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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: ARKO Corp. Unveils ‘Fueling America’s Future’ Campaign with fas REWARDS®, Slashing Gas Prices Nationwide

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The first-of-its-kind fuel discount program offers drivers nationwide up to $2 off per gallon of gas or $40 in savings per fill up at any ARKO location

    RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) (“ARKO” or the “Company”), a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest convenience store operators in the United States, and its subsidiary GPM Investments, today has launched its ‘Fueling America’s Future’ campaign, offering customers significant savings at the pump with the long-term goal of slashing gas prices in America. This promotion, which has never been done by any gas station nationwide, can save consumers up to $40 per fill up through the ability to stack discounts earned through qualifying purchases for anyone enrolled in the Company’s free loyalty program, fas REWARDS®.

    This campaign is built on the belief that we must do more to address the needs of working Americans, particularly in mitigating the substantial expense of fuel. With thousands of convenience stores and QSR destinations, ARKO has helped lower costs for everyday essentials, from groceries to fuel, through ongoing promotions and value-driven discounts. In 2025, the Company will prioritize price cuts at the pump in its promotions to do its part in fueling America’s future.

    “Gas prices are high, and our customers feel it every time they fill up. It’s putting a strain on families, small businesses, and household budgets,” said Arie Kotler, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ARKO. “We’re in a moment of renewed economic awareness, where businesses have a responsibility to support working Americans. Fueling America’s Future is our way of stepping up, helping to ease that burden, and providing meaningful savings at the pump.”

    Fas REWARDS® members are eligible for fuel savings by buying qualifying items and receiving cents off fuel rewards that will go into their “virtual wallet.” These rewards can be stacked, allowing customers to accumulate up to $2 off per gallon subject to state restrictions. In addition, they’ll earn points on qualifying purchases, which can also be redeemed for fuel discounts. This unique offer helps fas REWARDS® members save money at the pump and lower their everyday expenses.

    “Fueling America’s Future demonstrates how customer-driven solutions can help lower costs for families, ultimately strengthening the national economy,” continued Kotler. “By reducing fuel prices, we’re putting more money back into consumer pockets and supporting local communities so they can free up spending on other essential goods.”

    The above-mentioned promotions are available to enrolled loyalty members across ARKO’s more than 1,350 branded retail stores, including fas mart®, E-Z mart®, Scotchman®, Roadrunner Markets, fastmarket®, village pantry®, Handy Mart and Pride retail stores.

    As of 2024, the fas REWARDS® program has approximately 2.3 million enrolled members. Download the free app today to begin saving with better deals. To learn more, visit: www.fasrewards.com.

    About ARKO Corp.
    ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) is a Fortune 500 company that owns 100% of GPM Investments, LLC and is one of the largest operators of convenience stores and wholesalers of fuel in the United States. Based in Richmond, VA, we operate A Family of Community Brands that offer delicious, prepared foods, beer, snacks, candy, hot and cold beverages, and multiple popular quick serve restaurant brands. Our high value fas REWARDS® loyalty program offers exclusive savings on merchandise and gas. We operate in four reportable segments: retail, which includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel products to retail customers; wholesale, which supplies fuel to independent dealers and consignment agents; GPM Petroleum, which sells and supplies fuel to our retail and wholesale sites and charges a fixed fee, primarily to our fleet fueling sites; and fleet fueling, which includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations, and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. To learn more about GPM stores, visit: www.gpminvestments.com. To learn more about ARKO, visit: www.arkocorp.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, ARKO’s expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying its expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to, among other things, changes in economic, business and market conditions; ARKO’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock and warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market; changes in its strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans; expansion plans and opportunities; changes in the markets in which it competes; changes in applicable laws or regulations, including those relating to environmental matters; market conditions and global and economic factors beyond its control; and the outcome of any known or unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that ARKO files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. ARKO does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable law.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9988cefb-6aab-4e05-a82d-7c869858dcef

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Home of St Patrick Festival Returns to Honour our Patron Saint

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    – Armagh is the only city in the world with two cathedrals named in his honour –

    Armagh City – the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland and the only city in the world with two cathedrals dedicated to St Patrick – is gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors for its Home of St Patrick Festival.

    The week-long celebration, taking place from Sunday 09 March to Monday 17 March, will honour the life and legacy of the island’s patron saint with an exciting line-up of music, art, theatre, and cultural experiences that promise to captivate and inspire.

    Steeped in history, Armagh is uniquely connected to St Patrick, who established his first stone church in the city in 445AD. The iconic city provides the perfect backdrop to understand why he brings such meaning to people here, and the profound influence he left on the culture and heritage of this island.

    Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Sarah Duffy, said,

    “The Home of St Patrick Festival is one of the island’s premier cultural and historical events, and we’re delighted to welcome visitors to Armagh once again. St Patrick began his mission here, and with two cathedrals named in his honour, our city offers an unparalleled connection to him. For local and international visitors looking to connect with Ireland’s heritage, there’s no better place to explore and celebrate the legacy of our patron saint.

    “This year’s festival features an exciting mix of music, art, theatre, film, dance, and local food and drink, all celebrating St Patrick’s profound impact on Ireland and the world. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, interested in local culture, or seeking a family-friendly day out, the festival promises an authentic and immersive experience in the place St Patrick once called his ‘sweet little hill.”

    One of the most significant events in the festival’s programme is the Vigil Walk. The torch-led walk takes place on Sunday 16 March at 7.30pm and connects Armagh’s two breathtaking Cathedrals – St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral and St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral – in a symbolic reflection of St Patrick’s own journey to unite people through Christianity.

    Guided walking tours of the Cathedrals and surrounding areas will also take place throughout the festival and offer insights into why St Patrick chose Armagh to build his first stone church, along with stories, myths, and legends from his time here.

