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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: Wrap Unveils Managed Safety and Response (MSR) Connected Ecosystem in Virginia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Following Governor Youngkin’s November announcement, Early Adopter Program Launches in Virginia, Highly Anticipated Defense Tech Drones, Body Cameras, AI Integration and International Expansion to Follow

    This news follows: Wrap Technologies Launches Go-Forward Strategy, Advancing End-to-End Public Safety and Defense Solutions with New Virginia Facility

    NORTON, Va., Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wrap Technologies (NASDAQ: WRAP) (“Wrap” or, the “Company”) today announced the launch of its highly anticipated Managed Safety and Response (MSR) Connected Ecosystem in Virginia, with the aim of delivering a modern approach for law enforcement training, defensive tactics and real-time safety solutions. With past vocal support of Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia’s public safety institutions, Wrap hopes to establish the Commonwealth as a leader in next-generation policing solutions.

    As early adopters, Virginia agencies will be the first to benefit from Wrap’s integrated approach, which combines enhanced training, automated support systems and a scalable ecosystem designed to seamlessly integrate follow-on technologies.

    The Company is evolving to meet agency demand for integrated service delivery of disparate support technologies and embedded recurring training. This approach will see Wrap invest in a core group of world-class professional services leaders and then digitize value delivery through AI-powered workflows, ensuring exemplary customer satisfaction in its MSR service.

    This announcement highlights Wrap’s strategic vision for the future of public safety, including:

    • A TAA-compliant, NON-Chinese supply chain for body cameras, aiming to ensure secure and reliable technology for law enforcement agencies advancing a first-in-class Made in America supply chain.
    • Newly Developed AI-powered reporting, leveraging body-worn camera audio to instantly generate high-quality, detailed incident reports—with the goal of reducing administrative workload and increasing accuracy.
    • The upcoming launch of a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, featuring advanced payloads that enhance situational awareness, rapid response, and officer safety.
    • Advanced Defensive Tactics & Training – structured follow-on actions after BolaWrap deployment, aiming to ensure proper de-escalation techniques.
    • Connected Training, including in-person officer instruction and an exclusive video training library designed to coach officers in BolaWrap de-escalation approaches that align with today’s modern safety standards.
    • Comprehensive VR Training Expansion – all of our de-escalation scenarios are now included in Wrap’s immersive VR training system with opportunities for custom environment development.

    Scot Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We’ve listened to our customers. We heard their concerns and understood the challenges of adopting technologies due to complexity and lack of resources. Wrap is addressing this pain point by aiming to deliver a trusted, fully managed service that consolidates fragmented technologies into a cohesive solution. We believe our first-in-class MSR Connected Ecosystem simplifies adoption, reduces operational burden, and exceeds current market offerings thereby ensuring agencies have the tools, training, and support needed to enhance officer safety and effectiveness.”

    Wrap is deeply committed to supporting law enforcement by delivering innovative, practical, and effective solutions that focus on officer safety, improving public trust, and streamlining operations. Wrap recognizes the challenges agencies face in adopting new technologies, integrating disparate tools, and ensuring officers receive the training and resources needed to operate effectively in the field.

    Wrap’s MSR Connected Ecosystem is designed to bridge these gaps, which we believe provides a seamless, scalable, and intelligent platform that empowers officers to make better decisions, reduce risk, and enhance de-escalation efforts. By prioritizing trust, reliability, and continuous support, Wrap is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that truly serve those who protect and serve.

    Governor Youngkin’s support to relocate Wrap’s facility to Southwest Virginia indicates alignment for this expansion to leverage innovative technologies that enhance public safety. By integrating advanced solutions like the MSR Connected Ecosystem, the Commonwealth aims to set a new standard in law enforcement practices, ensuring safer communities for all Virginians.

    The MSR Connected Ecosystem is designed to reduce cognitive load and simplify decision-making in critical moments, transforming the way officers operate in the field. Wrap is advancing law enforcement capabilities by delivering fully managed safety services alongside essential response tools like BolaWrap, ensuring officers have the support they need when it matters most.

    To learn more about Wrap Technologies and the Managed Safety and Response Connected Ecosystem, visit www.Wrap.com.

    About Wrap Technologies, Inc.

    Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) is a leading global provider of advanced public safety solutions, integrating ultramodern technology, cutting-edge tools, and comprehensive services to address the complex, modern day challenges facing public safety organizations around the world. Guided by a no-harm principle, Wrap is dedicated to developing groundbreaking solutions that empower public safety agencies to safeguard the communities they serve in a manner that fosters stronger relationships, driving safer outcomes, empowering public safety and communities to move forward together.

    Wrap’s BolaWrap® solution encompasses an innovative and patented hand-held remote restraint device, strategically engineered with Wrap’s no-harm guiding principle to proactively deter escalation by deploying a Kevlar® tether that safely restrains individuals from a distance. Combined with BolaWrap® training, certified by the esteemed International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), Wrap enables officers from over 1000 agencies across the U.S. and 60 countries around the world, with the expertise to effectively use BolaWrap® as an early intervention measure, mitigating potential risks and injuries, averting tragic outcomes, with the goal to save lives with each wrap.

    Wrap Reality™, the Company’s advanced virtual reality training system, is a fully immersive training simulator and comprehensive public safety training platform that equips first responders with the discipline and practice to prevent escalation, de-escalate conflicts, and apply appropriate tactical use-of-force measures to better perform in the field. By offering a growing range of real-life scenarios, Wrap Reality™ addresses the dynamic nature of modern law enforcement situations for positive public safety outcomes, building safer communities one decision at a time.

    Wrap’s Intrensic solution is a comprehensive, secure and efficient body worn camera and evidence collection and management solution designed with innovative technology to quickly capture, safely handle, securely store, and seamlessly track evidence, all while maintaining full transparency throughout the process. With meticulous consolidation and professional management of evidence, confidence in law enforcement and the justice system soars, fostering trust and reliability in court outcomes. Intrensic’s efficient system streamlines the entire process seamlessly, empowering all public safety providers to focus on what matters, expediting justice with integrity.

    Connect with Wrap:
    Wrap on Facebook
    Wrap on Twitter
    Wrap on LinkedIn

    Trademark Information

    Wrap, the Wrap logo, BolaWrap®, Wrap Reality™ and Wrap Training Academy are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and abroad.  All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders.

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

    Investor Relations Contact:

    (800) 583-2652
    ir@wrap.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Imperial Petroleum Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Twelve Months 2024 Financial and Operating Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. (NASDAQ: IMPP, the “Company”), a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and dry bulk seaborne transportation services, announced today its unaudited financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

    OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

    • Fleet operational utilization of 86.0% in Q4 24’ versus 68.5% in Q4 23’.
    • Almost 180% increase in Q4 24’ time charter days compared to Q4 23’, as two of our product tankers and one newly acquired bulk carrier were under time charter (“TC”) employment for the whole period.
    • For the 12M 24’ period our operational utilization was 78.3%. 69% of our fleet calendar days were dedicated to spot activity, while 29% to time charter activity.
    • Delivery of the product tanker, Clean Imperial on January 10, 2025. With this vessel addition, our tanker fleet totals nine ships.
    • Revenues of $26.2 million in Q4 24’ compared to $29.9 million in Q4 23’, representing a 12.4% decline due primarily to decreased spot market rates.
    • Net income of $3.9 million in Q4 24’ compared to $6.5 million in Q4 23’. In Q4 24’ we incurred a $3.3 million foreign exchange loss.
    • Cash and cash equivalents including time deposits of $206.7 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $124.0 million as of December 31, 2023, representing a 66.7% increase.
    • For the 12M 24’ period our net income was $50.2 million, while our operating cash flow amounted to $77.7 million.
    • Recurring profitability and a debt-free capital structure facilitate robust cash flow generation and low breakeven points.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Results:

    • Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $26.2 million, a decrease of $3.7 million, or 12.4%, compared to revenues of $29.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the spot market rates.
    • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses fo        r the three months ended December 31, 2024 were $8.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively, compared to $13.8 million and $5.7 million, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The $5.3 million decrease in voyage expenses is mainly attributed to increased time charter activity leading to a decline of spot days by 10.3%. The decline in spot days along with the decrease in the Suez Canal transits compared to the same period of last year, led to decreased bunker consumption by 15.6% and lower port expenses by 44.9%. The $1.0 million increase in vessels’ operating expenses is primarily due to the increased size of our fleet by an average of 2.0 vessels between the two periods.
    • Drydocking costs for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively. This decrease is due to the fact that during the three months ended December 31, 2024, no vessel underwent drydocking and charges related only to a drydocking which took place at the end of the third quarter of 2024, while one of our suezmax tankers and one of our handysize dry vessels underwent drydocking in the fourth quarter of last year.
    • General and administrative costs for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. This change is mainly attributed to the decrease in stock-based compensation costs.
    • Depreciation for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $4.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The change is attributable to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.
    • Management fees for each of the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.4 million.
    • Interest and finance costs for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.3 million and $0.01 million, respectively. The $0.3 million of costs for the three months ended December 31, 2024 relate mainly to accrued interest expense – related party in connection with the $14.0 million, part of the acquisition price of our bulk carrier, Neptulus, which is payable by May 2025.
    • Interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $2.3 million as compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The $0.3 million increase is mainly attributed to a higher amount of funds placed under time deposits.
    • Foreign exchange gain/(loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was a loss of $3.3 million as compared to a gain of $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The $3.3 million foreign exchange loss for the three months ended December 31, 2024, is mainly attributed to the decline in the euro/dollar exchange rate and to the higher amount of funds placed under time deposits in euro.
    •    As a result of the above, for the three months ended December 31, 2024, the Company reported net income of $3.9 million, compared to net income of $6.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Dividends paid on Series A Preferred Shares amounted to $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, basic, for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was 32.7 million. Earnings per share, basic and diluted, for the three months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $0.10 and $0.10, respectively, compared to loss per share, basic and diluted, of $0.02 and $0.02, respectively, for the three months ended December 31, 2023.
    • Adjusted net income1 was $4.6 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS1, basic of $0.12 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to an Adjusted net income of $7.2 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS, basic, of $0.01 for the same period of last year.
    • EBITDA1 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $6.4 million, while Adjusted EBITDA1 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $7.1 million.
    • An average of 11.0 vessels were owned by the Company during the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 9.0 vessels for the same period of 2023.

    Twelve months 2024 Results:

    • Revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $147.5 million, representing a decrease of $36.2 million, or 19.7%, compared to revenues of $183.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to softer market spot rates. As of the end of 2024, daily spot market rates were about $22,000 for standard product tankers versus $33,000 as of the end of the same period of 2023 and $30,000 for standard suezmax tankers as opposed to $60,000 as of the end of the same period of 2023.
    • Voyage expenses and vessels’ operating expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 were $52.0 million and $26.4 million, respectively, compared to $62.5 million and $25.6 million, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The $10.5 million decrease in voyage expenses is mainly attributed to a reduction in port expenses due to decreased transits through the Suez Canal and a decrease in voyage commissions resulting from lower market rates and consequently softer revenue generation. The $0.8 million increase in vessels’ operating expenses was primarily due to the increase in the average number of vessels.
    • Drydocking costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1.7 million and $6.6 million, respectively. This decrease is due to the fact that during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 two tanker vessels underwent drydocking, while in the same period of last year three of our product tankers, one of our suezmax tankers and two of our drybulk carriers underwent drydocking.
    • General and administrative costs for each of the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $4.9 million.
    • Depreciation for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $17.0 million, a $1.4 million increase from $15.6 million for the same period of last year, mainly due to the depreciation of the vessels added in the fleet during 2024.
    • Management fees for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively. The increase of $0.1 million is attributable to the slight increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.
    • Other operating income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $1.9 million and related to the collection of a claim in connection with repairs undertaken in prior years.
    • Net loss on sale of vessel/ Net gain on sale of vessel – related party for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was a loss of $1.6 million and related to the sale of the Aframax tanker Gstaad Grace II to a third party whereas net gain on sale of vessel for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $8.2 million and related to the sale of the Aframax tanker Afrapearl II (ex. Stealth Berana) to C3is Inc., a related party.
    • Impairment loss for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 stood at nil and $9.0 million, and related to the spin-off of two drybulk carriers to C3is Inc. in 2023. The decline of drybulk vessels’ fair values, at the time of the spin off, compared to one year before when these vessels were acquired resulted in the incurrence of impairment loss.
    •    Interest and finance costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $0.4 million and $1.8 million, respectively. The $0.4 million of costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 relate mainly to accrued interest expense – related party in connection with the $14.0 million, part of the acquisition price of our bulk carrier, Neptulus, which is payable by May 2025. The $1.8 million of costs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 related mainly to $1.3 million of interest charges incurred up to the full repayment of all outstanding loans concluded in April 2023 along with the full amortization of $0.5 million of loan related charges following the repayment of the Company’s outstanding debt.
    • Interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $8.3 million and $5.8 million, respectively. The increase is mainly attributed to the interest earned from the time deposits held by the Company as well as the interest income – related party for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 in connection with the $38.7 million of the sale price of the Aframax tanker Afrapearl II (ex. Stealth Berana) which was received in July 2024.
    • As a result of the above, the Company reported net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 of $50.2 million, compared to a net income of $71.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. The weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was 29.9 million. Earnings per share, basic and diluted, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $1.54 and $1.40, respectively, compared to earnings per share, basic and diluted, of $3.22 and $2.93 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
    • Adjusted Net Income was $55.1 million corresponding to an Adjusted EPS, basic of $1.70 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to adjusted net income of $74.4 million, corresponding to an Adjusted EPS, basic of $3.39 for the same period of last year.
    • EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $59.2 million while Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 amounted to $64.2 million.
    • An average of 10.4 vessels were owned by the Company during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 compared to 10.0 vessels for the same period of 2023.
    • As of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents including time deposits amounted to $206.7 million and total bank debt amounted to nil.

    1 EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP set forth later in this release. Reconciliations of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income are set forth below.

    Fleet Employment Table

    As of February 13, 2025, the profile and deployment of our fleet is the following:

                             
    Name    Year
    Built    		   Country
    Built    		   Vessel Size
    (dwt)    		   Vessel
    Type    		   Employment
    Status    		   Expiration of
    Charter(1)
    Tankers                         
    Magic Wand    2008   Korea   47,000   MR product tanker   Spot    
    Clean Thrasher    2008   Korea   47,000   MR product tanker   Time Charter   May 2025
    Clean Sanctuary (ex. Falcon Maryam)    2009   Korea   46,000   MR product tanker   Spot    
    Clean Nirvana    2008   Korea   50,000   MR product tanker   Spot    
    Clean Justice    2011   Japan   46,000   MR product tanker   Time Charter   August 2027
    Aquadisiac   2008   Korea   51,000   MR product tanker   Spot    
    Clean Imperial   2009   Korea   40,000   MR product tanker   Time Charter   January 2026
    Suez Enchanted    2007   Korea   160,000   Suezmax tanker   Spot    
    Suez Protopia    2008   Korea   160,000   Suezmax tanker   Spot    
    Drybulk Carriers(2)                         
    Eco Wildfire    2013   Japan   33,000   Handysize drybulk   Time Charter   February 2025
    Glorieuse    2012   Japan   38,000   Handysize drybulk   Time Charter   February 2025
    Neptulus   2012   Japan   33,000   Handysize drybulk   Time Charter   March 2025
    Fleet Total                 751,000 dwt            
                             
    (1) Earliest date charters could expire.
    (2) We have contracted to acquire seven Japanese built drybulk carriers, aggregating approximately 443,000 dwt, which are expected to be delivered to us between February 2025 and May 2025.
       

    CEO Harry Vafias Commented

    For yet another year Imperial Petroleum demonstrated exceptional results; we continued to be consistent with profitability, cash flow generation and fleet growth across the quarters. Market conditions in 2024 were somewhat softer than 2023 when tanker rates oscillated around all time high levels. Nevertheless, our debt free fleet of eleven vessels managed to generate $50 million of profit and maintain an enviable cash base of $207 million. In the period ahead our key focus is to materialize our already announced fleet growth plans, sustain our profitable momentum and as always, seek opportunities to enhance the value of our Company.

    Conference Call details:

    On February 13, 2025 at 10:00 am ET, the company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and the company’s operations and outlook.

    Online Registration:

    Conference call participants should pre-register using the below link to receive the dial-in numbers and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call.

    https://register.vevent.com/register/BI127dcd86b3bd4efc8d71152e3b8a8800

    Slides and audio webcast:

    There will also be a live and then archived webcast of the conference call, through the IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. website (www.ImperialPetro.com). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

    About IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.        

    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum products, crude oil and drybulk seaborne transportation services. The Company owns a total of twelve vessels on the water – seven M.R. product tankers, two suezmax tankers and three handysize drybulk carriers – with a total capacity of 751,000 deadweight tons (dwt), and has contracted to acquire an additional seven drybulk carriers of 443,000 dwt aggregate capacity. Following these deliveries, the Company’s fleet will count a total of 19 vessels. IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.’s shares of common stock and 8.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and trade under the symbols “IMPP” and “IMPPP,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Matters discussed in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, geopolitical conditions, including any trade disruptions resulting from tariffs imposed by the United States or  other countries, general market conditions, including changes in charter hire rates and vessel values, charter counterparty performance, changes in demand that may affect attitudes of time charterers to scheduled and unscheduled drydockings, changes in IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in our financing arrangements, actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, domestic and international political conditions, the conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions, the conflicts in the Middle East, potential disruption of shipping routes due to ongoing attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden or accidents and political events or acts by terrorists.

    Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Fleet List and Fleet Deployment        
    For information on our fleet and further information:
    Visit our website at www.ImperialPetro.com

    Company Contact:
    Fenia Sakellaris
    IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC.
    E-mail: info@ImperialPetro.com

    Fleet Data:
    The following key indicators highlight the Company’s operating performance during the periods ended December 31, 2023 and 2024.

