Category: Transport

MIL-OSI: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Drone Operations Market Leading to Multi-Billion Dollar Revenue Opportunity

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – A report from Verified Market Research said that the AI In Drone Market size is projected to reach USD 206.9 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 32.4% during the forecast period to 2031. The report said: “Developments in Technology: One of the main factors propelling the artificial intelligence (AI) market for drones is the quick development of AI technologies. Drone capabilities are improved by innovations like computer vision, machine learning, and real-time data processing, which enable advanced decision-making and autonomous navigation. These developments make it possible for drones to more effectively carry out difficult jobs like infrastructure inspection, precision farming, and search and rescue missions. Furthermore, a variety of businesses can incorporate drones into their operations as AI software becomes more widely available and reasonably priced, expanding the market. Demand in the industry is driven by the ongoing improvement of AI algorithms, which guarantee that drones can do ever-more-difficult tasks. Industry Acceptance: One of the main factors driving the market is the growing use of drones in a variety of sectors, such as construction, logistics, surveillance, and agriculture. Businesses are increasingly incorporating AI-enabled drones into their operations as they realize the efficiency, cost savings, and safety enhancements these technologies provide. AI drones improve crop monitoring and resource management in agriculture and expedite delivery procedures in logistics. Demand is further fueled by this cross-industry applicability, as businesses look to automation and improved data insights to gain a competitive edge. Drones’ increasing acceptance as vital instruments in contemporary operations propels market expansion and encourages innovation in the AI space. Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC), Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI).

Verified Market Research continued: “Cost Cutting: The market is expanding due to the declining costs of drone technology and AI integration. Drones and related AI software are becoming more affordable as manufacturers develop and competition rises, opening up these technologies to a wider variety of consumers. Drone adoption is made possible by lower costs, which makes it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to enter the market. Cost savings are also facilitated by the adoption of open-source software and improved manufacturing process efficiency. The market is seeing faster adoption rates as affordability rises, which prompts more investment in AI capabilities that boost drone applications and functions. The government, commercial, and military sectors are the main end-users that divide the AI In Drone Market. Recognizing that different businesses have diverse needs and use drones for different purposes, this division highlights the uses of AI-powered drones across a range of fields. The government sector uses AI to improve data analysis, automate repetitive jobs, and increase decision-making in areas including disaster response, surveillance, law enforcement, and agricultural monitoring. Drones can now swiftly and effectively process enormous volumes of data thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), which is especially useful for government tasks requiring real-time information, such as monitoring emergencies or evaluating and handling public safety issues. The commercial AI drone market sector encompasses a wide range of applications, such as media, construction, logistics, and agriculture.”

ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Quantum Computing “Sky Traffic” Project Demonstrates High Accuracy in Initial Testing Leading to Expansion of Team and AI Drone Applications for Commercial and Defense – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces positive results from initial testing and an update on its Quantum Computing Sky Traffic project. An initial test using the Company’s AI algorithms and quantum computing to predict weather has resulted in a high level of accuracy for the parameters tested including actual temperatures versus predicted temperatures in the test which used 2016 data.

Due in part to these encouraging results, ZenaTech is now growing its internal team over the next two months. As part of the ramp up, the Company is adding additional quantum, AI and hardware engineers, and optimization specialists and is engaged in recruiting staff from physics facilities at international universities, including researchers, instructors, and Ph.D. candidates.

“The Sky Traffic project leverages AI and quantum computing to process vast data streams to improve the accuracy and speed of weather forecasting that can also apply to the innovation of many other commercial and defense applications utilizing drones. Our hiring strategy focuses on assembling a multidisciplinary team of quantum and AI specialists, and hardware and aerospace engineers to help us revolutionize autonomous drones. By combining quantum algorithms with advanced machine learning, we can optimize navigation, decision-making, and real-time data processing for next-generation aerial intelligence,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

ZenaTech launched the Sky Traffic project in November 2024, which will utilize its AI drones, quantum computing, and specialized quantum and AI teams to develop and test advanced applications for traffic management, weather forecasting, wildfire management and defense applications using large datasets, Amazon Web Services, and computing devices and platforms.

AI Drones are used in weather forecasting to collect real-time atmospheric data from hard-to-reach areas, such as storm systems or remote regions, providing valuable input for weather models. Quantum computers can then analyze this vast and complex data much faster and more accurately, improving weather predictions and enhancing the ability to forecast extreme events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires.

AI and quantum computing can work together to make defense drones smarter, faster, and more efficient using a single drone or a swarm of multiple drones. AI helps drones analyze data, recognize objects, and make decisions on their own, while quantum computing can process massive amounts of information much faster than regular computers. For example, a defense drone using AI can detect enemy movement, but adding quantum computing allows it to analyze complex battlefield data instantly and find the best flight path or strategy in real time. This combination improves reaction speed, mission accuracy, and overall drone performance, making them more effective for surveillance, reconnaissance, and security operations.

Quantum computing is an emergent field of cutting-edge computer science harnessing the unique qualities of quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond the ability of even the most powerful classical computers of today, to process massively complicated mathematical problems and data at orders of magnitude faster speeds.

The ZenaDrone 1000 is a multifunction autonomous drone, in a VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) quadcopter design with eight rotors; it is considered a medium-sized drone measuring 12X7 feet in size. It is designed for stable flight, maneuverability, heavy lift capabilities up to 40 kilos, incorporating innovative software technology, AI, sensors, and purpose-built attachments, along with compact and rugged hardware engineered for industrial and defense use for a variety of inspection, surveillance or tracking applications. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

Other recent developments in the markets include:

QphoX B.V., a Dutch quantum technology startup that is developing leading frequency conversion systems for quantum applications, Rigetti Computing, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGTI), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, and Qblox, a leading innovator in quantum control stack development, recently announced that their joint research demonstrating the ability to readout superconducting qubits with an optical transducer was published in Nature Physics.

Quantum computing has the potential to drive transformative breakthroughs in fields such as advanced material design, artificial intelligence, and drug discovery. Of the quantum computing modalities, superconducting qubits are a leading platform towards realizing a practical quantum computer given their fast gate speeds and ability to leverage existing semiconductor industry manufacturing techniques. However, fault-tolerant quantum computing will likely require 10,000 to a million physical qubits. The sheer amount of wiring, amplifiers and microwave components required to operate such large numbers of qubits far exceeds the capacity of modern-day dilution refrigerators, a core component of a superconducting quantum computing system, in terms of both space and passive heat load.

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently announced the launch of the JUMP^® 20-X, a next-generation, modular Group 3 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed to meet the dynamic demands of modern warfare. Setting a new benchmark for autonomous maritime operations, the JUMP 20-X delivers unrivaled versatility, efficiency, and precision in contested and complex environments.

Unveiled at the 2025 International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), the JUMP 20-X is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS) engineered to revolutionize shipboard UAS operations. With an advanced heavy-fuel engine capable of running on multiple fuel types, JUMP 20-X enhances operational flexibility, simplifies refueling logistics, and ensures mission adaptability across diverse maritime and expeditionary environments.

Unusual Machines (NYSE:UMAC) recently announced that its Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera has been added to the U.S. Defense Department’s Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue UAS Framework. It is the only camera on the Blue UAS list purpose-built for first person view (“FPV”) applications, providing a high-performance, NDAA-compliant option for defense and government users.

This approval marks another step forward in Unusual Machines’ mission to supply NDAA-compliant FPV components for both commercial and defense applications. The Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera joins the Rotor Riot Brave F7 Flight Controller and Brave 55A ESC, both of which have already been approved under the Blue UAS Framework.

Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI) recently announced that its Safe Pro AI subsidiary reached its latest milestone having processed over 1,000,000 real-world images and 20,000 explosive threat detections in Ukraine utilizing its patented AI-powered small object threat detection and drone image analysis and mapping technology.

Sourced from real-world aerial imagery collected in Ukraine by organizations utilizing commercially available drones over the past two years, SafePro’s latest generation of small object detection models include one of the largest and widest arrays of labeled imagery of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in existence today. Supported by the hyper scale of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud, this robust dataset enables the patented SpotlightAI™ ecosystem to rapidly detect over 150 types of surface-level explosive hazards, enabling government and humanitarian organizations to quickly assess threats on the ground with sub-centimeter precision. The Company intends to utilize its newly enhanced models to power new threat detection solutions designed for expanded domestic and international applications in defense, public safety and commercial markets.

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The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Meet Your Ultimate AI Companion — 5 Things to Know about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series

Source: Samsung

Welcome back to our first Things to Know series of 2025! We’ve partnered with the Samsung Care team to dive into the all-new Samsung Galaxy S25 Series, packed with cutting-edge AI features designed to transform the way you use your phone.
Available now, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 aren’t just smartphones—they’re your ultimate AI companions. Powered by Galaxy AI1, these devices set a new standard for intuitive, context-aware, and personalized mobile experiences. Your phone adapts to you, making every interaction smoother, smarter, and more secure.
Ready to see how the Galaxy S25 Series simplifies, enhances, and sparks creativity in your everyday life? Here are five must-know features that take mobile AI to the next level.
1. Take Control: Customize Your AI Data Processing Privacy
In the AI era, personalization and privacy go hand in hand. With the Galaxy S25, your data is securely analyzed on your device, delivering tailored experiences that match your preferences—without compromising privacy.
Want maximum privacy? Keep everything on-device. Prefer faster AI-powered results? Opt for secure cloud processing. Simply go to Settings > Galaxy AI > Data Processing and choose what works best for you. No matter which option you select, your data remains protected with advanced encryption and industry-certified safeguards from Samsung Knox Vault—so you can enjoy a smart, seamless, and secure AI experience with confidence.

2. Stay Ahead: Get Proactive Updates with Now Brief
Keep your phone one step ahead with Now Brief on the Galaxy S25. This smart assistant delivers real-time updates—weather, news, routines and more—right from your lock screen.
To get started, sign in to your Samsung and Google accounts, then go to Settings > Galaxy AI > Now Brief. Customize your feed by selecting the content you want to see. Enable “Show Now Brief while phone is locked” for instant updates without unlocking your device. Once set up, your Now Brief widget will appear on the lock screen, giving you a personalized snapshot of your day—keeping you prepared for what’s next.

3. Express Yourself: Create Your Own Galaxy Avatar
Add a personal touch to your messages, photos, and GIFs with your very own Galaxy Avatar on the Galaxy S25.
To get started, go to Settings > Advanced Features > Galaxy Avatar and tap Create New Avatar. Choose a suggested avatar, snap a photo, or upload an image from your gallery. Then, customize every detail—eye color, hairstyle, facial features, and outfit—to make it truly yours.
Once you’re done, explore fun ways to use your avatar. Add personality with Avatar Stickers for your gallery, profile pic, and messages, or use Avatar Camera to insert your digital self into selfies. You can even send expressive GIFs in Messages—just tap the smiley icon, select your Galaxy Avatar, and send it off. With Galaxy Avatar, your digital self is as expressive and stylish as you!

4. Polish Your Sound: Clean Up Video Audio with Audio Eraser
Galaxy S25 brings advanced editing tools once reserved for specialized software right to your fingertips. With Audio Eraser, you can now easily remove unwanted noise in videos by isolating and adjusting different sound categories—voices, music, wind, nature, crowd noise, and more.
To get started, sign in to your Samsung and Google accounts for the best Galaxy AI experience. Then, go to your Gallery, select a video, and play it. Tap Galaxy AI, then confirm with OK on the Audio Eraser pop-up. From here, adjust the volume of voices and noise, or tap Auto to let Galaxy AI automatically clean up the sound. You can also manually tweak the levels for precise editing. Once you’re satisfied, tap Save Copy to keep your improved audio. With Audio Eraser, you’re in full control of your video’s sound, ensuring a polished, professional result every time!

5. Enhance Your Images: Get Sharper Details with Photo Editing
The Galaxy S25 lets you zoom in and edit your photos without losing quality, bringing out sharper, clearer details.
To get started, open your Gallery, select a photo, and tap Edit. Zoom in on the details you want to enhance and adjust the framing. When you’re happy with your edits, tap Save. You’ll be prompted to keep the current resolution or upscale for more vibrant, detailed images — though it’ll take up more space. With Photo Upscale, you can always dive into the finer details of your photos, making them clearer and more vibrant, no matter how much you zoom in!

The Galaxy S25 Series is available on Samsung.com, at Samsung Experience Stores, and at major carriers and retailers. For information on the latest offers, please visit: samsung.com/us/smartphones.
Learn how Samsung Care protects your Galaxy devices. For more information about Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25, please visit: Samsung US Newsroom or Samsung.com.
B2B Customers can learn more about Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25 on Samsung.com/business.
Interested in switching to Galaxy? Head over to https://trygalaxy.com/ to try it out for yourself!

MIL OSI Economics –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Refresh & Re-energize with Spring Savings on Samsung AI Tech

Source: Samsung

Warmer weather is right around the corner, but the transition from winter to spring offers more than green grass and chirping birds. It’s a time to refresh your space and re-energize your routines. To kick off the springtime celebrations, save up to 40%1 on Samsung tech that seamlessly connects during the Discover Samsung Spring Sale.
From March 3 – 9, get ready to shop weeklong offers, deals of the day and big savings on bundles to power your passions.
We know that cost savings and convenience are top of mind when it comes to AI in your appliances,2 and want to help turn your dream smart home into a reality. Whether you’re trying to find more “me” time, be more productive or save more, Samsung’s AI-powered tech is designed to help transform your everyday life into a better tomorrow.
Wondering where to begin? Download the Samsung Shop App to unlock Early Access to exclusive offers beginning on March 1.
Get a head start on your wish list with a sneak peek at upcoming offers below, and explore some of our favorite ways to make the most of your AI tech.
To help cut down on costs, use power-saving features for your home appliances like AI Energy Mode. Located in the SmartThings App,4 AI Energy Mode helps reduce your energy consumption through real-time monitoring and AI-based energy-saving adjustments. For example, intelligently adjusting your refrigerator’s compressor speed, defrost cycles and temperature settings to reduce energy use during operation.
Weeklong Deal: Bespoke AI Laundry Combo All-in-One: Save $1100 (promo price: starting at $2199)
Deal of the Day 3/4: Bespoke AutoRelease Smart 42dBA Dishwasher with StormWash + and Smart Dry: Save $350 (promo price: starting at $549)

To workout smarter and rest easier, let your tech take the lead on your wellness journey. Keep better track of your workouts and get deeper health data when you pair your Galaxy Ring and Watch to the Samsung Health app, including Heart Rate Tracking5 that filters out your body’s movements for a more accurate reading. And after a long day, recover with advanced sleep insights from your Galaxy Ring, including Energy Score and Wellness Tips powered by Galaxy AI.6
Weeklong Deal: Galaxy Ring: Save $250 with eligible trade-in10 (promo price: starting at $149.99)
Weeklong Deal: Galaxy Watch7: Save $200 with eligible trade-in10 (promo price: starting at $99.99)
To eat healthier without the hassle, explore convenient Samsung Home AI features. AI Vision Inside7 helps you keep track of many items that go in and out of your fridge and automatically updates your food inventory list on the SmartThings app. When you’re ready to cook, get personalized recipe recommendations, search for follow-along video recipes and even access some of your favorite apps to multitask from the 7” AI Home Display on your Bespoke Range.
Weeklong Deal: Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator (29 cu. ft.) with AI Family Hub + and AI Vision Inside : Save $1800 (promo price: starting at $3199)
Deal of the Day 3/6: Bespoke Smart Slide-in Induction Range with AI Home & Smart Oven Camera: Save $1100 (promo price: starting at $2299)

To learn faster, use Galaxy AI8 to transform your tech into a productivity powerhouse. Use Call Transcript9 on your Galaxy S25 to easily to remember important details and tasks for your to-do list. Call Transcript records, transcribes and summarizes your calls to generate automated notes to help keep you on track. And with Note Assist on your Galaxy Tab, you can record a lecture or meeting audio and let Galaxy AI transcribe, organize and even summarize your notes for you.
Deal of the Day 3/3: Galaxy S25 Ultra: Save up to $1120 with eligible trade-in credit10 (promo price: starting at $1099.99)
Weeklong Deal: Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Save up to $1000. Get up to $800 instant trade-in credit or up to $400 instant trade-in credit with any tablet trade-in. Or, get up to $180 off without trade-in, plus Galaxy Buds2 on us (promo price: starting at 1199.99
To elevate your entertainment, take advantage of Samsung AI TV and audio innovations. Keep up with all the action like never before with AI Motion Enhancer Pro tracking hard-to-see objects. And with 8K AI Upscaling Pro11, sit back, relax and witness the power of your favorite classics being upscaled into stunning 8K resolution. For an even more cinematic experience, pair your TV with a Samsung soundbar designed with epic AI audio features and connectivity options.
Deal of the Day 3/5: 85″ Class Samsung Neo QLED 8K (QN900D): Save $2700 (promo price: $5299.99)
Weeklong Deal: Q-series 3.1.2 ch. Dolby ATMOS Soundbar w/ Q-Symphony: Save $270 (promo price: $329.99)
We can’t wait to see how Samsung AI powers your everyday, everywhere. Be sure to check back for more ways to shop and save during the Discover Samsung Spring Sale.
For information on the latest offers, visit Samsung.com.