    On St Patrick’s morning, Monday 17 March, Navan Centre and Fort will explore what drew the saint to the area to build his first church as it hosts its Dawn Light event. Through drama and live music, the event will bring to life the ancient story of St Patrick’s arrival, and how he asked the local chieftain, Daire, for the Hill of the Sallows to build a church.

    Organised by the local community, the festivities will culminate with Armagh’s iconic parade on the Monday 17 March. Starting early afternoon, the parade will begin at the Christian Brothers’ School, joyously weaving its way through the city, pleasing onlookers with music, entertainment, and colourful displays.

    The Pilgrim’s Walk, a 132km (82-mile) trail that stretches from Navan Fort in Armagh to Down Cathedral in Downpatrick is a once-in-a-lifetime experience inspired by St Patrick’s time in the area. While this sacred walk is a special feature of the festival, it can also be enjoyed throughout the year, offering visitors the unique opportunity to retrace St Patrick’s steps and connect with the spiritual journey he once made.

    Whilst the festival is very much an ode to and reflection of St Patrick, it is also a celebration of the vibrant and unique cultural spirit of the region.

    Why not make a weekend of it? From Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March, Armagh’s live Irish music trail will fill the city’s welcoming pubs with vibrant performances by artists like Gary Owen and Eoin Ogs Kelly. The lively atmosphere continues on Friday 14 March with St. Patrick’s Shindig in Market Square, featuring electrifying performances from popular Irish bands The High Stool Prophets, Pure Blarney, and The Reillys. A stunning concert by Malachy Cush at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral will kick-off the festival on Sunday 09 March. Other events include an enchanting performance by the vocal ensemble SYSTIR at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral on Saturday 15 March and the contemporary Irish dance show JigJazz on Sunday 16 March, which promises to leave audiences spellbound.

    Sara McGeary, Tourism Manager at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council said:

    “St Patrick is known around the world, but Armagh is where his story truly began. It was here that St Patrick began his mission and with two cathedrals bearing his name, our city offers an authentic connection to his story. For centuries, Armagh has been a place of pilgrimage and celebration, and our festival proudly continues that tradition. This year’s diverse programme—featuring everything from live music trails to sunrise storytelling at Navan—ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy, all while honouring St Patrick’s enduring influence.”

    Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the spirit and legacy of St. Patrick in the city where it all began! For full details of the 2025 Home of St Patrick Festival programme click here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enjoy free and low-cost fun in Leicester this half term

    Source: City of Leicester

    FAMILIES looking for a low-cost day out this half term can enjoy dozens of activities in Leicester that won’t break the bank.

    The city council’s online guide to half-term fun lists events organised by Leicester’s libraries, museums and children’s centres, as well as free activities taking place elsewhere in the city.

    During their week off school, children and young people will be able to delve into a cabinet of curiosity, try their hand at stand-up comedy, take a ride on a steam locomotive or join a Lego coding club.

    Details of all the activities can be found at families.leicester.gov.uk/half-term-fun

    On Saturday (15 February), the team from Leicester Museums will be bringing their Cabinet of Curiosity to Beaumont Shopping Centre. Visitors can drop in any time between 11am and 4pm to discover fascinating items from Leicester’s natural history and technology collections.

    Also on Saturday, young cyclists aged 16+ can find out more about the Leicester playwright Joe Orton. A nine-mile guided bike ride takes in the area where the writer grew up and the theatre that inspired his passion for drama. Places on the free tour must be booked in advance at letsride.co.uk

    On Monday (17 Feb), any child who wants to learn how to be a dog’s best friend can join a free event at Beaumont Leys Library.

    Organised by The Dogs’ Trust, the session runs from 10am-11am and is aimed at children aged 7-11. Places must be booked in advance by calling the library on 0116 454 3270. Please note that no dogs will be involved in the session.

    Later that day, at Highfields Library, there’s a free event inspired by David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny. Those aged 7+ can join a Simple Science session and create an alarm system to protect the Crown Jewels.

    The Gangsta Granny sessions will be repeated at Fosse Library on Tuesday (18 Feb) and at Belgrave Library on Wednesday (19 Feb). Places must be booked in advance by contacting the libraries directly.

    On Tuesday (18 Feb, Newarke Houses Museum hosts a Puppets’ Playtime (tickets £4), while those looking for outdoor activities should head for the Abbey Pumping Station, where the steam train on the narrow gauge railway will be offering rides. Admission to the pumping station’s Railway Day  – which runs from 11.30am-4pm – is free of charge, with train rides costing 50p.

    The Haymarket shopping centre has got lots going on for youngsters on Wednesday (19 Feb). As part of its Blast Off To Fun event, there will be free space-themed crafts and an alien walkabout from 11am-3pm, with activities provided by the National Space Centre. There will also be King Richard III-themed crafts for those aged three and over.

    Leicester Museum & Art Gallery is inviting families to make their own museum in a box on Wednesday (19 Feb), while the Central Library is running a six-week Lego Coding Club for those aged 8-12, starting on Wednesday (19 Feb). Booking for both events is required.

    On Thursday (20 Feb), it’s the Guildhall’s annual ‘snowball’ fight – part of the museum’s Frosty Fun Day. Whatever the weather, there’ll be wintry-themed arts and crafts between 11am-3pm. Tickets are £4 when bought in advance.

    Children who like to play with clay can drop in to Leicester Cathedral on both Tuesday (18 Feb) and Thursday (20 Feb) and make their very own mythical grotesque. Aimed at those aged three and over, the craft sessions are free of charge.

    On both Thursday (20 Feb) and Friday (21 Feb), young people can join a zine making workshop at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, working with professional artists to create a Leicester Legends zine. Part of the Tell Tall Tales heritage project, the free drop-in sessions run from 2pm-4pm.