    FLEET DATA Q4 2023   Q4 2024   12M 2023   12M 2024  
    Average number of vessels (1) 9.00   11.00   10.00   10.39  
    Period end number of owned vessels in fleet 9   11   9   11  
    Total calendar days for fleet (2) 828   1,012   3,650   3,801  
    Total voyage days for fleet (3) 789   1,010   3,481   3,700  
    Fleet utilization (4) 95.3 % 99.8 % 95.4 % 97.3 %
    Total charter days for fleet (5) 160   446   1,058   1,092  
    Total spot market days for fleet (6) 629   564   2,423   2,608  
    Fleet operational utilization (7) 68.5 % 86.0 % 75.1 % 78.3 %
                     

    1) Average number of vessels is the number of owned vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.
    2) Total calendar days for fleet are the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
    3) Total voyage days for fleet reflect the total days the vessels we operated were in our possession for the relevant period net of off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys.
    4) Fleet utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels were available for revenue generating voyage days, and is determined by dividing voyage days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.
    5) Total charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on time or bareboat charters for the relevant period.
    6) Total spot market charter days for fleet are the number of voyage days the vessels operated on spot market charters for the relevant period.
    7) Fleet operational utilization is the percentage of time that our vessels generated revenue, and is determined by dividing voyage days excluding commercially idle days by fleet calendar days for the relevant period.

    Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS:

    Adjusted net income represents net income before impairment loss, net (gain)/loss on sale of vessel and share based compensation. EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest and finance costs, interest income, depreciation, impairment loss, net (gain)/loss on sale of vessel and share based compensation.
    Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not recognized measurements under U.S. GAAP. Our calculation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS may not be comparable to that reported by other companies in the shipping or other industries. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

    EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are included herein because they are a basis, upon which we and our investors assess our financial performance. They allow us to present our performance from period to period on a comparable basis and provide investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding our operating performance.

    (Expressed in United States Dollars, except number of shares) Third Quarter Ended December 31st,   Twelve Months Period Ended December 31st,  
      2023   2024   2023   2024  
    Net Income – Adjusted Net Income                
    Net income 6,463,943   3,917,661   71,134,002   50,157,772  
    Less/Plus net (gain)/loss on sale of vessel —   —   (8,182,777 ) 1,589,702  
    Plus impairment loss —   —   8,996,023   —  
    Plus share based compensation 752,407   665,062   2,434,855   3,397,082  
    Adjusted Net Income 7,216,350   4,582,723   74,382,103   55,144,556  
                     
    Net income – EBITDA                
    Net income 6,463,943   3,917,661   71,134,002   50,157,772  
    Plus interest and finance costs 11,139   276,622   1,821,908   398,320  
    Less interest income (2,004,611 ) (2,268,975 ) (5,833,756 ) (8,305,517 )
    Plus depreciation 3,485,073   4,466,447   15,629,116   16,991,900  
    EBITDA 7,955,544   6,391,755   82,751,270   59,242,475  
                     
    Net income – Adjusted EBITDA                
    Net income 6,463,943   3,917,661   71,134,002   50,157,772  
    Less/Plus net (gain)/loss on sale of vessel —   —   (8,182,777 ) 1,589,702  
    Plus impairment loss —   —   8,996,023   —  
    Plus share based compensation 752,407   665,062   2,434,855   3,397,082  
    Plus interest and finance costs 11,139   276,622   1,821,908   398,320  
    Less interest income (2,004,611 ) (2,268,975 ) (5,833,756 ) (8,305,517 )
    Plus depreciation 3,485,073   4,466,447   15,629,116   16,991,900  
    Adjusted EBITDA 8,707,951   7,056,817   85,999,371   64,229,259  
                     
    EPS                
    Numerator                
    Net income 6,463,943   3,917,661   71,134,002   50,157,772  
    Less: Cumulative dividends on preferred shares (462,225 ) (435,246 ) (2,130,254 ) (1,740,983 )
    Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested shares —   (122,899 ) (2,508,399 ) (2,311,172 )
    Less: Deemed dividend from the conversion
    of the Series C Preferred Shares    		 (6,507,789 ) —   (6,507,789 ) —  
    Net (loss)/ income attributable to common shareholders, basic (506,071 ) 3,359,516   59,987,560   46,105,617  
    Denominator                
    Weighted average number of shares 23,566,153   32,729,505   18,601,539   29,933,920  
    EPS – Basic (0.02 ) 0.10   3.22   1.54  
                     
    Adjusted EPS                
    Numerator                
    Adjusted net income 7,216,350   4,582,723   74,382,103   55,144,556  
    Less: Cumulative dividends on preferred shares (462,225 ) (435,246 ) (2,130,254 ) (1,740,983 )
    Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to non-vested shares (12,908 ) (146,370 ) (2,638,768 ) (2,549,216 )
    Less: Deemed dividend from the conversion
    of the Series C Preferred Shares    		 (6,507,789 ) —   (6,507,789 ) —  
    Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders, basic 233,428   4,001,107   63,105,292   50,854,357  
                     
    Denominator                
    Weighted average number of shares 23,566,153   32,729,505   18,601,539   29,933,920  
    Adjusted EPS, Basic 0.01   0.12   3.39   1.70  
                     

    Imperial Petroleum Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
    (Expressed in United States Dollars, except for number of shares)

        Quarters Ended December 31,
    		     Twelve Month Periods Ended December 31,
    		  
        2023     2024     2023     2024  
                          
    Revenues                        
     Revenues   29,881,814     26,211,665     183,725,820     147,479,980  
                              
    Expenses                        
     Voyage expenses   13,470,678     8,122,190     60,276,962     50,168,529  
     Voyage expenses – related party   348,535     338,262     2,253,979     1,856,361  
     Vessels’ operating expenses   5,541,258     6,561,878     25,295,851     26,044,734  
     Vessels’ operating expenses – related party 117,500     89,500     346,583     328,000  
     Drydocking costs   2,454,960     195,418     6,551,534     1,691,361  
     Management fees – related party   364,320     445,280     1,606,440     1,672,440  
     General and administrative expenses   1,173,120     994,777     4,934,468     4,894,070  
     Depreciation   3,485,073     4,466,447     15,629,116     16,991,900  
     Other operating income   —     —     —     (1,900,000 )
     Impairment loss   —     —     8,996,023     —  
     Net gain on sale of vessel – related party   —     —     (8,182,777 )   —  
     Net loss on sale of vessel   —     —     —     1,589,702  
    Total expenses   26,955,444     21,213,752     117,708,179     103,337,097  
                              
    Income from operations   2,926,370     4,997,913     66,017,641     44,142,883  
                              
    Other (expenses)/income                        
     Interest and finance costs   (11,139 )   (3,508 )   (1,821,908 )   (16,269 )
     Interest expense – related party   —     (273,114 )   —     (382,051 )
     Interest income   1,260,971     2,268,975     4,470,396     6,668,877  
     Interest income – related party   743,640     —     1,363,360     1,636,640  
     Dividend income from related party   191,667     191,667     404,167     762,500  
     Foreign exchange gain/(loss)   1,352,434     (3,264,272 )   700,346     (2,654,808 )
    Other income/(expenses), net   3,537,573     (1,080,252 )   5,116,361     6,014,889  
                             
    Net Income   6,463,943     3,917,661     71,134,002     50,157,772  
                             
    Earnings per share                        
    – Basic   (0.02 )   0.10     3.22     1.54  
    – Diluted   (0.02 )   0.10     2.93     1.40  
                             
    Weighted average number of shares                      
    -Basic   23,566,153     32,729,505     18,601,539     29,933,920  
    -Diluted   23,566,153     34,704,542     22,933,671     33,008,816  
                             

    Imperial Petroleum Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Expressed in United States Dollars)

      December 31,     December 31,  
      2023     2024  
               
    Assets          
    Current assets          
     Cash and cash equivalents 91,927,512     79,783,531  
     Time deposits 32,099,810     126,948,481  
     Receivables from related parties 37,906,821     —  
     Trade and other receivables 13,498,813     13,456,083  
     Other current assets 302,773     652,769  
     Inventories 7,291,123     7,306,356  
     Advances and prepayments 161,937     250,562  
    Total current assets 183,188,789     228,397,782  
                 
    Non current assets          
     Operating lease right-of-use asset —     78,761  
     Vessels, net 180,847,252     208,230,018  
     Investment in related party 12,798,500     12,798,500  
    Total non current assets 193,645,752     221,107,279  
    Total assets
         		 376,834,541     449,505,061  
                 
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
    Current liabilities          
     Trade accounts payable 8,277,118     5,243,872  
     Payable to related parties 2,324,334     18,725,514  
     Accrued liabilities 3,008,500     3,370,020  
     Operating lease liability, current portion —     78,761  
     Deferred income 919,116     1,419,226  
    Total current liabilities 14,529,068     28,837,393  
                 
    Total liabilities 14,529,068     28,837,393  
                 
    Commitments and contingencies          
                 
    Stockholders’ equity          
     Common stock 332,573     382,755  
     Preferred Stock, Series A 7,959     7,959  
     Preferred Stock, Series B 160     160  
     Treasury stock (5,885,727 )   (8,390,225 )
     Additional paid-in capital 270,242,635     282,642,357  
     Retained earnings 97,607,873     146,024,662  
    Total stockholders’ equity 362,305,473     420,667,668  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 376,834,541     449,505,061  
               

    Imperial Petroleum Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (Expressed in United States Dollars

      Twelve Month Periods Ended December 31,
    		  
      2023     2024  
           
    Cash flows from operating activities          
    Net income for the year 71,134,002     50,157,772  
               
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash          
    provided by operating activities:          
    Depreciation 15,629,116     16,991,900  
    Amortization of deferred finance charges 474,039     —  
    Non – cash lease expense 62,609     71,237  
    Share based compensation 2,434,855     3,397,082  
    Impairment loss 8,996,023     —  
    Net gain on sale of vessel – related party (8,182,777 )   —  
    Net loss on sale of vessel —     1,589,702  
    Unrealized foreign exchange (gain)/loss on time deposits (426,040 )   1,983,810  
    Dividend income from related party (404,167 )   —  
               
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
    (Increase)/decrease in          
    Trade and other receivables (6,477,912 )   42,730  
    Other current assets (62,771 )   (349,996 )
    Inventories (1,908,513 )   (15,233 )
    Changes in operating lease liabilities (62,609 )   (71,237 )
    Advances and prepayments (181,990 )   (88,625 )
    Due from related parties (2,940,967 )   2,206,821  
    Increase/(decrease) in          
    Trade accounts payable 118,523     (2,173,926 )
    Due to related parties —     3,091,759  
    Accrued liabilities 1,383,841     361,520  
    Deferred income (54,903 )   500,110  
    Net cash provided by operating activities 79,530,359     77,695,426  
               
    Cash flows from investing activities          
    Dividends income received 241,667     —  
    Proceeds from sale of vessel, net 3,865,890     41,153,578  
    Acquisition and improvement of vessels (28,145,103 )   (74,672,266 )
    Increase in bank time deposits (167,501,480 )   (247,603,451 )
    Maturity of bank time deposits 203,827,710     150,770,970  
    Proceeds from seller financing —     35,700,000  
    Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 12,288,684     (94,651,169 )
               
    Cash flows from financing activities          
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options —     475,000  
    Proceeds from equity offerings 29,070,586     —  
    Proceeds from warrants exercise —     8,600,000  
    Stock issuance costs (1,492,817 )   —  
    Issuance costs on warrants exercise —     (22,178 )
    Stock repurchase (5,885,727 )   (2,504,498 )
    Warrants repurchase (1,521,738 )   —  
    Dividends paid on preferred shares (2,130,254 )   (1,736,562 )
    Loan repayments (70,438,500 )   —  
    Cash retained by C3is Inc. at spin-off (5,000,000 )   —  
    Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities (57,398,450 )   4,811,762  
               
    Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 34,420,593     (12,143,981 )
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 57,506,919     91,927,512  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 91,927,512     79,783,531  
    Cash breakdown          
    Cash and cash equivalents 91,927,512     79,783,531  
    Total cash and cash equivalents shown in the statements of cash flows 91,927,512     79,783,531  
               

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Now Available Online in 40 US States

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nashville, TN, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), is very excited to announce that customers across 40 US states can now order American Rebel Light Lager online at americanrebelbeer.com. American Rebel Beer has accomplished this milestone by contracting with Bevstack, a leading platform aiding adult beverage brands in expanding the brand’s e-commerce presence. A customer’s order at americanrebelbeer.com to one of the 40 compliant states is routed directly from americanrebelbeer.com to a network of over 1,300 retailers across the 40 participating states, enabling in-state shipping and timely delivery.

    “Customers now have the ability to enjoy America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer across 40 US states,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “As we grow our brick-and-mortar distribution network it’s really exciting for customers in states or areas our beer is not yet physically stocked in stores to be able to buy our beer.”

    “Another great benefit of being able to sell Rebel Light online is that potential investors can now try our beer,” said Andy Ross. “People love our brand and what we stand for, but they also want to love the taste of our beer. No matter how much I tell them they’re going to love it, there’s nothing like tasting it yourself.”

    American Rebel Light Beer orders at americanrebelbeer.com can be shipped to Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Bevstack

    Bevstack stands as the leading platform aiding adult beverage brands in expanding their e-commerce presence. With a three-tier compliant retail network, seamless technology, and unparalleled customer service, Bevstack is dedicated to fostering the growth and success of brands in the digital marketplace. Visit Bevstack.com for more info.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of selling beer online, actual placement timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com
    info@americanrebel.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sale of LNGC Golar Arctic Marks Golar’s Exit From LNG Shipping Segment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Golar LNG Limited (“Golar”) announces today that it has executed agreements to sell the 2003 built steam turbine LNG carrier, Golar Arctic. The sale price for the vessel is USD 24 million before transaction related expenses. The LNG carrier is unencumbered. The transaction is expected to close, and the vessel is to be handed over to its new owner, within Q1 2025. The Golar Arctic is the last LNG carrier in the Golar fleet. Following the vessel sale, Golar will have fully exited its legacy shipping business.

    The LNG carrier Fuji LNG discharged its final cargo as an LNG carrier in January 2025, and has now arrived in China preparing to enter CIMC shipyard for conversion into a MKII FLNG later this month.

    Golar CEO Karl Fredrik Staubo commented: “The sale of the Golar Arctic marks the conclusion of Golar’s planned exit from the LNG shipping segment, 50 years after taking delivery of our first LNG carrier in 1975. Over the last 50 years LNG shipping has been the foundation for Golar’s pioneering maritime LNG infrastructure advances, including FSRUs and FLNGs. Golar’s transition into a focused FLNG infrastructure company is now complete. We look forward to expanding our market leading FLNG position.”

    FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
    This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “subject to” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

    These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Golar LNG Limited undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

    Hamilton, Bermuda
    February 13, 2025

    Investor Questions: +44 207 063 7900
    Karl Fredrik Staubo – CEO
    Eduardo Maranhão – CFO
    Stuart Buchanan – Head of Investor Relations

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Military Billion Dollar Drone Market Expecting Substantial Growth Opportunity as Usage Skyrockets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The Military Drone Market is expected to see substantial growth in the coming years. A recent report from Straits Research. Said that the global military drone market size was valued at USD 21.81 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow from USD 24.25 billion in 2025 to reach USD 56.69 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.20% during the forecast period (2025-2033). The report said: “A military drone, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is a type of aircraft that operates without a human pilot on board. These drones are equipped with advanced technologies for surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and, in some cases, targeted strikes. Military drones are used extensively in modern warfare for a variety of roles, including combat, surveillance, logistical support, and search-and-rescue missions. The global market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing global demand for enhanced surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities. As nations recognize the strategic advantages of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in military operations, drones are increasingly deployed in both combat and non-combat roles. This expansion is further supported by rising defense budgets, particularly in regions such as Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. Despite the promising growth, there are significant challenges facing the global market, including complex regulatory issues and ethical concerns surrounding the use of autonomous weapons. However, innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), miniaturization, and battery life are expected to open new growth opportunities, enabling more advanced, efficient, and versatile drone capabilities in the near future.” Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA).

    Straits Research continued: “Geopolitical tensions, especially in regions like Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, are driving a significant demand for military drones. As nations seek to strengthen their surveillance, intelligence, and tactical capabilities, military drones have become integral to modern defense strategies. For example, the Indo-Pacific region increasingly views drones as vital for maintaining a strategic balance in contested areas. Similarly, Russia’s actions in Ukraine have highlighted the tactical advantages of drones, prompting Eastern European nations near the conflict zone to prioritize drone investments to enhance border security and ensure readiness in case of escalations.

    ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Subsidiary Develops and Tests Proprietary Drone Communications System Enabling Secure and Reliable Communications for US Defense Applications – 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 that its subsidiary ZenaDrone has developed and is currently testing a proprietary drone communications management system called “DroneNet” that enables direct and secure drone communications in situations without reliable internet, cellular or satellite communications. The internally developed system is specifically built for use with the Company’s ZenaDrone 1000 and IQ series of drone products. A drone communications system is a two-way link between a drone and its base station used to direct the drone and relay real-time drone video and sensor data.

    “We believe our proprietary DroneNet communications system will improve both the reliability and performance of our drones ensuring we are not dependent on third-party products with compatibility issues. This internal development ensures we gain more customization of our products, cost management, and control of our supply chain, all of which results in what we believe to be superior drone solutions. Once we’ve tested this initial version, our plan for future advancements includes developing and testing our own microchips with multilayer encryption suitable for NDAA-compliant use required for US Defense applications,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

    Drones used by the military for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications require reliable communications systems for uninterrupted data transmission, mission effectiveness, and operational security. Drones must relay real-time video, sensor data, and telemetry to command centers, allowing defense operators to make time-sensitive decisions. This is especially critical for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, where drones operate over longer distances often in harsh or contested environments. Without secure and resilient communications links, drones risk losing control, can face signal jamming, or data latency, which can compromise mission success. Advanced proprietary communication solutions, using satellite and 4G help ensure connectivity in GPS-denied or high-interference environments and can safeguard data against jamming and cyber threats.