1 Eligible products, as well as terms and conditions, will be available on Samsung.com when the promotion begins on March 3.
2 Source: December 2024 among 1,004 U.S. adults 18 to 65 conducted by IPSOS on behalf of Samsung.
3 6/15/24 – 12/31/24, Promotional discount applies while supplies last when making your first qualifying purchase in the Shop Samsung App ($500 first order minimum). This offer is available to direct consumers only, Business customer accounts are not eligible. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Samsung reserves the right to modify or discontinue offers at any time by posting notice on the app or website.
4 SmartThings app available on Android and iOS devices. Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account required.
5 The heart rate software functions are not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, N in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease.
6 Galaxy AI features on wearables track data and require compatible Samsung Galaxy AI phone, Samsung Health app and Samsung account.
7 AI Vision Inside can recognize and automatically label 33 unobscured fresh food items such as select fruits and vegetables; other items may be manually labeled. Results vary by manner of placement. Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account required. Visit Samsung.com for more on AI Vision Inside and compatibility.
8 Galaxy AI features will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.
9 You must comply with local laws related to recording calls. Recordings and transcripts are stored on your device. Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account required.
10 For a limited time only, on Samsung.com/Shop Samsung App, or purchase a new qualifying Galaxy device (“Qualifying Purchase”), send in your qualifying trade-in device to Samsung through the Samsung Trade-In Program, and if Samsung determines your trade-in device meets all eligibility requirements, you will receive a trade-in credit specific to your qualifying trade-in device to apply toward your Qualifying Purchase. Device models that currently qualify for trade-in and trade-in credit amounts associated with those models are available on Samsung.com and the Shop Samsung App; eligible models and amounts may change at Samsung’s sole discretion. To be eligible for trade-in, your qualifying device must meet all Trade-In Program eligibility requirements, which include, but are not limited to, that the device powers on, holds a charge, and does not power off unexpectedly; has a functioning display; has no breaks or cracks in the screen (unless a cracked screen offer applies); has no breaks or cracks in the case; has no liquid damage (whether visible or not); has no other defects that go beyond normal wear and tear; is not on a black list; has a verified FCC ID; has been reset to factory settings; has all personal information removed; has all software locks disabled; and is owned by you (leased devices are not eligible). Anticipated trade-in value will be applied as a credit at time of purchase, but, if you do not send in your trade-in device within 15 days of receipt of your Qualifying Purchase, you will be charged back for the trade-in credit applied to your purchase, or if you send in your trade-in device within 15 days of receipt of your Qualifying Purchase but Samsung determines your device does not meet all eligibility requirements, you will be charged back for the trade-in credit applied to your purchase minus $25. Participation in this program does not excuse you from contracts with your carrier or retailer (or any related payments or fees) for the device that was traded in. Limit 1 trade-in per Qualifying Purchase. Samsung reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time. The Trade-In Program cannot be combined with any other Samsung, carrier or retailer promotions, discounts, or offers unless specifically provided for in the terms and conditions of such offers. Additional terms, including terms that govern the resolution of disputes, apply. Visit Samsung.com for more.
11 Uses AI-based formulas to upscale content to 8K

MIL OSI Economics –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s threats on Greenland, Gaza, Ukraine and Panama revive old-school US imperialism of dominating other nations by force, after decades of nuclear deterrence

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Monica Duffy Toft, Professor of International Politics and Director of the Center for Strategic Studies, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

Imperialist rhetoric is becoming a mark of President Donald Trump’s second term. From asserting that the U.S. will “take over” the Gaza Strip, Greenland and the Panama Canal to apparently siding with Russia in its war on Ukraine, Trump’s comments suggest a return to an old imperialist style of forcing foreign lands under American control.

Imperialism is when a nation extends its power through territorial acquisition, economic dominance or political influence. Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives.

The term “empire” often evokes the Romans, the Mughals or the British, but the U.S. is an imperial power, too. In the 19th and early 20th century, American presidents expanded U.S. territory westward across the continent and, later, overseas, acquiring Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, Guam and the Philippines.

After that, outright territorial conquest mostly ceased, but the U.S. did not give up imperialism. As I trace in my 2023 book, “Dying by the Sword,” the country instead embraced a subtler, more strategic kind of expansionism. In this veiled imperialism, the U.S. exerted its global influence through economic, political and threatened military means, not direct confrontation.

Embracing traditional U.S. imperialism would upend the rules that have kept the globe relatively stable since World War II. As an expert on U.S. foreign policy, I fear that would unleash fear, chaos – and possibly nuclear war.

No redrawing borders

One of the most fundamental principles of this post-war international system is the concept of sovereignty – the idea that a nation’s borders should remain intact.

The United Nations Charter, signed in San Francisco in 1945, explicitly bars countries from obtaining territory through force. Outright annexation or territorial takeover is considered a direct violation of international law.

Work by the late political scientist Mark Zacher outlines how, since World War II, the international community – including the U.S. – has largely upheld this standard.

But imperialism still shapes world politics.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is a blatant instance of imperial ambition justified by alleged historical grievances and national security concerns. Russia’s invasion set a dangerous precedent by undermining the principle that borders can’t be changed by force and that countries shouldn’t resort to aggression.

Putin’s precedent, in turn, has raised concerns that another great power may attempt to forcibly redraw international borders.

Take China, for example. President Xi Jinping has become increasingly aggressive toward Taiwan since 2019. If Putin’s invasion culminates with Russia successfully annexing parts of Ukraine – which the Trump administration has agreed with Russia should be part of any settlement – Xi may follow through on his threats to invade Taiwan.

Respect for national sovereignty has made the world more stable and less violent.

The decline of traditional imperialism after World War II led to a flourishing of independent nation-states. As former colonial powers gradually relinquished control of their holdings in the second half of the 20th century – voluntarily or after losing wars of independence – the number of sovereign countries increased dramatically. The U.N. had 51 member countries in 1945 and over 150 by 1970.

The U.N. was founded on the idea that people of all countries should have a say in how they build their own futures. Today, 197 countries try to work together through the U.N. on a wide range of global issues, including defending human rights and reducing global poverty.

When a major power like the U.S. openly embraces imperialist rhetoric, it further weakens the already fragile rules that keep this delicate collaboration working.

Nonviolent imperialism

Imperialism does not require military force. Great powers still exert influence over weaker nations, shaping their behavior through economic might and wealth, diplomacy and strategic alliances.

The U.S. has long engaged in this form of influence. It has often pursued its imperialist agenda in what I would call a more “gentlemanly manner” than historical empires with their bloody physical conquests.

During the Cold War, for example, the U.S. established extensive dominance over much of the globe. In Latin America and the Middle East, it used economic aid, military alliances and ideological persuasion rather than outright territorial expansion to exert its control. Russia did the same in Eastern Europe and its other spheres of influence.

Demonstrators in Panama City insist ‘Panama Canal is Not For Sale’ following Donald Trump’s threats to seize the canal, Jan. 20, 2025.
Arnulfo Franco/AFP via Getty Images

Today, China excels at nonviolent imperialism. Its Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure construction project launched in 2013, has created deep economic dependencies among partner nations in Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Trade and diplomatic ties between China and those regions are much closer today as a result.

Nuclear era

A critical distinction between imperialism past and present is the presence of nuclear weapons.

In previous eras, great powers frequently fought wars to expand their influence and settle disputes. Countries could attempt to seize territory with little risk to their survival, even in defeat.

The sheer destructive potential of nuclear arsenals has changed this calculus. The Cold War doctrine of mutually assured destruction guarantees that if one country launches a nuclear weapon, it will quickly become the target of nuclear counterattack: annihilation for all sides.

Any major war between nuclear-armed nations now carries the risk of massive, potentially planetary, destruction. This makes direct conquest an irrational, even suicidal strategy rather than a calculated political maneuver.

And it makes Trump’s old-school imperial rhetoric particularly dangerous.

If the U.S. tried to annex foreign territory, it would almost certainly provoke serious international conflict. That’s especially true of the most strategic places Trump has threatened to “take over,” like the Panama Canal, which links 1,920 ports across 170 countries.

These imperialist threats, even if they’re not intended as serious policy proposals, are already ratcheting up global tensions.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino — a pro-American ally — has flatly ruled out negotiating with the U.S. over control of the Panama Canal. Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, says its territory of Greenland is “not for sale.” And Palestinians in Gaza, for their part, fiercely reject Trump’s plan to move all of them out and turn their homeland into a “Middle East Riviera,” as have neighboring Arab countries, which could be expected to absorb millions of displaced Palestinians.

Rhetoric shapes perception, and perception influences behavior. When an American president floats acquiring foreign territories as a viable policy option, it signals to both allies and enemies that the U.S. is no longer committed to the international order that has achieved relative global stability for the past 75 years.

With wars raging in the Middle East and Europe, this is a risky time for reckless rhetoric.

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

– ref. Trump’s threats on Greenland, Gaza, Ukraine and Panama revive old-school US imperialism of dominating other nations by force, after decades of nuclear deterrence – https://theconversation.com/trumps-threats-on-greenland-gaza-ukraine-and-panama-revive-old-school-us-imperialism-of-dominating-other-nations-by-force-after-decades-of-nuclear-deterrence-249327

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How allies have helped the US gain independence, defend freedom and keep the peace – even as the US did the same for our friends

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Donald Heflin, Executive Director of the Edward R. Murrow Center and Senior Fellow of Diplomatic Practice, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

French Gen. Jean de Rochambeau and American Gen. George Washington giving the last orders in October 1781 for the battle at Yorktown, where the British defeat ended the War of Independence. ‘Siege of Yorktown’ painting, Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images.

Make Canada angry. Make Mexico angry. Make the members of NATO angry.

During the first few weeks of the second Trump administration, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said a lot of things about longtime allies that caused frustration and outright friction among the leaders of those countries.

Trump and Vance indeed appear to disdain close alliances, favoring an America First approach to the world. A New York Times headline characterized the relationship between the U.S. and Europe now as “A Strained Alliance.”

As a former diplomat, I’m aware that how the U.S. treats its allies has been a crucial question in every presidency, since George Washington became the country’s first chief executive. On his way out of that job, Washington said something that Trump, Vance and their fellow America First advocates would probably embrace.

In what’s known as his “Farewell Address,” Washington warned Americans against “entangling alliances.” Washington wanted America to treat all nations fairly, and warned against both permanent friendships and permanent enemies.

The irony is that Washington would never have become president without the assistance of the not-yet-United-States’ first ally, France.

In 1778, after two years of brilliant diplomacy by Benjamin Franklin, the not-yet-United States and the Kingdom of France signed a treaty of alliance as the American Colonies struggled to win their war for independence from Britain.

France sent soldiers, money and ships to the American revolutionaries. Within three years, after a major intervention by the French fleet, the battle of Yorktown in 1781 effectively ended the war and America was independent.

Isolationism, then war

American political leaders largely heeded Washington’s warning against alliances throughout the 1800s. The Atlantic Ocean shielded the young nation from Europe’s problems and many conflicts, and America’s closest neighbors had smaller populations and less military might.

Aside from the War of 1812, in which the U.S. fought the British, America largely found itself protected from the outside world’s problems.

That began to change when Europe descended into the brutal trench warfare of World War I.

Initially, American politicians avoided becoming involved. What would today be called an isolationist movement was strong, and its supporters felt that the war in Europe was being waged for the benefit of big business.

But it was hard for the U.S.to maintain neutrality. German submarines sank ships crossing the Atlantic carrying American passengers. The economies of some of America’s biggest trading partners were in shreds; the democracies of Britain, France and other European countries were at risk.

A Boston newspaper headline in 1915 blares the news of a British ocean liner sunk by a German torpedo.
Serial and Government Publications Division, Library of Congress

President Woodrow Wilson led the United States into the war in 1917 as an ally of the Western European nations. When he asked Congress for a declaration of war, Wilson touted the value of like-minded allies, saying, “A steadfast concert for peace can never be maintained except by a partnership of democratic nations.” The war was over within 16 months.

Immediately after the war, the Allies – led by the U.S., France and Britain – stayed together to craft the peace agreements, feed the war-ravaged parts of Europe and intervene in Russia after the Communist Revolution there.

Prosperity came along with the peace, helping the U.S. quickly develop into a global economic power.

However, within a few years, American politicians returned to traditional isolationism in political and military matters and continued this attitude well into the 1930s. The worldwide Great Depression that began in 1929 was blamed on vulnerabilities in the global economy, and there was a strong sentiment among Americans that the U.S. should fix its internal problems rather than assist Europe with its problems.

Alliance counters fascism

As both Hitler and the Japanese Empire began to attack their neighbors in the late 1930s, it became clear to President Franklin Roosevelt and other American military and political leaders that the U.S. would get caught up in World War II. If nothing else, airplanes had erased America’s ability to hide behind the Atlantic Ocean.

Though public opinion was divided, the U.S. began sending arms and other assistance to Britain and quietly began military planning with London. This was despite the fact that the U.S. was formally neutral, as the Roosevelt administration was pushing the limits of what a neutral nation can do for friendly nations without becoming a warring party.

In January of 1941, Roosevelt gave his annual State of the Union speech to Congress. He appeared to prepare the country for possible intervention – both on behalf of allies abroad and for the preservation of American democracy:

“The future and the safety of our country and of our democracy are overwhelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders. Armed defense of democratic existence is now being gallantly waged in four continents. If that defense fails, all the population and all the resources of Europe, and Asia, and Africa and Australasia will be dominated by conquerors. In times like these it is immature – and incidentally, untrue – for anybody to brag that an unprepared America, single-handed, and with one hand tied behind its back, can hold off the whole world.”

When the Japanese attacked Hawaii in 1941 and Hitler declared war on the United States, America quickly entered World War II in an alliance with Britain, the Free French and others.
Throughout the war, the Allies worked as a team on matters large and small. They defeated Germany in three and half years and Japan in less than four.

As World War II ended, the wartime alliance produced two longer-term partnerships built on the understanding that working together had produced a powerful and effective counter to fascism.

A ‘news bulletin’ from August 1945 issued by a predecessor of the United Nations.
Foreign Policy In Focus

Postwar alliances

The first of these alliances is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. The original members were the U.S., Canada, Britain, France and others of the wartime Allies. There are now 32 members, including Poland, Hungary and Turkey.

The aims of NATO were to keep the peace in Europe and contain the growing Communist threat from the Soviet Union. NATO’s supporters feel that, given that the wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s and in the Ukraine today are the only major conflicts in Europe in 80 years, the alliance has met its goals well. And NATO troops went to Afghanistan along with the U.S. military after 9/11.

The other institution created by the wartime Allies is the United Nations.

The U.N. is many things – a humanitarian aid organization, a forum for countries to raise their issues and a source of international law.

However, it is also an alliance. The U.N. Security Council on several occasions authorized the use of force by members, such as in the first Gulf War against Iraq. And it has the power to send peacekeeping troops to conflict areas under the U.N. flag.

Other U.S. allies with treaties or designations by Congress include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, three South American countries and six in the Middle East.

In addition to these formal alliances, many of the same countries created institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States and the European Union. The U.S. belongs to all of these except the European Union. During my 35-year diplomatic career, I worked with all of these institutions, particularly in efforts to stabilize Africa. They keep the peace and support development efforts with loans and grants.

Admirers of this postwar liberal international order point to the limited number of major armed conflicts during the past 80 years, the globalized economy and international cooperation on important matters such as disease control and fighting terrorism.
Detractors point to this system’s inability to stop some very deadly conflicts, such as Vietnam or Ukraine, and the large populations that haven’t done well under globalization as evidence of its flaws.

The world would look dramatically different without the Allies’ victories in the two World Wars, the stable worldwide economic system and NATO’s and the U.N.’s keeping the world relatively peaceful.

But the value of allies to Americans, even when they benefit from alliances, appears to have shifted between George Washington’s attitude – avoid them – and that of Franklin D. Roosevelt – go all in … eventually.

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

– ref. How allies have helped the US gain independence, defend freedom and keep the peace – even as the US did the same for our friends – https://theconversation.com/how-allies-have-helped-the-us-gain-independence-defend-freedom-and-keep-the-peace-even-as-the-us-did-the-same-for-our-friends-248839

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP alarmed at soaring hunger as more flee displacement camps in eastern DRC
Source: World Food Programme

Photo: WFP/ Michael Castofas. In Bulengo camp, displaced families face a dire and uncertain future as M23 authorities instruct them to dismantle their makeshift shelters.

Photo credit

Thousands reached with Nutrition assistance

KINSHASA- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has partially resumed food assistance in parts of Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) delivering vital nutrition supplies for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition in children aged 6 to 59 months as three weeks of fighting continues to worsen access to food for the most vulnerable.