    All week, there’ll be lots going on at Leicester’s libraries. Free activities include Undersea Crafts at Aylestone Library (1.30pm-3pm on Monday 17 Feb), The Aliens are Coming at Westcotes Library (11am-1pm on Tuesday 18 Feb), Fabulous Frivolous Fun at the Pork Pie Library (2pm-3.30pm on Wednesday 19 Feb), Ramadan and Eid-themed crafts at St Matthew’s Library (2pm-4pm on Wednesday 19 Feb), Make a Dreamcatcher at St Barnabas Library (1pm-2pm on Thursday 20 Feb), Year of the Snake crafts at Rushey Mead Library (2pm-3.30pm on Thursday 20 Feb) and fun paper crafts at Belgrave Library (1pm-4pm on Friday 21 Feb).

    And all week, children and young people can get involved in the UK Kids’ Comedy Festival by telling their favourite jokes at libraries across the city.

    Joke Spots take place at Highfields Library on Monday (17 Feb), Aylestone Library on Tuesday (18 Feb), Braunstone and Hamilton libraries on Wednesday (19 Feb), Beaumont Leys Library on Thursday (20 Feb), New Parks Library on Friday (21 Feb) and Belgrave Library on Saturday (22 Feb).

    All the activities taking place at Leicester’s libraries can be found here

    Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “Keeping children busy over the half-term break doesn’t have to cost the earth, as we’ve got plenty of free and low-cost activities in our libraries and museums.

    “I hope families will find our online guide useful and will enjoy discovering the many free educational, creative and activity-based events taking place in Leicester this half term.”

    Details of activities taking place in Leicester this half term can be found at families.leicester.gov.uk/half-term-fun

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City’s inspirational women honoured as historic plaques unveiled

    Source: City of Leeds

    The names of inspirational women who made their mark on Leeds have been officially etched in history today.

    In a landmark project, plaques honouring the names of six trailblazing women from the city’s past were unveiled in the prestigious council chamber of Leeds Civic Hall.

    Taking their rightful place alongside the names of men who already feature, they have become the very first women to be permanently added to the chamber walls since the building opened in 1933.

    The project is aimed at recognising the extraordinary accomplishments of women in Leeds and the unique contribution they have made to the city’s story.

    Their names were chosen after a public consultation and confirmed by members of the council’s executive board.

     The plaques unveiled today bear the names of:

    • The Barnbow Lasses: These women worked in the Barnbow Munitions Factory, where 35 women and girls were tragically killed in an explosion during the First World War. It remains the single biggest loss of life in the city’s history.
    • Leonora Cohen OBE: A pioneer of the Suffragette movement, born in Leeds. She was famously arrested for smashing a glass case containing a royal insignia at the Tower of London in protest against the government’s position on a woman’s right to vote.
    • Gertrude Paul: A founding member of the Leeds West Indian Carnival and the first black head teacher in Leeds. She also founded the Leeds International Women’s Group, the Afro Asian Organisation and the United Caribbean Association.
    • Alice Bacon MP CBE: The city’s first female MP, as a minister in the Home Office in the 1960s she oversaw the introduction of substantial societal changes, including the abolition of the death penalty, the decriminalisation of homosexuality and the legalisation of abortion.
    • Beryl Burton OBE: Racing cyclist who dominated the sport in the UK and abroad, winning more than 90 domestic championships and seven world titles and setting numerous national records.
    • Ivy Benson: Born in Holbeck, Benson was a saxophonist and bandleader, who led an all-female swing band. Benson’s band were the first entertainers to be invited to perform at the VE celebrations in Berlin in 1945.

    Attending today’s unveiling ceremony was Heather Paul, daughter of Gertrude Paul, who said: “Today is a great day honouring all the women, and a celebration of everyone who worked with Gertrude Paul and those whom she supported. She was a woman who believed in collective action, galvanising young and old to promote equity not only in education but in all public services.  

    “Her strong vision for reform meant she was strategically excellent in making an impact with sustainable projects. She worked tirelessly with voluntary organisations and volunteers beyond the school gate, locally and nationally to ensure that antiracist activism influenced institutional processes and practices.

    “She was particularly influential in raising the bar for student attainment in Chapeltown and South Leeds. Proud of her identity as a Black woman of African Caribbean heritage, arriving as a young, qualified teacher meant that she shared her exceptional talents, her concept of hope and belief in optimism with her community and anyone who shared experiences of discrimination based on skin colour, disabilities, class, gender or being seen as different throughout their lives.

    “It is a proud moment for her name to be added to the council chamber, especially for the diverse groups of people who worked with her collectively. Her vision and impact continue to make a difference to many people generationally.”

    When Leeds Civic Hall was built in 1933, men who had a close association with Leeds or who contributed in a significant way to the history of the city saw their names added to the walls of the council chamber.

    More recently the council has been working to ensure women from the city’s past are also recognised.

    Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said: “The response to this project from the people of Leeds has been so overwhelmingly positive and it’s been clear from the outset that the city wants to see these remarkable women recognised for their accomplishments.

    “Each one of these names has played their own unique role in the story of Leeds, and it’s an honour and privilege for us to add them to the walls of the chamber today.

    “By creating a permanent tribute, we can ensure they continue to inspire future generations of Leeds women and girls and help them to know they can make a difference in their city and that anything is possible.”

    Funding for the project will come through savings from former chief executive Tom Riordan not taking a pay award for a number of years.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Nehmiah Allen-Griggs, also known as “Newski,” 23, of Dallas, Georgia, was sentenced today to ten years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Allen-Griggs admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 1, 2023, Allen-Griggs distributed approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in a Huntington parking lot in exchange for $2,000.

    On November 15, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Highlawn Avenue residence in Huntington and seized quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, a Landor Arms Canyon Arms 12-gauge shotgun, a Walther P22 .22-caliber pistol equipped with a silencer, a Kel-Teck .22-caliber pistol, and various rounds of ammunition. Allen-Griggs admitted that he and others used the residence to store and distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

    Allen-Griggs is among 27 individuals indicted in a 53-count indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia.