    The ZenaDrone 1000 is an 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. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Other recent developments in the markets include:

    AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) recently announced it recently completed a successful demonstration of its eBee VISION Intelligence Safety and Reconnaissance (ISR) UAS platform for key officials of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

    AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “As we continue to expand our presence in the defense sector, this demonstration underscores AgEagle’s commitment to delivering innovative UAV solutions that meet the rigorous demands of diverse military applications. By providing enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, the eBee VISION ensures our defense customers have the operational efficiency and situational awareness information they require for mission success.”

    EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH) recently announced the launch of its Exhibition (Experience) Center in Shenzhen’s Luohu Sports and Leisure Park. It is the world’s first EH216-S takeoff and landing site featuring a fully automated vertical lift vertiport. It also marks a new smart infrastructure in Shenzhen dedicated to the commercial operations of the EH216-S pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicle, establishing a groundbreaking model for electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft operations in urban areas.

    The Luohu UAM Center, designed by EHang, boasts an automated three-dimensional vertical lift vertiport. This innovative facility reduces labor costs and optimizes space usage through its automated operations. The Luohu UAM Center, spanning approximately 753 square meters, has brought this advanced design to life. The first floor is dedicated to a hangar and boarding area, providing passengers with a seamless and comfortable experience. The integrated takeoff and landing pad with the hangar enables rapid charging, thereby streamlining flight operations. During the launch ceremony on January 21, an EH216-S aircraft was lifted from the first to the second floor by the vertical lift platform. It then took to the skies, completing a lap over the Luohu Sports and Leisure Park before landing smoothly, marking its first flight at the Luohu UAM Center. The demonstration received widespread acclaim from attendees.

    Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has successfully completed the second stage of piloted thrustborne testing of its full scale VX4 prototype. The company is now preparing for a new chapter in its history, with the VX4 entering the penultimate phase of flight testing: wingborne flight. This phase will mark a defining moment in the VX4’s development, pushing beyond the limits of the secure airspace of Cotswold Airport’s airfield and into real-world operating conditions for the first time.

    During Phase 2, the aircraft completed over thirty piloted test flights. Flight tests included completing successful hover and low speed flight maneuvers, as well as executing handling and performance procedures including roll, yaw, and spot-turns.

    Shift5, the observability platform for onboard operational technology, and The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) have recently entered into a global strategic reseller partnership to offer Shift5’s Compliance Module to automate Aircraft Network Security Program (ANSP) compliance efforts for commercial and civil aviation operators. The partnership will drastically reduce the time and manual effort required by maintenance and security teams to identify and report anomalies in onboard data in e-enabled aircraft, allowing them to address credible cyber threats and potential safety issues to improve the safety and operations of fleets.

    Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) guidelines in Advisory Circular (AC) 119-1 and European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) guidelines in Common Requirements Regulation (EU) 2017/373 and the Single European Sky Framework require operators flying connected or e-enabled aircraft with advanced connectivity capabilities to create an ANSP to ensure their safety, integrity, and reliability are in alignment with regulatory standards.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: NPS Develops AI Solution to Automate Drone Defense with High Energy Lasers

    Source: United States Navy

    To counter the rapidly mounting threats posed by the proliferation of inexpensive uncrewed autonomous systems (UAS), or drones, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) researchers and collaborators are applying AI to automate critical parts of the tracking system used by laser weapon systems (LWS). By improving target classification, pose estimation, aimpoint selection and aimpoint maintenance, the ability of an LWS to assess and neutralize a hostile UAS greatly increases. Enhanced decision advantage is the goal.

    The tracking system of an LWS follows a sequence of demanding steps to successfully engage an adversarial UAS. When conducted by a human operator, the steps can be time consuming, especially when facing numerous drones in a swarm. Add in the challenges of an adversary’s missiles and rockets traveling at hypersonic speeds, efforts to mount proper defenses become even more complicated, and urgent.

    Directed energy and AI are both considered DOD Critical Technology Areas. By automating and accelerating the sequence for targeting drones with an AI-enabled LWS, a research team from NPS, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) developed an approach to have the operator on-the-loop overseeing the tracking system instead of in-the-loop manually controlling it.

    “Defending against one drone isn’t a problem. But if there are multiple drones, then sending million-dollar interceptor missiles becomes a very expensive tradeoff because the drones are very cheap,” says Distinguished Professor Brij Agrawal, NPS Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who leads the NPS team. “The Navy has several LWS being developed and tested. LWS are cheap to fire but expensive to build. But once it’s built, then it can keep on firing, like a few dollars per shot.”

    To achieve this level of automation, the researchers generated two datasets that contained thousands of drone images and then applied AI training to the datasets. This produced an AI model that was validated in the laboratory and then transferred to Dahlgren for field testing with its LWS tracking system.

    Funded by the Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (DE-JTO) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), this research addresses advanced AI and directed energy technology applications cited in the CNO NAVPLAN.

    During a typical engagement with a hostile drone, radar makes the initial detection and then the contact information is fed over to the LWS. The operator of the LWS uses its infrared sensor, which has a wide field of view, to start tracking the drone. Next, the high magnification and narrow field of view of its high energy laser (HEL) telescope continues the tracking as its fast-steering mirrors maintain the lock on the drone.

    With a video screen showing the image of the drone in the distance, the operator compares it to a target reference to classify the type of drone and identify its unique aimpoints. Each drone type has different characteristics, and its aimpoints are the locations where that particular drone is most vulnerable to incoming laser fire.

    Along with the drone type and aimpoint determinations, the operator must identify the drone’s pose, or relative orientation to the LWS, necessary for locating its aimpoints. The operator looks at the drone’s image on the screen to determine where to point the LWS and then fires the laser beam.

    Long distances and atmospheric conditions between the LWS and the drone can adversely affect the image quality, making all these identifications more challenging and time consuming to conduct.

    After all these preparations, the operator cannot just simply move a computerized crosshair across the screen onto an aimpoint and press the fire button as if it were a kinetic weapon system, like an anti-aircraft gun or interceptor missile.

    Though lasers move at the speed of light, they don’t instantaneously destroy a drone like the way lasers are depicted in sci-fi movies. The more powerful the laser, the more energy it delivers in a given time. To heat a drone enough to cause catastrophic damage, the laser must be firing the entire time.

    But there’s a catch. The laser beam must be continually held at the same spot. If the drone turns and the laser beam doesn’t adjust, the initial spot it was targeting will no longer heat up. Whatever new spot now hit by the laser beam will start to heat, but it might not be the aimpoint.

    If the drone continuously moves, then the laser beam will wander along its surface if not continuously re-aimed. In this case, the laser’s energy will be distributed across a large area instead of concentrated at a single point. This process of continuously firing the laser beam at one spot is called aimpoint maintenance.

    In 2016, construction of the High Energy Laser Beam Control Research Testbed (HBCRT) was completed by the NPS research team. The HBCRT was designed to replicate the functions of an LWS found aboard a ship, such as the 30-kilowatt, XN-1 Laser Weapon System operated on USS Ponce (LPD 15) from 2014 to 2017.

    Early on, the HBCRT was utilized at NPS to study adaptive optics techniques to correct for aberrations from atmospheric conditions that degrade the quality of the laser beam fired from an LWS. Later, the addition of state-of-the-art deformable mirrors built by Northrup Grumman allowed NPS researchers to investigate further impacts of deep turbulence.

    Over the years, 15 masters and 2 PhD degrees have been earned by NPS officer-students contributing their interdisciplinary research into hardware and software related to the HBCRT. Investigations by U.S. Navy Ensigns Raymond Turner, MS astronautical engineering in 2022, and Raven Heath, MS aeronautical engineering in 2023, added to this research. Turner helped integrate AI algorithms into the HBCRT for aimpoint selection and maintenance, and Heath used deep learning to research AI target key points estimation.

    Now the HBCRT is also being used to create catalogs of drone images to make real-world datasets for AI training.

    Built by Boeing, the HBCRT has a 30 cm diameter, fine-tracking, HEL telescope and a course-tracking, mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) sensor. The pair is called the beam director when coupled together on a large gimble that swivels them in unison up-and-down and side-to-side.

    “The MWIR is thermal,” says Research Associate Professor Jae Jun Kim, NPS Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who specializes in optical beam control. “It looks at the mid-wavelength infrared signal of light, which is related to the heat signature of the target. It has a wide field of view. The gimbal moves to lock onto the target. Then the target is seen through the telescope, which has very small field of view.”

    A 1-kilowatt laser beam (roughly a million times more powerful than a classroom laser pointer) can fire from the telescope. If the laser beam were to be used, it’s generated by a separate external unit and then directed into the telescope, which then projects the laser beam onto the target. However, its use with the HBCRT isn’t required for the initial development of this research, which allows the work to be easily conducted inside a laboratory.

    With a short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) tracking camera, the telescope can record images of a drone that is miles away. Although necessary, replicating the view of a distant drone in a small laboratory is impossible. To resolve this dilemma, researchers mounted 3D-printed, titanium miniature models of drones fabricated by AFRL into a range-in-a-box (RIAB).

    Constructed on an optical bench, the RIAB accurately replicates a drone flying miles away from the telescope by using a large parabolic mirror and other optical components. This research used a miniature model of a Reaper drone. When a SWIR image is taken of the drone model by the telescope, it appears to the telescope as if it were seeing an actual full-sized Reaper drone.

    The drone model is attached to a gimble with motors that can change its pose along the three rotational flight axes of roll (x), pitch (y) and yaw (z). This allows the telescope to observe real-time changes in the direction that the drone model faces.

    Simply put, pose is the orientation of the drone that the telescope “sees” in its direct line of sight. Is the drone heading straight-on or flying away, diving or climbing, banking or cruising straight and level, or moving in some other way?

    By measuring the angles about the x-, y- and z-axes for a drone model in a specific orientation, the pose of the drone can be precisely defined and recorded. This important measurement is called the pose label.

    The NPS researchers created two large representative datasets for AI training to produce the AI model for automating target classification, pose estimation, aimpoint selection and aimpoint maintenance. The AI training used convolutional neural networks with deep learning, which is a machine learning technique based on the understanding of neuropathways in the human brain. A recent journal article in Machine Vision and Applications by NPS faculty Leonardo Herrera, Jae Jun Kim, and Brij Agrawal describes the datasets and AI training in detail.

    Each piece of data in the dataset contained a 256´256-pixel image of a Reaper drone in a unique pose with its corresponding pose label. Lockheed Martin used computer generation to create the synthetic dataset, which contained 100,000 images. Created with the HBCRT and RIAB at NPS, the real-world dataset contained 77,077 images.

    “If we train on only clean pictures, it won’t work. That is a limitation,” says Agrawal. “We need a lot of data with different backgrounds, intensities of the sun, turbulence and more. That’s why when using AI, it takes a lot of work to create the data. And the more data you have, the higher the fidelity.”

    For the AI model, three different AI training scenarios were generated and compared to determine which scenario performed the best. The first scenario only used the synthetic dataset, the second used both the synthetic and real-world datasets, and the third only used the real-world dataset.

    Because the large sizes of datasets and their individual pieces of data required enormous amounts of computational power for the AI training, the researchers used an NVIDIA DGX workstation with four Tesla V100 GPUs. NPS operates numerous NVIDIA workstations. And in December 2024, to continue advancing AI-based technologies, NPS formed a partnership with NVIDIA to become one of its AI Technology Centers.

    “Once we’ve generated a model, we want to test how good it is,” says Agrawal. “Assume you have a dataset with 100,000 data. We’ll train on 80,000 data and test on 20,000 data. Once it’s good with 20,000 data, we’re finished training it.”

    U.S. Navy Ensign Alex Hooker, a Shoemaker Scholar who recently earned his M.S. in astronautical engineering from NPS and is now a student naval aviator, contributed to testing the pose estimations of the AI model.

    “A way to improve the reliability of the model at predicting the pose of a UAS in 3D space by taking 2D input images is detecting what’s called out of distribution data,” he says. “There are different ways to detect whether an image can be trusted or whether it is out of distribution.”

    By feeding the test data images from the dataset into the existing AI model and then comparing the output poses from the AI model to pose labels of the test data images, Hooker could continually train and refine the AI model itself.

    Working now with Agrawal is NPS Space Systems Engineering student U.S. Navy Ensign Nicholas Messina, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in aerospace engineering last year and is a Boman Scholar headed for the Nuclear Navy career track after NPS.

    “My thesis is a little bit of a sidestep in the way that I am working with artificial intelligence and optics, but Dr. Agrawal and Dr. Herrera have been great,” said Messina. “My research is specifically working on optical turbulence prediction and classification. I train my AI models off large image datasets and am working to improve accuracy in how the model predicts the wavefronts from a picture.”

    One of the biggest challenges that has faced automated image-based drone identification and classification is pose ambiguity. This occurs when the pose of the actual drone in the distance is indistinguishable from one or more of its other poses.

    Because an LWS views the 3D drone flying far away as 2D images in the infrared spectrum, the features of the drone’s shape effectively disappear into a silhouette. For example, the silhouette of a drone flying directly head-on would look the same as if it were flying away in the exact opposite direction.

    The researchers solved pose ambiguity for the AI model by introducing radar cueing. Tracking data from a radar can reveal if a drone is approaching, withdrawing or moving in some other way. For the AI training, the pose labels of the drone images were used to mimic real radar sensor output. The team also developed a separate method to simulate the radar data and provide radar cuing during LWS operation if actual radar data is not available.

    Overall, the AI model from the scenario using only the real-world dataset performed best by producing the least amount of error. 

    For the next phase of the research, the team transferred the AI model to Dahlgren for field testing on its LWS tracking system.

    “Dahlgren has our model, which we trained on the dataset collected indoors on the HBCRT and complemented with synthetic data,” says Leonardo Herrara, who runs the AI laboratory at NPS and is a faculty associate in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “They can collect live data using a drone and create a new dataset to train on top of ours. That’s called transfer learning.”

    Creating more data under additional conditions and of other drone types will also continue at NPS. Just because the AI model is already trained on a Reaper doesn’t mean it’s reliable for other drones. But even before the AI model can be deployed, it must first be integrated into Dahlgren’s tracking system.

    “We now have the model running in real-time inside of our tracking system,” says Eric Montag, an imaging scientist at Dahlgren and leader of a group that developed an LWS tracking system currently in use by High Energy Laser Expeditionary (HELEX), which is an LWS mounted on a land-based demonstrator.

    “Sometime this calendar year, we’re planning a demo of the automatic aimpoint selection inside the tracking framework for a simple proof of concept,” Montag adds. “We don’t need to shoot a laser to test the automatic aimpoint capabilities. There are already projects—HELEX being one of them—that are interested in this technology. We’ve been partnering with them and shooting from their platform with our tracking system.”

    When field testing occurs, HELEX will start tracking from radar cues and use pose estimation to automatically select an aimpoint. The tracking system of HELEX will be semi-autonomous. So, instead of manually controlling aspects of the tracking system from in-the-loop, the operator will oversee it from on-the-loop.

    Besides LWS, this research also opens other possibilities for use throughout the fleet. Tracking systems across other platforms could also see potential benefit from this type of AI-enabled automation. At a time when shipboard defenses can be threatened by massive waves of drones, missiles and rockets, a jump in the efficiency of determining friend or foe, and engaging hostile threats, could be a game-changer to speed decision-advantage.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Extramural Studies Placement 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Opportunity for veterinary students to apply to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2025.

    The VMD invites veterinary students who are in their clinical years of study to apply to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2025, at the VMD’s offices in Addlestone, Surrey. 

    The placement is an exciting opportunity to discover how veterinary medicines and vaccines are authorised.  Students will also explore other important aspects of the VMD’s work and will learn about a range of career opportunities in the veterinary profession.

    The placement will be run from 7 to 11 July 2025.  The week will be structured with lectures and workshops.  Some of the topics that will be covered include:

    • Medicine use in clinical practice
    • Assessing new medicine applications, including Quality, Safety and Efficacy of medicines
    • Generic medicines; bioequivalence and biowaivers
    • Pharmacovigilance and the importance of reporting adverse events
    • Novel and emerging therapies
    • VMD international activities
    • Antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance
    • Veterinary medicine legislation

    To apply

    Please complete the EMS Application form (MS Word Document, 44.9 KB) and email to ems@vmd.gov.uk.

    Applications will close on 14 March.  All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by 21 March.

    Please note, students will be responsible for their own accommodation and travel costs. 

    We look forward to receiving your applications.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Humboldt — Humboldt RCMP: male arrested after assault with a machete

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On February 6, 2025 at approximately 11:35 p.m., Humboldt RCMP received a report of an assault in a business parking lot in Humboldt, SK.

    Officers responded along with local EMS. Investigation determined an adult male, who was armed with a machete, approached two other males in the parking lot. The two groups were not known to each other. During their interaction, one of the adult males was injured. The injured adult male was transported to hospital with injuries described as serious in nature. We do not have an update on his condition.

    As a result of investigation, on February 7, officers located the adult male suspect in a parked vehicle on a rural property near Humboldt, SK. Officers approached the vehicle and determined the adult male was armed with a hatchet. The male threatened self-harm, also threatening police. Officers deployed a conducted energy device and the male was arrested. The male was taken to hospital with what were described as non-life threatening injuries.

    48-year-old Dominic O’Rourke from Humboldt, SK is charged with:

    • one count, assault with a weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code;
    • one count, assault on peace officer with a weapon, Section 270.01(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(1), Criminal Code.

    Dominic O’Rourke is scheduled to appear in court in Humboldt on March 3, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to cope with romantic rejection – a psychologist’s advice

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Veronica Lamarche, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, University of Essex

    Romantic rejection can be very painful. Nomad_Soul/Shutterstock

    Has a romantic partner, or someone you had a crush on, ever hurt your feelings? You’re far from alone. Very few people can boast a 100% success rate when it comes to attracting love interests. And even for those who have more “hits” than “misses”, no partner is capable of always being attentive to our needs, leading to conflicts, disappointments and breakups.

    Given the ubiquity of romantic rejection, why is it often so challenging to respond in adaptive rather than destructive ways?