A recent WFP market assessment found the price of staple foods in eastern DRC has sky-rocketed – making it more difficult for families to put food on the table. The price of maize flour has risen by nearly 67 percent, while salt has shot up by about 43 percent, and oil increased by up to 45 percent.

With major access routes blocked, and Goma International airport a critical humanitarian hub closed, WFP’s priority is to resume operations fully as soon as it is safe to do so.

‘’The longer we are unable to give food and emergency assistance to families affected by the conflict, the greater and more dire their needs are,” said Peter Musoko, WFP’s Country Director and Representative in DRC. “I do not want to see children and mothers sink deeper into hunger and severe malnutrition. We need the violence to stop so we can resume our humanitarian activities. The most vulnerable people in DRC cannot afford to be overlooked during this crisis.’

The WFP-run UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operations – which provides humanitarians with critical access and support for life-saving work across the country -. urgently requires USD 33.1 million to sustain operations in the country this year. Without additional contributions, air operations could be suspended by the end of March 2025.

Here are the latest updates on WFP operations in the DRC:
- Nutrition assistance: WFP delivered 57 metric tons of nutritional commodities to health centres within Goma to support malnutrition treatment reaching 11,000 malnourished children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
- In North Kivu, WFP has reached 9,000 out of a target of 83,000 people with emergency food assistance. Security must improve for WFP to reach tens of thousands more of the most vulnerable populations at risk.
- WFP has resumed its support to the ongoing Mpox vaccination campaign in the health zones of Goma, Karisimbi, and Nyiragongo, providing hot meals to more than 100 Mpox patients.
- WFP warehouses have been looted in Goma and Bukavu – 70 percent of food stocks were stolen in Goma, and all humanitarian supplies could not be recovered in Bukavu. A new warehouse has been set up in Goma to continue life-saving operations.
- WFP’s UNHAS operations continue to provide humanitarian access to the eastern provinces. In recent weeks, the fleet was relocated to Kalemie in Tanganyika, establishing a new operational hub for eastern DRC.
- In 2025, UNHAS has transported 2,464 passengers, including humanitarian workers relocated from Goma and Bukavu, and has delivered 23 metric tons of essential light cargo across the country. UNHAS operations are critical to facilitate and enable humanitarians to do vital work.
- WFP urgently needs US $397 million to maintain country-wide operations in the country for the next six months until July 2025.
WFP’ plans to reach 7 million of the most vulnerable women, men, and children in DRC with lifesaving food and nutrition assistance in 2025, and is working with UN agencies, NGOs, and government partners to address immediate needs and prepare for a potential large-scale response once conditions allow.

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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 @WFPDRC on Instgram;WFP DRC on Facebook

MIL OSI United Nations News –
February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 20 February 2025 Departmental update Message by the Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO – January/February 2025

Source: World Health Organisation

Safeguarding children and adolescents from deadly, yet preventable diseases, such as polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, human papillomavirus and tetanus, among others, is the foundation of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) – saving an estimated 154 million lives and adding over 10 billion years of healthy life. Through strong partnerships and countries’ commitments vaccines have reached every corner of the world and became the single greatest contribution of any health intervention to ensuring babies not only see their first birthdays but continue leading healthy lives into adulthood.

2025 marks a significant turning point for immunization efforts worldwide.

Last year, we celebrated the remarkable progress made by the global immunization community since 1974. Each year, new and under-utilized vaccines continue to be introduced in countries. In 2024, four new countries introduced HPV vaccines and 25 adopted the single-dose schedule. Additionally, Niger and Nigeria became the first countries to implement the Men5CV vaccine, a new and affordable meningococcal pentavalent conjugate vaccine, and more than 12 million doses of malaria vaccine reached 17 countries in Africa in 2024 – a pivotal moment in the fight to end malaria.

The Big Catch-up Initiative, a major vaccine co-financing initiative in collaboration with Gavi and UNICEF, began reaching children left unvaccinated as a result the pandemic. By the end of 2024, an estimated 143 million vaccine doses had been delivered to 36 countries and 10.5 million catch-up doses had already been administered. This year, an additional 104 million doses will be delivered as part of the Big Catch-up, and a new WHO global monitoring dashboard is enabling real-time data tracking to continually strengthen countries strategies and our support to them. The midway point of the Immunization Agenda 2030 is upon us. As we look towards the next five years there are challenges ahead, but the goal is more relevant than ever.

Five immunization priorities for 2025

Equity: Reaching Zero-Dose Children

Vaccine equity remains one of the most urgent global health challenges of our time. While immunization programs have made tremendous progress, millions of children worldwide remain unreached—many of whom are classified as zero-dose children, meaning they have not received a single vaccine. In 2023, 14.5 million children had received no vaccines at all, a sharp increase from 12.9 million in 2019. These children are disproportionately from marginalized communities, including those in conflict zones, remote areas, and urban slums. The gap in coverage not only fuels preventable disease outbreaks but also deepens existing inequalities in health outcomes. Closing this gap requires targeted strategies: improving supply chains, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and addressing socioeconomic barriers that prevent families from accessing vaccination services. Achieving true equity means ensuring that no child is left behind.

Outbreaks: The Resurgence of Measles and System Strengthening

Vaccine-Preventable Disease surveillance is another pillar of global health security. From yellow fever to measles to pneumonia, early detection ensures vaccines reach those who need them most. The alarming rise in measles cases is a stark reminder of result when immunization networks are weakened. Once considered on the path to elimination in many regions, measles is resurging due to gaps in vaccine coverage. This increase is a warning signal that vaccination systems are at risk—delayed campaigns, supply chain disruptions, and weakened trust in health services have created the basis for outbreaks. Strengthening immunization programmes is not just about responding to crises but about intense work to build resilient health systems so those crises are averted in the first place. This means enhancing surveillance, ensuring robust stockpiles of vaccines, training health workers, assuring data systems are in place to drive impact and intensifying essential immunization services. A failure to act decisively now could see other vaccine-preventable diseases following the same dangerous trend.

Vaccine Confidence: Strengthening Trust Among Communities and Health Workers

Confidence in vaccines is the backbone of successful immunization efforts. The past few years have exposed both the strengths and vulnerabilities of public trust in vaccines. Misinformation, historical mistrust, and political instability threaten to erode hard-won gains. At the same time, frontline health workers—the trusted faces of vaccination—must be supported with training and resources to confidently engage with communities. Trust must be built through transparency, education, and engagement. Governments, civil society, and the private sector must work together to counter misinformation and misrepresentation, amplify accurate information, and ensure that communities feel empowered, not coerced, in vaccine decision-making.

New Vaccines: Innovation, Hope, and the Need for Strong Support

Innovation in vaccines brings immense opportunity for tackling some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The introduction of new vaccines—whether for malaria, RSV, or the next pandemic threat—represents a turning point in public health. New vaccines are only as impactful as the systems that deliver them. The success of these vaccines hinges not just on their development but on their effective introduction and sustained delivery. This is where our role supporting countries is critical: ensuring that regulatory approvals, financing mechanisms, health system readiness, and community acceptance are in place. Investing in the introduction of these vaccines with the same urgency as their research and development will be key to translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world protection.

Funding and political challengers

In January, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order indicating the United States’ intent to withdraw from WHO. We remain hopeful that the US will reconsider. For decades, the partnership between the US and WHO has been instrumental in achieving historic public health milestones—from the eradication of smallpox to advancing global immunization efforts that have saved millions of lives in the US and around the world. This collaboration has protected Americans at home and abroad through disease surveillance, accelerating scientific progress, and ensuring that life-saving health interventions reach those who need them most, and shutting down outbreaks when they emerge, to limit their impact.

Global health security is a shared responsibility. Infectious diseases do not respect borders, and the challenges we face—whether responding to outbreaks, developing new vaccines, or ensuring equitable access to healthcare—require international cooperation.

WHO remains committed to its mission and will continue working with partners to strengthen global health systems. Strong leadership and sustained funding are critical to ensuring immunization programmes remain resilient. However, the political landscape for vaccines is increasingly unpredictable, putting decades of progress at risk.

Moving Forward Together: A Moment for Global Health Cooperation

Two upcoming meetings will be pivotal in providing critical guidance for future immunization policies and strategies.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) will meet 10-13 March 2025, to advance global immunization policies and priorities. Key discussions will focus on IA2030 progress, pneumococcus vaccine schedules, varicella-zoster vaccination, new vaccine introductions, NITAG strengthening, and global polio eradication policy decisions and mpox updates. The Global Vaccine and Immunization Research Forum (March 25-27, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) will convene experts from around the world to advance vaccine innovations, sustainable R&D investments, Artificial Intelligence applications to vaccine development, climate-related challenges to immunization, and equitable access to vaccines. Key discussions will highlight Latin American advancements, maternal and new TB vaccines, vaccine role to reduce antimicrobial resistance, and clinical trial innovations for immunization.

In closing, I want to thank Member States, partners, and all those in the global health community for the resilient commitment and focus on immunization, driven always by high quality evidence, science and impact. Now is the time to remain committed and sharpen our focus so that immunization for all is a reality.

The world has the tools, knowledge, and capacity to protect future generations through vaccines. Political will and global solidarity are more valuable than ever to make that happen.

In the words of Dr. Albert Sabin, “A scientist who is also a human being cannot rest while knowledge which might be used to reduce suffering rests on the shelf.” Let’s ensure that decades of progress are not left behind, but are built upon. It is in our hands. It is Humanly Possible.

—-

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Intermap Closes on $12 Million in Financing

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

DENVER, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intermap Technologies Corporation (TSX: IMP) (“Intermap” or the “Company”), a global leader in 3D geospatial products and intelligence solutions, today announced the closing of its previously announced “bought deal” LIFE offering and concurrent private placement (together, the “Offerings”). The Company entered into an underwriting and agency agreement with Beacon Securities Limited (“Beacon” or the “Underwriter”) whereby the Company issued a total of (i) 2,957,000 Class “A” common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) at a price of C$2.25 per Common Share (the “Offering Price”) for aggregate gross proceeds of C$6,653,250 (the “LIFE Offering”), including the full exercise of the Underwriter’s option, pursuant to the “listed issuer financing exemption” under Part 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”); and (ii) 2,047,225 Common Shares at the Offering Price for aggregate gross proceeds of C$4,606,256.25 (the “Concurrent Private Placement”), pursuant to other prospectus exemptions under NI 45-106.

The Company intends to use the aggregate net proceeds of the Offerings for working capital and execution of government contracts. With increased capital, Intermap plans to accelerate its programs and augment its services.

In connection with the Offerings, the Company paid to Beacon cash commissions equal to C$675,570.37 and an advisory fee of C$13,500. The Company also issued Beacon 177,420 non-transferrable compensation options in respect of the LIFE Offering (the “LIFE Offering Options”) and 122,834 non-transferrable compensation options in respect of the Concurrent Private Placement (the “Private Placement Options”, and together with the LIFE Offering Options, the “Compensation Options”). Each Compensation Option entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share from the Company, at US$1.56850 in respect of the LIFE Offering Options and US$1.67306 in respect of the Private Placement Options, on or before February 20, 2027.

The Common Shares sold pursuant to the LIFE Offering will not be subject to a hold period in Canada. The Common Shares sold pursuant to the Concurrent Private Placement are subject to the statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Intermap Reader Advisory
Certain information provided in this news release, including reference to the availability of proceeds from the Offerings and the intended use of proceeds in the Offerings in connection therewith, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words “will”, “intends”, “expected to”, “subject to” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap’s forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, the nature of government contracts, including changing political circumstances in the relevant jurisdictions, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

About Intermap Technologies
Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation.

For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
Jennifer Bakken
Executive Vice President and CFO
CFO@intermap.com
+1 (303) 708-0955

Sean Peasgood
Investor Relations
Sean@SophicCapital.com
+1 (647) 260-9266

The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy to Present Keynote Speech and Announced as the Diamond Sponsor of the SMR Canada Summit 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Canada Summit 2025 will be held in Strathcona County, Alberta on March 4-5, 2025

New York, N.Y., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it is the Diamond Sponsor of the upcoming SMR Canada Summit 2025, to be held in Strathcona County, Alberta on March 4-5, 2025. Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development James Walker will lead a keynote presentation titled “Finding Opportunities in the Resurgent Nuclear Energy Industry” on Tuesday, March 4^th, at 9:30am.

SMR Canada Summit serves as a vital platform for educating and informing local entrepreneurs, government officials, and the broader community about the potential of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia as pioneering sites for nuclear development in Western Canada. The Summit features in-depth discussions on a variety of critical topics, including site development, safety protocols, transportation logistics, cutting-edge technology, community engagement strategies, economic impacts, and workforce development, bringing together all the relevant stakeholders including technology suppliers, EPC’s, governments, regulators, utilities, First Nations, NGO’s and end users.

By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across Canada, the event not only provides valuable insights but also fosters a well-informed and engaged community prepared to participate in and support the responsible growth of nuclear energy in the region.

“The Canadian government has shown considerable support for advanced nuclear technologies as the country strives to achieve 100% net-zero carbon electricity by 2050,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “This summit reflects the nation’s commitment to fostering innovation and the eventual deployment of small modular and micro reactor energy systems. We’re pleased to play a role in driving these efforts forward with our high technology readiness level KRONOS MMR^™ reactor energy system and the continuation of proactive discussions with the Canadian National Laboratory and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.”

The recently acquired KRONOS MMR^™ energy system was the first small modular reactor to enter the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) formal licensing review. Following the close of this acquisition, NANO Nuclear has focused on reestablishing and advancing discussions with the CNSC to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and to move the energy system into the next phase of review.

Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Announced as the Diamond Sponsor of the SMR Canada Summit 2025, to be held in Strathcona County, Alberta on March 4-5, 2025.

“This summit will play a pivotal role in fostering a robust nuclear energy industry nationwide and I’m thrilled to engage with Canada’s leading professionals,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “NANO Nuclear aims to establish itself as the premiere small modular and micro reactor innovator in Canada. Our acquisition of KRONOS MMR^™ energy system positions us to take an active role in the country’s expanding energy sector, paving the way for high-level discussions with Canadian regulators and laboratories integral to meeting Canada’s ambitious clean-energy goals. I look forward to delivering a keynote address to some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated experts in Canada’s nuclear sector and collaborating with them to establish the nation as a leader in advanced energy technologies.”

About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

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

Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors. NANO Nuclear is also developing patented stationary KRONOS MMR^™ Energy System and space focused, portable LOKI MMR^™.

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

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

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

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

For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

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

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

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The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Quantum Computing Solutions Big Influence on Commercial & Military Drone Applications Drastically Improving Operations

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Recent reports on the quantum computing market all seem to project substantial growth for years to come and will enter into a multitude of uses… including drones. A recent International Conference of Intelligent Computing & Optimization Conference paper, titled “Enhancing Privacy and Security for UAV and IoT Enabled Drones an Intelligent Integration of Blockchain, AI, and Quantum Computing” had this to say, in part: “Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones have seen an upsurge in their usage in various industries due to the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT). Nevertheless, the extensive use of these technologies has given rise to concerns over privacy, data integrity, and security. This research presents a pioneering approach to tackle these challenges by amalgamating Blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing. By virtue of its decentralized and immutable nature, blockchain can safeguard data integrity for UAVs and drones. A blockchain-based system can store all drone data transfers on distributed ledgers, thus enhancing transparency and reducing the risk of malicious tampering. The use of AI can significantly benefit drone operations and decision-making. AI systems empower drones to dynamically reroute themselves, predict potential security hazards, and adapt to new situations. Furthermore, AI’s real-time data processing can enhance anomaly detection and response times. Quantum computing, although still in its nascent stages, furnishes unparalleled processing capability. Drone data encryption is almost unfeasible to decrypt using conventional computing methods, as per quantum-enhanced security protocols that can be devised owing to quantum physics.” Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS), Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT), IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), Quantum Corporation (NASDAQ: QMCO).

The article continued: “Additionally, quantum computing can expedite complex route enhancements, thereby considerably augmenting drone output. The amalgamation of Blockchain, AI, and Quantum Computing has provided a comprehensive solution to the privacy and security apprehensions concerning UAVs and IoT-enabled drones. The forthcoming drone operations are expected to reap the benefits of the most promising features of these technologies, thereby elevating the benchmark for efficiency, openness, and safety. This study’s investigation provides insights into the advantages… of these integration mechanisms. An Abstract from yet another scholarly paper on ScienceDirect.com titled: “Futuristic view of the Internet of Quantum Drones: Review, challenges and research agenda”, said this: “The disruptive technology of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, is a trend with increasing applications and practical relevance in the current and future society. Despite the common interest in drones for commercial deliveries, the use of this disruptive technology can be examined in the contexts of other world strategic demands such as climate change issues and traffic management. As of very recently, some drone-related futuristic disruptive technologies, including quantum drones (QD), the Internet of Quantum Drones (IoQDs), and a constellation of quantum satellites (CQS), are expected to be a breakthrough technology in strategic areas of society.”

ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Quantum Computing “Sky Traffic” Project Demonstrates High Accuracy in Initial Testing Leading to Expansion of Team and AI Drone Applications for Commercial and Defense – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces positive results from initial testing and an update on its Quantum Computing Sky Traffic project. An initial test using the Company’s AI algorithms and quantum computing to predict weather has resulted in a high level of accuracy for the parameters tested including actual temperatures verses predicted temperatures in the test which used 2016 data.

Due in part to these encouraging results, ZenaTech is now growing its internal team over the next two months. As part of the ramp up, the Company is adding additional quantum, AI and hardware engineers, and optimization specialists and is engaged in recruiting staff from physics facilities at international universities, including researchers, instructors, and Ph.D. candidates.

“The Sky Traffic project leverages AI and quantum computing to process vast data streams to improve the accuracy and speed of weather forecasting that can also apply to the innovation of many other commercial and defense applications utilizing drones. Our hiring strategy focuses on assembling a multidisciplinary team of quantum and AI specialists, and hardware and aerospace engineers to help us revolutionize autonomous drones. By combining quantum algorithms with advanced machine learning, we can optimize navigation, decision-making, and real-time data processing for next-generation aerial intelligence,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

ZenaTech launched the Sky Traffic project in November 2024, which will utilize its AI drones, quantum computing, and specialized quantum and AI teams to develop and test advanced applications for traffic management, weather forecasting, wildfire management and defense applications using large datasets, Amazon Web Services, and computing devices and platforms.

AI Drones are used in weather forecasting to collect real-time atmospheric data from hard-to-reach areas, such as storm systems or remote regions, providing valuable input for weather models. Quantum computers can then analyze this vast and complex data much faster and more accurately, improving weather predictions and enhancing the ability to forecast extreme events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires.

AI and quantum computing can work together to make defense drones smarter, faster, and more efficient using a single drone or a swarm of multiple drones. AI helps drones analyze data, recognize objects, and make decisions on their own, while quantum computing can process massive amounts of information much faster than regular computers. For example, a defense drone using AI can detect enemy movement, but adding quantum computing allows it to analyze complex battlefield data instantly and find the best flight path or strategy in real time. This combination improves reaction speed, mission accuracy, and overall drone performance, making them more effective for surveillance, reconnaissance, and security operations.

Quantum computing is an emergent field of cutting-edge computer science harnessing the unique qualities of quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond the ability of even the most powerful classical computers of today, to process massively complicated mathematical problems and data at orders of magnitude faster speeds.

The ZenaDrone 1000 is a multifunction autonomous drone, in a VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) quadcopter design with eight rotors; it is considered a medium-sized drone measuring 12X7 feet in size. It is designed for stable flight, maneuverability, heavy lift capabilities up to 40 kilos, incorporating innovative software technology, AI, sensors, and purpose-built attachments, along with compact and rugged hardware engineered for industrial and defense use for a variety of inspection, surveillance or tracking applications. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

Other recent developments in the markets include:

D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) and the Julich Supercomputing Centre (“JSC”) at Forschungszentrum Julich (“FZJ”) have recently announced that FZJ has purchased a D-Wave quantum computer, becoming the first high-performance computing (HPC) center in the world to own a D-Wave Advantage(TM) annealing quantum computing system.

With the purchase of the world’s largest quantum computer and Europe’s first quantum computer with more than 5,000 qubits and 15-way connectivity, the Julich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum computing (JUNIQ), a public quantum computing user facility deployed by JSC, gains complete access to all aspects of the system. This will allow it to integrate the D-Wave system with Julich’s JUPITER exascale supercomputer in the future, potentially enabling breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum optimization. JSC’s system will be upgraded to D-Wave’s next-generation Advantage2 processor once available. The Advantage2 system is expected to deliver significant performance gains with doubled coherence, increased connectivity and a 40 percent boost to the energy scale for advanced problem solving.

Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT) recently announced it has received a fifth purchase order for its thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chip foundry. The latest order comes from a research group based in Canada to support its research efforts on quantum photonics.

As part of the order, QCi will provide the research group with custom test structures based on its TFLN photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip technology. These test structures will serve as a baseline for advanced designs, such as periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) components, which are essential for generating entangled photons and optical frequency conversion. Under this order agreement, the research group will also receive priority access and preferred rates for future multi-project wafer (MPW) runs offered by QCi.

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) and General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics, recently announced a partnership to bring the power of quantum computing to government and defense sectors.

IonQ and GDIT are partnering to combine GDIT’s deep technical and government agency mission expertise with IonQ’s pioneering quantum technology. Together, the companies will co-develop and market advanced quantum processing and networking applications to address high-impact use cases, including quantum AI extensions, resource optimization, and anomaly detection. This collaboration aims to deliver transformative capabilities for federal, and state governments, meeting critical challenges with cutting-edge solutions.

Quantum Corporation (NASDAQ: QMCO) recently announced scalability enhancements to its Quantum Myriad ^® all-flash file system, making it the first solution to offer incremental, in-place system scaling with dynamic, automatic data leveling. These advancements deliver unmatched flexibility and adaptability in a modern, all-flash file system so customers can meet their evolving storage requirements in the era of AI.

The new scalability features enable customers to start with as few as five partially populated NVMe Storage Server nodes, then expand in increments of one or more nodes at a time with the additional storage available in minutes, with no need for admin intervention, and no impact or interruption to user operation. Customers will be able to continue adding nodes as their needs grow, increasing capacity while maintaining linear performance with automatic data leveling across all nodes as new Storage Server nodes are added.

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DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty four hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

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The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Exodus Expands Crypto Access to Venmo Users Through MoonPay Integration

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exodus, a leading self-custodial crypto wallet provider, today announced the integration of Venmo as a payment method through its partnership with MoonPay, a global payments infrastructure provider. This integration empowers Venmo’s more than 60 million monthly active users to buy cryptocurrency through their Venmo accounts via the Exodus Mobile wallet app.

Now available for users in the U.S., Bitcoin and crypto purchases can be made immediately through a simple process in the Exodus app by selecting Venmo as the preferred payment method through MoonPay’s secure checkout interface. Offering greater payment flexibility and choice, the integration makes digital asset ownership practical and more accessible for everyday users.

This new feature adds to the existing array of payment options available on Exodus such as debit and credit card, as well as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfers.

“By integrating Venmo through MoonPay, we’re making cryptocurrency more accessible to tens of millions of Americans who already know, trust, and use Venmo for their daily transactions. This partnership represents another step in our mission to empower individuals in the digital economy,” said Kevin Wood, Director of Revenue Operations at Exodus.

“MoonPay is thrilled to bring Venmo as a payment method to Exodus’s millions of users,” said Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO and co-founder of MoonPay. “Venmo revolutionized online payments, and now Exodus users can leverage that same ease when buying crypto. This integration enhances accessibility, providing a fast, familiar, and frictionless way for users to fund their wallets directly from Venmo.”

About Exodus
Exodus empowers individuals to take control of their lives in a digital world with secure, user-friendly crypto software. Since 2015, Exodus has made digital assets accessible through self-custodial wallets that put users in full control of their funds, enabling seamless swaps, buys, and sells. For businesses, Exodus offers Passkeys Wallet and XO Swap, leading solutions for embedded crypto wallets and swap aggregation. Committed to accessible and secure finance, Exodus is shaping the future of digital ownership. Learn more at exodus.com or follow us on X at x.com/exodus.

About MoonPay
MoonPay creates a world where you own your digital future, giving you control of your identity, money, property and data. Our end-to-end solutions simplify access to payments and experiences for 20M+ people across 180+ countries. As a leading financial technology company with crypto expertise, MoonPay is trusted by iconic global brands to power creation and movement of digital value. Learn more at moonpay.com or follow them on X at x.com/moonpay.

Investor Contact
investors@exodus.com

The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Sprout Social Recognized by G2’s Best Software Awards for the Ninth Consecutive Year
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CHICAGO, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprout Social (Nasdaq: SPT), an industry-leading provider of cloud-based social media management software, has been recognized by G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards. This is the ninth consecutive year Sprout has received this recognition, which ranks the world’s best software companies and products based on authentic, timely reviews from users. Sprout Social is featured as a top company across 7 award categories, including:
- Global Software Companies
- Best Software Product
- Best Product for Marketing and Digital Advertising
- Highest Satisfaction Products
Today’s consumers expect brands to not only be on social media but to use their social presence to provide quick and personalized care, creative and inspiring content and to engage with culture in a relevant and genuine way. Continuing to earn top recognitions by G2’s annual awards reflects the essential role of social media software in enabling brands to make the most of social in this evolving environment and create lasting impact.

“Social media is mission critical for today’s organizations and we’ve built a platform that helps the world’s top brands build social campaigns that drive revenue, increase awareness and set their businesses up for competitive, lasting success,” said Scott Morris, Chief Marketing Officer, Sprout Social. “Being recognized by G2 for nine consecutive years is an incredible testament of Sprout’s commitment to innovation and to delivering solutions that help our customers increase their social sophistication and meet growing consumer demands on social.”

In the past year, Sprout Social has continued to enhance its platform. Innovations include a suite of AI-powered solutions, its rebranded influencer platform—Sprout Social Influencer Marketing—and deeper integrations with industry-leading organizations like Salesforce. These advancements, along with new strategic partnerships across various sectors, have delivered ongoing value for its customers as they elevate their social strategies.

Sprout Social earned recognition on G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards because of customer feedback, including:

“The detailed analytics provided by Sprout give us actionable insights, helping us refine our strategies and demonstrate clear ROI to our clients. It’s not just about managing posts; it’s about having a comprehensive understanding of our social media impact, which Sprout makes possible with minimal hassle.”

“Sprout has consistently been the best social management tool I’ve used at various organizations. I have used it since 2011. It is always improving and keeping up with the latest trends in social media without over-inflating the cost like many other services. Its integration of AI tools has been well thought out and actually adds value.”

“The suite of tools offered by Sprout Social has helped us expand our social media program efficiently! From publishing to analytics to employee advocacy, we have used these tools to operationalize social media programs, establish efficient workflows, and make strategic decisions based on detailed analytics. These tools have also enabled us to expand our social media presence and rally the entire organization around our social media efforts.”

Learn about G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards or read more reviews directly from Sprout users here.

About Sprout Social

Sprout Social is a global leader in social media management and analytics software. Sprout’s intuitive platform puts powerful social data into the hands of approximately 30,000 brands so they can deliver smarter, faster business impact. Sprout offers comprehensive publishing and engagement functionality, customer care, influencer marketing, advocacy, and AI-powered business intelligence. Sprout’s software operates across all major social media networks and digital platforms. For more information about Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT), visit sproutsocial.com.

Social Media Profiles:
www.twitter.com/SproutSocial
www.twitter.com/SproutSocialIR
www.facebook.com/SproutSocialInc
www.linkedin.com/company/sprout-social-inc-/
www.instagram.com/sproutsocial

Contact
Media:
Kaitlyn Gronek
Email: pr@sproutsocial.com
Phone: (773) 904-9674

Investors:
Lexi Johnson
Twitter: @SproutSocialIR
Email: lexi.johnson@sproutsocial.com
Phone: (312) 528-9166

The MIL Network –
February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Women Founders Face Persistent Funding Gaps—Philadelphia Event Aims to Accelerate Action
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In recognition of International Women’s Day and its 2025 theme, “Accelerate Action,” Keiretsu Forum MST and Pennovation Works will host the Women Founders Showcase on March 5, 2025. This event will bring together investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to address the critical funding gap for women-led startups and highlight opportunities for investment, mentorship, and collaboration.

Despite progress in entrepreneurship, women-led startups continue to receive less than 2% of venture capital funding annually, according to PitchBook. The Women Founders Showcase aims to address this disparity by connecting investors with women-led companies that are actively raising capital and driving innovation in their respective industries.

Event Details:
Date: March 5, 2025
Location: Pennovation Works, Philadelphia
Time: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Registration: https://bit.ly/AccelerateAction

The event will feature six presenting companies who are actively funding, a keynote from Mellie Chow, and a panel discussion with seasoned investors and founders. Mellie Chow, a venture partner at Archangel Axion Fund, has spent over 20 years investing in and advising early-stage companies. Her keynote, “What IFF We Could Accelerate Action?”, will challenge investors, founders, and funders to drive meaningful change in startup funding.

Presenting Companies:
- Actuated Medical (Maureen Mulvihill) – Developing motion-based medical devices for precision healthcare.
- Relavo Medical (Sarah Lee) – Innovating safer, at-home dialysis solutions.
- Couplet Care (Stacie McEnyre) – Enhancing maternal and infant care through patient-centered innovations.
- InnovoTex (Krystle Karoscik) – Advancing drug delivery for hard-to-treat cancers.
- ConferenceConnect.com (Ashley Wilson) – A platform improving networking and collaboration at professional events.
- Baleena (Julia Yan) – Reducing microplastic pollution through an accessible filtration device.
Panel Discussion: Addressing Key Challenges for Founders and Funders
Following the keynote, a panel of investors, funders, and founders will discuss actionable strategies for securing funding, managing business growth, and building strong advisory networks. Topics will include:
- Exploring funding opportunities beyond venture capital, including angel investment, crowdfunding, and grants.
- Structuring early-stage companies for scalability and protecting intellectual property.
- Recruiting the right advisors, mentors, and board members.
- Navigating the emotional and strategic challenges of entrepreneurship.
Panelists include Ellen Weber (Robin Hood Ventures & Mid-Atlantic Diamond Angels), Mellie Chow (Archangel Venture Partners), Lindsay R. Mozdziock (Morgan Lewis), Louise Klein (Courage Partners), Ashley Wilson (Investor & Entrepreneur), Julia Anthony (SOLUtion Medical), Mical Jeanlys-White (WealthMore), and Maureen Mulvihill (Actuated Medical).

Why This Event Matters
Women founders bring innovation, leadership, and measurable economic impact to their industries, yet they face persistent challenges in securing funding. The Women Founders Showcase provides a platform to change that by fostering direct connections between investors and women-led businesses that are ready for growth. This event serves as both an educational opportunity and a direct pathway to investment and business development.

Media Contact:

Cindi Sutera
Keiretsu Forum- MST
Program Director and Communications Specialist
CindiS@AMSCommunications.net and 610-613-2773

The MIL Network –
February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Ding’an County in Hainan sees bumper harvest of cherry tomatoes

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

Ding’an County in Hainan sees bumper harvest of cherry tomatoes

Updated: February 20, 2025 21:32 Xinhua

Villagers sort freshly harvested cherry tomatoes for packing in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 19, 2025. It has come to the harvest season of about 10,000 mu (667 hectares) of cherry tomato in Ding’an County, with the yield increasing significantly compared to previous years. In recent years, Ding’an County spares no effort to develop local cherry tomato industry by introducing high-quality cherry tomato varieties, promoting green farming technologies and strengthening brand development. As a result, the quality and market competitiveness of local cherry tomato have been significantly improved. Local cherry tomato association has set up e-commerce platforms to expand sale channels and help farmers increase their income. As a highlight of the region’s characteristic agriculture, the cherry tomato industry in Ding’an County has formed a complete industrial chain by integrating planting, harvesting and sales. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 19, 2025 shows the cherry tomato fields in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A villager takes care of cherry tomato plants in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers pack freshly harvested cherry tomatoes in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 19, 2025 shows villagers picking cherry tomatoes in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A villager picks cherry tomatoes in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 19, 2025 shows villagers taking care of cherry tomato plants in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers sort and pack freshly harvested cherry tomatoes in Tanli Village of Ding’an County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: A fiscal crisis is looming for many US cities

Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Rennie Short, Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Houston residents at a flooded park after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, July 8, 2024. Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. cities are still adjusting to a new normal, with more people working remotely and less economic activity in city centers. Other factors, such as underfunded pension plans for municipal employees, are pushing many city budgets into the red.

Urban fiscal struggles are not new, but historically they have mainly affected U.S. cities that are small, poor or saddled with incompetent managers. Today, however, even large cities, including Chicago, Houston and San Francisco, are under serious financial stress.

This is a looming nationwide threat, driven by factors that include climate change, declining downtown activity, loss of federal funds and large pension and retirement commitments.

Spending cuts abound in many U.S. cities as inflation lingers and pandemic-era stimulus dries up.

Why cities struggle

Many U.S. cities have faced fiscal crises over the past century, for diverse reasons. Most commonly, stress occurs after an economic downturn or sharp fall in tax revenues.

Florida municipalities began to default in 1926 after the collapse of a land boom. Municipal defaults were common across the nation in the 1930s during the Great Depression: As unemployment rose, relief burdens swelled and tax collections dwindled.

In 1934 Congress amended the U.S. bankruptcy code to allow municipalities to file formally for bankruptcy. Subsequently, 27 states enacted laws that authorized cities to become debtors and seek bankruptcy protection.

Declaring bankruptcy was not a cure-all. It allowed cities to refinance debt or stretch out payment schedules, but it also could lead to higher taxes and fees for residents, and lower pay and benefits for city employees. And it could stigmatize a city for many years afterward.