    Allen-Griggs is also among 22 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the main case. One other of the 27 indicted individuals pleaded guilty to a related offense in a separate case. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.

    United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.

    The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-180.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: InStride Launches Capability Accelerators: Tailored Learning for Talent Development

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — InStride, a human capital management company providing workforce education solutions, today announced the launch of its Capability Accelerators. This solution, developed in partnership with some of America’s most innovative companies and leading academic institutions, delivers tailored, role-specific learning paths aligned with business strategy. By combining academic rigor with practical application, these cohort-based programs help top talent build skills that directly impact business performance.

    “L&D leaders are searching for education programs that deliver real business outcomes that they can measure,” said Craig Maloney, CEO of InStride. “InStride’s Capability Accelerators are co-designed with employers and academic partners to take employees through cohort- and role-based learning that helps advance their careers as it ties directly to business strategy.”

    Build skills, deliver results

    InStride’s solution addresses critical skills gaps and workforce demands.

    • Contextualized and role-specific academies: Customizable learning tracks built in collaboration with business leaders for specific roles, including first-line managers, manufacturing operations leaders, and early and mid-career healthcare leaders.
    • Interactive, cohort-based learning: Learners collaborate in dynamic, applied scenarios while receiving personalized coaching and feedback delivered by real experts and enhanced by advanced AI tools, ensuring rapid skill application and measurable improvement.
    • University content with real-world relevance: Programs blend rigorous academic insights with practical tools, equipping employees to tackle today’s challenges and drive innovation.

    “InStride is transforming workforce education by building a bridge between rigorous learning and the real-world, corporate context, making these programs highly relevant and impactful,” said Jeff Schulz, VP of Professional Services at InStride. “By focusing on role-specific capabilities and contextualized learning, we’re empowering organizations to build stronger talent pipelines specific to their unique context and prepare future leaders for success.”

    Early success stories

    InStride’s Capability Accelerators are already making strides in reshaping leadership and talent development:

    • Plant Management Accelerator: Created for a Fortune 500 global automotive technology company, this accelerator prepares aspiring plant leaders with skills in financial acumen, manufacturing innovation, and supply chain management, ensuring readiness for critical leadership roles.
    • Healthcare Frontline Leadership Accelerators: Designed for a multi-state health system with 40,000 employees and aimed at high-potential individual contributors and first-line managers, these programs build critical patient-centered leadership capabilities, strengthening manager and team performance, and driving internal talent retention and growth.

    These early examples illustrate how InStride’s customizable Capability Accelerators address businesses’ unique workforce challenges and strategic goals, offering an alternative to off-the-shelf leadership skill training.

    Meeting today’s L&D challenges

    The unique value of these programs lies in their ability to tackle the most common pain points faced by L&D leaders:

    1. Relevance: Programs are contextualized to each organization’s industry and roles, ensuring practical application of skills.
    2. Engagement: Cohort-based learning fosters collaboration and builds a culture of continuous education.
    3. Results: The solution delivers measurable business outcomes, from improved employee retention to faster promotion rates.

    Whether addressing leadership gaps, building manager capacity, developing AI fluency, or enhancing business acumen, InStride ensures that education investments translate into tangible impact for both employees and organizations.

    Learn more about InStride’s Capability Accelerators.

    About InStride
    InStride is a human capital management company that helps organizations retain talent, upskill employees, and fill critical workforce roles through education programs. By breaking down barriers to learning, fostering career growth aligned with organizational goals, and simplifying program management, InStride delivers lasting impact. Partnering with forward-thinking companies like Labcorp, Adidas, and SSM Health, InStride drives meaningful social and business outcomes by providing access to life-changing education. Visit instride.com or follow InStride on LinkedIn for more information and up-to-date news.

    Contact
    Maryam Sohraby, Chief Marketing Officer, maryam.sohraby@instride.com, 908-461-0796

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: StormFisher Hydrogen Secures US$50 million Commitment from Hy24 to Deliver Pipeline of Clean Fuel Production Projects in North America

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • The investment will accelerate StormFisher Hydrogen’s current project pipeline deployment, including several facilities in the U.S. and Canada, with a total renewable capacity of up to 1.8 GW by 2030.
    • Hy24, investing through their Clean Hydrogen Infrastructure Fund, is entering directly into the North American market, contributing to the advancement of clean fuel deployment in the region while supporting StormFisher Hydrogen’s export ambitions to European and Asian markets.

    HOUSTON, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StormFisher Hydrogen, a leading developer and producer of clean fuels, announces today it has secured a US$50 million commitment from Hy24’s Clean Hydrogen Infrastructure Fund, the world’s leading low-carbon hydrogen asset manager. This strategic partnership will accelerate StormFisher Hydrogen’s pipeline of clean fuel production projects in North America, helping them to reach final investment decisions (FID) and catalyzing the transition to low carbon energy solutions.

    “We are pleased to make our first direct investment in North America to support the growth of StormFisher Hydrogen,” said Pierre-Etienne Franc, co-founder and CEO of Hy24. “The company can leverage its energy platform approach, strong offtaker strategy, and a favorable international regulatory landscape to deploy its robust pipeline of e-Fuels projects and drive its export ambitions to European and Asian markets. These clean energy solutions present a significant opportunity for North America in its pursuit of energy security, economic growth, and its trade and continued leadership in the sector.”

    StormFisher Hydrogen’s current project pipeline includes several facilities located across the United States (Texas, Kansas, Minnesota) and Canada (Ontario region). Together, they will have the capacity to convert up to 1.8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy from solar and wind into RFNBO e-Fuels (renewable fuel of non-biological origin), such as green hydrogen, e-Methanol, green ammonia, and e-Methane. The company’s most advanced project located in North Texas, U.S. is expected to reach FID in early 2026 and will have an e-Methanol production capacity of more than 120,000 tonnes per year.

