be held at arm’s length, or “managed”.

    Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) manage this by fabricating a “perfect” bourgeois home, while ignoring the constant soundtrack of barked orders, shots and screams from the other side of their garden wall.

    As we watch them, we are naturally appalled and repelled by their callous dissociation. Yet in the contemporary Auschwitz sequence, Glazer asks whether modern habits of Holocaust “consumption” don’t risk an all-too-similar disavowal.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    In the museum sequence we see Polish cleaners at work, wiping down the glass of the vitrines in which the infamous heaps of shoes and human hair are displayed, and mopping the floor of the Auschwitz I gas chamber (itself a postwar reconstruction).

    This site of unimaginable violence is now a museum where the material evidence of mass murder is carefully preserved and curated for tourists. Perhaps not altogether unlike a historical recreation such as The Zone of Interest.

    ‘Managing’ Holocaust memory

    Tourists are the protagonists of Treasure (2024), directed by Julia von Heinz, and A Real Pain (2024), written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.

    These films centre on survivors and their descendants travelling to modern Poland, ostensibly to commemorate their destroyed families. But it seems that, perhaps inevitably, more pressing and immediate personal issues override these acts of remembrance.



    Read more:
    A Real Pain is a subtle but powerful exploration of remembrance culture and personal trauma

    A Real Pain, for example, centres on two cousins, dutiful family man David (Eisenberg) and mercurial, possibly bipolar Benji (Kieran Culkin). The pair join a “Holocaust tour” in honour of their late grandmother, a Polish-Jewish survivor, including a visit to Maidanek.

    Clip from A Real Pain.

    Dutifully and sombrely, the cousins view the barracks, the gas chamber and the vast pile of human ashes. Afterwards, however, only Benji lapses into inconsolable sobs. Is his grief an authentic reaction to the horror, a mark of his greater emotional connection? Is it histrionically excessive, performative attention-seeking? Or is it that the unfathomable tragedy of European Jewry allows Benji to access his own private agony.

    If it’s the latter, is such an appropriation of the Holocaust somehow an “illegitimate” response? According to whom? Eisenberg’s deft traumedy leaves it up to us to decide.

    Yet more ambiguous is the epilogue to Brady Corbett’s acclaimed The Brutalist (2024). The film retrospectively interprets the professional career of its protagonist, fictitious Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor László Tóth (Adrian Brody) as a response to the tragedy.



    Read more:
    The Brutalist: an architect’s take on a film about one man’s journey to realise his visionary building

    Addressing the 1980 Venice Biennale, Tóth’s daughter declares that through his creations her father worked through the trauma of his experiences in the camps. A Holocaust memorial is among the designs briefly glimpsed in the display of Tóth’s work.

    The trailer for The Brutalist.

    The scene aptly captures the ways in which public discourses around the Holocaust crystallised from the 1980s onward.

    In the immediate postwar period, as The Brutalist shows, the Holocaust was a rarely discussed, even shameful, topic outside of survivor communities. But with the onset of postmodernism, the Holocaust came increasingly to be understood as the defining episode in 20th-century European history, more even than the second world war itself.

    The meanings of trauma

    As all these films show, the ways that the Holocaust is commemorated today are far uncontested. For example, One Life (2023), the biopic of British rescuer Nicholas Winton, straightforwardly endorses mainstream assumptions about the value of remembrance.



    Read more:
    What One Life gets wrong about Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport story

    By contrast, in the documentary The Commandant’s Shadow (2024), Holocaust survivor Anita Lasker-Wallfisch is almost dismissive of what she clearly sees as her daughter’s superfluous preoccupation with a past trauma best forgotten.

    The Brutalist is more ambiguous still. At one level, traumatic memory may help explain Tóth’s difficult character and relationships in the preceding three hours of the film. Yet at the same time, almost nothing in his words or actions hitherto has suggested the Holocaust is his predominant focus. Nor does Tóth make this claim himself. Stricken mute following a stroke, he can only listen as his daughter offers this account of his work.

    Is it true? Or is it imposing a neat, culturally approved meaning onto the complexities of a messy, damaged life?

    Together, these films make a strong case that in the “post-testimony” era, we must not only keep remembering the Holocaust, but reflect constantly on how and why we do so.

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

    – ref. How Holocaust films are changing as we lose the survivor generation – https://theconversation.com/how-holocaust-films-are-changing-as-we-lose-the-survivor-generation-250687

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Jeff Bezos brought the Washington Post’s global reputation into question

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Colleen Murrell, Full Professor in Journalism, Dublin City University

    The Washington Post still conjures up, for some, the promise of fiercely independent investigative journalism that can unseat a corrupt president. In what became one of the biggest stories of the 20th century, Richard Nixon (1969-74) was forced to resign the presidency in 1974, halfway through his second term, following an investigation by Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.

    After months of work the reporting team linked Nixon and his campaign staff to illegal donations, and to the bugging and sabotage of political opponents including a break-in at the offices of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate building, Washington DC. Their work won a Pulitzer prize.

    This kicked off decades of investigative journalism and breaking stories that has cemented the Post’s global reputation.

    So the recent memo by billionaire owner of the Post, Jeff Bezos, declaring that the newspaper’s opinion section will now be restricted to pieces supporting “personal liberties and free markets” (and not opposing viewpoints) came as a shock not only to loyal liberal readers and to some journalists, but also to those who see the Post as a bastion of media freedom. Bezos said on X that differing opinions can be “left to be published by others”.

    The decision by Bezos prompted the opinion editor David Shipley to resign and Elon Musk to tweet “Bravo, @JeffBezos!” The paper’s newly appointed economics reporter Jeff Stein also took to X to respond to Bezos’s tweeted memo by calling it a “massive encroachment” by his new boss.

    He added: “I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side of coverage, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know.” Some sources suggest that the Post has lost 75,000 digital subscribers since the decision was announced.

    The trailer for the film All the President’s Men, based on reporting from the Washington Post.

    To many the Post’s reputation was already becoming tarnished. Bezos rocked his readership back in October 2024 when he refused to endorse a candidate in the presidential election for the first time in 36 years.

    According to the paper the decision led to 250,000 readers cancelling their subscriptions. Woodward and Bernstein said the decision “ignores the Washington Post’s own overwhelming reportorial evidence on the threat Donald Trump poses to democracy”.

    And so it came as no surprise at Trump’s inauguration that Bezos could be seen seated prominently beside his fellow tech billionaires Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, X’s Elon Musk and Google’s Sundar Pichai.

    But is all lost? The Washington Post has always had its share of bold and outspoken reporters and commentators and, on Friday, Post columist Dana Milbank wrote a strongly worded opinion piece in which he said that readers were worried that Bezos’s words, “are cover for a plan to turn this into a MAGA-Friendly outlet”.

    He added: “If we as a newspaper, and as a country, are to defend [Bezos’s] twin pillars, then we must redouble our fight against the single greatest threat to ‘personal liberties and free markets’ today: Donald Trump.”

    Jeff Bezos brings in new rules on what can and cannot be published in the Washington Post’s opinion pages.

    Has this latest move by Bezos simply made clear an editorial position which is ordinarily inferred but not made explicit? Will reporters be free to conduct investigations into Amazon’s work practices while at the same time extolling free market objectives? As yet no one knows for sure.

    Coverage changes?

    In January the newspaper’s Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist, Ann Telnaes, resigned after the Post refused to publish a satirical cartoon of a group of tech and media billionaires (that included Bezos and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg) laying bags of cash before a statue of Trump.

    Telnaes described the refusal to publish as “dangerous for a free press”. Ironically it was David Shipley who claimed at the time that he had decided against publication due to “repetition”, rather than because the cartoon mocked Bezos.

    Nevertheless, Post reporters have continued to focus national coverage on the wide-ranging effects of Trump’s executive orders, the sacking of senior military leaders and Doge’s culling of resources and jobs in the public sector. Neither has it escaped the new administration’s changes to media access.

    On February 7 the Department of Defense announced the Post would be removed from its office in the Pentagon’s “Correspondents Corridor” along with CNN, plus the New York Times, NPR and NBC which were evicted earlier to make room for pro-Trump media organisations.

    The Post today

    In 2024, the Post took home three Pulitzer prizes for journalism, including one for David E. Hoffman “for a compelling and well-researched series on new technologies and the tactics authoritarian regimes use to repress dissent in the digital age, and how they can be fought”.

    The past few years have been financially bruising for the paper and in 2023 the paper announced it had lost US$77 million (£69 million). In its latest round of cuts in January this year it laid off 100 employees.

    Back when Bezos took over the paper in August 2013 the New York Times quoted a fellow tech entrepreneur, Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman, as saying in a now prophetic line: “It used to be that in Silicon Valley we just built the platforms and someone else wrote the content. But that is changing. The lines have been blurred for a long time, and this is just another step in that process.”

    Twelve years on the “broligarchy” may not be writing the content, but is it restricting it? In these uneasy times in Washington there appears to be a growing erosion of press freedom as the new administration moves to limit access to the White House for mainstream media such as the Associated Press in favour of pro-Trump media.

    Whether the Post will come down on the side of press freedom or is banking on an eventual post-Trump bump to stem its declining sales is unclear.

    Colleen Murrell received funding from Irish regulator Coimisiún na Meán (2021-4) for research for the annual Reuters Digital News Report Ireland.

    – ref. How Jeff Bezos brought the Washington Post’s global reputation into question – https://theconversation.com/how-jeff-bezos-brought-the-washington-posts-global-reputation-into-question-251172

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Monday Morning Wins: Call It the “Trump Effect”

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    There is no better way to start the week than by celebrating more big wins for Americans under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump.
    American manufacturing surges amid President Trump’s tariffs: Automaker Honda is expected to produce its next-generation Civic hybrid model in Indiana, while Wisconsin-based Clarios, a leader in low-voltage energy storage, announced a $6 billion plan to expand its U.S.-based manufacturing.
    They’re only the latest major companies to announce such a move in alignment with President Trump’s Made in America agenda. Last week, Apple announced an historic $500 billion investment that will create 20,000 new U.S.-based jobs, while drug maker Eli Lilly announced a $27 billion investment in its U.S.-based manufacturing — bringing the total number of investments secured in President Trump’s second term to nearly $2 billion.

    Border security drives results: President Trump announced illegal border crossings in February — his first full month in office — were the lowest ever recorded, down 94% from last February and down 96% from the all-time high of the Biden Administration.
    This follows news that would-be illegal border crossers have “given up” and are returning to their own countries as ICE arrests of illegal immigrants have surged 627%.
    Mexican cartel operatives say they are “genuinely” fearful “for the first time in years” amid the Trump Administration’s crackdown.