In the 1960s and 1970s, many urban residents and businesses left cities for adjoining suburbs. Many cities, including New York, Cleveland and Philadelphia, found it difficult to repay debts as their tax bases shrank.

The New York Daily News, Oct. 30, 1975, after U.S. President Gerald Ford ruled out providing federal aid to save the city from bankruptcy. Several months later, Ford signed legislation authorizing federal loans.
Edward Stojakovic/Flickr, CC BY

In the wake of the 2008-2009 housing market collapse, cities including Detroit, San Bernardino, California, and Stockton, California, filed for bankruptcy. Other cities faced similar difficulties but were located in states that did not allow municipalities to declare bankruptcy.

Even large, affluent jurisdictions could go off the financial rails. For example, Orange County, California, went bankrupt in 2002 after its treasurer, Robert Citron, pursued a risky investment strategy of complex leveraging deals, losing some $1.65 billion in taxpayer funds.

Today, cities face a convergence of rising costs and decreasing revenues in many places. As I see it, the urban fiscal crisis is now a pervasive national challenge.

Climate-driven disasters

Climate change and its attendant increase in major disasters are putting financial pressure on municipalities across the country.

Events like wildfires and flooding have twofold effects on city finances. First, money has to be spent on rebuilding damaged infrastructure, such as roads, water lines and public buildings. Second, after the disaster, cities may either act on their own or be required under state or federal law to make expensive investments in preparation for the next storm or wildfire.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (center) discusses wildfire recovery in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 27, 2025. Cleaning up after the wildfires, which destroyed more than 16,000 structures, will include disposing of several million tons of toxic ash and debris.
Drew A. Kelley/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images

In Houston, for example, court rulings after multiple years of severe flooding are forcing the city to spend $100 million on street repairs and drainage by mid-2025. This requirement will expand the deficit in Houston’s annual budget to $330 million.

In Massachusetts, towns on Cape Cod are spending millions of dollars to switch from septic systems to public sewer lines and upgrade wastewater treatment plants. Population growth has sharply increased water pollution on the Cape, and climate change is promoting blooms of toxic algae that feed on nutrients in wastewater.

Increasing uncertainty about the total costs of mitigating and adapting to climate change will inevitably lead rating agencies to downgrade municipal credit ratings. This raises cities’ costs to borrow money for climate-related projects like protecting shorelines and improving wastewater treatment.

Underfunded pensions

Cities also spend a lot of money on employees, and many large cities are struggling to fund pensions and health benefits for their workforces. As municipal retirees live longer and require more health care, the costs are mounting.

For example, Chicago currently faces a budget deficit of nearly $1 billion, which stems partly from underfunded retirement benefits for nearly 30,000 public employees. The city has $35 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and almost $2 billion in unfunded retiree health benefits. Chicago’s teachers are owed $14 billion in unfunded benefits.

Policy studies have shown for years that politicians tend to underfund retirement and pension benefits for public employees. This approach offloads the real cost of providing police, fire protection and education onto future taxpayers.

Struggling downtowns and less federal support

Cities aren’t just facing rising costs – they’re also losing revenues. In many U.S. cities, retail and commercial office economies are declining. Developers have overbuilt commercial properties, creating an excess supply. More unleased properties will mean lower tax revenues.

At the same time, pandemic-related federal aid that cushioned municipal finances from 2020 through 2024 is dwindling.

State and local governments received $150 billion through the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and an additional $130 billion through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. Now, however, this federal largesse – which some cities used to fill mounting fiscal cracks – is at an end.

In my view, President Donald Trump’s administration is highly unlikely to bail out urban areas – especially more liberal cities like Detroit, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Trump has portrayed large cities governed by Democrats in the darkest terms – for example, calling Baltimore a “rodent-infested mess” and Washington, D.C., a “dirty, crime-ridden death trap.” I expect that Trump’s animus against big cities, which was a staple of his 2024 campaign, could become a hallmark of his second term.

Detroit officials respond to disparaging remarks about the city by Donald Trump during a campaign speech in Detroit, Oct. 10, 2024.

Resistance to new taxes

Cities can generate revenue from taxes on sales, businesses, property and utilities. However, increasing municipal taxes – particularly property taxes – can be very difficult.

In 1978, California adopted Proposition 13 – a ballot measure that limited property tax increases to the rate of inflation or 2% per year, whichever is lower. This high-profile campaign created a widespread narrative that property taxes were out of control and made it very hard for local officials to support property tax increases.

Thanks to caps like Prop 13, a persistent public view that taxes are too high and political resistance, property taxes have tended to lag behind inflation in many parts of the country.

The crunch

Taking these factors together, I see a fiscal crunch coming for U.S. cities. Small cities with low budgets are particularly vulnerable. But so are larger, more affluent cities, such as San Francisco with its collapsing downtown office market, or Houston, New York and Miami, which face growing costs from climate change.

Workers in North Miami Beach, Fla., distribute sandbags to residents to help prevent flooding as Hurricane Milton approaches the state on Oct. 8, 2024.
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

One city manager who runs an affluent municipality in the Pacific Northwest told me that in these difficult circumstances, politicians need to be more frank and open with their constituents and explain convincingly and compellingly how and why taxpayer money is being spent.

Efforts to balance city budgets are opportunities to build consensus with the public about what municipalities can do, and at what cost. The coming months will show whether politicians and city residents are ready for these hard conversations.

John Rennie Short 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 fiscal crisis is looming for many US cities – https://theconversation.com/a-fiscal-crisis-is-looming-for-many-us-cities-249436

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trump order boosts school choice, but there’s little evidence vouchers lead to smarter students or better educational outcomes

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Charles J. Russo, Joseph Panzer Chair in Education and Research Professor of Law, University of Dayton

Surveys suggest growing support for school choice, such as in Ohio, even as voters reject such policies in referendums. AP Photo/Samantha Hendrickson

The school choice movement received a major boost on Jan. 29, 2025, when President Donald Trump issued an executive order supporting families who want to use public money to send their children to private schools.

The far-reaching order aims to redirect federal funds to voucher-type programs. Vouchers typically afford parents the freedom to select nonpublic schools, including faith-based ones, using all or a portion of the public funds set aside to educate their children.

But research shows that as a consequence, this typically drains funding from already cash-strapped public schools.

We are professors who focus on education law, with special interests in educational equity and school choice programs. While proponents of school choice claim it leads to academic gains, we don’t see much evidence to support this view – but we do see the negative impact they sometimes have on public schools.

The rise of school choice

The vast majority of children in the U.S. attend traditional public schools. Their share, however, has steadily declined from 87% in 2011 to about 83% in 2021, at least in part due to the growth of school choice programs such as vouchers.

Modern voucher programs expanded significantly during the late 1980s and early 1990s as states, cities and local school boards experimented with ways to allow parents to use public funds to send their kids to nonpublic schools, especially ones that are religiously affiliated.

While some programs were struck down for violating the separation of church and state, others were upheld. Vouchers received a big shot in the arm in 2002, when the Supreme Court ruled in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris that the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause permitted states to include faith-based schools in their voucher programs in Cleveland.

Following Zelman, vouchers became a more realistic political option. Even so, access to school choice programs varied greatly by state and was not as dramatic as supporters may have wished. Because the Constitution is silent on education, states largely control school voucher programs.

Currently, 13 states and Washington, D.C., offer one or several school choice programs targeting different types of students. Total U.S. enrollment in such programs surpassed 1 million for the first time in 2024, double what it was in 2020, according to EdChoice, which advocates for school-choice policies.

Voters, however, have taken a dim view of voucher programs. By one count, they’ve turned down referendums on vouchers 17 times, according to the National Coalition for Public Education, a group that opposes the policy.

Most recently, three states rejected school choice programs in the November 2024 elections. Kentucky voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to enshrine school choice into commonwealth law, while Nebraska voters chose to repeal its voucher program. Colorado also rejected a “right” to school choice, but more narrowly.

In 2025, Tennessee became the 13th state to pass some sort of school choice program, despite opposition from public school supporters.
AP Photo/George Walker IV

Trump’s order

At its heart, Trump’s executive order would offer discretionary grants and issue guidance to states over using federal funds within this K-12 scholarship program. It also directs the Department of Interior and Department of Defense to make vouchers available to Native American and military families.

In addition, the order directs the Department of Education to provide guidance on how states can better support school choice – though it’s unclear exactly what that will mean. It’s a task that will be left for Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee for secretary of Education, once she is confirmed.

Trump promoted school choice in his first term as well but failed to win enough congressional support to include it in the federal budget.

Research suggests few academic gains from vouchers

The push to give parents more choice over where to send their children is based on the assumption that doing so will provide them with a better education.

In the order, Trump specifically cites disappointing data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress showing that 70% of eighth graders are below proficient in reading, while 72% are below proficient in mathematics.

Voucher advocates point to research that school choice boosts test scores and improves educational attainment.

But other data don’t always back up the notion that school choice policies meaningfully improve student outcomes. A 2023 review of the past decade of research on the topic by the Brookings Institution found that the introduction of a voucherlike program actually led to lower academic achievement – similar to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 2017 review by a Stanford economist Martin Carnoy published by the Economic Policy Institute similarly found little evidence vouchers improve school outcomes. While there were some modest gains in graduation rates, they were outweighed by the risks to funding public school systems.

Indeed, vouchers have been shown to reduce funding to public schools, especially in rural areas, and hurt public education in other ways, such as by making it harder for schools to afford qualified teachers.

Critics of voucher programs also fear that nonpublic schools may discriminate
against some students, such as those who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. There are some reports of this already happening in Wisconsin. Unlike legislation governing traditional public schools, state laws regulating voucher programs often do not include comprehensive anti-discrimination provisions.

School reform

Criticisms of voucher programs aside, many parents who support them do so based on the hope that their children will have more affordable, high-quality educational options. This was especially true in Zelman, in which the Supreme Court upheld the rights of parents to remove their kids from Cleveland’s struggling public schools.

There is little doubt in our minds that in some cases school choice affords some parents in low-performing districts additional options for their children’s education.

But in general, the evidence shows that is the exception to vouchers, not the rule. Evidence also suggests most children – whether they’re using vouchers to attend nonpublic schools or remain in the public school system – may not always benefit from school choice programs. And when it takes money out of underfunded public school systems, school choice can make things worse for a lot more children than it benefits.

While the poor reading and math scores cited in Trump’s executive order suggest that change is needed to help keep America’s school and students competitive, this order may not achieve that goal.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Trump order boosts school choice, but there’s little evidence vouchers lead to smarter students or better educational outcomes – https://theconversation.com/trump-order-boosts-school-choice-but-theres-little-evidence-vouchers-lead-to-smarter-students-or-better-educational-outcomes-249138

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Devon and Cornwall farmers called on to prevent run-off incidents
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Reports of rain washing loose soil off farm fields nearly doubles compared to same period last year.
Soil run-off incidents nearly doubled in Devon and Cornwall last month

The Environment Agency is calling on farmers in Devon and Cornwall to prevent loose soil washing off farm fields into rivers, roads and homes.

January saw 25 incidents of heavy rain carrying loose soil running from fields – nearly double the number of incidents reported the same time last year – with officers making 14 visits to farms to investigate and a further 11 visits planned.

Laura Bentley, a land management project officer with the Environment Agency, said:

The windows of dry weather in autumn can be so short that large farms don’t have time to get around all their land when soil conditions are right, to establish crop cover ahead of the winter rains.

Employing reduced tillage – minimal disturbance of the soil – and drilling seed into compacted earth no longer works in Devon and Cornwall in this changed climate. Winter cereals and cover crops aren’t taking, and bare, compacted soil is exposed to the elements and prone to run-off.

Farmers are losing crops, top soil, organic matter and nutrients to run-off incidents plus the costs of recultivating and resowing fields, time, fuel, seed and fertiliser.

What can be done to prevent soil run-off pollution?

Farmers can better prepare for winter weather by:

digging a hole with a spade and looking to see if there is compaction, how deep it goes then remove it with the correct cultivation kit

having access to a range of cultivation equipment, capable of working the soils at different depths

risk assessing their land using the agency’s ALERT system – prioritising the highest risk areas for cultivation and drilling

having a Plan B if cover crops and winter cereals don’t establish

installing measures to prevent run-off from reaching property and watercourses

Run-off can result in action being taken if it breaches the Farming Rules for Water and Environmental Permitting Regulations. The Environment Agency will give advice and guidance, but it will issue formal warnings and take enforcement action where needed.

Residents who see discoloured water running off farm fields which could threaten roads, rivers and properties can report it to the Environment Agency’s 24/7 incident hotline – 0800 807060.

Background

ALERT

The free Environment Agency mapping tool ALERT stands for The Agricultural Land & Environment Risk and Opportunity Tool and is publicly available on the Farming Advice Service website to help all land managers.

It will help assess a field’s risk for causing pollution or surface water flooding and takes slope, LiDAR data – which shows where water will flow in extreme weather events, and soil type into account to indicate the inherent risk of a field. ALERT helps inform land managers’ decision making and avoid planting high-risk crops in unsuitable fields or mitigating them.

Farming regulations involving water now in single booklet

To support farmers with compliance, the EA has launched a brand-new printed booklet, with all guidance on water-related agriculture regulations.

A summary of all the water-based regulatory guidance is now in one place. To receive your free copy, email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or call the NCCC on 03708 506 506.

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Published 20 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FMQs: Greens call for White House apology for Vance lies

Source: Scottish Greens

20 Feb 2025 Health

Abortion rights are healthcare and must be defended.

More in Health

The First Minister has been urged to back calls for a White House apology for the lies and misinformation peddled by Vice President JD Vance about safe access zones in Scotland.

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay introduced the bill that secured 200 metre wide safe access zones, or buffer zones, around abortion service providers to stop the intimidating anti-choice protests that were taking place across Scotland.

In a speech last week, VP Vance claimed that people in Scotland were told that private prayer in their own homes would be against the law within a safe access zone and that people were encouraged to report anyone they thought guilty of “thought crime.” This has never been true.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater condemned Vance’s comments and the planned anti-choice protests outside hospitals.

In her first question to the First Minister, Ms Slater said:

“This week, US Vice President JD Vance has spread misinformation about laws made in this Scottish Parliament.

“His claims about my colleague Gillian Mackay’s Safe Access Zones Act are grossly misleading.

“Emboldened by Mr Vance’s comments, anti-choice groups have already started to target patients outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow, with more actions planned in coming weeks.

“Last summer, members of this Parliament agreed overwhelmingly that everyone should be able to access abortion services free from harassment.

“What is the First Minister doing to correct false claims and provide clarity to the public on what the buffer zones mean for them, and how will he protect safe access to healthcare in Scotland?”

Following the First Minister’s response, in which he emphasised his support for safe access zones, Ms Slater urged the First Minister to back representations to the White House to correct the record.

In her second question, Ms Slater said:

“The White House manufactures mistruths, tech billionaires profit from them and bad faith actors spread them: disinformation is playing an increasingly dangerous role in our communities and in global politics.

“Promoting lies and misinformation, at home and abroad, can have serious consequences for all our communities. Friendly countries do not tell lies about each other.

“Does the First Minister agree that political leaders everywhere must stand up to disinformation – and will he ask Keir Starmer to demand an urgent apology from the White House when the Prime Minister meets Trump next week?”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Deer Lake — Traffic stop by Deer Lake RCMP results in seizure of cocaine, cash and contraband tobacco, two men arrested
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Two men, 44-year-old Shannon Payne of Rocky Harbour and 45-year-old Stephen Goudie of Deer Lake, were arrested by Deer Lake RCMP at a traffic stop that was conducted last night. Police located and seized a quantity of cocaine, cash and contraband tobacco.

Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Deer Lake RCMP stopped a vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway near St. Jude’s. Officers observed suspected cocaine inside the vehicle, arrested both vehicle occupants, Payne and Goudie, and conducted a search.

The following items were seized:
- More than 1 kg of cocaine (approximate value of $35,000)
- 100 cartons of contraband cigarettes (approximate value of $10,000)
- A quantity of cash
- Other items consistent with possession for the purpose of drug trafficking.
Both men appear in court today, charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine – Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
- Possession of unstamped tobacco – Excise Act, 2001.
- Possession of contraband tobacco – Revenue Administration Act
RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

MIL Security OSI –
February 21, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: A fiscal crisis is looming for many US cities

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rennie Short, Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Houston residents at a flooded park after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, July 8, 2024. Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. cities are still adjusting to a new normal, with more people working remotely and less economic activity in city centers. Other factors, such as underfunded pension plans for municipal employees, are pushing many city budgets into the red.

Urban fiscal struggles are not new, but historically they have mainly affected U.S. cities that are small, poor or saddled with incompetent managers. Today, however, even large cities, including Chicago, Houston and San Francisco, are under serious financial stress.

This is a looming nationwide threat, driven by factors that include climate change, declining downtown activity, loss of federal funds and large pension and retirement commitments.

Spending cuts abound in many U.S. cities as inflation lingers and pandemic-era stimulus dries up.