    “This collaboration with Hy24 enables us to advance projects in our pipeline and reinforces our role as a leader in project development,” said Judson Whiteside, President and CEO of StormFisher Hydrogen. “We bring a lot of value and long-term jobs to the communities we are developing in, while increasing molecule exports to Europe and Asia. With cutting-edge energy infrastructure and highly skilled workforce, the United States is poised to lead the global low-carbon fuels market. Our projects strengthen America’s position in the energy transition while enhancing domestic energy resilience and independence.”

    StormFisher Hydrogen will make a significant contribution to the development of North America’s e-Fuel production capacity, which is critical for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries such as maritime, aviation, and chemicals. It will also help establish the United States as a key supplier to the global market while reinforcing the country’s leadership in the energy sector.

    With previous investment from ARC Financial Corp.’s ARC Energy Transition Fund and this new investment from Hy24, StormFisher Hydrogen is expected to deploy several billion dollars of capital over the next decade. The company’s clean fuel production facilities will have material economic benefits for local communities, creating approximately 50 permanent high-quality, full-time jobs per site.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Hy24,” said Brian Boulanger, CEO of ARC Financial Corp. “Their deep expertise and sectoral focus in the hydrogen and e-Fuel space will be instrumental in accelerating StormFisher Hydrogen’s mission to lead in clean fuel development. With the management team’s proven track record in developing major projects, ARC Financial Corp.’s extensive North American investment experience, and Hy24’s global reach, we are well-positioned to deliver low-carbon hydrogen-derived products to our industrial customers at scale.”

    About StormFisher Hydrogen

    StormFisher Hydrogen develops and operates facilities that produce e-Fuels through the sourcing of renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen and the sourcing and use of carbon dioxide from industrial point sources. StormFisher Hydrogen works with hard-to-abate sectors such as transportation (maritime/aviation), heavy industry, and gas utility companies, as well as traditional methanol users seeking clean fuel solutions to support long-term decarbonization goals.

    About Hy24

    The Clean H2 Infra Fund is managed by Hy24, a 50/50 joint venture between Ardian, a world leading private investment house, and FiveT Hydrogen, a clean hydrogen investment pureplay. The world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure fund results from the initiative of Air Liquide, TotalEnergies and VINCI Concessions, combined with the one of Plug Power, Chart Industries and Baker Hughes, which were sharing a common objective to accelerate the development of the hydrogen sector. The fund is now up and running with €2 billion of allocations. With strong industrial and financial expertise at its core, Hy24 will have a unique capacity to accelerate the scaling up of hydrogen solutions along the whole value chain: production, conversion, storage, supply, and usage. Hy24 will support large early stage and strategic projects into becoming essential energy infrastructures. The infrastructure fund managed by Hy24 complies with Article 9 of the European regulation on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (SFDR). Hy24 is an alternative investment fund manager regulated by the French Autorité des marchés financiers under the number GP-202171. The Clean H2 Infra Fund is dedicated to professional investors and not commercialized in the United States of America.

    About ARC Financial Corp.

    Founded in 1989, ARC Financial Corp. is committed to building high-performing businesses that address the world’s energy and sustainability needs. To date, ARC has raised C$6.4 billion across eleven energy-focused funds since the launch of its private equity business in 1997, having invested capital in more than 180 companies across the energy landscape. ARC’s newest fund, ARC Energy Fund 10, is focused on infrastructure development and energy services & manufacturing opportunities in energy transition. For more information, please visit www.arcfinancial.com

    Press Contacts

    StormFisher Hydrogen
    Karen Hamill, Director, Communications Strategy Group
    khamill@wearecsg.com, W: https://stormfisher.com

    Hy24
    Elizabeth Adams, Senior Managing Director, FTI Consulting
    Hy24@fticonsulting.com, W: https://hy24partners.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HERE Technologies unveils HERE WeGo Pro: a truck navigation app for safer, more efficient fleet operations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • HERE WeGo Pro delivers precision navigation with multi-stop routing, real-time traffic and truck-specific road alerts
    • Features include vehicle-specific routing configuration and predictive ETAs to enhance fleet efficiency for middle and “milk run” logistics

    Las Vegas, NV – HERE Technologies, the leading location data and technology company, today introduced HERE WeGo Pro, an advanced mobile application for truck navigation designed to address the growing demand for customizable mapping solutions that promote safer and more efficient driving.

    Unveiled at the Manifest Supply Chain and Logistics Summit, HERE WeGo Pro offers commercial vehicle fleet operators with optimized, multi-stop routing that takes into account road restrictions and real-time traffic conditions. The HERE WeGo Pro application can also fill the gap for commercial vehicle OEMs lacking built-in navigation systems.

    HERE WeGo Pro is tailored for fleet operators that rely on precision navigation and efficiency in middle mile and “milk-run logistics.” This includes Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) services; third-party logistics (3PL); operators of mid-size commercial vehicle fleets; and construction and heavy equipment logistics.

    “HERE WeGo Pro offers a smart navigation solution built on high-precision map data, designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s fleet operators,” said Bart Coppelmans, Senior Director of Product Management at HERE Technologies. “It provides fleet operators with an application that delivers maps to drivers and advanced location services that stay up to date, helping them navigate efficiently, optimize multi-stop deliveries, and stay compliant with increasingly complex regulatory requirements.”

    HERE WeGo Pro Key Features

    Comprehensive Global Road Coverage

    The HERE WeGo Pro application is built on the company’s enterprise-grade map data with truck-specific attributes, available in 75+ countries. Users to save their vehicle profiles, ensuring that routes are optimized based on truck-specific constraints, including height, weight, width, time-of-day restrictions and vehicle type. This level of precision enhances safety, improves compliance and prevents costly detours.