    A victory for small businesses: The U.S. Department of the Treasury suspended enforcement of Biden-era Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements for U.S. citizens — a big win for small businesses faced with burdensome reporting requirements that increased costs and lowered productivity.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: At a time of war, nations must stop global order from crumbling: UN rights chief

    Source: United Nations 2

    “Our world is going through a period of turbulence and unpredictability, reflected in growing conflict and divided societies,” Türk told the Human Rights Council.

    “We cannot allow the fundamental global consensus around international norms and institutions, built painstakingly over decades, to crumble before our eyes.”

    The weapons of war

    Presenting his global update covering more than 30 countries, the High Commissioner described as “outrageous” the fact that legal safeguards for non-combatants were being repeatedly ignored.

    “Civilians are deliberately attacked. Sexual violence and famine are used as weapons of war,” Mr. Türk said. “Humanitarian access is denied, while weapons flow across borders and circumvent international sanctions. And humanitarian workers are targeted. In 2024, a record 356 humanitarian workers were killed while providing aid to people in some of the world’s most appalling crises.”

    Unbearable price

    In Sudan, the High Commissioner once again condemned devastating bomb attacks launched in heavily built-up areas with total impunity, by the parties to the conflict.

    All the while, the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe deepens, threatening regional stability, he maintained: “Civilians are paying an unbearable price, in a naked struggle for power and resources. All countries must use their influence to apply pressure on the parties and their allies, to stop the war, embark on an inclusive dialogue, and transition to a civilian-led Government.”

    Ukraine’s people need peace

    Turning to Ukraine, whose future material support from the United States appeared unclear following televised disagreements between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at a White House meeting on Friday, Mr. Türk opposed any peace deal that excluded Ukraine.

    “Three years since the full-scale Russian invasion, people continue to suffer appallingly…Any discussions about ending the war must include Ukrainians and fully respect their human rights. Sustainable peace must be based on the United Nations Charter and international law.”

    Civilian casualties in Ukraine rose by 30 per cent between 2023 and 2024, the High Commissioner continued, as he accused Russia’s armed forces of systematically targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with coordinated strikes, causing widespread disruptions to essential services.

    “Relentless attacks with aerial glide bombs, long-range missiles and drones have placed civilians in a state of constant insecurity and fear,” Mr. Türk noted.

    Ukrainian prisoners also continue to face summary executions and “widespread and systematic torture” by Russian forces, he continued.

    Gaza ceasefire focus

    In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the UN rights chief insisted that the fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza “and becomes the basis for peace”.

    He also insisted that aid deliveries into Gaza should resume immediately, just as Israel announced a halt to aid flowing into the shattered enclave, having proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire which ended at the weekend and which would allow Israeli troops to stay in Gaza.

    UN aid chief Tom Fletcher responded with alarm to the Israeli decision, insisting that the ceasefire “must hold”.

    In an online appeal, he added: “International humanitarian law is clear: We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid. We can’t roll back the progress of the past 42 days. We need to get aid in and the hostages out.”

    Back in the Council, Mr. Türk explained that the Gaza had been “razed” by constant Israeli bombardment in response to the “horrific” Hamas-led attacks on Israel that sparked the war in October 2023. “Any solution to the cycles of violence must be rooted in human rights, including the right to self-determination, the rule of law and accountability. All hostages must be freed; all those detained arbitrarily must be released; and humanitarian aid into Gaza must resume immediately.”

    West Bank alert

    Reflecting deep concerns by humanitarians and the human rights community about Israeli military raids on Palestinian settlements in the West Bank, the UN High Commissioner insisted that Israel’s “unilateral actions and threats of annexation in the West Bank, in violation of international law, must stop”.

    Mr. Türk also condemned the use of “military weapons and tactics, including tanks and airstrikes, against Palestinians”. Equally worrying was “the destruction and emptying of refugee camps, the expansion of illegal settlements, the severe restrictions on movement and the displacement of tens of thousands of people”.

    DR Congo devastation

    Turning to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the High Commissioner underscored that entire communities in North and South Kivu had been devastated.

    “In the past five weeks, thousands of people have reportedly been killed during attacks by the M23 armed group, backed by the Rwandan Armed Forces, in intense fighting against the Armed Forces of the DRC and their allies,” the UN rights chief said, pointing to reports of rape, sexual slavery and summary executions.

    “More than half a million people have been forced to flee this year, adding to almost 7.8 million people already displaced in the country,” Mr. Türk said. “The violence must stop, violations by all parties must be investigated, and dialogue must resume.”

    © WFP/Michael Castofas

    More than half a million people have been forced to flee DR Congo this year.

    Deadliest year in Myanmar

    Moving on to the ongoing escalation of violence in Myanmar sparked by the military coup on 1 February 2021, the UN rights chief noted that 2024 was the deadliest year for civilians since the junta takeover.

    “The military ramped up brutal attacks on civilians as their grip on power eroded, with retaliatory airstrikes and artillery shelling of villages and urban areas…and the forcible conscription of thousands of young people,” he said, before calling for the supply of arms and finance to the country’s military’s to be “cut decisively”.

    Haiti spiral

    The UN rights chief also expressed deep concerns about chronic lawlessness and heavily armed clashes in Haiti involving gangs that humanitarians warned last week recruit children as young as eight. More than 5,600 people were killed last year and thousands more were injured or kidnapped, Mr. Türk told the Human Rights Council.

    “Full implementation of the Security Council‘s arms embargo and support to the Multinational Security Support Mission are crucial to resolving this crisis,” he insisted.

    Yemen

    On Yemen, the High Commissioner noted that amid ongoing hostilities, nearly 20 million Yemenis need humanitarian support. Mr. Türk also expressed his outrage at the death of a UN World Food Programme colleague in detention earlier this month. “All 23 UN staff – including eight colleagues from my own Office – who are arbitrarily detained by the Houthis must be released immediately.”

    In a half-hour address to the Council that traditionally highlights the most worrying emergencies in the world and the need to tackle their root causes, the UN rights chief issued a call for greater global solidarity and accountability for crimes as a way to push back against those who would violate fundamental freedoms.

    “We all have a responsibility to act – through our consumption habits, our social media use, and our political and social engagement,” he told the Council’s 47 Member States.

    “We can trace a clear line between the lack of accountability for airstrikes on hospitals in Syria in the 2010s, attacks on healthcare facilities in Yemen, and the destruction of health systems in Gaza and Sudan,” he continued.

    Toys of tech oligarchs

    Equally alarming is the rise of unelected and unregulated “tech oligarchs” who reflect the new global power dynamic, Mr. Türk warned, before urging governments to fulfil their primary purpose of protecting their people from unchecked power.

    Today’s tech oligarchs “have our data: they know where we live, what we do, our genes and our health conditions, our thoughts, our habits, our desires and our fears…And they know how to manipulate us,” the High Commissioner insisted.

    Electioneering tactics

    “I have followed recent election campaigns in Europe, North America and beyond with increasing trepidation. Single-issue soundbites devoid of substance oversimplify complex issues and are often based on scapegoating, disinformation, and dehumanization,” he continued.

    “Dehumanization is a well-worn step towards treating an entire group as outsiders, unworthy of the basic rights we all enjoy. It is a dangerous precursor to hate and violence and must be called out whenever it occurs.”

    UN Human Rights Council/Marie Bambi

    Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presents his latest report on the obligation to ensure accountability and justice in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    Toxic influence on gender equality

    The High Commissioner also voiced his concern about the resurgence of toxic ideas about masculinity and efforts to glorify gender stereotypes, especially among young men.

    To blame for this are “misogynistic influencers” with millions of followers on social media who “are hailed as heroes”, Mr. Türk said.

    Online and offline, their ideas push back against gender equality and result in “violence and hateful rhetoric against women, women’s rights defenders, and women politicians”, the High Commissioner continued. 

    In a message of solidarity with people who have been left “feeling alienated and abandoned” by such malign influences, Mr. Türk insisted that the United Nations was by their side. “Your concerns are our concerns, because they are about human rights: to education, to health, to housing, to free speech, and access to justice. Human rights are about people’s daily concerns for their families and their future. We must cherish the values of respect, unity and solidarity; and work together for a safer, more just, more sustainable world. We can and will persevere,” he concluded.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: C.W. Williams Community Health Center Awarded $500,000 Grant for New Medical Facility in Charlotte

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SECU Foundation has awarded a $500,000 capital grant to C.W. Williams Community Health Center (CWWCHC) to support the construction of a new medical facility that will serve low-income and uninsured residents in a nine-county region of southwest North Carolina. The new facility will expand the non-profit’s reach to 25,000 patients annually, a 92% capacity increase.

    CWWCHC, a Federally Qualified Community Health Center, reports that more than 20% of their area’s population lives in poverty. Its data shows 42% of their patients are uninsured and 66% live on incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. Through the new facility, CWWCHC will provide a comprehensive care model that integrates primary, preventative, educational, and support services in one location, reducing barriers to care.

    “The C.W. Williams Community Health Center has been an important resource for southwestern North Carolina since 1981, providing reliable, high-quality care for marginalized populations,” said SECU Foundation Board Chair Chris Ayers. “We are pleased to support the construction of this state-of-the-art facility, which will help them increase capacity and meet the growing needs for their services.”

    “As we continue to grow and flourish, C.W. Williams Community Health Center continues to provide the best quality health care and social services,” said CWWCHC CEO Debra Weeks. “This year, thanks in part to SECU Foundation, we will focus on nutritional health, maternal health, and behavioral health, making a positive impact in communities that are struggling. Funding is leveraged across every facet of our operations, so this grant will be reinvested in services and staffing to ensure quality healthcare to all, regardless of their ability to pay.”

    About SECU and SECU Foundation

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd79a796-5f5d-42d8-be09-ee4aa3f7e78c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Strata Decision Technology and Snowflake Transform Healthcare Financial Analytics with Comprehensive Data Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Strata Decision Technology, a leader in the development of cloud-based financial planning, decision support, and performance analytics solutions for healthcare, today announced its collaboration with Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud Company, to create one of the largest comparable healthcare financial databases in the United States. This strategic initiative aims to deliver efficient access to near real-time and historical financial insights, with early adopters already beginning to access data directly through Snowflake.

    The collaboration enables Strata to scale its data capabilities by unifying its diverse data assets — which include financial, operational, clinical, cost and margin, and claims data — within Snowflake’s robust, cloud-based data platform. This unified approach helps eliminate data siloes and provides healthcare organizations with a single source of truth for financial decision-making.