    Humans are social creatures. Millennia of relying on our family and broader social communities for survival means that we have evolved complex psychological monitoring systems to track whether we are safely connected with others – or at risk of being pushed out of groups.

    The evolutionary importance of social connection with others is so significant that some researchers have gone so far as to argue that people have a fundamental need for acceptance through positive and satisfying relationships.

    If you’ve recently been rejected by someone you had feelings for, or a partner has ended your relationship, these psychology-backed tips will help you to move on.

    Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Whether you want to improve your relationship with others or with yourself, The Quarter Life Glow-up can help.

    This six-week newsletter course from The Conversation will bring you research-backed advice and tools to help improve your relationships, your career, your free time and your mental health – no supplements or skincare required. Sign up here to start your glow-up at any time.

    Why does rejection hurt so much?

    In many societies, romantic relationships typically offer the strongest forms of connection – and consequently opportunities for rejection. From being rebuffed or ghosted by prospective partners, to having your emotional needs ignored in your relationship, through to recurring conflicts, breakups and divorces, romantic rejection can manifest at all stages of romantic life.



    Read more:
    From ghosting to ‘backburner’ relationships: the reasons people behave so badly on dating apps

    These moments of rejection amplify our need to belong. They motivate us to respond in a way that restores of feelings of safety and connection because they shine a spotlight on the psychological risks of being cast out and left vulnerable.

    While romantic rejection is always unpleasant, not everyone notices or reacts to rejection in the same way.

    People who are higher in rejection sensitivity more actively monitor for signs of rejection from their loved ones. This hypersensitivity often backfires, leading them to over-anticipate rejection and prevent others from behaving in ways that would provide reassurance.

    Different people have different sensitivity levels when it comes to rejection.
    Farknot Architect/Shutterstock

    Consider, for example, that you find out a group of friends met for coffee and didn’t invite you. It is natural to feel slighted even if this was not their intention. People lower in rejection sensitivity are more likely to conclude that the harm was unintentional, and focus instead on the positives. Perhaps, suggest that “it looks like you had a great time, I’d love to join next time”.

    People higher in rejection sensitivity are more likely to conclude that the exclusion was not only intentional, but indicative that the friend group is harbouring some kind of resentment. These assumptions can lead to withdrawal. Instead of opening the door for an invite in the future or reassurance that their presence was missed, they close it behind them.

    People who are sensitive to rejection are more likley to interpret friends getting coffee without them as a slight.
    Annika Knight/Dupe, CC BY-SA

    This preoccupation with protecting the self from rejection often contributes to self-fulfilling prophecies. For example, people with lower self esteem often over-anticipate rejection from others. Consequently, they are more likely to believe that a potential romantic partner is disinterested.

    This assumption of disinterest prevents them from even attempting to initiate a relationship with the object of their affection. Their potential partner may misinterpret reticence as disinterest, or may never even realise the door for connection was open, thus guaranteeing a “rejection”.

    The only way to break this cycle is by trying to connect, rather than hoping or assuming the other person will always make the first move.

    By contrast, people with high self esteem are less preoccupied with avoiding rejection and are therefore more likely to continue to see loved ones through rose-tinted glasses, even after experiencing rejection.

    How to cope with romantic rejection

    Being more sensitive to the warning signs of rejection does not mean that someone is immune to its sting. Experiencing rejection leads most people to feel worse about themselves and others. This can lead to aggressive and selfish actions.

    Research has even shown that some people are more likely to say that being sexually coercive against a partner is permissible if they have been reminded about time they had been recently hurt by a close other. Therefore, in a cruel twist of fate, these hurt people often hurt others, thereby reducing the likelihood of reconnection.

    So, how can you find more adaptive ways of coping with rejection? An important first step is self-reflection. People with low self-esteem or an insecure attachment style (people who have less positive self-regard and expect others to have poor regard for them as well) are more likely to be rejection sensitive. Ask yourself if this might describe you.

    Spend time reflecting on your self esteem and attachment style to understand how you cope with rejection.
    Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

    Recognising that this is something you struggle with can help you be mindful in how you respond to experiences. Even people particularly sensitive to rejection benefit from being nonjudgmental about their inner experiences, and are less likely to report negative feelings following rejection.

    Another strategy you can work on is constructive, rather than destructive, approaches to communication. Because rejection makes us feel defensive, it can lead us to express ourselves in overly negative and indirect ways. Try to avoid focusing on your love interest’s intent.

    In a relationship, focus on how a transgression made you feel and what it would take to make it up to you now, and in the future. These sorts of positive, yet direct, approaches are more productive and increase the likelihood that your partners will be responsive to your needs in the future.

    It is not necessary to run away from rejection. It is an important social cue that can motivate you towards self-improvement and connection with others. The people who can fully embrace the potential benefits the comes from connecting with others, in spite of any potential risks, are more likely to reap the rewards.

    Veronica Lamarche has received funding from the ESRC, the British Academy, and the Royal Society.

    – ref. How to cope with romantic rejection – a psychologist’s advice – https://theconversation.com/how-to-cope-with-romantic-rejection-a-psychologists-advice-246707

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The heart is symbol of love – things weren’t always like that

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol

    Valentine’s Day is all about the hearts: heart-shaped chocolates, cards, balloons and even pizza. But the heart hasn’t always just been a symbol of romance.

    Across cultures and centuries, the heart has been revered as the seat of the soul, a source of supernatural power and a vessel of identity. From ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs to medieval relics, from necromantic rituals to modern heart transplants, this organ has been at the centre of both scientific curiosity and deep-seated mysticism.

    Why has the heart, more than any other organ, been imbued with such deep symbolism and power? While anatomy tells us it is a muscular pump controlled by electrical impulses, history tells a more complex story – one of rituals, relics and even dark magic.

    The human heart is a remarkably efficient pump, beating about 100,000 times a day and circulating about 7,500 litres of blood. It is driven by the sinoatrial node, a cluster of pacemaker cells that spontaneously generate electrical impulses independently of the brain.

    As this intrinsic electrical system does not rely on direct nervous input but is influenced by it, the heart can continue beating for a short while even when removed from the body – provided it has an adequate supply of oxygen and electrolytes. This uncanny quality only reinforced superstitions that the heart was more than just a muscle and may explain why many early cultures viewed the heart as possessing a life force of its own.

    But to present the heart as merely a pump ignores wider influences. The heart functions as an endocrine organ, releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, fluid balance and cardiovascular health.

    The connection between the heart and “love hormones”, such as oxytocin, extends beyond metaphor, as research suggests the heart not only responds to oxytocin but may also play a role in its release.

    Oxytocin is primarily produced in the brain by the hypothalamus and released from the pituitary gland, flooding the body during moments of affection, trust and bonding. It is the chemical catalyst behind the deep emotional connections that define human relationships.

    The heart is equipped with oxytocin receptors, and studies show that the hormone promotes vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels), reducing blood pressure and improving circulation. Beyond this, oxytocin may protect the heart, helping it repair itself and reducing inflammation after injury, such as during a heart attack.

    However, the heart’s function was not always understood. The ancient Greeks believed it was the seat of intelligence, while Aristotle dismissed the brain as a mere “cooling fluid” for the heart’s divine fire.

    Galen, a Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher who lived during Roman times, described the heart as the body’s furnace, while William Harvey’s 1628 discovery of circulation reshaped our understanding of this important organ. Even so, its symbolic and mystical significance never fully waned.

    The seat of the soul

    The ancient Egyptians preserved the heart during mummification, believing it would be weighed by Anubis against the Feather of Truth, the divine measure of justice. Ironically, the brain was discarded as totally useless. An excerpt from the Book of the Dead, an ancient Egyptian funerary text, reads:

    O my heart which I had from my mother! which I had from my mother! O my heart of my different ages! Don’t stand up as a witness against me. Do not be opposed to me in the tribunal.

    This spell is intended to pacify the heart and assert dominion, ensuring it remains loyal when weighed.

    The idea that the heart carried more than just blood persisted into the Renaissance, with scholars debating whether it was the true locus of identity.

    “If indeed from the heart alone rise anger or passion, fear, terror, and sadness; if from it alone spring shame, delight, and joy, why should I say more?” Andreas de Laguna, a Spanish physician wrote in 1535.

    Even today, heart transplants fuel questions about whether a transplanted heart carries something of its donor. Some recipients report changes in personality, memories or food preferences, raising speculation about cellular memory. While no definitive scientific basis exists, such cases continue to intrigue.

    Heart of darkness

    The heart’s power was not only revered, but feared. In folk magic and necromancy, people believed that the hearts of executed criminals retained energy from their violent deaths. Some thought consuming, burning or preserving a heart could grant knowledge or strength.

    In Scotland and England, people reportedly boiled the hearts of murderers to prevent their ghosts from haunting the living. Dried hearts were sometimes ground into powders for potions, while in occult traditions, they were burned in rituals to banish spirits or bind enemies.

    More disturbing are accounts of unbaptised infants’ hearts in witchcraft traditions. Some sources claim they were used in hexes, flying ointments or dark pacts. While probably exaggerated during witch trials, such stories reflect a deep-rooted belief in the heart as a conduit of power.

    The heart has been a vessel of the soul, a source of magic and a point of conflict between science and superstition. While modern medicine has demystified much of its function, its symbolism remains deeply ingrained in human culture.

    This Valentine’s Day, as we exchange stylised hearts in celebration of love, we might pause to remember that the power of the heart has been a symbol of life, death and everything in between for millennia.

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

    – ref. The heart is symbol of love – things weren’t always like that – https://theconversation.com/the-heart-is-symbol-of-love-things-werent-always-like-that-249211

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Eight of the most romantic poems to read to your love this Valentine’s Day

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ellen Howley, Assistant Professor in the School of English, DCU, Dublin City University

    Grinbox/Shutterstock

    For many of us, the run-up to Valentine’s Day is spent seeking out the least cringe-worthy card in the shop to gift to our significant other, and show them how we really feel. But, unfortunately, Hallmark rhymes rarely mine the depths of love and desire.

    So, if you’re looking for the perfect words for your loved one this year, why not share one of these poems, which attempt to express the wonder and complexities of romantic love.

    1. Sonnet 106 by William Shakespeare (1609)

    Portrait of William Shakespeare by John Taylor (1611).
    National Portrait Gallery

    If you make a list of love poems, you’re obliged to include a Shakespearean sonnet, so I’ll start with a lesser known one, Sonnet 106.

    In the poem, the bard compares the beauty of his lover to ancient poems that described beautiful knights and ladies. He declares that these older writers must have been prophets to know his lover’s true beauty. In fact, his lover is even more beautiful than these descriptions because the poets “had not skill enough your worth to sing”.

    Here, Shakespeare addresses a problem that has plagued love poets throughout the ages: how to write of the love and beauty they feel and see when words may never match up.

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

    2. From the Irish by Ian Duhig (1997)

    British-Irish poet, Ian Duhig confronts the same problem as Shakespeare in From the Irish. It is a poem that thinks as much about language as it does about love, but resolves in a sincere but frustrated attempt to tell his lover how he feels.

    In trying to be precise in his use of language, he ends up telling his lover that their face “is like a slice of half-boiled turnip”.

    This attempt to compare his lover’s face to the moon is not an insult, but instead part of his serious attempt to, as he says, “love you properly, according to Dinneen”.

    3. Heart to Heart by Rita Dove (2004)

    Rita Dove’s Heart to Heart likewise contemplates the relationship between love and language. In the poem, Dove, the former US poet laureate dismisses the clichéd ways in which we talk about the heart:

    It doesn’t melt

    or turn over,

    break or harden.

    The poet cannot tell her lover from “the bottom of it / how I feel” but gives it to them all the same.

    Rita Dove reads her poem Heart to Heart.

    4. He Seemed to Me Equal to the Gods by Sappho (translated by Anne Carson in 2002)

    Closely aligned to the theme of romantic love is that of desire, and across the centuries poets have written about the torture of yearning. The Greek poet Sappho knew this even 2,600 years ago. Women are the objects of desire in her erotic poetry.

    Sappho by Enrique Simonet (1864).
    Wiki Commons

    This poem, translated by the Canadian poet, Anne Carson, finds the poet watching her lover, which, says Sappho, “puts the heart in my chest on wings” but also renders her speechless. She describes the intensity and agony of desire:

    fire is racing under skin

    and in eyes no sight and drumming

    fills ears.

    These lines are a surviving fragment of a larger, lost poem, so what the poet might have “dared” at the end remains a mystery.

    5. His Mistress Going to Bed by John Donne (circa 1590)

    John Donne by Isaac Oliver (1622).
    National Portrait Gallery

    Perhaps more daring is John Donne’s His Mistress Going to Bed. Donne, an English poet who began writing in the 16th century, is considered one of the great love poets.

    His Mistress Going to Bed is his attempt at seduction, undressing his lover across the poem’s lines: “Now off with those shoes, and then safely tread / In this love’s hallow’d temple, this soft bed.” The sexual act is seen as one of union: “As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth’d must be, / To taste whole joys.”

    So prepared is the poet, we discover by the poem’s end, that he is already naked and ready to go to bed with his love.

    6. Poem II by Adrienne Rich (1978)

    As partnerships evolve, the initial intensity of sexual passion morphs into a more everyday, although no less exciting kind of love.

    Poem II from Adrienne Rich’s sequence Twenty-One Love Poems describes the poet waking in her lover’s bed following a dream. She tenderly writes: “You’ve kissed my hair / to wake me.”

    Adrienne Rich (right) with Audre Lorde (left) and Meridel Lesueur in 1980.
    K. Kendall/flickr, CC BY

    The poem is a warm and intimate portrait of the love between two women, with Rich declaring:

    I laugh and fall dreaming again

    or the desire to show you to everyone I love,

    to move openly together.

    In this, the poet acknowledges the ease and depth of her love but also makes subtle reference to the lack of acceptance of homosexual relationships in the 1970s, when the poems were first published.

    7. An Amish Rug by Michael Longley (1991)

    Michael Longley, the Irish poet who passed away in January, presents a similarly private scene of an established relationship in his poem, An Amish Rug.

    Describing the handmade rug he gifts to his wife, the poet contrasts the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle with its vivid woven colours.

    If hung on the wall, the rug will become a stained-glass “cathedral window”. Or, it may be placed on the floor so that “whenever we undress for sleep or love / We shall step over it as over a flowerbed”.

    There’s a Valentine’s gift to live up to.

    8. The Orange by Wendy Cope (1992)

    Wendy Cope’s The Orange almost unexpectedly turn into a love poem, as the poet describes the increasing “peace and contentment” that comes from sharing a “huge orange” with her colleagues. This, she says, “made me so happy, / As ordinary things often do”.

    The Orange by Wendy Cope.

    Its description of a lovely but ordinary day ends with the affirming line “I love you. I’m glad I exist,” revealing that profound reflections can come from small moments.

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

    – ref. Eight of the most romantic poems to read to your love this Valentine’s Day – https://theconversation.com/eight-of-the-most-romantic-poems-to-read-to-your-love-this-valentines-day-248479

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A822 North Bridge Street Resurfacing Works

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Due to the nature of the works and available road space, these works will be carried out under a restricted hours road closure between 9.15am and 3pm Monday to Friday, with no weekend working planned, to minimise disruption. On street parking and loading will also be suspended in the works area.   

    During the road closure hours, the official diversion route will be via the A822, A85, A9, A823 and A822, and vice versa. The works area and official diversion route are both shown on the location plan (PDF, 1 MB).  

    Outside the closure hours, temporary traffic signals may be used to protect road users and the work site.  

    During the works, vehicle access to properties within the works area will be limited and immediate entry/exit cannot be guaranteed. Our contractor will grant access when it is safe to do so, however we would advise residents and motorists to expect some delays. Access for emergency services vehicles will be maintained throughout, and on waste collection days bins should be presented as normal. 

    Some changes to bus services during the working hours will be necessary – arrangements for these will be detailed on our Public Transport pages. 

    We apologise for any inconvenience these essential works may cause and would thank residents and motorists for their patience while the resurfacing is carried out.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lake Victoria is turning green – the deadly bacteria behind it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Lauren Hart, PhD candidate, Michigan Geomicrobiology Lab, University of Michigan

    Lakes, natural and man-made, provide water, food and habitats for wildlife, as well as supporting local economies. Around the world, though, there’s a growing threat to lakes: toxic bacteria which turn the water green.

    This is the same green as you see on stagnant ponds. It’s caused by tiny organisms called cyanobacteria and can be deadly.

    Cyanobacteria thrive in warm, sunny lakes and ponds that contain excess nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients derived from fertiliser, manure and sewage. When conditions are right, cyanobacteria multiply rapidly and form smelly green scums on the water’s surface.

    Known to science as cyanoHABs (cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms), the scums are harmful to livestock, wildlife, pets, people and aquatic organisms like fish. Toxins make untreated water unsafe to drink, swim in, or even touch. Sometimes they can become suspended in air and be inhaled. The cyanoHABs also harm ecosystems by depleting oxygen, killing off whatever lives in the water, and disrupting food webs and fisheries.

    CyanoHABs are a global threat and receive considerable scientific attention in North America and Europe. Blooms are becoming more widespread worldwide because rising temperatures promote cyanobacterial growth and more intense rainfall delivers nutrients from the landscape. Only effective management of nutrients can reverse this trend.

    The problem is understudied in Africa’s main lakes, including its largest – Lake Victoria. Past research on cyanoHABs has mostly used microscopy to study the kinds found there, but microscopy cannot differentiate between toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial cells.

    We are on a large project team of scientists who have been studying the socioeconomic and environmental effects of cyanoHABs in the Winam Gulf region of Lake Victoria in south-western Kenya.

    Our latest study identified which cyanobacteria were the most abundant in the gulf and which ones were producing the main toxin of concern.

    These findings can improve public safety:

    • local authorities can monitor for specific cyanobacteria and warn residents to stay away when blooms are present

    • cyanoHAB prevention practices (nutrient reduction, land-use practices) can target the cyanobacteria that cause the problem.