    Predictive ETAs Based on Dynamic Conditions

    HERE WeGo Pro delivers up-to-date estimated arrival times (ETAs) by factoring in real-time traffic, weather and historical data, helping fleet managers and customers plan deliveries with confidence. This eliminates reliance on outdated, static traffic pattern data, keeping deliveries on schedule.

    Optimized Multi-Stop Tours

    Designed for complex delivery schedules, the multi-stop feature of HERE WeGo Pro enables fleets to import tour plans for efficient routing that minimizes fuel consumption, reduces drive time and takes truck specific constraints into account.

    Real-time Data Feedback, AI Assistance & Customizable Map Configurations 

    HERE WeGo Pro provides drivers with an intuitive and easy-to-use feature for reporting live road conditions and map updates to HERE. This feedback loop helps to improve data freshness and map accuracy.

    Future versions of HERE WeGo Pro will include the recently launched HERE AI Assistant, along with features to establish site-specific rules and customized route preferences, enabling precise navigation tailored to their unique operational needs and for companies that want more control over the routing experience.

    Commercial drivers and fleet operators will be able to leverage the HERE AI Assistant to optimize routes based on time or cost constraints and quickly adapt to changing road conditions for seamless and efficient operations. The ability to control the application with natural language through the HERE AI Assistant helps keep drivers focused on the road ahead for increased safety.

    Built for Fleet Operators with Seamless Integrations 

    Fleet management companies and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) can seamlessly integrate the HERE WeGo Pro application into their operations for enhanced routing capabilities.

    The application connects planning, routing and delivery analysis, offering fleets an end-to-end navigation and logistics solution. Additionally, HERE WeGo Pro integrates with the company’s suite of APIs, including HERE Tour Planning and HERE Tracking to provide a unified fleet management experience.

    HERE WeGo Pro is an out-of-the-box navigation solution for fleets built on top of the HERE SDK. For those fleets who may choose to build their own navigation application using HERE’s suite of APIs, information about HERE Software Development Kit (SDK) for navigation can be found here.

    Experience HERE WeGo Pro at Manifest 2025

    Manifest 2025 attendees can explore how HERE WeGo Pro transforms fleet navigation by visiting Booth 822. To learn more about HERE WeGo Pro visit: https://www.here.com/products/wego-pro

    About HERE

    HERE has been a pioneer in mapping and location technology for 40 years. Today, the HERE location platform is recognized as the most complete in the industry, powering location-based products, services and custom maps for organizations and enterprises across the globe. From autonomous driving and seamless logistics to new mobility experiences, HERE allows its partners and customers to innovate while retaining control over their data and safeguarding privacy. Find out how HERE is moving the world forward at https://www.here.com.

    Media Contacts

    Jordan Stark

    +1 312 316 4537

    jordan.stark@here.com

    Dr. Sebastian Kurme 

    +49 173 515 3549 

    sebastian.kurme@here.com

    Camy Cheng

    +65 9088 4127

    Camy.cheng@here.com

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Future AGI launches world’s most accurate multimodal AI evaluation tool

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — While enterprise AI adoption accelerates, 85% of AI projects fail to meet expectations due to accuracy and reliability challenges in tooling*. Current tools lack the depth to provide actionable insights, leaving teams with vague evaluations without identifying root causes or improvement strategies. 

    Today, Future AGI announces a $1.6M pre-seed funding round to scale its AI lifecycle management platform that enables enterprises to build and maintain high-performing AI applications with unprecedented accuracy. The funding round is co-led by Powerhouse Ventures and Snow Leopard Ventures, with participation from Angellist Quant Fund, Swadharma Source Ventures, Saka Ventures and a marquee group of 30+ industry stalwarts and angels.

    Future AGI founders: Nikhil Pareek and Charu Gupta.

    Current AI tooling falls short in several critical areas—ranging from generating high-quality synthetic data and providing granular error analysis to enabling effective feedback and optimization loops—leaving cross-functional teams of subject matter experts, data scientists, and software developers without clear pathways to improvement. Most evaluations remain manual and superficial, with developers often defaulting to guesswork or “vibe checks” rather than informed experimentation. This fragmented ecosystem, coupled with limited domain expertise in tooling usage, makes it exceedingly difficult to pinpoint where models fail, devise data-driven remediation strategies, and ultimately treat AI development with the same rigor as modern software engineering.

    Building trustworthy high-performing AI applications is complex — requiring rapid iterations across models, prompts, and data while safeguarding against harmful outputs. Future AGI’s platform streamlines this entire lifecycle with rapid experimentation, deep multi-modal evaluations, real-time observability, and continuous improvement capabilities. The platform’s proprietary technology includes advanced evaluation systems for text and images, agent optimizers, and auto-annotation tools that can reduce AI product development time by up to 95%. Users can complete evaluations in minutes and automatically optimize their AI systems for production, eliminating manual overhead and ensuring consistent performance.

    “AI is becoming the new software, but its widespread adoption faces a critical challenge – reliability and accuracy at scale,” said Nikhil Pareek, CEO of Future AGI. “Today’s AI systems are probabilistic and error-prone, with improvement cycles taking 6-8 months. We’re building the foundational layer that ensures AI systems are trustworthy and reliable in production. Our platform isn’t just about workflow automation – we’re creating the data layer that continuously monitors, evaluates, and improves AI systems across multimodal interactions.”
    FutureAGI is making significant strides across various industries. A Series E sales-tech company leveraged FutureAGI’s LLM Experimentation Hub to achieve an impressive 99% accuracy in agentic pipeline, accelerating their processes 10 times faster than previous methods, compressing weeks of work into just hours. This transformation has drastically improved their capacity for delivering personalized customer interactions at scale.