    “Strata is rapidly innovating its data capabilities, and Snowflake is a key part of our innovation strategy,” said Jonathan Adams, Chief Technology Officer at Strata. “This collaboration strengthens Strata’s ability to deliver unique value and greater analytics horsepower for customers by offering among the largest and most diverse sets of healthcare data in the country.”

    “At Snowflake, we’re committed to providing healthcare organizations with a platform that transforms how they leverage their most valuable asset — their data,” said Joe Warbington, Industry Principal, Healthcare at Snowflake. “Our work with Strata Decision Technology demonstrates how Snowflake can empower healthcare financial analytics at scale, helping providers make more informed strategic decisions that ultimately improve patient care and reduce costs.”

    Ongoing integration of Strata’s data within Snowflake allows Strata to make its data more accessible to healthcare customers within StrataJazz and Axiom, its cloud-based enterprise performance management software platforms. As a result, both StrataJazz and Axiom customers get the benefits of more efficient scaling in response to organizations’ mounting data needs, and flexible data sharing to merge data from across multiple source systems and vendors. Snowflake also enables faster processing to accommodate increasingly complex data models, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, Large Language Model (LLM) processes, and Machine Learning (ML).

    Strata is creating a comprehensive healthcare intelligence ecosystem within Snowflake by strategically integrating multiple high-value datasets. This includes healthcare performance and patient volume data from StrataSphere, and hospital and physician benchmarking data from Comparative Analytics. In the coming months, Strata also will bring its proprietary 835 Remit and 837 All-Payor Claims Data (APCD) into Snowflake. To ensure data quality and consistency across these diverse datasets, Strata is leveraging AI and ML on Snowflake to ensure that common definitions and standards are applied to make the data consistent and comparable.

    Strata also is leveraging Snowflake’s capabilities to advance its patient data integration strategy through secure tokenization of thoroughly cleansed and de-identified patient encounter and claims information. This innovative approach allows healthcare organizations to trace comprehensive patient journeys across multiple providers and facilities while maintaining strict privacy standards. By connecting all-payor claims data — which cover approximately 70% of patients — with granular encounter data in Snowflake’s easy, connected, and trusted data platform, Strata delivers unprecedented visibility into the complete patient care continuum. This unified view enables more personalized care planning and strategic resource allocation.

    The integration also facilitates more accurate insights. For example, by combining claims data with demographic data, healthcare leaders can generate more rigorous volume projections to help guide them in making more informed strategic decisions. Similarly, merging claims and patient encounter data will help organizations identify patterns in patient behaviors, including where they may be losing patients to market competitors.

    Strata’s collaboration with Snowflake emerged from Strata’s strategic initiative to future-proof its solutions amid explosive growth in customer data requirements. It is allowing Strata to move away from the limitations of its legacy StrataJazz on-premise SQL Server databases toward a highly scalable cloud architecture that meets the increasingly complex analytics needs of modern healthcare organizations.

    Using Snowflake’s elasticity and performance, Strata can now scale its operations to deliver more accurate and efficient data and analytics capabilities for the customers it serves.

    About Strata Decision Technology 
    Strata Decision Technology, LLC provides an innovative, cloud-based platform for software, and data and service solutions to help healthcare organizations acquire insights, accelerate decisions, and enhance performance in support of their missions. More than 2,300 organizations rely on Strata’s StrataJazz and Axiom solutions for market-leading service and enterprise performance management software, data, and intelligence solutions. To learn more about Strata and why the company has been named the market leader for Business Decision Support for more than 15 consecutive years, please go to www.stratadecision.com.

    Strata Social Networks 
    LinkedIn: Strata Decision Technology

    Media contact: 
    Sally Brown, Inkhouse 
    strata@inkhouse.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Parker Blackwood Advisers Reports Australian Economy Showing Signs of Recovery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PERTH, Australia, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parker Blackwood Advisers, a leading financial services provider has commented on the latest Australian economic trajectory that will be under the spotlight this week as fresh data is set to provide a critical assessment of the nation’s growth prospects. The December quarter national accounts, due for release by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday, are expected to confirm a modest acceleration in economic activity following a period of subdued expansion.

    Consensus forecasts indicate that the economy likely expanded by 0.5% in the December quarter, up from 0.3% in the prior three-month period. If realized, this would translate to an annual GDP growth rate of 1.2% for 2024—a marked improvement from the 0.8% recorded in the September quarter but still well below the long-term historical average of over 3%.

    “Productivity constraints and subdued private sector investment continue to weigh on economic momentum,” said Nathan Jones, Chief Investment Officer at Parker Blackwood Advisers. “While fiscal policy and household spending provide some stability, sustained growth requires stronger business investment and improvements in labour productivity—key factors the RBA will be closely monitoring in its policy deliberations.”

    Investors will also scrutinize the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) February meeting minutes, scheduled for release on Tuesday. The central bank’s decision to cut interest rates for the first time in over four years signaled a shift in monetary policy, and market participants will be seeking further clarity on the likelihood of additional easing measures in the coming months.

    Beyond GDP and monetary policy, Parker Blackwood Advisers note that key data releases will shed light on Australia’s property market and government finances. CoreLogic’s monthly Home Value Index, due on Monday, will reveal whether the recent housing downturn persisted into February, while building approvals data on Thursday will gauge progress toward the federal government’s ambitious 1.2 million-home construction target over five years.

    Additionally, retail trade figures on Tuesday, international trade data on Thursday, and household spending indicators on Friday will offer a broader view of consumer activity and economic strength. The government’s fiscal position will also be under scrutiny, with the market anticipating a current account deficit of $13.4 billion when balance of payments data is released.

    With a pivotal week ahead for economic data and central bank insights, investors and policymakers alike will be closely watching for signals on Australia’s growth trajectory and policy outlook in 2024.

    About Parker Blackwood Advisers
    Founded in 2013, Parker Blackwood Advisers is a premier financial services provider based in Perth, Australia. With a focus on personalised investment strategies, the firm offers a broad range of wealth management solutions, including asset allocation, investment management, and financial planning. Managing over $4.7 billion in assets, Parker Blackwood Advisers is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals through tailored, expert guidance.

    Disclaimer
    Parker Blackwood Advisers is a trading name of PBA Corporation Pty Ltd (ABN: 98 162 183 244), holder of AFSL 434-071. Investing carries risks, including potential loss of capital. Information provided is general and not financial advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

    Mr. Paul Allen
    Head of Marketing
    paul.allen@pb-investment.com
    08 6275 0960
    Exchange Tower,
    Level 17/2 The Esplanade
    Perth WA, 6000

    Source: Parker Blackwood Advisers

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Driving Europe’s Green & Competitive Future: Strategic Dialogue on the Automotive Industry

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    The European automotive industry is at a turning point. The European Commission is bringing together politicians, industry leaders, stakeholders, and citizens to shape a greener, more competitive future.

    Through the Strategic Dialogue on the Automotive Industry, discussions will tackle key challenges like digitalization, decarbonization, global competition, and geopolitical shifts. The result will be an action plan to boost innovation, protect jobs, and ensure that Europe stays at the forefront of clean transportation and fair trade.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYv0Psgy8J4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National campaign supports LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering or adoption

    Source: City of Leicester

    A NATIONAL campaign is calling for people from the LGBTQ+ community to consider becoming foster carers or adoptive parents.

    More children than ever require fostering or adoption in Leicester, and LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week, which launches today (3 March), celebrates the contribution of the LGBTQ+ community whilst also highlighting the possibilities for future foster carers or adopters.

    Led by LGBTQ+ adoption and fostering peer support charity New Family Social and supported locally by Leicester City Council and Family Adoption Links Leicester, this year’s campaign aims to encourage more members of the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering or adoption.

    Despite members of the LGBTQ+ community already accounting for a high percentage of adopters and foster carers, there is still an urgent need for more people to come forward for both adoption and fostering in the city.

    Family Adoption Links Leicester currently has 16 children awaiting adoption, and with over 600 children and young people in the care of Leicester City Council, the need to recruit foster carer households for some of the most vulnerable children in Leicester is vital.

    One-year-old Archie is just one child in foster care awaiting an adoptive family. His social worker said: “Archie has the biggest smile and such a cheeky face, he is described as a dream to look after, a happy and bright baby who is very laid back.”

    Many other children in Leicester are seeking short-term or long-term foster homes or adoptive families.

    If you are hoping to grow your family through adoption or fostering, the city council holds regular information events where you can find out more. The next fostering event takes place tomorrow, 4 March, from 6pm-8pm. For more information and to book, please visit Leicester City Council Fostering | Eventbrite.

    For adoption, there is an information event on Wednesday 5 March at 6.30pm. For more information, please visit www.familyadoptionlinks.org.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry supports Covid-19 Day of Reflection

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry is marking the Covid-19 National Day of Reflection on Sunday 9 March with a large pavement artwork, placed inside the Cathedral Ruins.

    It will offer members of the public the opportunity to spend a moment of reflection on the impact of the pandemic on their families, the city, nationally and its devastating effect across the world.

    The artwork will provide a beautiful, quiet space for private thoughts and shared experiences.

    The installation will be unveiled by the Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and other invited guests, including representatives from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral.

    Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr Abdul Salam Khan said, “The pandemic affected all communities and residents, and as we always do in this city, we all stood together to support those who suffered at this challenging time.

    “As a city we came together to reach out in any way we could to support vulnerable members of our community and anyone who needed help. I’m proud that the city played a leading role in the roll-out of the vaccines and the hope and support it provided to people during such a momentous time.”

    “I hope this piece of art gives a place of peace and quiet reflection to anyone who feels they would like to come and have a few moments to reflect on what was a challenging and worrying time for us all.”

    UHCW NHS Trust was awarded the Freedom of the City by the council in July 2022 as a thank you for the efforts of its staff in supporting Coventry through the pandemic, including delivering the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine in December 2020.

    The pavement artwork will be in place for one day with the Cathedral Ruins being open during normal daytime opening hours of 10am to 4pm.

    Local street artist, Katie O, has been commissioned to produce the artwork which will be secular and reflect the human experience of loss and the city’s role in tackling the pandemic. 

    Katie O, said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to mark this important day. I think lockdown showed us how the arts can play a powerful part in connecting with people, our emotions and community. Showing compassion and empathy is an important gift to share. I hope the artwork speaks to people who lost loved ones, who struggled mentally, and physically, and reminds us we are united through our care and love for others.” 

    Later in the day, Coventry Cathedral will be conducting a themed Evensong at 4pm.

    Sunday 9 March 2025 is a national Covid Day of Reflection.