    Greening of lakes

    Lake Victoria now receives large influxes of nutrients because of growing lakeside populations and land-use changes. Nutrients from agriculture, industry and urbanisation fuel the growth of cyanoHABs.

    CyanoHABs occur in many basins in Lake Victoria but are highly concentrated in Kenya’s shallow Winam/Nyanza Gulf. Changing nutrient and temperature conditions can also alter which types of cyanobacteria dominate the gulf and the types and levels of toxins in the water. Lakeside communities that rely on the gulf for drinking water and domestic tasks are at risk of exposure to cyanoHAB toxins.

    CyanoHAB in the Winam Gulf. Photo by George Bullerjahn (BGSU)

    Past research on cyanoHABs has mostly used the oldest of microbiological techniques — microscopy — to classify the types of cyanobacteria in the gulf. This cannot differentiate between toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial cells.

    Modern genome sequencing technologies can identify genes encoding the production of known and novel toxins and other molecules of interest, such as those with medicinal properties. Genomic data from African Great Lakes is scarce, so the chemical capabilities of bacteria in this region are largely unexplored. But this is beginning to change.

    Our latest study adds to a growing number of recent studies our team has carried out in and around Lake Victoria. In this study, our research vessel stopped at over 31 sites to collect scientific samples and data. The samples were later analysed for DNA, the biological “instruction manual” inside every living thing. DNA tells an organism how to grow, function, reproduce, and – in the case of cyanobacteria – make deadly toxins. This analysis produced near-complete genome sequences – that is, the set of all genes in the DNA – for organisms at each sampling site.

    Past reports identified Microcystis as the dominant cyanobacteria in the Winam Gulf. Our research, however, found Dolichospermum was the most abundant type in major cyanoHAB events there. This finding might be due to recent environmental changes in the region.

    But we linked Microcystis to microcystin. This is a liver-damaging toxin that can kill livestock, wildlife and humans, especially those whose immune system isn’t working well. In Winam Gulf, it’s often more abundant than the health limits set by the WHO.

    Our study also found that Microcystis occurs mainly in murkier river mouths where green scums are not visible, making scientific monitoring and public alerts even more important.

    Local authorities can now monitor for these cyanobacteria and warn residents to stay away when blooms are present.

    The findings also mean that authorities know which cyanobacteria to target in prevention efforts like reducing the amount of phosphorus and other nutrients entering the gulf.

    Lastly, our genomic study uncovered over 300 uncharacterised genes that may produce novel cyanobacterial molecules. These molecules could have toxic or therapeutic effects, and provide an opportunity for future investigators to explore.

    A model for what is to come

    Rapid human population growth and settlement around lakes and their watersheds is leading to high levels nutrients in lakes around the world. This results in excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants. This danger is likely to increase with global warming because warm temperatures promote algal blooms.

    Our data provides a foundation for remedying this in Lake Victoria – and possibly discovering beneficial properties in cyanoHABs.

    – Lake Victoria is turning green – the deadly bacteria behind it
    – https://theconversation.com/lake-victoria-is-turning-green-the-deadly-bacteria-behind-it-249298

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sam Kerr verdict: what it means for law in the UK and the star athlete’s soccer career

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Megan McElhone, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Monash University

    A London court has found Sam Kerr not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of Metropolitan Police officer Stephen Lovell.

    As captain of the Australian women’s national soccer team, Kerr was widely condemned when news broke she had used a “racial slur” against an officer during an altercation.

    The high-profile incident sparked debate across the globe.

    Initially, former Australian soccer player Craig Foster criticised Kerr’s behaviour before retracting it and publicly apologising to her.

    Meanwhile, politicians and academics argued her comments did not amount to racism given the power dynamics at play: not only is Kerr of Indian descent, but official inquiries have found the Metropolitan Police to be institutionally racist.

    Historically, police have played a role in sustaining colonialism, racism and white supremacy. Calling Kerr’s words racist overlooks that they don’t accord with an entrenched, global system of power.

    What happened that night?

    Kerr has maintained she and her partner – United States’ women’s national team player Kristie Mewis – believed they were being kidnapped by a cab driver.

    He refused to let them out of the cab after Kerr vomited, taking them to Twickenham police station instead of their destination.

    There, Mewis broke the cab window in an attempt to get out of the vehicle.

    At the station, Kerr reportedly appealed to officers to “understand the emergency that both of us felt”, referencing the 2021 abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan Police officer.

    The commissioned inquiry into Everard’s murder characterised the Metropolitan Police as institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.

    However, Kerr soon faced an allegation of racism after becoming distressed and antagonistic towards the officers.

    Believing they were siding with the cab driver after forming negative preconceptions because of her skin colour, she repeated “you guys are stupid and white, you guys are fucking stupid and white”.

    What are the legal ramifications in the UK?

    Kerr pleaded not guilty to the offence of intentionally causing harassment, alarm, or distress to another by using threatening, abusive, or insulting words under Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986, and to the racial aggravation of the offence per the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

    She faced a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

    Kerr accepted she used the words “fucking stupid and white”. But it still had to be proven she intended and caused harassment, alarm, or distress to Lovell and that the offence was racially motivated.

    Initially, the Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was not enough evidence to charge Kerr.

    But after receiving a request from the Metropolitan Police to review the case, and a new statement from Lovell about Kerr’s words making him feel “belittled” and “upset”, they authorised police to charge the athlete.

    A jury found her not guilty after a seven-day trial.

    Broadly speaking, public order offences criminalise words and behaviour that might breach the peace. Police have significant discretion to use these offences as tools to regulate people’s uses of public space.

    In Australia and the UK, police have been shown to use these powers in discriminatory ways.

    Kerr has conceded her behaviour was regrettable but the charge against her is difficult to align with the purpose of public order legislation.

    What does it mean for Kerr’s soccer career?

    It is unclear what this verdict means for Kerr’s career.

    Her English club, Chelsea, is anticipating she will return from a long-term knee injury soon.

    It is possible the club was kept in the loop about Kerr’s altercation with police from the beginning, as she reportedly threatened to involve its lawyers in the body-cam footage shown at trial.

    The club is yet to make a statement about the trial or verdict.

    Football Australia is in a different position though, having been blindsided by the news Kerr had been charged by police.

    The fact Kerr is the captain of the Matildas, and the sport’s highest-profile marketing asset, adds layers of complexity to Football Australia’s decision-making.

    CEO of Football Australia James Johnson declined to weigh in on Kerr’s captaincy until her trial concluded.

    It is possible the governing body will impose a sanction, with Kerr falling afoul of clause 2.14 of their national code of conduct and ethics after being charged with a criminal offence.

    Kerr could return to the pitch later this month, but has been left out of the Matildas squad for the SheBelieves Cup in the US because of her fitness.

    With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on the horizon, interim Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni no doubt hopes her recovery stays on track.

    Meanwhile, Kerr is yet to play under Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor. She could prove crucial as the club chases an elusive UEFA Women’s Champions League title, but faces competition for her spot.

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

    – ref. Sam Kerr verdict: what it means for law in the UK and the star athlete’s soccer career – https://theconversation.com/sam-kerr-verdict-what-it-means-for-law-in-the-uk-and-the-star-athletes-soccer-career-249153

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Lake Victoria is turning green – the deadly bacteria behind it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Lauren Hart, PhD candidate, Michigan Geomicrobiology Lab, University of Michigan

    Lakes, natural and man-made, provide water, food and habitats for wildlife, as well as supporting local economies. Around the world, though, there’s a growing threat to lakes: toxic bacteria which turn the water green.

    This is the same green as you see on stagnant ponds. It’s caused by tiny organisms called cyanobacteria and can be deadly.

    Cyanobacteria thrive in warm, sunny lakes and ponds that contain excess nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients derived from fertiliser, manure and sewage. When conditions are right, cyanobacteria multiply rapidly and form smelly green scums on the water’s surface.

    Known to science as cyanoHABs (cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms), the scums are harmful to livestock, wildlife, pets, people and aquatic organisms like fish. Toxins make untreated water unsafe to drink, swim in, or even touch. Sometimes they can become suspended in air and be inhaled. The cyanoHABs also harm ecosystems by depleting oxygen, killing off whatever lives in the water, and disrupting food webs and fisheries.

    CyanoHABs are a global threat and receive considerable scientific attention in North America and Europe. Blooms are becoming more widespread worldwide because rising temperatures promote cyanobacterial growth and more intense rainfall delivers nutrients from the landscape. Only effective management of nutrients can reverse this trend.

    The problem is understudied in Africa’s main lakes, including its largest – Lake Victoria. Past research on cyanoHABs has mostly used microscopy to study the kinds found there, but microscopy cannot differentiate between toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial cells.

    We are on a large project team of scientists who have been studying the socioeconomic and environmental effects of cyanoHABs in the Winam Gulf region of Lake Victoria in south-western Kenya.

    Our latest study identified which cyanobacteria were the most abundant in the gulf and which ones were producing the main toxin of concern.

    These findings can improve public safety:

    • local authorities can monitor for specific cyanobacteria and warn residents to stay away when blooms are present

    • cyanoHAB prevention practices (nutrient reduction, land-use practices) can target the cyanobacteria that cause the problem.

    Greening of lakes

    Lake Victoria now receives large influxes of nutrients because of growing lakeside populations and land-use changes. Nutrients from agriculture, industry and urbanisation fuel the growth of cyanoHABs.

    CyanoHABs occur in many basins in Lake Victoria but are highly concentrated in Kenya’s shallow Winam/Nyanza Gulf. Changing nutrient and temperature conditions can also alter which types of cyanobacteria dominate the gulf and the types and levels of toxins in the water. Lakeside communities that rely on the gulf for drinking water and domestic tasks are at risk of exposure to cyanoHAB toxins.

    Past research on cyanoHABs has mostly used the oldest of microbiological techniques — microscopy — to classify the types of cyanobacteria in the gulf. This cannot differentiate between toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial cells.

    Modern genome sequencing technologies can identify genes encoding the production of known and novel toxins and other molecules of interest, such as those with medicinal properties. Genomic data from African Great Lakes is scarce, so the chemical capabilities of bacteria in this region are largely unexplored. But this is beginning to change.

    Our latest study adds to a growing number of recent studies our team has carried out in and around Lake Victoria. In this study, our research vessel stopped at over 31 sites to collect scientific samples and data. The samples were later analysed for DNA, the biological “instruction manual” inside every living thing. DNA tells an organism how to grow, function, reproduce, and – in the case of cyanobacteria – make deadly toxins. This analysis produced near-complete genome sequences – that is, the set of all genes in the DNA – for organisms at each sampling site.

    Past reports identified Microcystis as the dominant cyanobacteria in the Winam Gulf. Our research, however, found Dolichospermum was the most abundant type in major cyanoHAB events there. This finding might be due to recent environmental changes in the region.

    But we linked Microcystis to microcystin. This is a liver-damaging toxin that can kill livestock, wildlife and humans, especially those whose immune system isn’t working well. In Winam Gulf, it’s often more abundant than the health limits set by the WHO.

    Our study also found that Microcystis occurs mainly in murkier river mouths where green scums are not visible, making scientific monitoring and public alerts even more important.

    Local authorities can now monitor for these cyanobacteria and warn residents to stay away when blooms are present.

    The findings also mean that authorities know which cyanobacteria to target in prevention efforts like reducing the amount of phosphorus and other nutrients entering the gulf.

    Lastly, our genomic study uncovered over 300 uncharacterised genes that may produce novel cyanobacterial molecules. These molecules could have toxic or therapeutic effects, and provide an opportunity for future investigators to explore.

    A model for what is to come

    Rapid human population growth and settlement around lakes and their watersheds is leading to high levels nutrients in lakes around the world. This results in excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants. This danger is likely to increase with global warming because warm temperatures promote algal blooms.

    Our data provides a foundation for remedying this in Lake Victoria – and possibly discovering beneficial properties in cyanoHABs.

    Lauren Hart receives funding from National Institute of Health.

    George S Bullerjahn receives funding from the National Science Foundation.

    Gregory J. Dick receives funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institutes for Health, and the US Geological Survey.

    Kefa M. Otiso receives funding from the US National Science Foundation.

    – ref. Lake Victoria is turning green – the deadly bacteria behind it – https://theconversation.com/lake-victoria-is-turning-green-the-deadly-bacteria-behind-it-249298

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy to be Included in MSCI USA Index as of February 28, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, N.Y., Feb. 13, 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, is pleased to announce that it has been included in the MSCI USA Index, effective as of February 28, 2025, following the February index review by MSCI Inc.

    The MSCI USA Index is a part of the MSCI Global Small Cap Indexes, which capture small cap representation across 23 Developed Market countries. The index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. MSCI is a leading provider of decision support tools and services for the global investment community, backed by over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology. Widely recognized by international financial markets and referenced by global investment institutions, MSCI’s stock indexes cover high-performing, high-potential companies. 

    “Our addition to the MSCI US Index is a validation of our business approach and trajectory as we continue to build upon a great 2024, during which our company was the top performing initial public offering in the U.S.,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “We believe this will also significantly enhance our visibility and accessibility among capital markets and institutional investors worldwide. This continued global access will play a part to reinforce our position as a leading innovator in the advanced nuclear energy technology sector.”

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Announces its Inclusion in the MSCI USA Index, effective February 28, 2025.

    “Building on a strong 2024 for NANO Nuclear, we’re thrilled to begin 2025 with our inclusion in the MSCI USA Index,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “This milestone reflects the market’s growing appetite for next-generation nuclear energy technologies and endorses our strategic growth initiatives. We are eager to build on this achievement in the coming months.”

    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

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

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    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

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

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN) Reduces Debt by $5 Million in Exchange for Off-Road EV Design and Announces Website Revamp

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Key Points:

    Financial Strength & Debt Reduction

    • Debt Reduction of $5 Million: The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN) has significantly improved its financial position by reducing $5 million in convertible debt.
    • Strategic Agreement with Medican Enterprises Inc.: Debt was exchanged for the research, development, and design of an advanced off-road electric vehicle.

    Off-Road EV Innovation

    • Cutting-Edge Electric Vehicle Development: The new EV will feature a quad-motor configuration, solid-state battery technology, adjustable air suspension (24 inches of clearance), and superior off-road capabilities.
    • Green Rain Solar’s Expertise: The Now Corporation’s subsidiary, Green Rain Solar Inc., will lead the R&D, leveraging its strength in renewable energy and battery management.

    Profit-Sharing Partnership

    • 50/50 Revenue Split: Medican Enterprises Inc. retains ownership of the brand and IP, while The Now Corporation leads development. Net profits from commercial sales will be split evenly.

    Corporate Digital Expansion

    • Website Revamp & Enhanced Online Presence: The Now Corporation is launching a fully redesigned corporate website (www.greenrainenergy.com) within 24 hours to provide investors and stakeholders with streamlined access to company updates.

    Strategic Vision & Industry Impact

    • Commitment to Renewable Energy & EV Technologies: The Now Corporation aims to revolutionize off-road EVs by integrating solar-powered innovations and sustainable energy solutions through Green Rain Solar.
    • Market Leadership in Urban & Grid-Connected Solar Solutions: The company specializes in urban rooftop solar installations and advanced battery storage for high-energy-cost regions.

    PASADENA, Calif., Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN) (“Now” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce a significant improvement in its financial position by reducing its outstanding debt by $5 million. This milestone has been achieved through a strategic agreement with Medican Enterprises Inc. (“Medican”), further strengthening the Company’s commitment to innovation in the renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.

    Under the terms of the agreement, The Now Corporation has exchanged $5 million of convertible debt in consideration for the research, development, and design of an advanced off-road electric vehicle. This cutting-edge EV is being engineered to surpass current market offerings, featuring a quad-motor configuration, solid-state battery technology, an adjustable air suspension system with up to 24 inches of clearance, and superior off-road capabilities designed for extreme terrains.

    Green Rain Solar: Powering the Future of EV Innovation

    The Now Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Green Rain Solar Inc., possesses the technical expertise and experienced engineering team necessary to complete the design of this state-of-the-art off-road EV. Green Rain Solar is an industry leader in sustainable energy solutions, specializing in solar-powered innovations and energy grid integration. The subsidiary’s deep-rooted knowledge in advanced energy storage, battery management systems, and renewable power applications positions The Now Corporation as a formidable player in the electric mobility space.

    “The completion of this agreement strengthens our balance sheet while positioning The Now Corporation as an innovator in the off-road EV market,” said Alfredo Papadakis, CEO of The Now Corporation. “Through our subsidiary Green Rain Solar, we have assembled a world-class team with the expertise to bring this revolutionary vehicle to life. This project represents a bold step toward integrating cutting-edge electric vehicle technology with sustainable energy solutions.”

    As part of the agreement, Medican Enterprises Inc. will retain full ownership of the EV’s brand, intellectual property, and proprietary technologies, while The Now Corporation, through Green Rain Solar, will lead the research and development efforts necessary to complete the vehicle’s design.

    Profit-Sharing Agreement:

    Once the off-road EV is fully developed, produced, and commercially sold, all net profits will be equally divided (50%/50%) between The Now Corporation and Medican Enterprises Inc.. This profit-sharing structure ensures that both parties benefit from the success of the vehicle while reinforcing The Now Corporation’s commitment to long-term value creation.

    Corporate Website Revamp: New Online Presence Goes Live

    In addition to this major debt reduction and development initiative, The Now Corporation is excited to announce the full revamp of its corporate website, www.greenrainenergy.com. The newly designed website will provide investors, stakeholders, and customers with enhanced access to information about the Company’s projects, ongoing developments, and strategic vision. The website is scheduled to go live within the next 24 hours.

    A Strong Future for The Now Corporation

    The Now Corporation remains committed to pioneering advancements in renewable energy and electric vehicle technologies. The Company believes that leveraging its expertise through Green Rain Solar will allow it to set new industry standards for sustainable off-road transportation. Additional updates on the EV project and other strategic initiatives will be provided as developments progress.