    In another case, an AI image generation company utilized FutureAGI’s platform to streamline its image generation pipeline, resulting in a remarkable 90% reduction in costs by decreasing reliance on human evaluators while maintaining 99% accuracy for catalog and marketing images. These examples highlight FutureAGI’s ability to optimize operations and drive substantial cost savings while enhancing performance.

    The platform’s capabilities extend beyond pure software applications to hardware AI agents in robotics and autonomous vehicles, where accuracy requirements are even more stringent. Future AGI’s synthetic data generation and evaluation systems enable companies to simulate edge cases and validate AI models under various real-world conditions before deployment.

    Future AGI was the genesis of Nikhil Pareek and Charu Gupta and was born out of founders’ frustration with the growing challenges in data collection, annotation, and training model readiness. Each iteration magnified these issues, and through conversations with fellow AI builders, they realized this problem was widespread. Nikhil Pareek is a former AI founder, with multiple patents and research papers, comes with experience ranging from building autonomous drones to tackling complex data science challenges for Fortune 50 companies. Charu Gupta is a veteran in revenue growth, having successfully navigated multiple startups from inception to achieving revenues of up to $100 million. 

    Future AGI team.

    With a powerful team of 30 AI researchers and ML engineers—hailing from Microsoft, Amazon, and other top tech giants—alongside alumni from Ivy League and premier institutions, they bring deep expertise in AI innovation, published research, and patented technologies. Together, the team is tackling one of AI’s most formidable challenges—redefining accuracy and trust in AI at an unprecedented scale’

    “The AI landscape is evolving rapidly, and one of the biggest challenges enterprises face today is ensuring the accuracy and reliability of their AI applications,” said Sri Peddu, General Partner at Powerhouse Ventures “Future AGI’s innovative approach to solving this critical problem through their comprehensive AI lifecycle management platform positions them uniquely in the market. We believe their solution will be instrumental in helping companies achieve the highest accuracy levels required for production-grade AI applications.”

    “We believe great people build great companies, and we know from our data that Future AGI is one of the top early-stage startups for attracting the best job applicants on Wellfound (fka AngelList Talent)” said Abraham Othman, PhD, managing partner of the AngelList Early-Stage Quant Fund.

    The timing for this challenge becomes especially critical as organizations transition from experimental AI implementations to business-critical applications, and as major players like Meta, Google, and Anthropic rapidly expand into multimodal AI — combining text, images, audio, and video. This evolution of AI has intensified market demand for solutions that can effectively manage the trustworthiness and reliability of AI products by ensuring accuracy.

    Looking ahead, Future AGI will use the new funding to accelerate product development and grow its engineering and growth teams while strengthening its proprietary technology stack. The company has offices in the Bay Area and its R&D center in Bangalore, positioning it to serve the growing global demand for reliable AI solutions.

    Ends 
    *Gartner, Gartner Business Insights, Strategies & Trends For Executives

    Media images can be found here. 

    About Future AGI
    Future AGI is a venture-backed AI infrastructure company founded by seasoned entrepreneurs with deep expertise in AI and business scaling. Led by a technical founder with multiple patents and an experienced business leader, the company is transforming how enterprises build and maintain high-quality AI products. Our platform dramatically reduces the time and effort needed to achieve reliable AI systems, enabling organizations to confidently deploy AI across their operations. With a growing roster of clients and POCs, Future AGI is positioned to become the foundation for trustworthy AI development.

    Founded in 2024 and headquartered in the US with an R&D center in India, Future AGI’s proprietary technology includes advanced evaluation systems for text and images, auto-tuning prompt optimizers, and auto-annotation tools that can reduce AI product development time by up to 95%. The company serves a diverse client base ranging from late-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping them achieve and maintain 99% accuracy in their AI applications.

    Powerhouse Ventures
    Powerhouse Ventures (PV) is a Singapore-based early-stage Venture Capital firm with an investment focus on startups emerging from India and the United States. PV supports early-stage companies in high-growth sectors where technology is the driver. Currently, PV manages an active portfolio of 40+ companies spread across India, the United States, and Singapore and includes category-defining companies such as Whatfix, Slintel, Medibuddy, Quizizz, DailyRounds/Marrow, Sybill, etc.

    Snow Leopard Ventures
    Snow Leopard Ventures/Snow Leopard Global Capital Management is a global alternative asset manager investing largely proprietary capital with offices in Pune, India and New York, NY. The firm invests across multiple industries and across different stages, from pre-seed through pre-IPO.

    AngelList Early Stage Quant Fund
    The AngelList Early Stage Quant Fund is a data-driven investment fund that has raised $25 million to invest in over 100 early-stage startups in technology, data, and finance sectors, leveraging advanced analytics to enhance decision-making.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: StoneX and Fiserv Partner to Enhance Cross-Border Payment Capabilities for Financial Institutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StoneX Group Inc. (“StoneX”; NASDAQ: SNEX) announced that its Payments Division (“StoneX Payments”) has entered into a partnership with Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI) to extend its advanced cross-border payments offering to financial institutions. In conjunction with Fiserv’s Payments Exchange Services, community banks and credit unions will have an opportunity to directly leverage StoneX’s institutional-grade infrastructure, resulting in dramatically improved global reach, ultra-competitive pricing, and robust transparency across cross-border payment lifecycles.

    Payments Exchange Services from Fiserv is a flexible, web-based platform for completing end-to-end, real-time payments 24/7/365 through the RTP® Network from The Clearing House and the US Federal Reserve’s FedNow® Service, while also offering a range of foreign exchange and global payment capabilities.

    “This partnership with Fiserv is a key part of our broader strategic vision to expand StoneX Payments’ reach and enhance cross-border money movement for financial institutions globally,” said Thiago Vieira, Global Head of StoneX Payments. “This collaboration represents a significant opportunity for banks and credit unions to obtain enhanced capabilities that have traditionally been reserved for only the world’s largest financial institutions.”