    People are invited to:

    • remember and commemorate those who lost their lives since the pandemic began
    • reflect on the sacrifices made by many, and on the impact of the pandemic on us all
    • pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers and researchers
    • appreciate those who volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time

    Find more information on the Covid-19 Day of Reflection.

    Monday, 3rd March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces Dennis King as Canada’s next Ambassador to Ireland

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that Dennis King has been appointed as Canada’s next Ambassador to Ireland.

    Mr. King is a proud Islander with a proven track record of public service. As Premier of Prince Edward Island, he helped drive progress on key priorities such as health care, education, economic development, and job creation. He also navigated the province through significant challenges, including natural disasters and the COVID‑19 pandemic.

    Canada and Ireland are close friends and partners. As Ambassador, Mr. King will advance our shared priorities, including strengthening transatlantic security, growing our economies, reducing emissions, expanding trade and investment, and building a better future for people on both sides of the Atlantic.

    Quote

    “I congratulate Dennis King on his appointment as Canada’s Ambassador to Ireland. With his years of experience in public service, including as the Premier of Prince Edward Island, I am confident that he will serve Canada well and make the strong partnership between our two countries even stronger.”

    Quick Facts

    • Canada is represented in Ireland by an embassy in Dublin. In Canada, Ireland is represented by an embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Vancouver and Toronto.
    • Over 4.4 million Canadians, or 12 per cent of the population, claim at least partial Irish ancestry, making Irish the third-largest ethnic group in Canada.

    Biographical Note

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kalamazoo Career Offender Sentenced To 324 Months For Distribution Of Fentanyl Causing Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              GRAND RAPIDS – Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge today announced that United States District Judge Jane M. Beckering sentenced Antjuan Pierre Jackson, 39, of Kalamazoo, to serve 324 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl causing death and possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. Following his release, Jackson will be on supervised release for four years and will be required to pay a $2,000 fine.

              “Fentanyl continues to claim lives across Michigan and the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge. “Defendants who sell this poison and kill people in the process must be brought to justice. My office is committed to disrupting the pipelines that distribute these deadly drugs in our communities.”

              At sentencing, Jackson was deemed a career offender based on his two prior convictions for unarmed robbery. In imposing sentence, Judge Beckering lamented the deep loss suffered by the victim’s family. She went on to characterize opioids generally as the number one cause of overdose deaths, remarking that fentanyl distribution is “a business that must be snuffed out.”

              “Every opioid overdose, especially overdose deaths, are tragic, and it is a shame that Antjuan Jackson chose to be a part of dealing these types of lethal drugs, said Sergeant Brian Cake of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, a unit of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.  “The Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team hopes that this sentence serves as a deterrent for others continuing this criminal activity.”

              The evidence at trial and at sentencing demonstrated that, on November 23, 2022, Jackson sold fentanyl to the victim. Within hours, the victim died of a fentanyl overdose. Still, Jackson kept dealing. Less than three weeks later, in December 2022, investigators found Jackson with more than 80 grams of fentanyl in his home, as well as all the hallmarks of drug trafficking, including cash, a digital scale, a cell phone, and packaging materials. When confronted by the police about his dealing, Jackson attempted to flee. As Judge Beckering noted in sentencing Jackson, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be deadly, and the amount of fentanyl Jackson had in his home included 43,420 potentially lethal doses of the drug

              The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case with additional assistance provided by the Michigan State Police (MSP). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Carowan and Timothy Verhey prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BCMI More Than Doubles Cloud-based Dispatch Footprint

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    REDMOND, Wash., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In 2024, BCMI Corp. celebrated 10 years in business, and another significant milestone. The technology leader and provider of cloud-based mobile software for concrete and bulk materials producers more than doubled its cloud-based ready-mix dispatch footprint across the U.S.

    Industry-leading companies, beginning with Smith Ready Mix in Valparaiso, Indiana, have adopted BCMI’s cloud-based system, including Miles Sand & Gravel, Geneva Rock and Sunroc (both Clyde Companies subsidiaries), BARD Materials and GCC. These producers have added BCMI’s dispatch as part of the end-to-end software platform that includes extensive operational and customer KPIs, quoting and sales tools, and customer invoicing.

    This year, large vertical materials producers imi and Titan America will implement BCMI’s cloud-based concrete dispatch system, as well as regional leaders Consumers Concrete and Zignego, to further accelerate its expansion.

    “One of the great advantages of BCMI Dispatch is that any change or update from our dispatchers and drivers is instantly shared across our company—and with our customers—through the BCMI mobile apps,” BARD Materials Vice President of Operations Chad Thier says. “BCMI truly partners with producers to shape a concrete dispatch system that leverages the best technology available, ensuring it meets the needs of the industry.”

    The BCMI Dispatch system has the advantage of being cloud-native, meaning it is developed using the most current technology rather than retrofitting older dispatch systems with hardware that must be maintained by producers. BCMI integrates with related systems, such as truck GPS and accounting programs, through API (Application Programming Interface) connections entirely in the cloud. This allows materials producers to choose their own best-in-class solution set to meet their business needs.

    “After an extensive, six-month evaluation, we concluded that BCMI’s combination of current product offerings, plus the opportunity to take part in the continued development of the product, was the best fit for what imi needs to service our customers and our internal teams,” imi President and CEO Pete Lyons says.

    BCMI’s leadership draws on more than 100 years of collective experience in serving the concrete and bulk materials market, making the team uniquely qualified to understand and address the needs of the industry. “We have all experienced the pain of struggling with outdated technology, and it makes us even more passionate about creating better tools for producers and contractors,” BCMI Vice President of Customer Success Janeen O’Dell says. “Things like mobile apps and eTicketing are old news in other industries, and there’s no reason our industry shouldn’t use them to make our day-to-day jobs easier.”

    According to BCMI Co-founder and President Craig Yeack and author of the “Tech Trends” column for Concrete Products magazine, “Our product team is laser focused on innovation, including aggressive research and development of AI tools for materials producers. In the next few years, we’ll see accelerated growth in technology, faster than we’ve seen in decades. We look forward to being the industry’s trusted partner as we navigate these changes together.”

    About BCMI

    BCMI Corp.’s mobile software empowers bulk construction material producers to improve business processes. BCMI’s performance analytics, interactive communication tools and AI-assisted dispatch keep materials producers and contractors aligned with real-time business solutions. For more on our cloud-based BCMI Dispatch, Material Pro and Material Now apps, visit www.bcmicorp.com.

    Media Contact

    Jennifer Jensen, BCMI Media and PR Specialist: Jennifer.jensen@bcmicorp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ZOOZ Power: Leading Charge Point Operator in China to install ZOOZ Power’s Boosting System, Marking Strategic Entry into the World’s Largest EV Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tel-Aviv, Israel, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ZOOZ Power Ltd. (Nasdaq: ZOOZ, TASE: ZOOZ), a leading provider of flywheel-based power boosters and energy management systems for enabling ultra-fast EV charging solutions, announced today that it has shipped its first power-boosting system, the ZOOZTER™-100, to China. The commercial arrangements were made through a related party of ZOOZ Power in China. The site where ZOOZTER™-100 will be installed was developed by Yixiaoju Technology Co., Ltd, a company that operates numerous locations within the Orange Charging (Xiaoju) network. Orange Charging, a sub-brand of DiDi’s energy sector, is China’s largest charging network, operating over 115,000 fast chargers. As the foremost mobility services platform in China and a publicly traded company in the U.S. with a market cap of $24.3 billion, DiDi’s ecosystem offers a significant opportunity for ZOOZ Power to extend its presence in this rapidly growing market.

    China’s electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with EVs accounting for nearly 50% of total car sales in 2024(1). This surge highlights the increasing demand for efficient charging solutions. In addition to enhancing the capabilities of Yixiaoju’s charging station, the Shanghai pilot installation will also serve as a vehicle for market penetration of ZOOZ Power’s flywheel-based power-boosting technology coupled with ZOOZ’s proven Energy Management System to the Chinese market. By providing a reliable and highly efficient solution for high-power EV charging, ZOOZ Power aims to support the expansion of ultra-fast charging networks while reducing the strain on local electricity grids.

    “Shipping our first system to China is a significant step in ZOOZ Power’s penetration into the Chinese market,” said Erez Zimerman, CEO of ZOOZ Power. “China is the undisputed leader in electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure, and we see tremendous potential for our technology in this market. We are thrilled to have an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of our sustainable power-boosting solution to China’s top EV players. This is just the beginning of our journey in China, and we look forward to further opportunities to contribute to the country’s ambitious electrification goals.”

    ZOOZ Power’s innovative flywheel-based technology enables ultra-fast charging even in locations with limited grid capacity, eliminating the need for expensive grid upgrades and while maximizing charging station effectiveness. The company’s solution has already been deployed in multiple locations across Europe and North America, and this latest move signals its strategic focus on expanding into China’s rapidly growing EV market.

    About ZOOZ Power

    ZOOZ is the leading provider of Flywheel-based Power Boosting and Energy Management solutions, enabling the widespread deployment of ultra-fast charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) while overcoming existing grid limitations.

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

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

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

    Media enquiries:
    Media@zoozpower.com

    Forward-Looking Statement

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

    1 https://www.asiafinancial.com/one-in-nearly-every-two-cars-sold-in-china-was-electric-in-2024

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei’s Yang Chaobin: AI-Centric Network Solution Helps Carriers Seize AI Opportunities Mar 03, 2025

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei’s Yang Chaobin: AI-Centric Network Solution Helps Carriers Seize AI Opportunities
    Mar 03, 2025

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 3, 2025] At the Huawei Product & Solution Launch during MWC Barcelona 2025, Yang Chaobin, Huawei’s Director of the Board and CEO of the ICT Business Group, launched the company’s AI-Centric Network solution.
    According to Yang, the emergence of high-quality, low-cost, and open-source AI models will give rise to a wide range of new innovation in applications and accelerate the advent of an intelligent world.
    Advancements in AI will transform society at three levels. It will enable a truly individualized experience for consumers, drive intelligent collaboration in organizations, and lay the groundwork for more inclusive intelligence for everyone.
    Yang Chaobin, Huawei’s Director of the Board and CEO of the ICT Business Group, speaking at the Huawei Product & Solution Launch