Why cities struggle

Many U.S. cities have faced fiscal crises over the past century, for diverse reasons. Most commonly, stress occurs after an economic downturn or sharp fall in tax revenues.

Florida municipalities began to default in 1926 after the collapse of a land boom. Municipal defaults were common across the nation in the 1930s during the Great Depression: As unemployment rose, relief burdens swelled and tax collections dwindled.

In 1934 Congress amended the U.S. bankruptcy code to allow municipalities to file formally for bankruptcy. Subsequently, 27 states enacted laws that authorized cities to become debtors and seek bankruptcy protection.

Declaring bankruptcy was not a cure-all. It allowed cities to refinance debt or stretch out payment schedules, but it also could lead to higher taxes and fees for residents, and lower pay and benefits for city employees. And it could stigmatize a city for many years afterward.

In the 1960s and 1970s, many urban residents and businesses left cities for adjoining suburbs. Many cities, including New York, Cleveland and Philadelphia, found it difficult to repay debts as their tax bases shrank.

The New York Daily News, Oct. 30, 1975, after U.S. President Gerald Ford ruled out providing federal aid to save the city from bankruptcy. Several months later, Ford signed legislation authorizing federal loans.
Edward Stojakovic/Flickr, CC BY

In the wake of the 2008-2009 housing market collapse, cities including Detroit, San Bernardino, California, and Stockton, California, filed for bankruptcy. Other cities faced similar difficulties but were located in states that did not allow municipalities to declare bankruptcy.

Even large, affluent jurisdictions could go off the financial rails. For example, Orange County, California, went bankrupt in 2002 after its treasurer, Robert Citron, pursued a risky investment strategy of complex leveraging deals, losing some $1.65 billion in taxpayer funds.

Today, cities face a convergence of rising costs and decreasing revenues in many places. As I see it, the urban fiscal crisis is now a pervasive national challenge.

Climate-driven disasters

Climate change and its attendant increase in major disasters are putting financial pressure on municipalities across the country.

Events like wildfires and flooding have twofold effects on city finances. First, money has to be spent on rebuilding damaged infrastructure, such as roads, water lines and public buildings. Second, after the disaster, cities may either act on their own or be required under state or federal law to make expensive investments in preparation for the next storm or wildfire.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (center) discusses wildfire recovery in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Jan. 27, 2025. Cleaning up after the wildfires, which destroyed more than 16,000 structures, will include disposing of several million tons of toxic ash and debris.
Drew A. Kelley/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images

In Houston, for example, court rulings after multiple years of severe flooding are forcing the city to spend $100 million on street repairs and drainage by mid-2025. This requirement will expand the deficit in Houston’s annual budget to $330 million.

In Massachusetts, towns on Cape Cod are spending millions of dollars to switch from septic systems to public sewer lines and upgrade wastewater treatment plants. Population growth has sharply increased water pollution on the Cape, and climate change is promoting blooms of toxic algae that feed on nutrients in wastewater.

Increasing uncertainty about the total costs of mitigating and adapting to climate change will inevitably lead rating agencies to downgrade municipal credit ratings. This raises cities’ costs to borrow money for climate-related projects like protecting shorelines and improving wastewater treatment.

Underfunded pensions

Cities also spend a lot of money on employees, and many large cities are struggling to fund pensions and health benefits for their workforces. As municipal retirees live longer and require more health care, the costs are mounting.

For example, Chicago currently faces a budget deficit of nearly $1 billion, which stems partly from underfunded retirement benefits for nearly 30,000 public employees. The city has $35 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and almost $2 billion in unfunded retiree health benefits. Chicago’s teachers are owed $14 billion in unfunded benefits.

Policy studies have shown for years that politicians tend to underfund retirement and pension benefits for public employees. This approach offloads the real cost of providing police, fire protection and education onto future taxpayers.

Struggling downtowns and less federal support

Cities aren’t just facing rising costs – they’re also losing revenues. In many U.S. cities, retail and commercial office economies are declining. Developers have overbuilt commercial properties, creating an excess supply. More unleased properties will mean lower tax revenues.

At the same time, pandemic-related federal aid that cushioned municipal finances from 2020 through 2024 is dwindling.

State and local governments received $150 billion through the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and an additional $130 billion through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. Now, however, this federal largesse – which some cities used to fill mounting fiscal cracks – is at an end.

In my view, President Donald Trump’s administration is highly unlikely to bail out urban areas – especially more liberal cities like Detroit, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Trump has portrayed large cities governed by Democrats in the darkest terms – for example, calling Baltimore a “rodent-infested mess” and Washington, D.C., a “dirty, crime-ridden death trap.” I expect that Trump’s animus against big cities, which was a staple of his 2024 campaign, could become a hallmark of his second term.

Detroit officials respond to disparaging remarks about the city by Donald Trump during a campaign speech in Detroit, Oct. 10, 2024.

Resistance to new taxes

Cities can generate revenue from taxes on sales, businesses, property and utilities. However, increasing municipal taxes – particularly property taxes – can be very difficult.

In 1978, California adopted Proposition 13 – a ballot measure that limited property tax increases to the rate of inflation or 2% per year, whichever is lower. This high-profile campaign created a widespread narrative that property taxes were out of control and made it very hard for local officials to support property tax increases.

Thanks to caps like Prop 13, a persistent public view that taxes are too high and political resistance, property taxes have tended to lag behind inflation in many parts of the country.

The crunch

Taking these factors together, I see a fiscal crunch coming for U.S. cities. Small cities with low budgets are particularly vulnerable. But so are larger, more affluent cities, such as San Francisco with its collapsing downtown office market, or Houston, New York and Miami, which face growing costs from climate change.

Workers in North Miami Beach, Fla., distribute sandbags to residents to help prevent flooding as Hurricane Milton approaches the state on Oct. 8, 2024.
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

One city manager who runs an affluent municipality in the Pacific Northwest told me that in these difficult circumstances, politicians need to be more frank and open with their constituents and explain convincingly and compellingly how and why taxpayer money is being spent.

Efforts to balance city budgets are opportunities to build consensus with the public about what municipalities can do, and at what cost. The coming months will show whether politicians and city residents are ready for these hard conversations.

John Rennie Short 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 fiscal crisis is looming for many US cities – https://theconversation.com/a-fiscal-crisis-is-looming-for-many-us-cities-249436

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Update 277 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been relying on a single off-site power line for more than a week now after its only remaining back-up line was lost, once again highlighting an extremely fragile nuclear safety situation during the military conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) need a secure supply of external electricity to cool their reactors and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions. However, this has been a major challenge over the past three years, with the ZNPP temporarily losing all off-site power eight times.

In the latest incident affecting the reliability of the supply of power from the grid, its sole 330 kilovolt (kV) back-up power line was disconnected on 11 February and has not yet been fully restored. This leaves Europe’s largest NPP entirely dependent on its only remaining 750 kV line. Before the conflict, it had a total of 10 power lines – six 750 kV and four 330 kV – available.

“The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant still needs reliable supplies of off-site power for cooling purposes, even though its six reactors have been shut down for more than two years now,” Director General Grossi said. “The vulnerability of the external power situation remains a deep source of concern for nuclear safety.”

The ZNPP said the 330 kV line was disconnected last week due to the activation of the electrical protection system. The Ukrainian regulatory body informed the IAEA that it was the result of unspecified military activity and that the power line had been damaged. The IAEA team at the ZNPP currently continues to gather further information regarding the status of the back-up power supply to the site.

Further underlining the constant risks to nuclear safety, the IAEA team based at the site heard an explosion close to the ZNPP on 12 February, coinciding with unconfirmed reports of a drone attack approximately 300 meters from the site. The team has over the past week continued to hear other daily explosions at varying distances from the ZNPP. No damage to the site has been reported.

The IAEA team continues to carry out walkdowns across the ZNPP as part of the work to monitor and assess nuclear safety and security.

The IAEA remains in contact with both sides regarding the next rotation of IAEA personnel at the ZNPP, after it was delayed last week due to intense military activity in the area.

At the Chornobyl NPP site, firefighters are continuing to put out small fires that keep smouldering and spreading on the roof of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), after it was struck on 14 February by a drone that pierced a hole in the large structure built to cover the reactor destroyed in the 1986 accident.

The IAEA team based at the site, which was granted unrestricted access to examine the impact of the explosion, conducts regular walkdowns and radiation measurements to independently monitor the situation. The team’s measurements continue to show normal gamma radiation dose rate values near the NSC compared to those recorded by the IAEA since it established a continuous presence at the site just over two years ago.

The IAEA teams based at Ukraine’s other NPPs – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – have continued to report frequent air raid alarms over the past week and were also informed of the presence of drones within the areas surrounding the respective sites.

MIL Security OSI –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Restoring Scotland’s natural environment
Source: Scottish Government

New targets to enhance nature and protect biodiversity.

Legislative proposals to help restore nature and protect biodiversity in Scotland have been introduced to Parliament.

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, which will now be considered by MSPs, would place a duty on Ministers to set legally-binding nature restoration targets and will modernise how national parks and deer are managed.

The legislation is a key part of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity and complements the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and related delivery plans.

Experts have warned that a decline in biodiversity will make the climate crisis worse while a changing climate will increase the rate of biodiversity loss. The Bill proposes actions to tackle the twin crises of climate change and nature loss with measures to protect biodiversity and reduce harmful carbon emissions.

It will build on the high ambitions set out in the Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plan, which includes over 100 actions to tackle the nature crisis.

If passed by Parliament in due course, the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill would:
- place a duty on Scottish Ministers to set legally-binding targets for nature restoration
- create a power to allow for future amendments to Environmental Impact Assessment legislation and the 1994 Habitats Regulations, to ensure that they remain fit for purpose over time and to flexibly adapt to future requirements, while ensuring that the legislative frameworks continue to effectively underpin environmental protection and assessment processes in Scotland.
- modernise the aims of National Parks and powers of National Park Authorities
- reform the way in which deer are managed through the implementation of many of the recommendations made by the Deer Working Group, through repealing the licensing of venison dealing, and by amending NatureScot’s powers of intervention.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon said:

“We all depend on nature – to provide our food, help prevent flooding, tackle the climate crisis and contribute to our wellbeing. But right now around 11% of species in Scotland are under threat and if we do not take urgent action, nature in Scotland will continue to decline and some important species might be lost forever.

“Our proposals in this Bill can contribute to the Scottish Government’s priority of tackling the climate emergency. The twin crises of climate change and nature loss are interdependent and need to be tackled together.

“Improving our biodiversity is one of the best chances we have to adapt to climate change and ensure we can continue to enjoy nature’s benefits, on which we all depend. However, government cannot do this alone – we must work in partnership with, and use the expertise of, land managers, farmers and crofters.

“We are determined to promote biodiversity, to adapt to climate change, and to ensure we can continue to enjoy the benefits of Scotland’s wonderful nature – and this Bill will help achieve that.”

NatureScot Chair Colin Galbraith said:

“We welcome the introduction of the Natural Environment Bill, and we strongly support the inclusion of statutory targets to protect and restore Scotland’s nature. These are an essential part of achieving the vision set out in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy for the recovery of nature; helping to restore vital habitats and safeguard threatened species. They will also help us build resilience against the impacts of climate change while striving towards becoming a nature-positive and net-zero nation.

“In particular, the proposed changes for deer legislation will help improve efforts to restore priority areas such as native woodlands and peatlands by reducing the impacts of deer grazing and trampling.”

Background

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The presentation of the book “Corporate Universities of Russia – 2024” was held at the HSE

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

More than 200 representatives of leading corporate universities and experts in the field of business education in Russia gathered at the HSE Higher School of Business (HSB) for the presentation of a book with the results of the third wave of research.

Representatives of leading CU and corporate academies spoke at the panel discussion: the Bank of Russia, NLMK, UMMC, SberUniversity, Rosatom.

The study of the population of corporate universities in the country was initiated by the HSE Graduate School of Economics. The pilot reference and analytical publication with the results of the first wave, presented in 2022, aroused great interest in the professional community.

The project was continued, and in 2024 the study was conducted with the support of SberUniversity. The authors of the initiative idea and editors of the third book are Valery Katkalo, Director of the HSE School of Business and Natalia Shumkova, Deputy Director of the Business School for Corporate Training.

Valery Katkalo and Natalia Osipchuk, CEO of SberUniversity, addressed the presentation participants with welcoming remarks.

“Today, corporate universities in Russia are a unique point of intersection of transformation processes in education and business. The role of CUs is to be not just centers for professional retraining, but an environment that promotes organizational and personal development. I am confident that the book, which presents the results of the study “Corporate Universities of Russia – 2024″, carried out by the Higher School of Business of the National Research University Higher School of Economics with the support of SberUniversity, will be useful both for experienced players in the corporate training market and for companies that are just thinking about creating a corporate university,” emphasized Natalia Osipchuk.

Katkalo Valery Sergeevich

Director of the Higher School of Business, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Professor

“The third wave of our study of the population of Russian CUs allowed us to identify a number of new quantitative and qualitative aspects of the development of their business models and product portfolios. In addition, at this stage of the study, we developed and tested an original concept of the typology of Russian CUs, which received high praise from the professional community.”

In a brief overview of the key data and conclusions of the third wave of the study, Natalia Shumkova emphasized the increase in the number of project participants in 2024. A significantly new qualitative aspect of the study of corporate universities within the third stage of the project was the development of their original typology, taking into account the world experience of comparing the maturity stages of corporate universities. The authors summarized the accumulated experience of scientific typology of corporate universities, offering a pioneering attempt at a conceptual model for comparing the stages of evolution of Russian corporate universities. The book contains an article with the “Matrix of Maturity of Corporate Universities” developed by the authors and the experience of testing it based on the findings of the primary self-assessment from more than half of the participants in the “portrait gallery” of the 2024 study.

The presentation continued with a panel discussion: “What is important for us to know about the development of corporate universities in Russia?”, moderated by Valery Katkalo. The discussion was attended by industry leaders: Andrey Afonin, Director of the Bank of Russia University, Polina Kolesova, Director of the NLMK Corporate University, Vyacheslav Lapin, Director of the University of the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company, Natalia Osipchuk, CEO of SberUniversity, and Yulia Uzhakina, CEO of the Rosatom Corporate Academy.

The discussion touched upon key issues of corporate university development in Russia. The speakers discussed the evolution of universities over the past 20-25 years, focusing on important stages of their development – from the first attempts to create them in the 1990s to today, when corporate universities are becoming key drivers of business development and change management. Corporate universities have become innovation centers that influence not only business, but also society – the experts agreed.

A special atmosphere accompanied the entire presentation of the book “Corporate Universities of Russia – 2024”. A bright final chord of the community meeting was the announcement of the IV Forum of Corporate Training Leaders, the key ideas of the upcoming Forum were presented by Yulia Uzhakina. In 2025, it will be held at the site of the Rosatom Corporate Academy in Nizhny Novgorod.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic University opened a board of Endowment Fund benefactors

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

On the Polytechnic’s birthday, the traditional meeting of ambassadors and patrons was held with special solemnity. Its culmination was the opening of the board of benefactors of the SPbPU Endowment Fund.

Before this, a festive award ceremony was held in the foyer of the Technopolis Polytech research building to honor the most active graduates and employees of the university, who contribute to its successful development and strengthening of its position among higher educational institutions of the city and the country.

Opening the meeting, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov congratulated the guests on the birthday of the Polytechnic University and thanked them for their loyalty and love for their alma mater.

“I am glad that today those who provide the university with significant financial, administrative, and informational assistance have gathered here again,” said Maxim Aleksandrovich. “This is a good initiative to annually recognize the contribution of benefactors and graduates to the development of the university and the implementation of its initiatives. The endowment fund is the calling card of a modern world-class university. As of the end of 2024, we have collected more than 110 million rubles. They are under the trust management of the management company, and the income we receive is directed to the development of the Polytechnic University. Endowments for institutes are being actively created. We really hope for the support of our graduates in forming the fund and are grateful for the assistance that has already been provided.”

In 2024, when Polytechnic celebrated not only its anniversary, but also the anniversary of the university’s founder, an outstanding Russian statesman, financier and diplomat Sergei Yulievich Witte, a commemorative medal in his name was established at the university. It will be awarded to multiple benefactors of the SPbPU Endowment Fund for Development.

The first medals for long-term fruitful cooperation and significant contribution to the Endowment Fund were received by Bank Saint Petersburg and VTB Bank.

For assistance in developing the University Endowment Fund, the following were awarded the Witte Medal and the University’s gratitude: Gazprom Transgaz Saint Petersburg LLC, Streamer NPO, and Arman Group.

The following were personally awarded for their contribution to the development of the SPbPU Endowment Fund: Mikhail Silnikov, General Director and General Designer of NPO Spetsmaterialy; Vera Konsetova, General Director of AFK-AUDIT; Sergei Kopytov, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Petersburg Social Commercial Bank; Mikhail Grekov, Vice-Rector for Work with Branches of the Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State University of Railway Engineering; and Oleg Koval.