    About The Now Corporation:

    The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN) is committed to advancing clean energy solutions through its subsidiary, Green Rain Solar Inc. Green Rain Solar focuses on urban rooftop solar installations and grid-connected power solutions, targeting markets with high energy costs. By combining state-of-the-art solar and battery technologies, The Now Corporation is dedicated to driving innovation and sustainability in the renewable energy sector.

    About Green Rain Solar Inc.:

    Green Rain Solar Inc., a subsidiary of The Now Corporation (OTC: NWPN), is a solar energy utility company specializing in urban solar energy and grid integration. The company develops innovative rooftop solar projects to transform sunlight into grid-connected power, promoting sustainable energy solutions for high-cost urban areas.

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. This includes the possibility that the business outlined in this press release may not be concluded due to unforeseen technical, installation, permitting, or other challenges. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of The Now Corporation to differ materially from those expressed herein. Except as required under U.S. federal securities laws, The Now Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    For press inquiries, please contact:
    Michael Cimino
    Michael@pubcopr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Phunware Appoints Jeremy Krol as Chief Operating Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Phunware, Inc. (“Phunware” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PHUN), a leader in enterprise cloud solutions for mobile applications, today announced the appointment of Jeremy Krol as Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective February 10, 2025. Mr. Krol, who joined Phunware in June 2024 and most recently held the position of Fractional COO, brings more than 20 years of experience with a background in engineering, finance, and technology startups. He will oversee the Company’s operations to ensure the business is scalable and aligned with objectives that drive meaningful impact.

    “Jeremy is a strategic operator who blends sharp analytical thinking with intuitive leadership,” said Stephen Chen, CEO of Phunware. “He has a natural talent for problem-solving, system optimization, and team empowerment. He is a major asset to Phunware and will be an integral part of the Phunware team moving forward.”

    Mr. Krol has spent his career optimizing business operations, integrating technology with market needs, and leading high-performing teams through complex transitions. He excels at bringing structure to ambiguity, leveraging proven frameworks like the Entrepreneurial Operating System to instill operational rigor while maintaining adaptability in a fast-moving industry.

    “I am looking forward to my increased leadership role with Phunware. I aim to distill complex challenges into clear, actionable steps to foster collaboration and momentum within the organization,” said Mr. Krol. “I feel that my ability to bridge strategy with people will prove to be beneficial for the Company.”

    Prior to Phunware, Jeremy worked extensively with tech startups and SMBs, guiding them through scaling challenges, refining go-to-market strategies, and developing resilient business models. His leadership style is grounded in curiosity, pragmatism, and a commitment to building strong, accountable teams. Whether navigating market shifts or refining internal processes, Jeremy is dedicated to driving Phunware’s continued evolution and expansion into new verticals.

    About Phunware

    Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN) is an enterprise software company specializing in mobile app solutions with integrated intelligent capabilities. We provide businesses with the tools to create, implement, and manage custom mobile applications, analytics, digital advertising, and location-based services. Phunware is transforming mobile engagement by delivering scalable, personalized, and data-driven mobile app experiences.

    Phunware’s mission is to achieve unparalleled connectivity and monetization through the widespread adoption of Phunware mobile technologies, leveraging brands, consumers, partners, digital asset holders, and market participants. Phunware is poised to expand its software products and services audience through its new Generative AI platform, utilize and monetize its patents and other intellectual property, and reintroduce its digital asset ecosystem for existing holders and new market participants.

    For more information on Phunware, please visit www.phunware.com. To better understand and leverage generative AI and Phunware’s mobile app technologies, visit ai.phunware.com

    Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, Phunware is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the adoption and impact of emerging technologies and their use across mobile engagement platforms.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Chris Tyson, Executive Vice President
    MZ Group – MZ North America
    949-491-8235
    PHUN@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    Phunware Media Contact:

    Joe McGurk, Managing Director
    917-259-6895
    PHUN@mzgroup.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Thrive Acquires Secured Network Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced the acquisition of Secured Network Services (SNS), a leading New Hampshire-based IT provider for organizations across industries, including healthcare, non-profit, and municipal government. The acquisition will enable Thrive to enter the New Hampshire market to deepen its presence in New England, bringing its industry-leading global Security Operation Center (SOC) & Hybrid Cloud solutions to SNS’ customers.

    Cyber regulations are continuing to get more complex across industries – for example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is facing several proposed changes to its Privacy and Security rules in 2025. With the acquisition of SNS, Thrive will deepen its vertical industry knowledge, ensuring healthcare, non-profit, and government customers are backed with the latest industry insights to navigate these challenging landscapes. Together, Thrive and SNS will enable customers in New Hampshire and beyond to have access to industry-leading resources and Thrive’s global high-touch 24x7x365 service mandate.

    “SNS’ similar philosophy of providing the highest caliber of technical expertise and unwavering dedication to customers greatly resonated with us,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Coupled with their deep vertical knowledge, SNS will ensure we continue delivering the best technology solutions to businesses across industries.”

    This acquisition builds upon Thrive’s tremendous growth, having completed eleven previous acquisitions over the past two years, most recently acquiring Michigan-based Safety Net and North Carolina-based The Longleaf Network. Along with geographic expansion, Thrive also received a strategic investment from Berkshire Partners and Court Square Capital Partners to continue scaling the capabilities of the company.

    “Our team is excited to accelerate our growth and enable our customers to have access to Thrive’s NextGen solutions,” Kevin M. Low, Founder & CEO at SNS. “Our mission of helping businesses get the most from their technology aligns seamlessly with Thrive’s dedication to delivering outsized ROI and the best technology outcomes for each customer. We look forward to advancing our capabilities to better help our customers navigate the complex IT landscape with Thrive’s partnership.”

    To learn more about Thrive and its offerings, visit the website.  

    About Thrive  
    Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.  

    Contacts  
    Amanda Maguire  
    thrive@v2comms.com   

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. Secures a Credit Line Guaranty of 4 Million Dollars from Industry Leader Menachem Light, Who Will Chair the Board of Advisors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Philadelphia, PA, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    –    The Credit Line Guaranty of $4 Million is to Further the DriveItAway Mission to Solve the Personal Transportation Problem of Entry Level Employees in the U.S., and Supply Vehicles for its Small Commercial Enterprises, by Enabling Individuals and Small Businesses the Ability to Drive and Then Buy Quality Vehicles on the DriveItAway all Digital Flexible Lease Subscription Mobility Platform

    –    The Funding Guaranty is from Fleet and Mobility Technology Leader Menachem Light, the Co-Founder of Voyager Global Mobility (VGM) the innovative mobility supply company that provides professionally managed vehicles in North America to driver and software company partners through its internally operated companies and its wholly owned subsidiaries Buggy TLC (United States), FastTrack Leasing TLC (United States) and Mi Nave (Mexico)

    –    Menachem Light will immediately Chair DriveItAway Holdings Inc.’s newly created Board of Advisors, as the Company Broadens its Resources with Leaders with Deep Industry Expertise,

    DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. ( OTC Marketplace: DWAY) (“DriveItAway” and “Company”), an automotive industry leader in new digital mobility platforms with its unique “micro-lease/subscription to purchase” technology, continues to gain traction and visibility in its mission to enable all to drive, and then buy, affordable quality personal transportation, announces today the closing of a four million dollar credit line funding guaranty from Menachem Light, a noted national leader in the vehicle rental industry. He has also agreed to serve on the Company’s Board of Advisors as Chairman.

    Menachem Light, is the Co-Founder of Voyager Global Mobility (VGM), a growing mobility supply company that provides professionally managed vehicles in North America to driver and software company partners on the trillion-dollar asset side of the smart mobility industry: ride-hailing, on-demand travel, and car sharing. Through its internally operated companies and its wholly owned subsidiaries Buggy TLC (United States), FastTrack Leasing TLC (United States) and Mi Nave (Mexico), and partners closely with Uber, Lyft, Via, Didi, Turo and Getaround as it efficiently grows its market share in this hyper-fragmented supply industry.

    DriveItAway will use the credit guaranty to increase its own company-owned fleet, operating on its unique app-based digital platform that easily and transparently provides vehicle subscriptions, long-term rentals and flexible leases to individuals, and now small businesses, regardless of credit score, credit history or cash down payment.

    “According to Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, 44% of 18-34 year olds in the US are somewhat or very interested in giving up vehicle ownership for subscription model, yet very few car dealerships offer vehicle subscriptions or flexible leases as an option,” says John F. Possumato, Founder & CEO of DriveItAway Holdings, Inc., “While we are fundamentally a turnkey Software as a Service for car dealerships who want to offer vehicle subscriptions and flexible leases to all prospects (including those who ‘fall of the buying grid’ due to a poor credit scores), increasing our own fleet of vehicles serves not only to increase revenues and continues to improve our technology, but also acts as an ‘open book’ example to our chosen supplier car dealer partners that may be interested in using our platform to provide this turnkey service with their own inventory, as a unique competitive advantage for gaining new potential vehicle prospects who are looking for such a service but who currently are not being offered this option – we don’t just offer SaaS, we put ‘our money where our mouth is’ in demonstrating, first hand, the returns and advantages.”   

    “As outlined in my ‘Year End Message to Shareholders’ last month, we believe that we are at the forefront of a massive opportunity for our new automotive retailing technology to solve the needs of a vast number of people and small businesses, and one of our goals for the new year is to work and be guided by the very best in our sector of the industry to reach our true potential,” continues Possumato, “which is why I am the most pleased and excited to announce that Menachem Light, a true industry icon, has agreed to Chair our newly created Board of Advisors to help us with long-term strategy and growth. We are very fortunate that Menachem will help us achieve and fully leverage the massive opportunity we see ahead.”

    “As one of the original three co-founders of Buggy, which grew from just one vehicle in New York City to over 14,000 vehicles globally, I believe that I can truly help DriveItAway on this path to scale,” says Menachem Light, Co-Founder of Voyager Global Mobility. “I think there is tremendous opportunity here as the way people ‘acquire’ personal transportation begins to change, and DriveItAway provides the technology needed to enable all automotive retailers to adapt to these changes, which is why I am ‘all in’ in helping John and his team at DriveItAway achieve and leverage this tremendous scalable business.”

    “Menachem Light, Co-Founder of Voyager Global Mobility, and I are scheduled as guests on an upcoming episode of ‘The EVs for Everyone Podcast‘ with Elena Ciccotelli, to discuss the future developments of automotive fleet and retailing technologies and where EVs fit into the mix,” notes Possumato.

    DriveItAway will be filing its annual 10K for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and the Quarterly Report for the First Quarter December 31, 2024, in the near future.

    Download the DriveItAway app today at DriveItAway.

    About DriveItAway Holdings, Inc.

    DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. is the first national dealer-focused mobility platform that enables car dealers to sell more vehicles in a seamless way through eCommerce, with its exclusive “Pay as You Go” app-based subscription. DriveItAway provides a comprehensive turn-key, solutions-driven program with proprietary mobile technology and driver app, insurance coverages, and training to get dealerships up and running quickly and profitably in emerging online sales opportunities, to gain sales and market share.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, assumptions, and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance. We caution investors not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Michael Mosoeu Moerane was a pioneering composer in South Africa. A new book is restoring his place in history

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gwen Ansell, Associate of the Gordon Institute for Business Science, University of Pretoria

    Composer and educator Michael Mosoeu Moerane (1904-1980) is probably best known for a few evergreen choral works, including Della and Sylvia, still sung by choirs across South Africa today.

    And, of course, for his orchestral piece FatŠe laHeso (My Country). It had the distinction of being recorded by both the British and South African public broadcasters in an era when white minority rule denied even the existence of Black classical musicians.

    Moerane teaches his son to play piano. Wits University Press

    Apartheid held the identity of Black people in South Africa to be unchangeingly simple, rural and tribal. Sophisticated activities such as orchestral composing were both beyond their capacity and dangerously subversive.

    But, as South African author and music scholar Christine Lucia’s biography of Moerane, The Times Do Not Permit, reveals, there was more to Moerane’s work than those few compositions. And a far more nuanced relationship with his oppressive political times. Moerane was vocal against the system, yet secured white university supervision. He was consulted by white ethnomusicologists. Yet still he was stereotyped and confined by apartheid rules.

    I am a researcher into South African jazz and other genres and a teacher of writing. (Jazz, incidentally, was a genre that Moerane detested.) From my own work, I recognise many similarities between his story and the lives of jazz musicians I have studied: genteel homes with a piano in the parlour; after-dinner family music hours; the risk of instant dismissal for schoolteachers heard discussing anti-apartheid politics.

    I recognise, too, the gaps in his music story that Lucia finds: the questions that scholars did not ask while more people were still alive to answer them.

    Read more: Mzilikazi Khumalo: a stellar Zulu, African, Pan African and cosmopolitan composer

    Her book matters because, at last, it asks and answers those questions. In how it assembles the answers, it helps us to start mapping the undiscovered continent of Black classical music under apartheid.

    The book’s nearly 300 pages offer a detailed account of Moerane’s life, based on research and conversations with family and still-living contemporaries.

    Lucia takes us through Moerane’s various roles in turn (student, teacher, choralist and more). It also analyses his compositions and their treatment of themes that range from spirituality and tradition to love and loss.

    A reader can view Moerane’s life though these different lenses; together they add up to an intricate, multidimensional portrait.

    Who was Michael Moerane?

    Born in the Eastern Cape province and educated there and in neighbouring Basutoland (today Lesotho), Moerane stitched a music-teaching career together that moved between the two countries.

    The Peka High School Orchestra and Moerane (front centre) in 1965. Courtesy Sophia Metsekae Moerane/Marumo Moerane

    His own radical Africanist politics, the activism of family members, his marriage across apartheid-defined ethnic barriers (he was Sotho, his wife Xhosa) and the simple fact of being a Black composer exploring unconventional, modernist music meant he was often in the sights of repressive authorities in both countries. Lowering his profile every now and then (a new school, a more obscure place to live) was his best protection.

    There’s real fear in some of his letters that all these moves would mean his written compositions would be lost or scattered. Yet remarkably, through all this, he managed to hold a family together, establish music ensembles and a reputation, and graduate with a music degree from the University of South Africa in 1941, a time when it was almost unknown for Black South Africans to receive a university education outside segregated black colleges. He was supported, through a unique arrangement, by supervision from the all-white Rhodes University College in his home province.

    His external examiner, William Henry Bell, said of FatŠe laHeso (Moerane’s examination piece) that he “never had expected such a work to be written in South Africa and less so by a Native”.

    Moerane’s A General Note on Modern Music, in his own handwriting. Courtesy Neo Mahase Moerane

    Lucia’s account of how Moerane got there, and of the many compositions and long music teaching career that followed, is made even clearer through a rich variety of material. There are geographical, historical and musical road-maps, extracts from his manuscripts, evocative photographs of people and places, and probably the most complete catalogue of Moerane’s works to date.

    The catalogue was put together from both archive records and fragments of sheet music surviving in the family piano-stool, where they were stored. It’s a poignant reminder of how much Black South African history is no longer available because of how apartheid repeatedly uprooted people and communities, with little chance to save family memorabilia.

    White minority rule didn’t only restrict where Black South Africans could live and work but even how they could learn music. Tuition for Black music students was limited to writing in tonic sol-fa (doh-re-mi) notation. Excluded from the notation used in classical music, composers and performers who would have occupied concert stages were limited to community choirs and brass bands. That was part of Moerane’s story too.

    Moerane’s Sylvia is still performed by choirs today.

    His life matters because of all this.

    A masterful book

    The book traces the defiant survival and originality of this important figure and restores him in the country’s history. It adds detail and clarification to what was already known. It corrects confusions about dates and place names. If that were all the book had done, it would already have been a worthwhile contribution.

    But Lucia’s way of telling the story adds significantly more. It brings Moerane alive through the texture of human voices and human detail, creating a read that is academic but far from dry. We hear, for example, his children recalling how strict he was during daily piano practice: “You would scramble to get a slot when my father wasn’t at home.”

    The African Springtime Orchestra, 1952. Moerane stands at the back, his wife Betty seated. Courtesy Sophia Metsekae Moerane/Marumo Moerane/Jonathan Ball Publishers

    But more: South African music under apartheid is often shown as the “soundtrack” to history. Or often the history is seen as mere “background” to the music. But Moerane’s music was not a soundtrack to history: it was part of history. His times were not a background to his music, they were an ingredient. Not so much because of the work but because of who he chose to be – and who he could not be.

    The title, The Times Do Not Permit, is taken from a 1966 letter written by Moerane to music academic Percival Kirby, in polite response to a request for detailed information about his life:

    Please be satisfied with the bare statement that the times do not permit.

    That may seem cryptic to anybody who has not felt the iron heel of state repression. For those who have, it’s obvious: the more the authorities know about you, the more power they have over you.

    Read more: An African violin? New study tests which indigenous woods could make one

    So Lucia’s book allows us to enter a world that is distant from today’s experience and rejoice that such a full life was led and that now we know about it. But it also forces us to mourn the opportunities lost for him – and by earlier scholars looking into his life. How many other Black South African musicians have had their lives and legacies obscured like Michael Mosoeu Moerane’s was?

    – Michael Mosoeu Moerane was a pioneering composer in South Africa. A new book is restoring his place in history
    – https://theconversation.com/michael-mosoeu-moerane-was-a-pioneering-composer-in-south-africa-a-new-book-is-restoring-his-place-in-history-248948

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Michael Mosoeu Moerane was a pioneering composer in South Africa. A new book is restoring his place in history

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gwen Ansell, Associate of the Gordon Institute for Business Science, University of Pretoria

    Composer and educator Michael Mosoeu Moerane (1904-1980) is probably best known for a few evergreen choral works, including Della and Sylvia, still sung by choirs across South Africa today.

    And, of course, for his orchestral piece FatŠe laHeso (My Country). It had the distinction of being recorded by both the British and South African public broadcasters in an era when white minority rule denied even the existence of Black classical musicians.

    Apartheid held the identity of Black people in South Africa to be unchangeingly simple, rural and tribal. Sophisticated activities such as orchestral composing were both beyond their capacity and dangerously subversive.