    As for the ICT industry, while evolving technology and a more diverse range of application scenarios will create unprecedented growth opportunities, they will also raise the bar for network infrastructure. To make the most of these opportunities, carriers need to make sweeping breakthroughs in network bandwidth, latency, coverage, and O&M.
    “Huawei’s AI-Centric Network solution is designed to address these needs,” said Yang. “It revolutionizes network capabilities to enable all-domain connectivity. It will power a shift towards application-oriented O&M, and will reshape telecom service and business models to take full advantage of new opportunities presented by AI.”
    AI-centric networks – A four-layered approach
    Yang expanded on the challenges carriers face moving forward, explaining how Huawei’s solution can help them better prepare for a surge of new AI-powered applications.
    All-domain connectivity. With more in-depth collaboration between AI and networks, carriers will be able to optimize resource orchestration for routing, bandwidth, and so on. This will provide intelligent applications with universal network access, ultra-high uplink and downlink, and SLA assurance.
    Application-oriented O&M. Advances in AI applications will give rise to more complex service scenarios and massively diverse experience requirements. This will necessitate a shift from traditional, resource-oriented network O&M to a more application-oriented approach. Huawei’s Telecom Foundation Model supports predictive and proactive O&M, experience optimization based on application-level awareness, and tailored, more fine-grained operations. Carriers will be able to significantly enhance the efficiency of network O&M while taking user experience to entirely new levels.
    Enhanced AI-to-X services. At the individual user level, AI-centric networks can deliver the right experience for different AI scenarios by assigning the exact levels of bandwidth, latency, and reliability needed. At the organizational level, they can break through bottlenecks in capacity and response times configured for person-to-person interactions, evolving networks to support person-to-agent and even agent-to-agent interactivity. And at the societal level, AI-centric networks will enable ubiquitous connectivity to speed up AI adoption in public services like education and healthcare, providing more inclusive value for communities around the world.
    Innovative business models. Finally, different experience requirements will give carriers the opportunity to explore new business models that monetize a broader range of metrics. Essentially, AI-centric networks will allow carriers to go beyond traditional traffic-based monetization and start monetizing experience itself. This will unleash the full potential of connectivity and open up new revenue streams.
    “We need to join hands and work together across the telecom industry,” Yang Chaobin concluded. “By exposing network capabilities, collaborating with different industries, and engaging in scenario-specific innovation, we can make the most of new growth opportunities in the age of AI, and bring the world one step closer to a brighter, more intelligent future.”
    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 United Nations: WFP welcomes US$6.5 million donation from the Republic of Korea to bolster emergency food assistance across the Middle East

    Source: World Food Programme

    CAIRO – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$6.5 million contribution from the Republic of Korea that will enable the organization to sustain lifesaving assistance for vulnerable communities facing food insecurity across the Middle East.

    The funding will be used to support the continued distribution of vital food and cash to communities most in need in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye where WFP plans to provide food assistance to nearly 7.7 million people this year. The contribution will also bolster ongoing recovery efforts for people affected by the deadly earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February 2023.

    “WFP is grateful for the Republic of Korea’s donation as the Middle East faces one of its most challenging times,” said Corinne Fleischer, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. “This support is vital to keep our lifesaving operations going and to reach families in dire need. Food security is not just about meeting urgent needs, it supports national security and helps bring stability to this troubled region.” 

    The donation comes at a pivotal moment as humanitarian needs are surging across the Middle East driven by a convergence of regional and global challenges. Escalating regional tensions, economic turmoil and climate shocks have pushed millions of people to the brink, unable to access enough food to survive.

    The Republic of Korea has generously contributed over US$21 million to support WFP’s activities in the four countries over the last five years. 

    #                 #                   #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media and @WFP_MENA 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese peacekeepers in South Sudan (Wau) complete main supply route maintenance mission 2025-03-03 22:10:05 On February 28, local time, the 15th Chinese Peacekeeping Horizontal Engineering Company to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan completed the road maintenance work for the Kuajok-Lunyaker-Warrap main supply route and the road is now fully open to traffic.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, March 3 — On February 28, local time, the 15th Chinese Peacekeeping Horizontal Engineering Company to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) completed the road maintenance work for the Kuajok-Lunyaker-Warrap main supply route and the road is now fully open to traffic.

      In 21 workdays’ maintenance work, the Chinese peacekeeping contingent dispatched more than 800 troops and more than 380 vehicles and machines and transported more than 2,000 cubic meters of soil. They completed the maintenance work with high standards and demonstrated China’s commitment to peacekeeping career.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Jeito Capital announces significant participation in $187 million Series A financing for Callio Therapeutics to advance innovative multi-payload ADC programs designed to maximize therapeutic benefit for cancer patients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Jeito Capital announces significant participation in $187 million Series A financing for Callio Therapeutics to advance innovative multi-payload ADC programs designed to maximize therapeutic benefit for cancer patients

    • Callio Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing multi-payload ADCs with technology and programs exclusively in-licensed from Singapore-based Hummingbird Bioscience
    • Investment will contribute to achieve clinical proof-of-concept for
      Callio’s HER-2-targeted dual-payload ADC and a second undisclosed ADC program
    • Jeito’s investment reinforces its commitment to cutting-edge oncology innovations addressing treatment resistance and improving patient outcomes

    Paris, March 3rd2025 – Jeito Capital (“Jeito”), a global leading independent Private Equity fund dedicated to biopharma, announced today its significant participation in the $187 million (€180.2 million1) Series A financing round in Callio Therapeutics (“Callio”), a newly launched biotechnology company focused on realizing the promise of multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve cancer therapy.

    Callio Therapeutics was founded by Frazier Life Sciences to develop next-generation multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) based on technology and programs exclusively in-licensed from Singapore-based Hummingbird Bioscience. The company is led by co-founder and CEO Piers Ingram, PhD, alongside a founding management team with deep expertise in ADC development bringing experience from leading biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies (including Hummingbird Bioscience, ProfoundBio, Silverback Therapeutics, SeaGen, Medarex, and Genentech).

    The $187 million Series A financing was led by Frazier Life Sciences with significant participation from Jeito alongside an investment syndicate including Novo Holdings A/S Omega Funds, ClavystBio, Platanus, Norwest, Pureos Bioventures, SEEDS Capital and EDBI. The strength of this syndicate underscores the broad confidence in Callio’s innovative ADC platform and its potential to reshape cancer therapy.

    Callio Therapeutics will use the proceeds from the Series A financing to achieve clinical proof-of-concept for its HER2-targeted dual-payload ADC and a second undisclosed ADC program, all designed to maximize therapeutic benefit for cancer patients by overcoming the limitations of single-payload therapies. By enabling the targeted delivery of rational drug combinations to tumor cells, Callio’s approach has the potential to significantly enhance efficacy and address resistance mechanisms.

    Rachel Mears, Partner at Jeito will join Callio’s Board of Director as Board member.

    Through this investment, Jeito reinforces its commitment to supporting transformative oncology innovations that address key resistance mechanisms in cancer treatment. Callio’s differentiated multi-payload ADC platform aligns with Jeito’s investment thesis of backing high-potential biopharma companies developing next-generation therapies with the potential for global leadership.

    Dr Rafaèle Tordjman, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Jeito Capital said: “We are pleased to support Callio Therapeutics as it advances its differentiated multi-payload ADC platform to address some of the biggest challenges in oncology. As long-standing investors in this therapeutic area, we recognize the quality and potential of Callio’s approach to overcome resistance mechanisms and improve outcomes for patients with hard-to-treat cancers. At Jeito, we believe that strategic collaboration and bold innovation are key to accelerating the next generation of targeted therapies, and we look forward to working alongside the Callio team to bring these advances to patients in need. “

    Rachel Mears, Parner at Jeito Capital added: “Callio is a highly innovative company that benefits from an experienced management team and deep expertise in oncology, where new therapies remain highly needed for those suffering from various forms of cancer. We look forward to collaborating with Callio’s team through our collective knowledge and expertise in both ADC and oncology with the ambition to go faster to patients with high unmet needs. “

    Piers Ingram, PhD, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Callio Therapeutics concluded: “We are delighted to be launching Callio Therapeutics with this very strong syndicate of investors. Multi-payload ADCs have the potential to enable the targeted delivery of rational drug combinations to cancer cells, and may provide significantly enhanced efficacy. This new generation of ADC therapies may meaningfully improve outcomes for patients.”

    About Jeito Capital
    Jeito Capital is a global leading Private Equity fund with a patient benefit driven approach that finances and accelerates the development and growth of ground-breaking medical innovation. Jeito empowers and supports managers through its expert, integrated, multi-talented team and through the investment of significant capital to ensure the growth of companies, building market leaders in their respective therapeutic areas with accelerated patients’ access globally, especially in Europe and the United States. Jeito Capital has €534 million under management and a rapidly growing portfolio of investments. Jeito Capital is based in Paris with a presence in Europe and the United States.
    For more information, please visit www.jeito.life or follow us on LinkedIn or X.

    About Callio Therapeutics
    Headquartered in Seattle and Singapore, Callio Therapeutics is focused on realizing the promise of multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates to transform cancer patient outcomes. The company is developing next-generation, multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that feature differentiated payload and linker technologies that enable targeted delivery of multi agents to tumor cells to maximize therapeutic benefit. Callio Therapeutics’ lead program is a HER2-targeted dual-payload ADC. Callio Therapeutics was created by Frazier Life Sciences, a longstanding investment firm focused on innovative therapeutics, based on ADC technology and programs exclusively in-licensed from Hummingbird Bioscience. For more information , please visit www.calliotx.com and follow Callio Therapeutics on LinkedIn.

    Contacts:
    Jeito Capital                                        
    Rafaèle Tordjman, Founder & CEO
    Jessica Fadel, EA
    Tel: +33 6 33 44 25 47

    Maior
    Stéphanie Elbaz – Tel: +33 6 46 05 08 07

    ICR Healthcare
    Mary-Jane Elliott / Davide Salvi / Kris Lam
    Jeito@icrhealthcare.com
    Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

    1EUR/USD exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1.0377 USD date February 7, 2025 (source: Banque de France)

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FinWise Bancorp Appoints Jim Noone as Chief Executive Officer of FinWise Bank

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MURRAY, Utah, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FinWise Bancorp (NASDAQ: FINW) (“FinWise” or the “Company”), parent company of FinWise Bank (the “Bank”), today announced the appointment of Jim Noone to Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Bank, in addition to his current responsibilities as Bank President. Kent Landvatter will remain Chairman of the Board and CEO of FinWise Bancorp as well as the Executive Chairman of FinWise Bank.

    Mr. Noone’s ascension to CEO and President of the Bank comes after seven years of successful leadership at FinWise, including through the Company’s pivotal initial public offering. He joined the Bank in February of 2018, was named Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer in June of 2018 and was named President of the Bank in March of 2023. Mr. Noone has over 20 years of financial services experience including commercial banking, investment banking and private equity.