The university staff also made a significant contribution to the development of the Endowment Fund: Vice-Rector for Economics and Finance of the Polytechnic University Alexander Rechinsky; Advisor to the Rector’s Office Vladimir Glukhov; Director of the Physics and Mechanical Institute Nikolay Ivanov; Director of the Higher School of Industrial Management Olga Kalinina; Director of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics Dmitry Rodionov; Director of the Center for Continuing Professional Education of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” Sergey Salkutsan; Leading Specialist of the SPbPU History Museum Alexander Kobyshev.

For contribution to the implementation cooperation agreements between the university and the State Hermitage Museum and active participation in the activities of the Polytechnic Ambassadors Community in 2024, the following were awarded the university’s gratitude: Deputy Director General of the State Hermitage Museum Alexey Bogdanov and the head of the ventilation, air conditioning, control and measuring instruments and automation systems sector of the Operations Department of the Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Center of the State Hermitage Museum Kirill Tambovtsev.

Also, for promoting the development of the community of ambassadors and the SPbPU Endowment Fund in 2024, awards were received by the head of the production preparation bureau of the chief technologist’s department of JSC Kronstadt Marine Plant Dmitry Gomonov and the head of the process automation department of the Information Systems Department of BorisHof Holding LLC, Ruslan Talipov.

In 2024, in memory of Sergei Yulyevich Witte, the Academic Council decided to restore the Witte scholarships from the income from the management of the Polytechnic Endowment Fund. In accordance with historical tradition, the scholarships will be awarded to four students who have passed the next session with excellent marks and successfully passed the competitive selection. The scholarship will be 10,000 rubles, it will be paid for five months, and then, based on the results of the next session, the commission will determine new winners.

The first Witte scholarship recipients were Yaroslav Kiyashko (Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity), Konstantin Fedorov (Institute of Energy), Anna Danilova (Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade) and Natalia Poluektova (Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade). At the ceremony, they were presented with scholarship certificates, memorable gifts from the university, and the girls were also given flowers.

After the ceremony, the guests were invited to the opening of the board of benefactors of the SPbPU Endowment Fund. It is located next to the model of the Polytechnic University campus. The board reflects information about all major donors of the Endowment Fund since the year of its foundation.

“Our fund has existed since 2012, and it was created for eternity. Therefore, if we participate in its work, it means that we are in touch with eternity,” said Yuri Levchenko, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund, Senior Vice President of VTB Bank. “Our fund, of course, is still small, compared to, say, Harvard University, but every year it grows thanks to your efforts, for which we are very grateful. And I encourage everyone to actively participate in this work, involve friends and acquaintances. We hope that our graduates will become successful businessmen, government officials, creative people, and will never forget the institute, and our fund will grow.”

Vice-Rector Maxim Pasholikov explained that the plaque is removable, and if there are more donors, then by the university’s next birthday their names and the names of their companies will also appear in this place of honor.

Photo archive

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: An industrial park is planned to be created in Alchevsk, LPR

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

To ensure sustainable development of new regions, measures are taken to ensure long-term growth and unlock the potential of the territories. Master plans are developed and applied for their comprehensive development. Thus, according to this spatial planning document, in the city of Alchevsk in the Luhansk People’s Republic, along with the renovation of the housing stock and the modernization of the infrastructure, it is planned to create an industrial park. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

“The development of regions involves making decisions that will work effectively in the long term. Ultimately, all changes should improve the quality of life of people. One of the tools that allows for a structural approach to the issue is a master plan. We apply its capabilities in new regions. For example, when developing a master plan for the city of Alchevsk in the LPR, the Unified Institute of Spatial Planning took into account, first of all, its historical industrial significance and advantageous transport location. That is why a decision was made to create an industrial park with an area of 82.5 hectares,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Marat Khusnullin added that the master plan as a whole proposes the development of the leading sector of the Alchevsk economy – metallurgy, as well as sectors that have the potential to be integrated into existing production chains. In this regard, it is planned to accelerate the restoration of the production capacities of the city-forming enterprise – the Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant, the construction of two transport and logistics centers with a total area of 121.5 thousand square meters, as well as a section of the federal highway “Northern Bypass of Alchevsk” with a length of more than 28 km, which will eliminate the movement of transit vehicles through the city.

“In Alchevsk, major repairs of existing and construction of new apartment buildings are planned. Each district will have its own public and business center with service, cultural and sports facilities. This will relieve the core of the city center, while preserving its historical scale, the structure of streets and blocks,” added Dina Sattarova, director of the Federal Autonomous Institution “Unified Institute of Spatial Planning of the Russian Federation.”

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: City of Columbus Selects Voltus as its Exclusive Demand Response Provider
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN FRANCISCO and COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Voltus, Inc. (Voltus), the leading virtual power plant (VPP) operator and distributed energy resource (DER) platform, today announced its selection as the exclusive Curtailment Service Provider for loads operated by the City of Columbus and retail customers of the City of Columbus Division of Power. This partnership unlocks new revenue streams for the City’s municipal facilities and retail electric customers, while supporting the reliability of the local electric grid for residents.

The selection comes after a rigorous evaluation process that highlighted Voltus’s key differentiators, including:
- Industry-leading technology platform providing customers with real-time energy consumption, performance, and earnings data;
- Strong local presence and experienced project team with extensive knowledge of the PJM market;
- Program structure without out-of-pocket penalties for underperformance; and
- Ability to stack multiple revenue streams
“Since the record-breaking PJM capacity prices were released earlier this year, the Voltus team has been engaging customers across the mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley area to equip them with the guidance and resources they need to reduce the potential impact to their businesses,” said Voltus’s Vice President of Sales, Sam Scuilli. “With unique services like AI Adjuster, we’re empowering PJM customers to participate in multiple demand response programs in a manner that optimizes their revenue potential and minimizes the risk of underperformance.”

For more information about participating in the City of Columbus demand response program, please reach out to info@voltus.co.

About Voltus
Voltus is a leading DER technology platform and virtual power plant operator connecting distributed energy resources to electricity markets, delivering less expensive, more reliable, and more sustainable electricity. Our commercial and industrial customers and DER partners generate cash by allowing Voltus to maximize the value of their flexible load, distributed generation, energy storage, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle resources in these markets. To learn more, visit www.voltus.co.

Media Contact
Mona Khaldi
press@voltus.co

The MIL Network –
February 21, 2025

MIL-OSI: Growth in Originations Expected Across Multiple Credit Products in 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CHICAGO, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Despite recent data calling into question the possibility of interest rate cuts over this year, new account originations across several credit products are still expected to grow in 2025. These findings were released today in conjunction with TransUnion’s (NYSE: TRU) newly issued Q4 2024 Quarterly Credit Industry Insights Report (CIIR).

Following multiple years of depressed origination growth, largely driven by stubbornly high inflation, rising interest rates and elevated home and vehicle prices, new auto, mortgage, and unsecured personal loans are expected to see gains in 2025. A myriad of factors, not the least of which is lenders’ continued caution in their underwriting strategies, will likely temper the overall rate of growth across these products.

“The Federal Reserve has signaled that it will not rush into interest rate cuts, potentially keeping rates at a level that could give consumers pause,” said Jason Laky, executive vice president and head of financial services at TransUnion. “However, we still believe that many consumer credit products will have higher originations in 2025. This will range from modest growth in auto and unsecured personal loans to more significant increases in mortgage.”

Originations are Expected to Grow YoY Across Many Credit Products in 2025

Loan Product	Percent Change in Origination Growth
Auto	+2.7%
Mortgage (Purchase)	+13.3%
Unsecured Personal Loans	+5.7%

Changes in originations are also impacted by trends within these lending products. A deeper dive into the origination picture for each loan product can be found below:

One key driver of the forecasted growth in auto originations is new light vehicle sales, which have been forecasted to grow 2.8% in 2025. However, forecasted growth may be tempered as industry and consumers navigate potential policy shifts introduced by the new administration. In addition, relatively high interest rates, inflation remaining above 2%, and a still recovering used vehicle supply may also mitigate auto originations growth.
Mortgage originations are forecast to increase from approximately 4.6 million in 2024 to approximately 5.7 million in 2025, with most of those being purchase originations (~3.8 million).
Unsecured personal loan lenders are expected to continue expanding lending to riskier tiers in 2025 as the macro economy continues to moderate. Originations are expected to increase to approximately 20.8 million over the year.

TransUnion’s Q4 2024 Credit Industry Insights Report sees continued signs of stabilization across consumer credit products

A number of the signs of a more stable consumer credit environment that emerged in Q3 2024 have continued over the past quarter across the credit spectrum. Originations saw some measure of YoY growth in the most recent quarter for which data are available for auto, mortgage, and unsecured personal loans. In credit cards, originations saw a smaller YoY decline than in recent quarters. Delinquencies ticked down across some credit products, although others saw increases. Balances saw increases that were more in line with rates seen prior to 2020 than in the years since.

“In Q4 2024, we saw several signals inching towards a return to more typical patterns within the consumer credit market,” said Michele Raneri, vice president and head of research at TransUnion. “Originations ticked up across mortgage and auto and saw more significant growth in unsecured personal loans. In contrast, delinquencies presented more of a mixed bag, seeing increases in auto and mortgage, while at the same time decreasing for unsecured personal loans and credit cards. We will be looking for additional signs of improved performance in these markets moving forward.”

To learn more about the latest consumer credit trends, register for the Q4 2024 Quarterly Credit Industry Insights Report webinar. Read on for more specific insights about credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and mortgages.

Serious consumer-level delinquencies decline year-over-year for first time since 2020 in card

Q4 2024 CIIR Credit Card Summary

More signs of a return to equilibrium were present in the credit card market in Q4 2024. Consumer-level 90+ days past due delinquencies ticked down by 3 basis points YoY to 2.56%, which marked the first annual decrease since 2020. Similarly, account-level delinquencies fell by 4 basis points YoY to 1.46%. This is likely in part due to the continuation of a more conservative origination strategy among lenders. Originations saw a 4.8% YoY decline in Q3 2024. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of declining new account volumes on an annual basis. Despite that, the slowdown in originations is decelerating, with the latest quarter seeing the smallest YoY decline since Q2 2023. Super prime was the only risk tier to see originations growth in Q3 2024, at 1.2% YoY. While originations have slowed, balances continued to grow to record highs, increasing 5.7% to $1.1 trillion. This growth was seen across risk tiers, though the pace of balance growth has returned closer to pre-2020 levels.

Instant Analysis

“Prior predictions had anticipated a moderation in delinquency rates in Q1 2025. The peak was pulled forward by the effect of recalibrated risk strategies and disproportionate originations in prime and above segments. At the same time, there are signs that consumer demand for credit cards may be increasing, as year-over-year originations declines are getting smaller, and some risk tiers, such as super prime, are increasing for the first time in several quarters.”

– Paul Siegfried, senior vice president and credit card business leader at TransUnion

Q4 2024 Credit Card Trends

Credit Card Lending Metric (Bankcard)

Q4 2024

Q4 2023

Q4 2022

Q4 2021

Number of Credit Cards (Bankcards)

561.5 million

542.6 million

518.4 million

483.7 million

Borrower-Level Delinquency Rate (90+ DPD)

2.56%

2.59%

2.26%

1.48%

Total Credit Card Balances

$1.11 Trillion

$1.05 Trillion

$931 billion

$785 billion

Average Debt Per Borrower

$6,580

$6,360

$5,805

$5,139

Number of Consumers Carrying a Balance

173.1 million

169.9 million

166.0 million

159.0 million

Prior Quarter Originations*

19.1 million

20.1 million

21.6 million

19.8 million

Average New Account Credit Lines*

$5,702

$5,673

$5,226

$4,468

*Note: Originations are viewed one quarter in arrears to account for reporting lag.
For more credit card industry information, click here for episodes of Extra Credit: A Card and Banking Podcast by TransUnion.

Growth in unsecured personal loan originations leads to record volumes, total balances

Q4 2024 CIIR Unsecured Personal Loan Summary

The positive trend in unsecured personal loans continued for another quarter. Originations for Q3 2024, the most recent quarter of data available, stood at 5.8 million – an increase of 15% year-over-year. This marked the third consecutive quarter of YoY growth and the first quarter of double-digit growth in two years (since Q2 2022). All risk tiers contributed to this expansion, especially the super prime and the below prime tiers, which grew around 17% compared to the prior year. This growth drove records, per Q4 2024 data, in the volume of outstanding loans, in total balances, and in the number of consumers with a balance. Concurrently, average debt per borrower was lower year-over-year in Q4 2024, driven by the prime and below risk tiers. Finally, 60+ DPD borrower-level delinquencies fell year-over-year for Q4 2024 to 3.57% — 33 basis points below the same quarter last year. The decline was due to risk mix shift as lower risk super prime borrowers continued to grow as a share of total loans, as well as from delinquencies among subprime borrowers which fell 136 basis points year-over-year.

Instant Analysis

“The unsecured personal loan market continued its rebound with originations growing year-over-year across risk tiers, and with strong double-digit growth for most of them. Additionally, borrower-level delinquencies still saw declines year-over-year. This was due to loans being issued across the credit spectrum – especially super prime – and from the subprime delinquency rate continuing to fall even as lending has opened back up to this segment. With the growth to date and optimism from lenders, we expect to see this as the beginning of a period of expansion.”

– Liz Pagel, senior vice president of consumer lending at TransUnion

Q4 2024 Unsecured Personal Loan Trends

Personal Loan Metric	Q4 2024	Q4 2023	Q4 2022	Q4 2021
Total Balances	$251 billion	$245 billion	$222 billion	$167 billion
Number of Unsecured Personal Loans	29.6 million	28.1 million	27.0 million	22.8 million
Number of Consumers with Unsecured Personal Loans	24.5 million	23.5 million	22.5 million	19.9 million
Borrower-Level Delinquency Rate (60+ DPD)	3.57%	3.90%	4.14%	3.00%
Average Debt Per Borrower	$11,607	$11,773	$11,116	$9,622
Average Account Balance	$8,496	$8,704	$8,195	$7,328
Prior Quarter Originations*	5.8 million	5.0 million	5.6 million	5.1 million

*Note: Originations are viewed one quarter in arrears to account for reporting lag.
Click here for additional unsecured personal loan industry metrics.

Mortgage delinquencies up year-over-year, yet remain low by historical standards

Q4 2024 CIIR Mortgage Loan Summary

Originations grew 7% YoY in Q3 2024, the most recent quarter for which data are available. This represented the third consecutive quarter in which mortgage originations were either flat or showed growth. Purchase originations continued to drive this growth, accounting for 82% of all originations for the quarter. This compares to a 68% average Q3 purchase share in the five years pre-pandemic. Rate and term refinance originations also played a role in this growth, seeing significant YoY growth of 174% in Q3 2024. This doubled the counts from the prior quarter as homeowners who recently opened a mortgage took advantage of the lowest rates in two years. Account-level delinquencies of 60+ days past due stood at 1.38% for Q4 2024. This remains a trend worth monitoring in coming quarters, particularly as the non-mortgage debt of homeowners continues to grow, up 7% YoY in Q3 2024.

Instant Analysis

“Despite recent quarters of growth, origination volumes continue to be depressed by historical standards. Recent Federal Reserve indications that interest rate reductions may occur more slowly may result in decelerated growth in 2025. Year-over-year increases in delinquency continue to be worth monitoring closely. Yet, even despite a relatively steady series of year-over-year increases in recent quarters, the rate remains extremely low relative to historical standards.”

– Satyan Merchant, senior vice president, automotive and mortgage business leader at TransUnion

Q4 2024 Mortgage Trends

Mortgage Lending Metric	Q4 2024	Q4 2023	Q4 2022	Q4 2021
Number of Mortgage Loans	53.1 million	52.9 million	52.6 million	51.2 million
Consumer-Level Delinquency Rate (60+ DPD)	1.29%	1.03%	0.89%	0.75%
Prior Quarter Originations*	1.2 million	1.2 million	1.5 million	3.4 million
Average Loan Amounts of New Mortgage Loans*	$354,943	$337,977	$334,339	$311,743
Average Balance per Consumer	$263,923	$258,167	$252,212	$237,539
Total Balances of All Mortgage Loans	$12.2 trillion	$12.0 trillion	$11.7 trillion	$10.7 trillion

* Originations are viewed one quarter in arrears to account for reporting lag.
Click here for additional mortgage industry metrics. Click here for a Q4 2024 mortgage industry infographic.

Auto originations up year-over-year driven by growth in super prime

Q4 2024 CIIR Auto Loan Summary

Originations were up 1.5% YoY in Q3 2024, although they still lagged 14.8% below the pre-pandemic Q3 2019. Super prime borrower originations led the way, up 8.5% YoY for the quarter. This growth was likely driven in part by increasingly available new inventory and increases in incentives. Other risk tiers saw YoY declines in originations, and when compared to 2019 levels, originations remained down across all risk tiers, with subprime seeing the largest decline (down 27.6%). Likely also driven in part by incentives, leasing continued its rebound from its Q4 2022 low (17%), at 24% of new vehicle registrations in Q4 2024. Consumer-level delinquencies of 60+ days past due continued to tick up in Q4 2024 to 1.67%. This represented an increase of 6 basis points YoY. New vehicle vintages continued to show delinquency performance in Q4 2024 consistent with pre-pandemic periods of 2018/2019. Used vehicle vintage delinquencies were slightly improved as compared to the 2022 cohort but remained worse than 2018/2019.