    But, as South African author and music scholar Christine Lucia’s biography of Moerane, The Times Do Not Permit, reveals, there was more to Moerane’s work than those few compositions. And a far more nuanced relationship with his oppressive political times. Moerane was vocal against the system, yet secured white university supervision. He was consulted by white ethnomusicologists. Yet still he was stereotyped and confined by apartheid rules.

    I am a researcher into South African jazz and other genres and a teacher of writing. (Jazz, incidentally, was a genre that Moerane detested.) From my own work, I recognise many similarities between his story and the lives of jazz musicians I have studied: genteel homes with a piano in the parlour; after-dinner family music hours; the risk of instant dismissal for schoolteachers heard discussing anti-apartheid politics.

    I recognise, too, the gaps in his music story that Lucia finds: the questions that scholars did not ask while more people were still alive to answer them.



    Read more:
    Mzilikazi Khumalo: a stellar Zulu, African, Pan African and cosmopolitan composer

    Her book matters because, at last, it asks and answers those questions. In how it assembles the answers, it helps us to start mapping the undiscovered continent of Black classical music under apartheid.

    The book’s nearly 300 pages offer a detailed account of Moerane’s life, based on research and conversations with family and still-living contemporaries.

    Lucia takes us through Moerane’s various roles in turn (student, teacher, choralist and more). It also analyses his compositions and their treatment of themes that range from spirituality and tradition to love and loss.

    A reader can view Moerane’s life though these different lenses; together they add up to an intricate, multidimensional portrait.

    Who was Michael Moerane?

    Born in the Eastern Cape province and educated there and in neighbouring Basutoland (today Lesotho), Moerane stitched a music-teaching career together that moved between the two countries.

    His own radical Africanist politics, the activism of family members, his marriage across apartheid-defined ethnic barriers (he was Sotho, his wife Xhosa) and the simple fact of being a Black composer exploring unconventional, modernist music meant he was often in the sights of repressive authorities in both countries. Lowering his profile every now and then (a new school, a more obscure place to live) was his best protection.

    There’s real fear in some of his letters that all these moves would mean his written compositions would be lost or scattered. Yet remarkably, through all this, he managed to hold a family together, establish music ensembles and a reputation, and graduate with a music degree from the University of South Africa in 1941, a time when it was almost unknown for Black South Africans to receive a university education outside segregated black colleges. He was supported, through a unique arrangement, by supervision from the all-white Rhodes University College in his home province.

    His external examiner, William Henry Bell, said of FatŠe laHeso (Moerane’s examination piece) that he “never had expected such a work to be written in South Africa and less so by a Native”.

    Lucia’s account of how Moerane got there, and of the many compositions and long music teaching career that followed, is made even clearer through a rich variety of material. There are geographical, historical and musical road-maps, extracts from his manuscripts, evocative photographs of people and places, and probably the most complete catalogue of Moerane’s works to date.

    The catalogue was put together from both archive records and fragments of sheet music surviving in the family piano-stool, where they were stored. It’s a poignant reminder of how much Black South African history is no longer available because of how apartheid repeatedly uprooted people and communities, with little chance to save family memorabilia.

    White minority rule didn’t only restrict where Black South Africans could live and work but even how they could learn music. Tuition for Black music students was limited to writing in tonic sol-fa (doh-re-mi) notation. Excluded from the notation used in classical music, composers and performers who would have occupied concert stages were limited to community choirs and brass bands. That was part of Moerane’s story too.

    Moerane’s Sylvia is still performed by choirs today.

    His life matters because of all this.

    A masterful book

    The book traces the defiant survival and originality of this important figure and restores him in the country’s history. It adds detail and clarification to what was already known. It corrects confusions about dates and place names. If that were all the book had done, it would already have been a worthwhile contribution.

    But Lucia’s way of telling the story adds significantly more. It brings Moerane alive through the texture of human voices and human detail, creating a read that is academic but far from dry. We hear, for example, his children recalling how strict he was during daily piano practice: “You would scramble to get a slot when my father wasn’t at home.”

    But more: South African music under apartheid is often shown as the “soundtrack” to history. Or often the history is seen as mere “background” to the music. But Moerane’s music was not a soundtrack to history: it was part of history. His times were not a background to his music, they were an ingredient. Not so much because of the work but because of who he chose to be – and who he could not be.

    The title, The Times Do Not Permit, is taken from a 1966 letter written by Moerane to music academic Percival Kirby, in polite response to a request for detailed information about his life:

    Please be satisfied with the bare statement that the times do not permit.

    That may seem cryptic to anybody who has not felt the iron heel of state repression. For those who have, it’s obvious: the more the authorities know about you, the more power they have over you.



    Read more:
    An African violin? New study tests which indigenous woods could make one

    So Lucia’s book allows us to enter a world that is distant from today’s experience and rejoice that such a full life was led and that now we know about it. But it also forces us to mourn the opportunities lost for him – and by earlier scholars looking into his life. How many other Black South African musicians have had their lives and legacies obscured like Michael Mosoeu Moerane’s was?

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

    – ref. Michael Mosoeu Moerane was a pioneering composer in South Africa. A new book is restoring his place in history – https://theconversation.com/michael-mosoeu-moerane-was-a-pioneering-composer-in-south-africa-a-new-book-is-restoring-his-place-in-history-248948

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can the president really kill off the penny – and should he?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jay L. Zagorsky, Associate Professor Questrom School of Business, Boston University

    In the middle of Super Bowl LIX, President Donald Trump posted on social media that he was getting rid of the penny. Since the lowly penny in 2024 cost about 3.7 cents to make – meaning the government loses money on every coin – the announcement might seem practical at first glance. But does the president have the power to kill off the penny?

    I’m a business school professor and a longtime advocate for physical money who has written op-eds supporting the penny in The Wall Street Journal and CNN. My forthcoming book, “The Power of Cash,” explores the many advantages of using old-fashioned currency. Yet inflation has slashed the value of the penny by a third in just the past decade, and even I now admit that its time is up.

    But eliminating the penny via a social media post isn’t just legally dubious. It could cause more problems than it solves.

    The penny problem

    Critics see the penny as a shining example of government waste. Last year, the U.S. Mint lost US$85 million making pennies, according to the bureau’s annual report. It also lost about $18 million minting nickels. Now, to be clear, just because the mint didn’t make money on pennies or nickels doesn’t mean it’s losing money overall. In 2024, the mint earned a profit of about $100 million making the country’s pocket change. Still, $85 million is no small sum.

    Meanwhile, public opinion on the penny is split. Some surveys show support for it, but it has plenty of opponents. Many of my students cite carrying around “nuisance coins” like the penny as a reason for switching away from using cash.

    The good news, for those who dislike the penny, is that the coin is disappearing on its own. The U.S. Mint has made about 5 billion pennies annually throughout the 2020s — down from about 11 billion each year in the 1990s. So far in 2025, it has only made about a quarter of a million pennies.

    But is it legal?

    Setting aside people’s feelings toward the penny, the problem with the president’s order, I think, is that only Congress can change the type of coins the mint produces.

    To be fair, some defenders of the president’s order believe his actions are legal. But the U.S. Constitution’s Article 1, Section 8 – which gives Congress the power to do important things like levy taxes, pay debts and declare war – also authorizes Congress “to coin money.”

    Now the phrase “to coin money” is vague. To fix that, the United States’ second Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1792, which was signed into law by President George Washington. The act, which lays out how the mint operates and what it produces, says it must produce “Cents – each to be of the value of the one hundredth part of a dollar, and to contain eleven penny-weights of copper.”

    Congress can modify this act anytime it wants – and it has. The 1792 act also required the mint to produce “Half Cents – each to be of the value of half a cent.” These coins were eliminated in 1857 by an act of Congress. Similarly, before 1965, many U.S. coins were made out of silver. After a 1965 congressional amendment to the act passed, they were made out of a cheaper composite.

    And lawmakers have tried several times to eliminate the penny. In 1989, for example, Arizona Rep. Jim Hayes proposed the Price Rounding Act, which called for cash purchases to be rounded to the nearest nickel. It didn’t pass. More recently, in 2017, Republican Senator John McCain introduced the COINS act, which would have eliminated the minting of pennies. The bill also proposed switching the paper one-dollar bill to a metal coin. It, too, didn’t pass.

    What happens if pennies go?

    Since Congress has failed to eliminate the penny in the past, Trump is trying to do so via a direct order to the Treasury secretary. However, many of Trump’s actions are being challenged in court. For the sake of argument, let’s assume no one challenges the order to kill off production of the penny.

    A big problem remains. Even if the U.S. stopped making pennies, they’d remain legal tender and people would still need them as change. In simple terms, the supply would change, but not the demand.

    Past efforts to phase out the penny have tried to deal with this problem by requiring rounding, but Trump’s effort doesn’t do this. I think it’s entirely possible that people opposed to Trump would organize national “Demand your penny in change” days in an attempt to embarrass the president.

    The U.S. government loses less than $10 million a month minting pennies. In theory, Congress could pass legislation eliminating the penny and requiring rounding within a month or two. The cost to the government for doing things legally is low. If the penny has to go, let Congress do it the right way.

    Jay L. Zagorsky 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. Can the president really kill off the penny – and should he? – https://theconversation.com/can-the-president-really-kill-off-the-penny-and-should-he-249825

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From Jewish summer camp to gospel to Chabad, Bob Dylan’s faith doesn’t fit in a box − but he’s long had a connection to Israel

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shalom Goldman, Professor of Religion, Middlebury

    Bob Dylan gives his first concert in Israel in 1987 in Tel Aviv, playing with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. AP Photo/Anat Givon

    James Mangold’s film “A Complete Unknown,” nominated for eight Oscars, captures the elusive, enigmatic quality of Bob Dylan in the early 1960s: the years he emerged as a major musical and cultural phenomenon. A scant few years after he came to New York from Minnesota, and legally changed his name from Robert Allen Zimmerman, Dylan transformed American music.

    Especially “unknown” and baffling is Dylan’s religious and spiritual identity, one that has undergone many transformations. Mangold’s film avoids these questions, as does his 2005 film “Walk the Line,” a Johnny Cash biopic. The filmmaker – and much of Hollywood in general – must believe religion isn’t good at the box office.

    As a music fan and scholar of religion, I have long been interested in artists’ religious backgrounds. Cash’s tumultuous life, like his friend and collaborator Dylan’s, was rich in religious affiliations and commitments.

    And both of these musical giants shared a connection with Israel, defying calls to cancel performances there over concern for Palestinian rights – similar to artists’ debates in recent years. Dylan’s, in particular, is difficult to parse and part of his larger spiritual journey – one that’s rambled through Judaism and Christianity and back again.

    Bob Zimmerman

    The last time Dylan took the stage in Israel was at Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan Stadium in June 2011. It had been 18 years since his last performance in the country, though he had made many personal visits in the interim.

    He was, of course, a household name in Israel, revered by the young as well as the not so young. The audience members that evening, according to the Haaretz reporter who covered the event, were
    “overwhelmingly young, overwhelmingly native-born Israelis.”

    Surely everyone in attendance knew that Dylan had been born Robert Zimmerman – indeed, that he had a long, complicated relationship with Israel and with Judaism itself.

    Bob Dylan, right, and a friend visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem on April 6, 1971.
    AP Photo

    Young Zimmerman grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota, in a home that emphasized Jewish identity, if not its religious rituals. A visiting Orthodox rabbi had prepared him for his bar mitzvah, which took place in May 1954, with 400 guests in attendance. That summer, Zimmerman attended Camp Herzl in Wisconsin, a Jewish camp with a Zionist orientation; he would return there the following summers as well. At Camp Herzl young Bob formed his first musical group, the Jokers.

    In his mid-20s, he married Sara Lownds, a Jewish woman with whom he had five children. Dylan made his first private visit to Israel in 1969 and returned regularly in the early 1970s. In May 1971, he celebrated his 30th birthday in Jerusalem; photos of him at the Western Wall appeared in Israeli and American newspapers, fueling speculation that he had “found religion” in the holy city.

    In some ways, the young star put distance between himself and his Jewish roots – he was now Dylan, after all, not Zimmerman. But even in these early years, as throughout his career, “Dylanologists” delighted in the biblical allusions in some of his songs – including irreverent ones, at least at first glance.

    “Highway 61 Revised,” for example, the title track of a 1965 album, kicks off with the binding of Isaac: a section of the Book of Genesis where God famously tests Abraham with a command – reprieved at the last moment – to kill his beloved child:

    Yeah, God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
    Abe said, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
    God said, “No”, Abe said, “What?”

    Twists and turns

    But Dylan confounded both his admirers and his critics, turning abruptly in the late 1970s to evangelical Christianity. After his conversion, Dylan took a course at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles, which emphasized the end-time narratives of the New Testament Book of Revelation.

    Bob Dylan performs in November 1979, during his Gospel Tour, in San Francisco.
    Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

    His years as a born-again Christian resulted in a series of gospel-influenced albums and at least one more visit to Israel during this early ’80s period. In 1987 he gave his first concerts there, kicking off his Temples in Flames world tour alongside Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

    Within years of embracing Christianity, however, Dylan’s spiritual life yet again confounded his critics and fans, including the more scholarly obsessives known as “Dylanologists.” Born into Judaism, then a born-again evangelical, the rocker now forged ties to Chabad, an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish movement. Between 1986 and 1991, he made three appearances on the Chabad “To Life” Telethon, an annual fundraiser broadcast from Los Angeles.

    Because Dylan was – and is – so private and publicity-shy, it is difficult to know whether such ecumenism represented true spiritual seeking, a political statement or sheer mischief.

    Whether he was presenting himself as a born-again Christian, a supporter of Chabad or just a rock and roller, Dylan seemed inextricably connected to Israel in all its complexity. For example, many listeners interpreted the song “Neighborhood Bully” on his 1983 “Infidels” album as a “declaration of full-throated Israel support,” as Haaretz wrote.

    Many fans interpret ‘Neighborhood Bully’ as sympathetic to Israel.

    The lyrics presented the title character, the “bully,” as an unrepentant, besieged victim: “His enemies say he’s on their land/ They got him outnumbered a million to one/ He got no place to escape to, no place to run.”

    ‘Dylan lives here’

    Dylan performed again in Israel in June 1993, bringing his summer tour to Tel Aviv, Beersheba and Haifa.

    It would be nearly two decades before his next public performance in Israel, the 2011 concert at Ramat Gan. By then, performing in Israel had become much more controversial, with artists planning to tour there under scrutiny.

    The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement publicly pressured the singer to cancel his Tel Aviv show, appealing to his past support of the American Civil Rights Movement. Activists called on Dylan “not to perform in Israel until it respects Palestinian human rights. A performance in Israel, today, is a vote of support for its policies of oppression, whether you intend for it to be that, or not.”

    Ever the enigmatic artist, Dylan did not respond to the BDS appeal, nor did he cancel his concert. The towering pop-music icon did not say why. But many Israelis and Americans read his return as a gesture of support for the Jewish state in the face of widespread criticism.

    Tel Aviv welcomed him with open arms, including a television news profile of his life, music and Jewish affiliations. Though he said nothing from the stage during the performance – late-career Dylan is notorious for not addressing the audience between songs – Israeli fans saw the concert as a triumphant homecoming.

    “Dylan lives here. He lives in the culture of Israel,” wrote the Haaretz reviewer. “He has influenced Israel for the better more than any other American Jew.”

    Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, international criticism of Israeli policies has become much more strident. Dylan, as cryptic as ever, has neither joined the critics nor identified himself with Israel’s supporters.

    But supporters are posting “Neighborhood Bully” wherever and whenever they can.

    Shalom Goldman 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. From Jewish summer camp to gospel to Chabad, Bob Dylan’s faith doesn’t fit in a box − but he’s long had a connection to Israel – https://theconversation.com/from-jewish-summer-camp-to-gospel-to-chabad-bob-dylans-faith-doesnt-fit-in-a-box-but-hes-long-had-a-connection-to-israel-248739

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump and Maduro refresh a complex relationship governed by self-interest and tainted by Venezuela election fraud

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Paul Webster Hare, Master Lecturer and Interim Director of Latin American Studies, Boston University

    Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with Richard Grenell, President Donald Trump’s special envoy, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 31, 2025. Venezuela’s presidential press office, via AP

    In 2019, President Donald Trump recognized then-Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s interim leader over Nicolás Maduro, who has ruled the country since 2013.

    The policy, which led Venezuela to officially sever ties with the United States, was consistent with the first Trump administration’s policy of maximum pressure and a desire for regime change when it came to the socialist government in Caracas.

    Fast forward six years: The early days of Trump’s second administration has seen the U.S. president negotiate with Maduro over the release of detained Americans and an apparent willingness from Venezuela to receive hundreds of thousands of its nationals being deported from the U.S.

    As a diplomat who served in Venezuela and knew Maduro’s predecessor and mentor, Hugo Chavez, I detect a subtle shift in the evolving Trump administration’s policy toward Venezuela. It’s true that the administration retains a strong dose of the anti-Maduro posture it held last time, particularly in light of Maduro’s widely denounced election fraud in 2024 and an undercurrent of antipathy in Washington toward left-wing authoritarianism in Latin America.

    But U.S.-Venezuela relations under a second Trump term are subject to other factors and dynamics, including Trump’s desire to be known for deal-making and the fulfillment of his campaign promise to deport immigrants back to Latin America. At the same time, Trump needs to balance satisfying anti-Maduro voices in his coalition with not pushing Venezuela further toward China, a country all too willing to exert greater influence in parts of Latin America.

    Deal-making and immigration

    So far, the second Trump’s administration seems to be sticking to the line of not officially recognizing Maduro and preferring his departure from the scene. It has kept sanctions on the country intact and continues to recognize Maduro’s opponent, Edmundo González, as the legitimate president-elect.