    “Jim has been instrumental in helping shape our strategic roadmap, developing our infrastructure and creating innovative banking products that drive customer value. I am confident in his abilities to manage the organization’s day-to-day operations,” said Kent Landvatter, CEO and Chairman of the Board of FinWise Bancorp. “Jim will continue to work closely with me on the Bank’s long-term strategy and market positioning to deliver shareholder value.”

    “I am honored and humbled to step into the role of CEO and President of FinWise Bank. Kent’s leadership and mentorship have been a steady guide to me and for the entire executive team. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Kent, our employees, partners and regulators to deliver the next stage of growth for the Bank,” said Jim Noone. “Our opportunities and relationships have never been stronger. Our commitment to banking innovation and to delivering meaningful and long-term benefits to our employees, our customers and our shareholders remains strong.”

    About FinWise

    FinWise provides Banking and Payments solutions to fintech brands. The Company is expanding and diversifying its business model by incorporating Payments (MoneyRails ™) and BIN Sponsorship offerings. Its existing Strategic Program Lending business, conducted through scalable API-driven infrastructure, powers deposit, lending and payments programs for leading fintech brands. As part of Strategic Program Lending, FinWise also provides a Credit Enhancement Program, which addresses the challenges that lending and card programs face diversifying their funding sources and managing capital efficiency. In addition, FinWise manages other Lending programs such as SBA 7(a), Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate, and Leasing, which provide flexibility for disciplined balance sheet growth. Through its compliance oversight and risk management-first culture, the Company is well positioned to guide fintechs through a rigorous process to facilitate regulatory compliance.

    https://www.finwise.bank/

    Contacts

    investors@finwisebank.com
    media@finwisebank.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cegedim: Termination and implementation of a new liquidity contract

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

         

    PRESS RELEASE

    Cegedim: Termination and implementation of a new liquidity contract

    Boulogne-Billancourt, France, March 3, 2025

    Cegedim (ISIN Code: FR0000053506) terminated the previous liquidity contract with Kepler Cheuvreux on February 28, 2025.
    As of that date, the following assets were booked to the liquidity account:
    •        10,259 Cegedim shares
    •        64,286.78 euros

    Cegedim announces that it has entrusted Rothschild Martin Maurel with the implementation of a liquidity and market surveillance contract for its ordinary shares, with effect from March 3, 2025, and for a period of one year, tacitly renewable. This contract has been drawn up in accordance with current regulations, and in particular AMF Decision 2021-01 of 22 June 2021. It complies with the code of conduct of the Association Française des Marchés Financiers (AMAFI).

    The purpose of this agreement is for Rothschild Martin Maurel to act as a market maker for Cegedim shares on the regulated market of Euronext Paris in order to promote the liquidity of transactions and the regularity of the listing of Cegedim shares.

    The resources allocated to its implementation are:
    •        10,259 Cegedim shares
    •        64,286.78 euros

    This contract will be suspended in the cases provided for in article 5 of the AMF Decision; or at the request of Cegedim for technical reasons (e.g., the counting of shares with voting rights before a general meeting or the counting of shares with dividend rights before the coupon is detached) for a period defined by Cegedim.

    About Cegedim:
    Founded in 1969, Cegedim is an innovative technology and services group in the field of digital data flow management for healthcare ecosystems and B2B, and a business software publisher for healthcare and insurance professionals. Cegedim employs nearly 6,700 people in more than 10 countries and generated revenue of over €654 million in 2024.
    Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).
    To learn more please visit: www.cegedim.fr
    And follow Cegedim on X: @CegedimGroup, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

    Aude Balleydier
    Cegedim
    Media Relations
    and Communications Manager

    Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09 68 81
    aude.balleydier@cegedim.fr

    		 Damien Buffet
    Cegedim
    Head of Financial
    Communication

    Tel.: +33 (0)7 64 63 55 73
    damien.buffet@cegedim.com

    		 Céline Pardo
    Becoming RP Agency
    Media Relations Consultant

    Tel.:        +33 (0)6 52 08 13 66
    cegedim@becoming-group.com

    		  

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sage Geosystems Achieves “Awardable” Status by the U.S. Department of Defense for the U.S. Air Force Geothermal Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sage Geosystems Inc. (Sage), the pioneer of Pressure Geothermal technology, announced today it was selected by the U.S. Air Force Office of Energy Assurance and the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) to explore how to tap into America’s abundant geothermal energy supply to increase the U.S.’s national security and energy dominance.

    Having achieved “Awardable” status for three separate applications, Sage can now explore developing a utility-scale geothermal power plant domestically and abroad to supply U.S. military bases with reliable and cost-effective electricity, even during a grid outage.

    Sage was selected through the CDAO’s innovative solicitation process known as the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, which is designed to accelerate the procurement and adoption of mission-critical technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and resilient energy technologies. All “awardable” solutions in Tradewinds have been assessed through complex scoring rubrics and competitive procedures and allow government and military customers to readily choose a pre-approved vendor to expedite a contract.

    Tradewinds selected three of Sage’s submissions:

    • Sage Geosystems individual submission
    • A partnership with an independent energy and carbon management company
    • A partnership with a major energy equipment manufacturing company and an energy service company.

    These selections represent three of eleven final applications that achieved “awardable” status.

    “The U.S. Air Force leveraged the Tradewinds solicitation process to quickly collaborate with innovative American companies to build resilient, next-generation geothermal technologies at our bases, using private capital instead of taxpayer dollars,” said Mr. Kirk Philips, Director, Air Force Office of Energy Assurance.

    “Sage is incredibly excited to have been granted awardable status by the DoD as this allows us priority selection for future contracts,” said Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage. “We are excited to play a role in helping unleash America’s energy dominance with secure, plentiful, geothermal energy.”

    Sage’s videos, including two videos produced in collaboration with three separate partner entities, accessible only by government customers on the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, present actual use cases in which the company would implement geothermal power generation solutions and/or energy storage solutions. Sage Geosystems was recognized among a competitive field of applicants to the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace whose solutions demonstrated innovation, scalability, and potential impact on DoD missions. Government customers interested in viewing the video solutions can create a Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace account at tradewindAI.com.

    About Sage Geosystems:
    Sage Geosystems is a leader in the next-generation geothermal industry, pioneering the use of Pressure Geothermal. Pressure Geothermal leverages both the heat and the pressure of the earth to enable three applications: energy storage, power generation and district heating. It also broadly expands where it can be applied allowing geothermal to be deployed globally. For more information, visit www.sagegeosystems.com.

    About the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace:
    The Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace is a digital repository of post-competition, readily awardable pitch videos that address the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) most significant challenges in the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), data, and analytics space. All awardable solutions have been assessed through complex scoring rubrics and competitive procedures and are available to Government customers with a Marketplace account. Government customers can create an account at www.tradewindai.com. Tradewinds is housed in the DoD’s Chief Digital Artificial Intelligence Office. For more information or media requests, contact: Success@tradewindai.com.

    About the U.S. Air Force Office of Energy Assurance:
    The U.S. Air Force Office of Energy Assurance (AF OEA), a directorate of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), develops energy solutions that close energy resilience gaps and strengthen our nation’s Air Force and Space Force installations at home and abroad. By leveraging the expertise of the energy community, AF OEA builds tailored energy solutions for each installation that are resilient, innovative, and cost-effective. For more information, visit https://www.afcec.af.mil/energy.

    Media Contact:
    Claire Underwood
    claire@teamsilverline.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d29340a8-b223-4747-94af-84cc4d3c8782

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who’s my dad? In South Africa that’s a complex question – report tracks the rise of ‘social fathers’

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Wessel Van Den Berg, Research fellow, Stellenbosch University

    The State of South Africa’s Fathers 2024 report is published by the new Tataokhona project at Stellenbosch University. The project focuses on research and interventions related to fathers and fatherhood. This is the third edition of this report, and offers valuable insights into the evolving realities of fatherhood in South Africa. Co-authors Wessel van den Berg, Mandisa Malinga, Kopano Ratele and
    Tawanda Makusha explain why it’s critical to examine the changing role of men in families.

    What were some of the key findings of the report?

    The report presents data from the General Household Survey 2023 and a survey of adult caregivers in South Africa, also done in 2023.

    One of the key findings is that 76% of children in South Africa live with an adult male in the household. This is often overlooked when the media and researchers focus on children’s co-residence with fathers.

    However, fewer children live with their biological fathers than with other men. The percentage of children who live with their biological fathers has dropped from 45.3% in 1996 to 35% in 2023.

    This decline is linked to broader societal factors, including economic instability, migration patterns, and shifts in traditional family structures.

    Never have so few children been recorded as living with their biological fathers, nor have so many lived with other men like uncles, grandfathers, older brothers or mothers’ new partners.

    As researchers, policymakers and other development practitioners, we need to explore the contribution men make in their families, biological or otherwise.

    The case studies and contributions from authors across the country underscore that while physical presence is important, the quality of engagement between the father figure and child is even more crucial.

    Encouraging positive father-child relationships through legal, workplace and social policy changes could help mitigate the known effects of not living together.

    What did the survey reveal about who provides for children?

    Traditionally, fatherhood has been closely linked to financial provision. However, economic hardships and shifting gender roles are reshaping this expectation.

    Co-residence goes down as income goes down. Many fathers, particularly those facing unemployment or economic hardship, struggle to maintain active participation in their children’s lives.

    Many fathers are also forced to migrate to find work.

    Those men who cannot provide do not see any other role for themselves in children’s lives, and so they disengage.

    Data from the State of the World’s Fathers 2023 survey showed that in South Africa 85% of women financially supported their biological children, compared to 80% of men. Most children are supported by both parents, but mothers bear a higher financial burden than fathers.

    Women are also more likely than men to provide for non-biological children (50% vs 44%).

    These figures highlight the growing financial responsibilities shouldered by women and the need to redefine fatherhood beyond economic provision.

    The increasing financial burden on women also reveals deep-seated inequalities in wage distribution and employment opportunities.

    Many fathers who wish to support their children financially face obstacles such as unemployment and precarious work conditions.

    While some men have adapted by taking on caregiving roles, society still puts pressure on them to prioritise financial contribution over direct caregiving.

    This paradox creates stress and identity struggles for many fathers. It reinforces the need for supportive policies like paid parental leave and father-focused caregiving initiatives.



    Read more:
    Men say they are spending more time on household chores, and would like to do more – survey of 17 countries

    What does the survey tell us about ‘social fathers’?

    With only a minority of children living with their biological fathers, social fathers – men who provide care despite not being biologically related to the child – have become increasingly significant. The State of the World’s Fathers 2023 survey found for example that of the men who care for children whom they had not biologically fathered, 51.1% of the men played with the children, 50.2% provided financial support, and 40.2% read books with them.