Instant Analysis

“Super prime was the underlying driver of auto originations growth in Q4 2024, and will likely continue in 2025. Affordability continues to be an issue for the used vehicle market and for below prime consumers, impacted by higher rates and cross-wallet inflation. This is unlikely to materially improve until we have more certainty around used vehicle inventory and interest rates. Delinquencies have now inched past highs previously seen in 2009, primarily driven by increases among below-prime risk tiers, and we will be monitoring them moving forward.”

– Satyan Merchant, senior vice president, automotive and mortgage business leader at TransUnion

Q4 2024 Auto Loan Trends

Auto Lending Metric	Q4 2024	Q4 2023	Q4 2022	Q4 2021
Total Auto Loan Accounts	80.4 million	80.4 million	80.2 million	81.4 million
Prior Quarter Originations¹	6.4 million	6.3 million	6.5 million	7.2 million
Average Monthly Payment NEW²	$749	$751	$729	$655
Average Monthly Payment USED²	$523	$531	$527	$494
Average Balance per Consumer	$24,373	$23,945	$22,998	$21,298
Average Amount Financed on New Auto Loans²	$42,023	$41,054	$41,941	$40,489
Average Amount Financed on Used Auto Loans²	$26,135	$26,380	$27,442	$27,346
Consumer-Level Delinquency Rate (60+ DPD)	1.67%	1.61%	1.43%	1.05%

¹Note: Originations are viewed one quarter in arrears to account for reporting lag.
²Data from S&P Global MobilityAutoCreditInsight, Q4 2024 data only for months of October & November.
Click here for additional auto industry metrics. Click here for a Q4 2024 auto industry infographic.

For more information about the report, please register for the Q4 2024 Credit Industry Insight Report webinar.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

http://www.transunion.com/business

Contact	Dave Blumberg
	TransUnion

E-mail	dblumberg@transunion.com

Telephone	312-972-6646

The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025

MIL-OSI: Aterian Issues Letter to Shareholders

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SUMMIT, N.J., Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) (“Aterian” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled consumer products company, today issued the following letter to shareholders from Arturo Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, and the Company’s Board of Directors.

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

While this is our first time writing to you directly, you are always at the forefront of our minds.

Over the past 18 months, our team has undertaken a comprehensive reassessment of nearly every facet of Aterian’s business model as part of our turnaround strategy. This deep evaluation of our brand portfolio, marketing strategies, inventory management, marketplace operations, supply chain, and overall fixed costs laid the foundation for the strategic initiatives we have implemented. By successfully executing these changes, we have focused, simplified, and stabilized the Company, positioning Aterian to drive long-term shareholder value.

Although there is still work to be done, we believe that 2025 marks the start of a new and promising chapter for Aterian as we pivot from stabilizing our operations towards sustainable growth.

2024: A Year of Achievement

2024 was a year of achievement as we delivered on many of our key objectives which we announced in late 2023. We streamlined our product portfolio to six highly regarded foundational brands—Squatty Potty, hOmeLabs, PurSteam, Mueller Living, Photo Paper Direct, and Healing Solutions—that deliver quality, affordable products to consumers. We also simplified our go-to-market and marketing strategies, improved efficiencies in our marketplace account structures and our supply chain and transitioned from an internally developed tech platform to a best-in-class third-party model, thereby increasing our efficiency, nimbleness, and cost savings. Additionally, we improved our working capital profile by completing our inventory rightsizing and renegotiating and extending our credit facility.

In late 2024, we launched several new products under our PurSteam and Mueller Living brands, marking an exciting return to our product development efforts. Organic product launches remain an important component of our growth strategy, and we expect to continue these efforts throughout 2025, with a focus on the second half of the year.

We also continue to deliver on our commitment to implementing an omnichannel sales approach to reach new consumers and remain competitive in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape. In the fourth quarter of 2024, we began selling products from our hOmeLabs, PurSteam, and Mueller Living brands on Target+, the invitation-only online marketplace of Target Corporation, while expanding product offerings of Squatty Potty on Target+. This complements our established marketplace strength on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Mercado Libre in Mexico, as well as our direct-to-consumer websites. We also recently refreshed our PurSteam and Mueller Living websites, modernizing them to match the recent updates of those brands.

Our Efforts are Yielding Tangible Results

Our progress was evident in our third quarter 2024 year to date financial results. When compared to the same nine-month period in 2023, we generated significant improvements in gross margin and contribution margin, and narrowed our net loss by $56.3 million, or 84%.

We also reported positive adjusted EBITDA for both the second and third quarters of 2024.

At September 30, 2024, our cash flow from operations was $2.2 million, a $10.6 million improvement from the same period in 2023, our credit facility balance declined by $4.4 million from December 31, 2023, and we had cash on hand of $16.1 million.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Preliminary Results

This momentum carried into the final quarter of the year. For the fourth quarter of 2024, we now expect to report net revenue between $24.2 million and $25.0 million which is at the higher end of our previous guidance of $22.5 million to $25.5 million. As previously disclosed, we continue to expect that this level of revenue will produce approximately breakeven adjusted EBITDA.

We expect that our cash position at December 31, 2024 will improve to approximately $18 million from $16.1 million at September 30, 2024, while our credit facility balance is expected to increase slightly from $6.7 million at September 30, 2024 to approximately $6.9 million at December 31, 2024.

Full Year 2025: From Stability to Growth

Looking ahead to 2025, we are confident that Aterian will evolve into a growth company, driven by our omnichannel expansion initiatives, organic product launches, and a commitment to prudent capital allocation strategies. In comparison to 2024, we expect to produce higher revenue, along with continuing improvements in operating efficiencies and adjusted EBITDA. More importantly, we believe that our efforts to date have placed us firmly on the path to producing these results on a sustainable basis.

We believe we have taken a conservative approach in our expectations for 2025 by considering both the potential impact of increased tariffs on Chinese imports, and to a lesser extent, those from Canada, as well as the proactive measures we would implement to mitigate their effects. Our primary strategy to offset these tariffs would be price adjustments on select products, supplemented by additional cost-management initiatives, if deemed necessary. As trade policies evolve, we will continue to monitor developments and adjust our responses, as needed.

We are continuing our efforts to identify product sourcing alternatives outside of China, wherever possible, in response to the current uncertainty of U.S. trade policies. As we navigate these challenges, we are fortunate to be supported by a strong balance sheet that provides us with the flexibility to adapt as needed while remaining focused on long-term growth and profitability.

We look forward to providing additional clarity on our plans and outlook for 2025 in connection with our fourth quarter and full year financial results conference call scheduled for mid-March, and keeping you apprised of material developments.

Looking ahead, the strength of our brands, the influence and accessibility provided by our marketplace relationships, and our passionate, talented and tenacious people will allow us to deliver on our mission to position Aterian to deliver sustainable, long-term shareholder value. We remain grateful for the continuing support of our shareholders. We hope this is the beginning of more frequent communications as we share in the excitement of Aterian’s bright future.

Best regards,

Arturo Rodriguez
Chief Executive Officer

About Aterian, Inc.
Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) is a technology-enabled consumer products company that builds and acquires leading e-commerce brands with top selling consumer products, in multiple categories, including home and kitchen appliances, health and wellness and air quality devices. The Company sells across the world’s largest online marketplaces with a focus on Amazon,Walmart and Target in the U.S. and on its own direct to consumer websites. Our primary brands include Squatty Potty, hOmeLabs, Mueller Living, PurSteam, Healing Solutions and Photo Paper Direct. To learn more about Aterian and its brands, visit aterian.io

Forward Looking Statements
All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements including, in particular, regarding our expectations for growth in 2025, including our omnichannel expansion initiatives, organic product launches and our capital allocation strategies. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those related to our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to meet financial covenants with our lenders, our ability to maintain and to grow market share in existing and new product categories; our ability to continue to profitably sell the SKUs we operate; our ability to create operating leverage and efficiency when integrating companies that we acquire, including through the use of our team’s expertise, the economies of scale of our supply chain and automation driven by our platform; those related to our ability to grow internationally and through the launch of products under our brands and the acquisition of additional brands; those related to consumer demand, our cash flows, financial condition, forecasting and revenue growth rate; our supply chain including sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing and fulfillment; our ability to manage expenses, working capital and capital expenditures efficiently; our business model and our technology platform; our ability to disrupt the consumer products industry; our ability to generate profitability and stockholder value; international tariffs and trade measures; inventory management, product liability claims, recalls or other safety and regulatory concerns; reliance on third party online marketplaces; seasonal and quarterly variations in our revenue; acquisitions of other companies and technologies and our ability to integrate such companies and technologies with our business; our ability to continue to access debt and equity capital (including on terms advantageous to the Company) and the extent of our leverage; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), all of which you may obtain for free on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Contact:
The Equity Group

Devin Sullivan
Managing Director
dsullivan@equityny.com

Conor Rodriguez
Associate
crodriguez@equityny.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fac8af25-1eb0-4a9b-b114-ed58c424cb02

The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: DIRECTV Advertising and Magnite Enhance Live Streaming Programmatic Demand During Peak Viewing Events

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the largest independent sell-side advertising company, and DIRECTV Advertising, a pioneer in the converged TV addressable space, are leveraging programmatic demand capabilities to unlock the full potential of live streaming advertising. Magnite and DIRECTV Advertising’s collaboration addresses significant advertising challenges in live streaming, from responding to unpredictable traffic volume to delivering diverse ad experiences.

Earlier this year, DIRECTV Advertising announced the programmatic enablement of their satellite-connected devices. The unbridling of DIRECTV’s satellite inventory represents greater scale and access to new audiences within linear programming, high-viewership events, and live sports. There’s a clear opportunity with sports, as both viewership and traffic increase during live events, with viewership growing as much as 10X for big games. While high-profile events attract approximately 20% more net-new advertisers, about half of existing and active buyers double their bids when compared to off-peak levels. By matching programmatic demand with real-time traffic surges, DIRECTV and Magnite can effectively manage incremental supply and serve uninterrupted ads during key moments.

With more regional sports than other pay TV providers, DIRECTV has long been a home for live sports. In early 2025, DIRECTV solidified its position as a sports leader by launching MySports, a bespoke skinny bundle aimed at reaching avid sports fans. DIRECTV is committed to giving viewers the flexibility to choose the right level of service, at the right value, based on their personal interests.

For advertisers, purchasing live inventory has never been easier, and to further improve the experience, DIRECTV Advertising provides buyers access to rich content metadata signals. Leveraging these signals creates buying transparency and ad relevancy by allowing advertisers access to content at the network, rating, and genre-level. With DIRECTV expanding its premium TV supply, marketers now have access to incremental live sports inventory through Magnite’s platform. DIRECTV will be testing Magnite’s Live Stream Acceleration (LSA) technology, designed to help streaming publishers optimize their live inventory programmatically and surface more opportunities for advertisers.

“We’re excited to create more opportunities for advertisers to access highly sought after live sports inventory during key demand peaks,” said Ken Ripley, VP, Growth & Marketing at DIRECTV Advertising. “One of the ways we’re delivering this is through the expansion of our programmatically enabled inventory. We’re not only doubling our marketplace supply but unlocking new and unique reach for advertisers. Together with Magnite’s tech solutions, we’re setting new precedents, and paving the way for the future of advanced programmatic execution in live CTV.”

“By combining our technology that optimizes programmatic advertising in live CTV environments and DIRECTV’s expansive live content footprint, we’re driving better outcomes for advertisers and maintaining a high-quality viewing experience for consumers,” said Mike Laband, Group SVP, Revenue, US at Magnite. “The significant spikes in demand during live sporting events show the untapped potential that media owners should be leaning towards. It’s encouraging to see DIRECTV embracing programmatic demand and offering contextual signals to provide advertisers with more transparency.”

About Magnite
We’re Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising company. Publishers use our technology to monetize their content across all screens and formats including CTV, online video, display, and audio. The world’s leading agencies and brands trust our platform to access brand-safe, high-quality ad inventory and execute billions of advertising transactions each month. Anchored in bustling New York City, sunny Los Angeles, mile high Denver, historic London, colorful Singapore, and down under in Sydney, Magnite has offices across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.

About DIRECTV
DIRECTV Advertising is a pioneer in the converged addressable space, delivering industry leading audience-based, digital, and innovative media solutions. Employing our decades of experience, we empower advertisers to address and engage their audience at scale while continuously measuring campaign impact against brand goals to unlock insights and optimize future campaigns.

Media Contact:
Charlstie Veith
cveith@magnite.com

Investor Contact:
Nick Kormeluk
nkormeluk@magnite.com

The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025

MIL-OSI: Sprott Launches Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprott Inc. (“Sprott”) (NYSE/TSX: SII) today announced the launch of the Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (Nasdaq: GBUG) (the “Fund” or “GBUG”), an actively managed ETF that aims to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in shares of gold- and silver-focused companies that are engaged in exploring, developing and mining; or royalty and streaming companies engaged in the financing of gold and silver assets. GBUG’s investment strategy is value-oriented and contrarian.

“Gold and silver mining stocks have historically been correlated to bullion, but in recent years, they’ve lagged the price of the physical metals,” said John Hathaway, CFA, Managing Partner, Sprott and Senior Portfolio Manager, Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc. “Gold and silver mining stocks could offer significant catch-up potential.”

GBUG is Sprott’s first active ETF, which offers the opportunity to invest in miners with the potential advantage of active stock picking from a global leader with over four decades of specialized expertise in precious metals and mining investments. “Given the operational complexities of mining, investors may benefit from an active ETF strategy focused on long-term business fundamentals and growth potential,” said Whitney George, Chief Executive Officer of Sprott. “The Fund’s investment team is experienced. The team has more than 100 years of collective experience in metals and mining, and it conducts more than 200 management meetings annually, along with periodic site visits to mining operations around the globe.”

GBUG combines the expertise of active management with the flexibility of an ETF, which includes daily transparency, liquidity and potential tax efficiency. GBUG is one of four Sprott Precious Metals ETFs:

Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF	Nasdaq: GBUG	An actively managed ETF that aims to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in shares of gold- and silver-focused companies that are engaged in exploring, developing and mining; or royalty and streaming companies engaged in the financing of gold and silver assets. The investment strategy of the Fund is value-oriented and contrarian.
Sprott Gold Miners ETF	NYSE Arca: SGDM	Seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Index (Index Ticker: SOLGMCFT). The Index aims to track the performance of larger-sized gold companies whose stocks are listed on Canadian and major U.S. exchanges.
Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF	NYSE Arca: SGDJ	Seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, the Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Index (Ticker: SOLJGMFT). The Index aims to track the performance of small-capitalization gold companies whose stocks are listed on regulated exchanges.
Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF	Nasdaq: SLVR	Seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index, Nasdaq Sprott Silver Miners™ Index (NSLVR™), by investing at least 80% of its total assets in securities of NSLVR. The Nasdaq Sprott Silver Miners Index is designed to track the performance of a selection of securities in the silver industry, including silver producers, developers and explorers, and physical silver.

* Based on Morningstar’s universe of Precious Metals Sector Equity ETFs as of 2/19/2025.

About Sprott Inc.

Sprott is a global asset manager focused on precious metals and critical materials investments. We are specialists. We believe our in-depth knowledge, experience and relationships separate us from the generalists. Our investment strategies include Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities and Private Strategies. Sprott has offices in Toronto, New York, Connecticut and California, and the company’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol (SII). For more information, please visit www.sprott.com.

Contact:
Glen Williams
Managing Partner
Investor and Institutional Client Relations
Direct: (416) 943-43945
gwilliams@sprott.com

Dan Gagnier
Gagnier Communications
Direct: (646) 569-5897
sprott@gagnierfc.com

Important Disclosures

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of each fund carefully before investing. To obtain a fund’s Prospectus, which contains this and other information, contact your financial professional, call 1.888.622.1813 or visit SprottETFs.com. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are considered to have continuous liquidity because they allow for an individual to trade throughout the day, which may indicate higher transaction costs and result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account.

The funds are non-diversified and can invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers, particularly those in the natural resources and/or precious metals industry, which may experience greater price volatility. Relative to other sectors, natural resources and precious metals investments have higher headline risk and are more sensitive to changes in economic data, political or regulatory events, and underlying commodity price fluctuations. Risks related to extraction, storage and liquidity should also be considered.

Shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the funds on a secondary market. Only market makers or “authorized participants” may trade directly with the fund, typically in blocks of 10,000 shares.

The Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners and Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETFs are new and have limited operating history.

Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc. is the Investment Adviser to the Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the Distributor for the Sprott ETFs and is a registered broker-dealer and FINRA Member.

ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc.

The MIL Network –

February 21, 2025

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