    But that hasn’t stopped the administration from pursuing negotiations. In late January, Trump’s envoy Richard Grenell visited Caracas to secure the release of six Americans accused by Venezuela of plotting to destabilize the country. Trump subsequently announced that Maduro would accept repatriation of deportations of Venezuelans in the U.S. The U.S. administration also revoked the Temporary Protected Status, a categorization prioritized by President Joe Biden, for hundreds of thousands of people who fled Maduro’s Venezuela.

    On Feb. 10, two Venezuelan planes returned home from the U.S with nearly 200 deported Venezuelan nationals, a signal that negotiations between the two nations were more than just optics. But news that the Trump administration has sent Venezuelan detainees to a U.S. military camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba – and is trying to send more – could yet prove a thorn in the side of any diplomatic thaw.

    Regardless, the shift in stance on Venezuela has raised eyebrows among some Republicans and Democrats alike. Their concern is that Grenell’s visit – and overtures from the White House – gives Maduro’s regime a veneer of legitimacy.

    But so long as Trump feels Venezuela under Maduro is useful to his aims of deportations, other U.S. issues with the government in Caracas are, I believe, likely to remain of secondary importance.

    Rhetoric vs. reality

    The complicated dynamic of two men, ideologically opposed but aware of the other’s usefulness, is reciprocated by Maduro. The Venezuelan leader congratulated Trump on his election victory in November, and he appears to treat his more powerful adversary with some pragmatism. But Maduro also remains willing to take a strident line rhetorically, even suggesting that Venezuela might “liberate” Puerto Rico if the U.S. keeps meddling with Venezuela’s affairs.

    Rhetoric aside, Maduro – as evidenced by his apparent willingness to deal with the new administration on hostages and immigration – is likely to pursue self-interest where possible. And he will be well aware that the survival of his rule may be tied with his country’s economic situation.

    Venezuela has been hit hard by U.S. sanctions that have been in place since 2017.

    The level of poverty in the country is estimated to be around 80% of the population. This bleak economic picture is improving slowly but is still hampered by sluggish oil production despite having vast reserves.

    Under Biden, the U.S. granted some exemptions for oil companies to work in Venezuela despite sanctions, helping the struggling export industry to recover some of its lost productivity.

    Maduro will want to see where he can work with the Trump team to continue such allowances and avoid a full embargo. But recent noises coming from the administration have been mixed on this front. On Jan. 20, Trump suggested that he may pull the plug on Venezuelan oil exports to the U.S. “We don’t have to buy their oil. We have plenty of oil for ourselves,” he said.

    Such a move would be a severe blow to Venezuela’s economy, which has benefited from increased exports to the U.S. in recent years. But the move will likely face resistance from oil producers like Chevron, the American company that has a license to operate in Venezuela.

    Election fraud and beyond

    It’s plausible Trump will be swayed by the elements of his base or administration who view Venezuela primarily in terms of a socialist authoritarian adversary to be defeated.

    In 2024, Maduro pulled off one of Latin America’s great election frauds. Computer printouts had shown the opposition campaign of González and Maria Corina Machado won the July election by a landslide. And yet, Maduro declared himself the winner with no evidence.

    Many in Trump’s circle viewed the fraudulent election as another reason for being hawkish toward the nation – a position that takes in both ideological and electoral considerations.

    Trump knows there is a strong base of anti-communist Venezuelans in Florida who want to be tough on the Cuban-aligned government of Maduro. The new U.S. administration’s deportation policy has already concerned some among this strongly Trump voting base; any relaxation on Maduro could be seen as a further “betrayal.”

    And Trump has appointed several people who have long been critical of Maduro, including his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    Rubio, in particular, is a longtime critic of any accommodation with Venezuela. He has spoken to opposition leaders, called González the legitimate president, blasted any relaxation of sanctions and, during his confirmation hearing, labeled Maduro’s government “a narco-trafficking organization.”

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, oversees a ‘seized’ sign being placed on a Venezuelan government airplane on Feb. 6, 2025.
    Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images

    And while U.S. envoy Grenell has been shaking hands with Maduro, Rubio has been seizing the Venezuelan leader’s aircraft. On Feb. 6, the U.S. secretary of state personally oversaw its confiscation while visiting the Dominican Republic, where it had been impounded since last year.

    Competition with China

    During his first administration, Trump failed in his efforts to encourage the replacement of Maduro.

    In any case, the Venezuelan government under Maduro, like Chavez before him, has shown itself capable of withstanding U.S. pressure.

    Throwing a further wrinkle to any U.S. intentions of influencing the future of Venezuela is the role China has taken on in the country and Maduro’s increasing closeness with Beijing. In contrast to leaders in the West, China’s president, Xi Jinping, congratulated Maduro following the latter’s claim of victory in 2024. China is the leading importer of Venezuelan crude oil and has signed a series of bilateral trade and tourism pacts that have provided Maduro an economic lifeline.

    To some U.S. hawks, China’s influence with Maduro represents a breach of a long-standing vision of the U.S. as a regional hegemony, as envisioned by the Monroe Doctrine. Yet other voices within the administration – including Trump, who has spoken positively about diplomatic overtures to Beijing, or Elon Musk, who has extensive business interests in China – view the country in far different terms than predecessors.

    Ultimately, whatever path Trump chooses on relations with Venezuela is likely to be conditioned on what factions win out in his administration and which political constituencies the president is most keen to please.

    Paul Webster Hare 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 and Maduro refresh a complex relationship governed by self-interest and tainted by Venezuela election fraud – https://theconversation.com/trump-and-maduro-refresh-a-complex-relationship-governed-by-self-interest-and-tainted-by-venezuela-election-fraud-248275

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Legislation introduced to enable appointment of Lord High Commissioner of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release from the Cabinet Office published Thursday 13th February.

    Today (Thursday 13 February) the UK Government is introducing legislation to remove the legal barrier to Roman Catholics holding the office of Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

    The Lord High Commissioner is appointed to attend the proceedings on The King’s behalf as the Sovereign’s representative to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland – the governing body of the Church of Scotland, which meets each May in Edinburgh.

    The Lord High Commissioner makes opening and closing addresses and carries out a number of official functions. The Assembly meets annually to hear reports from the councils and committees, makes laws and sets the agenda for the Church of Scotland.

    Currently, Roman Catholics are legally restricted from holding the office of Lord High Commissioner due to historic legislation, including the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829. The Government will introduce a short and narrowly-focused Bill – the Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill – to remove this restriction. Individuals of other faiths and none can currently hold the office. 

    The Bill will facilitate the upcoming appointment of Lady Elish Angiolini as the Lord High Commissioner for 2025.  Lady Elish would be the first Roman Catholic to hold this office.

    Lady Elish Angiolini is a practising Roman Catholic and has a distinguished background in law and academia. Her appointment will be a significant gesture of unity, goodwill and collaboration between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church in Scotland, following the St Margaret Declaration signed in 2022.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sun Dong visits Hengqin, Zhuhai

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong was in Hengqin and Zhuhai today, where he toured the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Co-operation Zone in Hengqin, met officials, and inspected a university and two companies.

    Prof Sun’s first stop was the co-operation zone in Hengqin, with a view to speeding up the implementation of the development planning of the Hong Kong Park at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

    The tour of the Hong Kong Park project was in accordance with the spirit of the important instructions given by CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong, when he inspected the park.

    During an engagement session with CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee Hengqin Working Committee Deputy Secretary, Guangdong Province Hengqin Office Director and Executive Committee Deputy Director Nie Xinping, Prof Sun learnt about the in-depth planning and industry development of the co-operation zone, taking into account the development of the Hong Kong Park.

    At the Zhuhai MUST Science & Technology Research Institute in the co-operation zone, the technology chief found out more about its work in promoting the cross-boundary flow of data in the zone.

    The institute is an industry-academia-research demonstration base built by the Macau University of Science & Technology in the Greater Bay Area.

    Prof Sun also met CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee Deputy Secretary and Zhuhai’s Acting Mayor Wu Zetong as well as the city’s Vice Mayor Huang Zhenqiu, where he introduced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s latest policies on leading the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) development and the current developments.

    The tech chief also learnt about Zhuhai’s achievements in I&T and high-tech industrialisation. Both sides exchanged views on promoting I&T collaboration and exchanges between the two places.

    In the afternoon, Prof Sun visited the cell production workshops of the Zhuhai SoleFiori Technology Company.

    He welcomed the enterprise’s plan to expand its business in Hong Kong, which involved the technologies and productivity of new high-efficiency heterojunction solar cells and modules with low energy consumption and low carbon emissions.

    Prof Sun then proceeded to the headquarters of Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai, a technology-based household consumer goods and industrial equipment manufacturing group.

    Apart from receiving a briefing on the group’s latest developments in quality assurance, product innovations and talent training, Prof Sun also learnt more about the self-developed industrial robots, computer numerical control machine tools, and smart warehousing products and systems developed by the group.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour ‘Knows the Price Of Everything but the Value of Nothing’

    Source: Party of Wales

    During First Minister’s Questions today (Tuesday 4th February 2025), Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS challenged the Labour Welsh Government for presiding over crises facing the education and culture sectors.

    Last week, Cardiff announced plans to cut 400 jobs to merge departments and axe courses – including music and nursing.

    This announcement came after months of warning from the Higher Education sector over possible job cuts.

    Wales’ cultural institutions are also struggling. Wales’ National Museum has closed temporarily due to safety concerns over the deteriorating condition of the building.

    Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:

    “As each day goes by, institutions of cultural, educational and national importance are being dismantled one by one – proving that Labour knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.

    “Wales’ National Museum has closed temporarily and 400 jobs are on the line at Cardiff University.

    “We see cuts to Arts Council, and the loss of the National Theatre. Now a world renowned music department within Wales’ largest university is being closed – the land of song being silenced on Labour’s watch.

    “And at the height of an NHS nursing crisis – Labour’s message is that it doesn’t care about those who want to make a career out of caring for others.

    “After almost 26 years, Labour are lurching from one crisis to another and their lack of vision and ambition for Wales is plain for all to see. Only Plaid Cymru offers Wales the fresh start it desperately needs.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government’s first Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan published13 February 2025 The Government of Jersey has published its first ‘Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan’, which sets out plans to support a reduction in number of people seriously injured or killed on roads reduced.… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    13 February 2025

    The Government of Jersey has published its first ‘Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan’, which sets out plans to support a reduction in number of people seriously injured or killed on roads reduced. 

    View the plan here: States Assembly | Assembly Reports​ 

    This is the first time Jersey has adopted a plan focused on the reduction of collisions and casualties. It aligns Jesey with best practice from countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands who have successfully reduced road casualties through implementing the ‘Safe System Approach’. 

    Initial targets of the plan aim for a 50% reduction of people being seriously injured or killed on roads over the next decade, while working towards the long-term goal of ‘Vision Zero’ where no one is seriously injured or killed on roads. 

    The plan acknowledges that while human error is inevitable, the severity of collisions can be significantly reduced through forgiving road design, safer vehicles, appropriate speeds, better driver behaviour and effective post-collision care and response, and learning lessons from collisions to try and prevent similar collisions occurring in the future.

    The Minister for Infrastructure, Connétable Andy Jehan, said: “I am very pleased to see this plan, the first of its kind in Jersey, being published. Of course, no loss of life on our roads is acceptable and this plan is a commitment to every Islander that we are taking decisive, coordinated action to reduce road harm and protect our community. 

    “We all have a role to play in making our roads safer. Whether you drive a car, ride a bike, or walk, your decisions matter. Together, we can build a road system where safety is prioritised, and lives are saved.:​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New report highlights key sources of air pollution in Oxford

    Source: City of Oxford

    A new report has been published by Oxford City Council, providing a breakdown of the key sources of air pollution in the city. 

    The Oxford Source Apportionment report, which was conducted by Ricardo Group, highlights that road transport remains the highest contributor to NOx emissions, while domestic wood burning is the largest contributor to particulate pollution (PM2.5) in the city. 

    The report examines the contributions of different sectors to air pollution in Oxford (transport, domestic combustion, point sources, other transport, and other emissions), focusing on nitrogen oxides (NOX – a combination of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).  

    The report is based on air pollution data measured in 2022, as well as modelling on the impact of the introduction of 159 electric buses in Oxford through the Government’s ZEBRA scheme. 

    The report found that while road transport remains the largest source of NOX pollution (32%), domestic combustion—particularly wood burning—is the leading cause of harmful PM2.5 emissions (24%). 

    Key findings of the report: 

    • Road transport remains the largest contributor to NOX pollution – accounting for 32% of total NOX emissions.
    • Domestic combustion accounts for 26% of total NOX emissions.
    • Point sources (emissions from sources at a known location that can be directly mapped such as industry or commercial buildings) contribute 20% of total NOX emissions.
    • Other road transport (including boats, and military aircraft) accounts for 9% of total NOX emissions.
    • Other emissions (including rail and aircrafts, non-road mobile machinery, industry, waste, solvents, agriculture, and production processes) accounts for 13% of total NOX emissions.
    • Domestic wood burning is the highest contributor to PM2.5 pollution, accounting for 24% of total PM2.5 emissions.
    • Buses contribute 4% to total NOX emissions, reflecting a significant (28%) reduction since the previous source apportionment study, due to Oxford’s transition to electric buses. 

    Road Transport 

    Road transport remains the largest single contributor to NOX pollution, with diesel vehicles dominating emissions: 

    • Cars (petrol and diesel) account for 48% of total NOX emissions.
    • Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) account for 19%.
    • Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) account for 26%.
    • Buses contribute 4% to total NOX emissions, reflecting a significant (28%) reduction since the previous source apportionment study, due to Oxford’s transition to electric buses. 
    • Private hire and Hackney taxis account for 2%. 

    Since the previous Source Apportionment Study, road transport NOX emissions have dropped from 40% to 32%, primarily due to the introduction of electric buses under the government’s ZEBRA scheme. Buses now contribute to 4% to total NOX emissions in the city. 

    Since the previous Source Apportionment Study, road transport NOX emissions have dropped from 40% to 32%, primarily due to the introduction of electric buses under the government’s ZEBRA scheme. Buses now contribute to 4% to total NOX emissions in the city. 

    Hotspot Locations 

    In addition to transport emissions across the whole city, the report also looked at pollution in three ‘hotspot’ locations – St Clement’s, Botley road and Worcester Street – which have historically seen high levels of air pollution and are key roads for vehicles to travel into and across the city.  

    The findings show: 

    • Cars are the biggest contributors to NOX across all three locations.
    • LGVs and HGVs follow as the next most significant contributors.
    • Buses have seen a reduction in their contribution to NOX emissions, following the transition to electric in 2024.
    • Private hire taxis contribute more to NOX emissions than Hackney Carriages – with both sources combined accounting for 2% of NOX. 

    Domestic Combustion 

    The report highlights that the domestic combustion sector (which includes emissions from burning wood, coal, and gas to heat homes) is responsible for 35% of total PM2.5 emissions citywide – with wood burning alone accounting for 25%.  

    When looking at the specific sources of PM2.5 within the domestic combustion sector: 

    • Wood burning accounts for 70% of all PM2.5 emissions relating to domestic combustion.
    • Commercial heating (in businesses and institutions) contributes 15%.
    • Gas and coal (domestic others) burning contributes 14%.
    • Smokeless fuels account for just 1%.

    Other sources of emissions 

    Other sources of NOX emissions in Oxford includes: 

    • Point sources (such as industry and commercial buildings) contribute 20% of total NOX emissions.
    • Other road transport (including boats, and military aircraft) accounts for 9% of total NOX emissions.
    • Other emissions (including rail and aircrafts, non-road mobile machinery, industry, waste, solvents, agriculture, and production processes) account for 13% of total NOX emissions. 

    There is no safe level of air pollution  

    In Oxford, the main pollutant of concern is nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Over the past few years, Oxford’s air quality has improved significantly, and since the introduction of the city’s current Air Quality Action Plan in 2021, NO2 levels across Oxford have seen a 18% average reduction.  

    Oxford is currently in compliance with the UK’s legal limit for NO2 in all areas of ‘relevant exposure’ within the city (40 µg/m³). However, there is ultimately no safe level of NO2 exposure.  

    In September 2021 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a much ‘safer’ annual mean level of NO2 of 10 µg/m³. Under its current Air Quality Action Plan, which was established in January 2021, Oxford has set its own voluntary annual mean target for NO2 of 30 µg/m³) to be achieved across the city by 2025.  

    Next Steps 

    The report will inform the Council’s upcoming Air Quality Action Plan, which will be updated in 2026 following public consultation later this year.

    An Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) outlines the actions that the Council and its partners will take to improve air quality in Oxford within a certain period of time.The Council’s current Air Quality Action Plan can be read here. 

    For more information on air quality in Oxford, visit the Council’s Air Quality pages.  

    Comment 

    “This latest source apportionment study shows us to the key sources of toxic air pollution in Oxford, and what areas we need to focus on to improve air pollution across the city.  

    “We can see that there has been a significant reduction in the contribution of buses to NOX levels following the introduction of the 159 electric bus fleet. However, cars remain the largest contributor to this pollution.  

    “The report also highlights that we must address the growing issue of domestic wood burning, which is now the largest source of harmful PM2.5 pollution in Oxford. Many people may not realise that even modern wood stoves produce dangerous emissions. By reducing wood burning and supporting zero-emission transport, we can continue to improve Oxford’s air quality for everyone.” 

    Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council

    “The modelled impact that the new fleet of electric buses is having on air quality in Oxford in such as short space of time is remarkable. We are incredibly proud to have put together the successful bid alongside the bus companies to bring them to the city, and this new report shows why it was such an important initiative in creating a cleaner, greener county.” 

    Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management

    “We’re proud of the massive step change in emissions buses have delivered in Oxford over the last decade to help provide radically cleaner air for the communities we serve. 

    “This has been sustained over several years with the move to ultra-low emission vehicles and more recently zero emission vehicles, following significant investment by both companies.  

    “However, overall Oxford’s air is not benefitting as much as it could be due to the steadily increasing proportion of car and van emissions. The data clearly demonstrates that it’s vital for Oxford’s health that suitable measures are introduced to help reduce the volume of private vehicles on the city’s roads to achieve even greater improvements in air quality.” 

    Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company

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