    The report emphasises that 40% of children reside with men who are not their biological fathers, a trend that has grown since 1996. We believe these men can and should be encouraged to step into the role of social fathers. They include grandfathers, uncles, stepfathers, teachers and community leaders who contribute to children’s emotional and material well-being.

    However, social fathers lack legal recognition and support in South Africa. This makes it harder for them to access resources that could help them provide better care.

    Policymakers and community organisations must recognise and formalise the contributions of social fathers to ensure children receive consistent and supportive care.

    What happens now?

    Many men struggle to find their place in a rapidly evolving society where gender expectations are no longer fixed.

    The rise of feminism and women’s empowerment has rightly expanded opportunities for women, but has left a gap in guiding men towards constructive ways of engaging with these changes.



    Read more:
    Unpaid care work still falls on women: seven steps that could shift the balance

    Additionally, it remains true that more women than men are unemployed. This is primarily due to societal expectations that women should be homemakers or primary caregivers.

    Policies that recognise diverse forms of fatherhood will be essential in fostering positive father-child relationships for future generations.

    Wessel Van Den Berg works for Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice.

    Kopano Ratele is a member of the Psychological Society of South Africa.

    Mandisa Malinga has previously received research funding from the National Research Foundation of South Africa.

    Tawanda Makusha is affiliated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal

    – ref. Who’s my dad? In South Africa that’s a complex question – report tracks the rise of ‘social fathers’ – https://theconversation.com/whos-my-dad-in-south-africa-thats-a-complex-question-report-tracks-the-rise-of-social-fathers-249763

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: European Day for Victims of Terrorism event – speakers announced

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Every year since the Madrid bombings in 2004 across Europe one day in March has been set aside as a Memorial Day to the victims of terrorist attacks. Following his election to the Assembly Jim Allister hosted events at Stormont to mark the occasion. His successor as TUV MLA for North Antrim, Timothy Gaston, is continuing the tradition.

    Over the years, there have been highly successful events attended by victims of Republican and Loyalist terrorism from across Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Republic and continental Europe.

    This year’s event to mark European Day for Victims of Terrorism will be held in the Senate Chamber in Parliament Buildings at 11am on Monday 10th March with refreshments available from 10:30am.

    The press are very welcome to attend.

    Timothy Gaston explained:

    “The event will take the form of a minute of silence in memory of murdered victims, followed by three victims telling their stories so that we might hear some of the untold accounts of the consequences of terrorism, both republican and loyalist.

    “I believe this will be a worthwhile effort and in previous years I received very positive feedback from those who attended. It is but right that one of the regions of Europe most savagely ravaged by terrorism should mark this important day. I am pleased that we will hear from a cousin of Dougald McCaughey, one of the three Scottish soldiers murdered in particularly brutal circumstances in on 10th March 1971 meaning the event will take place on the anniversary of these brutal murders.

    “I am thankful for the South East Fermanagh Foundation and Ulster Human Rights Watch for making this event possible and for Assembly colleagues Mike Nesbitt and Patsy McGlone without whose co-sponsorship this event would not be taking place”.

    This year’s event will include contributions from four speakers. Their details are provided by SEFF and UHRW.

    1. Caroline D’Eath
    Daughter of Gerald D’Eath
    22nd May 1975

    Gerald was a 31-year-old Roman Catholic civilian murdered by a UVF bomb. He was married with four children and a machine operator who was from, Braeside in Dungannon.

    Gerald had been working on the building site of a new Christian Brothers school for several months and died on the site when a UVF bomb exploded. He was working as a bricklayer at the time.

    Pics provided by the family:

    Gerald D’Eath with his daughters before his death.

    Second picture is with his loving late wife Margaret.

    2. David McCaughey

    Cousin of Dougald McCaughey who was murdered by Provisional IRA terrorists alongside John and Joseph McCaig

    Three Scottish soldiers – 10th March 1971

    The soldiers were unarmed members of the 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers.
    Dougald McCaughey, 23, was murdered along with brothers John, 17 and Joseph McCaig, 18 respectively. All three men were from Scotland.

    They were murdered when off-duty and in civilian clothes, having been lured from a city-centre bar in Belfast, driven to a remote location, and shot.

    Family, former colleagues, and friends of the three Scottish soldiers continue to fight for justice for three young men, who were much loved by many, David is a key driver in The Three Scottish Soldiers campaign group.

    3. Pamela Wilson
    Daughter of Const. David Dorsett RUC GC
    14th January 1973

    David Dorsett and Mervyn Wilson who were murdered by Provisional IRA terrorists.

    David was 37-years-old and originally from Wolverhampton and had served in the Royal Navy and the Bristol Constabulary.

    In 1967, he joined the RUC. His wife was from Londonderry. It was his son’s 8th birthday on the day he was murdered. He also had a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-month old baby girl.

    A bomb exploded beneath their car on Harbour Square.

    Both officers were serving with the force’s Traffic Branch and had been stationed at the nearby Victoria RUC station.

    Two other police officers who were in the car were also injured.

    4. Colette Murray

    Colette Murray was aged 47 years when her brother Cyril was shot dead by Loyalist terrorists on the 8th of July 1992 in the family home where they both had lived for 29 years. Their late parents and two other siblings had lived there with the latter both moving out on getting married. Cyril and Colette had put the house up for sale and were in the process of moving to a new bungalow in Randalstown which they were having built and which was ready for occupation ten days after the incident.

    Cyril Murray was a law-abiding citizen who had taught in a primary school in Belfast. He was well regarded in educational circles as an inspirational teacher and many past pupils had fond memories of him.

    The terrorists later stated it was a case of mistaken identity.

    Two individuals were later convicted and sentenced. As a result of the 1998 Belfast Agreement these individuals would only have served a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 8 years for their heinous crimes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Cyabra to Participate in the 37th Annual ROTH Conference on March 17-18

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyabra Ltd. (Nasdaq: TBMC) a leading AI platform for real-time disinformation detection, today announced its participation in the 37th Annual ROTH Conference on March 17-18, 2025, in Dana Point, CA.

    During the conference, Dan Brahmy, Cyabra’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, will be available for one-on-one investor meetings on both days. To schedule a meeting, please contact your Roth representative.

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corporation I (NASDAQ: TBMC), a blank-check special-purpose acquisition company.

    About the 37thAnnual Roth Conference

    This year’s event will consist of 1-on-1 / small group meetings, analyst-selected fireside chats, industry keynotes and panels with executive management attending from approximately 450 private and public companies in a variety of growth sectors including: Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, Insurance, Resources, Sustainability and Technology, Media & Entertainment.

    About Cyabra

    Cyabra Strategy Ltd. is a real-time AI-powered platform that uncovers and analyzes online disinformation and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and GenAI content across social media and digital news channels. Cyabra’s AI protects corporations and governments against brand reputation risks, election manipulation, foreign interference, and other online threats. Cyabra’s platform leverages proprietary algorithms and NLP solutions, gathering and analyzing publicly available data to provide clear, actionable insights and real-time alerts that inform critical decision-making. Cyabra uncovers the good, bad, and fake online.

    For more information, visit www.cyabra.com.

    Media Contact:

    Jill Burkes
    Jill@cyabra.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Miri Segal
    MS-IR
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    About Trailblazer

    Trailblazer is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. For more information, visit: www.trailblazermergercorp.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to certain products and services that are the subject of a proposed transaction (the “Business Combination”) between Trailblazer and Cyabra. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Cyabra’s business strategy, products and services, research and development costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated product offerings, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following risks relating to the proposed transaction: the ability to complete the Business Combination or, if Trailblazer does not consummate such Business Combination, any other initial business combination; expectations regarding Cyabra’s strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products and services, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and Cyabra’s ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Trailblazer or Cyabra following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due to, among other things, the failure to obtain Trailblazer stockholder approval; the risk that the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination disrupts Cyabra’s current operations and future plans; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; unexpected costs related to the proposed Business Combination; the amount of any redemptions by existing holders of Trailblazer’s common stock being greater than expected; limited liquidity and trading of Trailblazer’s securities; geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; the size of the addressable markets for Cyabra’s products and services; the possibility that Trailblazer and/or Cyabra may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of the combined company’s common stock on Nasdaq following the Business Combination; operational risk; and the risks that the consummation of the proposed Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

    In connection with the Business Combination, Trailblazer Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Trailblazer (“Holdings”) has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and certain other related documents, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of shares of Trailblazer’s common stock in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by its stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus of Holdings relating to the offer and sale of its securities to be issued in the Business Combination. . After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Trailblazer stockholders so that they may vote on the Business Combination.

    INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF TRAILBLAZER ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

    Trailblazer stockholders are currently able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein, and will be able to obtain the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, once available, in all cases without charge, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Trailblazer at 510 Madison Avenue, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10022, Telephone: 646-747-9618.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Cyabra, Trailblazer, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Trailblazer stockholders regarding the proposed Business Combination. Information about Trailblazer’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Trailblazer’s securities is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the proposed Business Combination.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No sale of securities shall occur in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under applicable

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ServiceTrade Sponsors the Heavy Metal Summer Experience Program in Support of its Mission to Inspire Students to Pursue Rewarding Trade Careers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DURHAM, N.C. and AUSTIN, Texas, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MCAA—ServiceTrade, an innovative software platform designed to optimize commercial service business operations for growth and profit, announced its silver-level sponsorship of the career workshop series called The Heavy Metal Summer Experience. The program is supported by a dedicated group of trade industry associations, vendors, educators, and individuals. In its fifth year, the non-profit program aims to introduce students across the U.S. and Canada to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing careers.   

    “The growth of the mechanical construction and service industry relies on the next generation of workers,” said Angie Simon, president and co-founder of The Heavy Metal Summer Experience. “In 2024, the program held camps at 36 locations across the United States and Canada, a 71% increase in participation over previous years, with approximately 500 students enrolled. The 2025 program will hold sessions in 54 camp locations and reach almost 900 students in the season.”

    The Heavy Metal Summer Experience attracts students from all backgrounds and ethnicities, including 18.7% female students. It introduces students to all aspects of working in the trades, including hands-on learning and working with industrial materials. Students are provided with information on apprenticeship programs, trade specialties, local opportunities for further education, and information about careers in the industrial trades. 

    Careers in the trades are gaining popularity among young people. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, enrollment in focused commercial manufacturing and repair trade programs grew by 11% between 2021 and 2023. Undergraduate college enrollment dropped by 8% in the same period, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Trade school programs are also faster and less expensive than alternatives, with students finishing programs within two years and quickly finding employment after graduation. 

    “A career in the trades is a terrific path to high job satisfaction, rapid career advancement, and great pay,” said Billy Marshall, Founder and Special Advisor at ServiceTrade.  “The demand for these young skilled workers is extraordinarily high with an estimated current labor shortfall of 14 – 20% in the commercial fire and mechanical service markets.  The Heavy Metal Summer Experience is the right solution at the right time, and we look forward to working alongside its founders to ensure its success.”

    To learn more about ServiceTrade and The Heavy Metal Summer Experience:

    About ServiceTrade  

    ServiceTrade, Inc. is a software platform for commercial mechanical, fire, and life safety contractors. During a chronic skilled labor shortage, ServiceTrade helps commercial contractors increase profit by improving service and project operations, increasing technician productivity, selling more service agreements, and growing customer loyalty. Located in Durham, North Carolina, ServiceTrade was founded in 2012 to automate and streamline the commercial mechanical and fire protection industry and has grown to have more than 1,300 customers. More than 10% of the commercial or industrial buildings in the United States are serviced by contractors using ServiceTrade. Learn more at www.servicetrade.com.

    Media contact:

    Media@KTCMarketingandPR.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: STMicroelectronics announces new capabilities of NB-IoT and geolocation module, now certified for Deutsche Telekom networks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STMicroelectronics announces new capabilities of NB-IoT and geolocation module, now certified for Deutsche Telekom networks

    • The ST87M01 module now adds Wi-Fi positioning feature for robust geolocation indoors and in dense urban areas and discloses its adherence to Remote SIM Provisioning ecosystem
    • Certification by Deutsche Telekom expands access to customers across Europe

    Geneva, Switzerland, March 3, 2025 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has announced that its ST87M01 NB-IoT and geolocation module adds new, extended functionalities and is now fully certified for connection to Deutsche Telekom (DT) networks.

    The ST87M01 module, NB-IoT release 15 certified, combines connectivity and geolocation capabilities in a single small package. Compliant with the 3GPP and regional standards such as the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED), the module contains optional GSMA-compliant embedded SIM with secure element and GNSS receiver. With the latest updates, the ST87M01 now adds Wi-Fi positioning that enables robust geolocation indoors and in dense urban areas where GNSS positioning may be compromised.

    The ST87M01 module combined with the ST’s ST4SIM-300 embedded SIM is also suitable for Remote SIM Provisioning, adherent to GSMA SGP.32 standard, which lets users switch between different mobile network operators without a physical SIM card change.
    Completing the DT test program is the latest in a series of successful demonstrations with many mobile network operators and confirms the compliance with stringent performance and efficiency criteria for the ST87M01.

    “Certification by Deutsche Telekom is an important differentiator for our NB-IoT and geolocation module, which accredits us to customers throughout the entire European region,” said Domenico Arrigo, General Manager, Application Specific Product Division, STMicroelectronics. “This achievement attests to the highest standards of performance and behavior on the network and efficient use of connectivity.”

    “We have tested the STMicroelectronics ST87M01 module according to stringent proprietary and industry standards, developed to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient connections. The results confirm that this NB-IoT module is suitable and fully certified for high-volume IoT projects on Deutsche Telekom networks,” said Uday Patil, Head of IoT Devices & Services, Deutsche Telekom.

    The ST87M01 module is also approved by the Global Certification Forum (GCF), which promotes interoperability of mobile and IoT products.

    For more information, please go to www.st.com/st87m01.

    ST87M01 demonstrations at Mobile World Congress and embedded world 2025

    ST will showcase the ST87M01 module and its new features at the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (Hall 7, A61) and embedded world event in Nuremberg (Hall 4A, 148) in March 2025.

    Demonstrating powerful IoT use cases, ST will highlight Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) compliant with the GSMA’s SGP.32 specification that caters specifically for mass deployment of IoT devices. The demonstration will show how device owners can provision and activate new mobile network operator (MNO) profiles, seamlessly and securely, using an intuitive dashboard application. The ability to switch easily between different cellular networks delivers tremendous convenience for different IoT applications, giving users flexibility to choose their mobile network operator and switch remotely without physically replacing the SIM card in the final product.

    In addition, demonstrating the latest Wi-Fi positioning capability will show how the ST87M01 can determine its own location accurately based on proximity to registered Wi-Fi access points. Wi-Fi positioning compares unique identifiers with the access point database to determine geographic location, with accuracy comparable to GNSS. This capability allows continuous and accurate geolocation in places where GNSS signals may be unavailable, such as factories or offices, shopping malls, covered parking, or multi-level roadways.

    About STMicroelectronics
    At ST, we are 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are on track to be carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027.

    Further information can be found at www.st.com.

    INVESTOR RELATIONS
    Jérôme Ramel
    EVP Corporate Development & Integrated External Communication
    Tel: +41.22.929.59.20
    jerome.ramel@st.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Alexis Breton
    Corporate External Communications
    Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08
    alexis.breton@st.com

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wix Launches Native, Print-on-Demand Experience Powered by Printful

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Merchants, self-creators, and agencies using Wix can tap into Printful’s fulfillment services to uniquely expand their brand with high-quality, custom products  

    NEW YORK – – Wix.com Ltd. (NASDAQ: WIX), the leading SaaS website builder platform globally1, today announced a native integration with Printful, one of the leading print-on-demand companies, to bring a native, out-of-the-box experience to Wix and Wix Studio users. With direct access to Printful’s print-on-demand and dropshipping fulfillment services, Wix users can create their own high-quality, branded product collections without leaving Wix.

    Wix users have the opportunity to create their own merchandise that is typically inaccessible to small businesses on the market today. Established businesses can create a new revenue stream while new businesses can start from scratch to build their brand and be part of this market that is projected to reach USD 45.6 billion by 2031. The print-on-demand industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.3%.

    Users have access to and control  over  critical touchpoints of the print-on-demand and dropshipping solution. They can customize their merchandise with their unique art, graphics, and brand logos. Additionally, a user can adjust or change the design on a product, all within the Wix platform. 

    Offering a cost-effective and sustainable approach, this solution fulfills orders individually, enabling business owners to avoid upfront inventory costs. Printful strives to ensure that products are produced locally, through its network of fulfillment centers, allowing for  faster distribution and lower shipping cost. The on-demand operation model  helps to eliminate overproduction and remove the need for storage. Local product fulfillment also helps to minimize the carbon footprint, while product personalization fosters stronger customer loyalty. 

    “This integration gives our users a new opportunity to create high-quality products and merchandise customized to their brand, whether they are a yoga studio owner, a chef, or a dog trainer,” said Jill Sherman, Head of Suppliers Hub at Wix. “Together, we’re providing our users a unique and seamless solution that embraces creativity and brand identity while eliminating fulfillment hassles and overhead costs. This empowers users to focus on the growth of their business and maximize their brand footprint all from the Wix platform.”

    “Partnering with Wix is a natural fit for us, as we’re both dedicated to supporting e-commerce business owners and brand builders who are crafting exceptional shopping experiences,” said Chris Victory, Head of Partnerships at Printful. “We’ve always been committed to helping anyone, anywhere create, design and deliver high-quality, unique products that resonate with their audience. By integrating seamlessly with Wix, we’re making it even easier for entrepreneurs to provide delightful experiences for their customers, directly within the platform where they already create and drive their brand experiences. We’re excited to see the amazing designs and products that the Wix community of sellers will create next.”

    This offering is available in English, and there are plans for availability in additional languages in the near future. 

    For more information about this partnership, please visit https://www.wix.com/ecommerce/print-on-demand 

    About Wix.com Ltd.

    Wix is the leading SaaS website builder platform1 to create, manage and grow a digital presence. Founded in 2006, Wix is a comprehensive platform providing users – self-creators, agencies, enterprises, and more – with industry-leading performance, security, AI capabilities and a reliable infrastructure. Offering a wide range of commerce and business solutions, advanced SEO and marketing tools, the platform enables users to take full ownership of their brand, their data and their relationships with their customers. With a focus on continuous innovation and delivery of new features and products, users can seamlessly build a powerful and high-end digital presence for themselves or their clients. 

    For more about Wix, please visit our Press Room
    Media Relations Contact:  PR@wix.com  

    1 Based on number of active live sites as reported by competitors’ figures, independent third-party data and internal data as of H1 2024.

    Attachments

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  • MIL-OSI: XMS Capital Partners Expands Healthcare Investment Banking Expertise with Addition of Veteran Banker Rick Kimball

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XMS Capital Partners LLC (“XMS”), a global, independent financial services firm focused on M&A, corporate advisory, and asset management services, is pleased to announce the addition of Richard (Rick) Kimball as a Managing Director. His appointment underscores XMS’s commitment to expanding its healthcare investment banking capabilities and delivering exceptional advisory services to clients.

    “We are thrilled that Rick has decided to return to investment banking at XMS,” said Ted Brombach, Co-Managing Partner at XMS. “His extensive track record at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, coupled with his leadership experience as an operating executive, will be instrumental in extending our reach in the healthcare sector. Rick’s strategic insights will enhance the value we bring to clients globally, and we look forward to the impact he will have as we continue to grow.”

    “I’m excited to be joining the exceptional team of investment bankers at XMS,” said Rick Kimball. “I have known many of the XMS partners for over 25 years, and we share a client-first approach that has been a cornerstone of success throughout my career. I look forward to contributing my experience in healthcare and capital markets to help drive XMS’s continued success.”

    About Rick Kimball

    Rick Kimball brings over 35 years of experience in investment banking, venture capital, and capital markets. He was a partner at Goldman Sachs, where he served as Co-Head of Global Healthcare Investment Banking and Co-Head of the Healthcare, Consumer, and Retail Financing Group. Before that, he spent 17 years at Morgan Stanley, leading Healthcare Equity Capital Markets and Healthcare Services Investment Banking. He also co-founded Millennium Technology Partners, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage Internet infrastructure investments.

    Beyond investment banking, Rick held leadership roles in healthcare technology. He was the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Accretive Health (now R1), overseeing strategy, sales and marketing, and product management. He later served as President of Rymedi, a blockchain-based healthcare technology company. Most recently, he has been a CEO coach, advising executives on strategy, execution, and accountability.

    Rick has also served as a trustee of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem.

    About XMS Capital Partners

    Founded in 2006, XMS Capital Partners LLC is a global, independent financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory, and asset management services. The firm has offices in Chicago, London, Boston, and Dallas.

    For more information, please visit www.xmscapital.com.

    Media Contact

    Samantha Bailey
    XMS Capital Partners
    Phone: 312.262.5642
    www.xmscapital.com

    The MIL Network –