    StoneX’s broad global coverage eliminates redundancies and streamlines processes associated with legacy systems and networks, which are reliant on multiple intermediaries to facilitate international transfers. This approach can result in significant cost reduction, faster payment fulfillment, and an enhanced client experience throughout the payment lifecycle.

    “Over time, through our close work with community banks and credit unions, we’ve recognized the critical need for a more competitive offering compared to what the market has traditionally provided,” said Stephen Kuhl, Managing Director, Financial Institutions for StoneX Payments. “Our platform empowers financial institutions to significantly elevate their client offering with a global payments solution and leverage multiple benefits, including improved client retention, new revenue streams, and enhanced competitiveness. Community banks and credit unions increasingly have realized that offering international payments services is essential to meeting the needs of their diverse client base, including businesses, high-net-worth clients, and individuals at large with global requirements.”

    “At Fiserv, we recognize that foreign exchange and international payments are an invaluable part of community banks’ and credit unions’ product suites. It is imperative that they offer capabilities on par with the broader competitive landscape,” said Justin Jackson, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Payment Solutions at Fiserv. “We look forward to partnering with StoneX to bring their comprehensive service offering to this segment.”

    About Fiserv:

    Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a Fortune 500 company, aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and one of Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.

    About StoneX:

    StoneX Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a global financial services network that connects companies, organizations, traders, and investors to the global market ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high-touch service, and deep expertise. The company strives to be the one trusted partner to its clients, providing its network, products, and services to allow them to pursue trading opportunities, manage their market risks, make investments, and improve their business performance. A Fortune 100 company headquartered in New York City and listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ: SNEX), StoneX Group Inc. and its 4,300+ employees serve more than 54,000 commercial, institutional, and global payments clients, and more than 400,000 retail accounts, from more than 80 offices spread across six continents.

    NASDAQ: SNEX
    www.stonex.com

    For more information contact:
    Stephen Kuhl, Managing Director: Financial Institutions
    Stephen.kuhl@stonex.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Varonis at ViVE 2025: Reduce the PHI Blast Radius and Safely Enable AI With Automation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Varonis Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRNS), a leader in data security, today announced its upcoming participation at ViVE 2025, February 16 – 19 in Nashville, Tenn.

    Today’s bad actors don’t break in — they log in. Varonis secures PHI by limiting an organization’s blast radius — all the damage an attacker can do with just one comprised identity — in SaaS, IaaS, and hybrid environments. By ensuring only the right users can access the data they need, Varonis helps organizations maintain compliance with evolving HIPAA regulations and protect against overexposure.

    Varonis Highlights at ViVE 2025:

    Meet Varonis in Person: Visit Varonis at Viosk #2825 inside the Cybersecurity Pavillion for 1:1 demos and giveaways. Learn how the Varonis Data Security Platform helps hospitals and healthcare systems secure sensitive patient data, automate compliance, and reduce ransomware risk.

    Expert Session: “PHI-ght for Your Right to AI Party!” Varonis Field CTO Brian Vecci will shed light on the crucial need for healthcare organizations to gain visibility into AI use, data access, and PHI exposure. He’ll discuss how healthcare leaders can meet current requirements and adapt to future HIPAA changes.

    Date: Tuesday, February 18 at 2 p.m. CT
    Location: Cybersecurity Pavilion

    Additional Resources

    About Varonis
    Varonis (Nasdaq: VRNS) is a leader in data security, fighting a different battle than conventional cybersecurity companies. Our cloud-native Data Security Platform continuously discovers and classifies critical data, removes exposures, and detects advanced threats with AI-powered automation.

    Thousands of organizations worldwide trust Varonis to defend their data wherever it lives — across SaaS, IaaS, and hybrid cloud environments. Customers use Varonis to automate a wide range of security outcomes, including data security posture management (DSPM), data classification, data access governance (DAG), data detection and response (DDR), data loss prevention (DLP), and insider risk management.

    Varonis protects data first, not last. Learn more at www.varonis.com.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Tim Perz
    Varonis Systems, Inc.
    646-640-2112
    investors@varonis.com 

    News Media Contact:
    Rachel Hunt
    Varonis Systems, Inc.
    877-292-8767 (ext. 1598)
    pr@varonis.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AvePoint Launches the Next Generation of Elements to Modernize Managed Services for MSPs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    JERSEY CITY, N.J., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AvePoint (Nasdaq: AVPT), the global leader in data security, governance and resilience, today announced the launch of the next generation of AvePoint Elements to transform managed service providers’ (MSPs) client, cloud, and tenant management with an AI-enhanced platform for data security, IT management, and operational efficiency. Launching the next generation of AvePoint Elements underscores the Company’s continued investment in its channel business, which makes up over half of its annual recurring revenue (ARR), by equipping partners with new security-centric recurring revenue streams through a seamless, all-in-one platform.

    “Our partners have a massive opportunity to unlock new recurring revenue streams through security, backup, workspace management and compliance services this year,” said Coby Liang, Head of EMEA, AvePoint. “Our Elements Platform empowers MSPs to deploy standardized security and compliance configurations consistently across multiple tenants, helping them efficiently manage increasing data volumes and complex environments, thus driving growth and capitalizing on the expanding cybersecurity market.”

    According to Canalys, over 90% of cybersecurity solutions will be partner-delivered in 2025. MSPs using the next generation of AvePoint Elements can secure client data and build additional service offerings to rapidly tap into this opportunity without needing additional resources. Benefits include:

    • Enhanced operational efficiency: Without a unified platform, MSPs face complex client management, slow onboarding and issue resolution, and a lack of integration for various tools. AvePoint Elements integrates with AvePoint’s award-winning compliance and data protection solutions and features seamless API integrations, enabling automation and remote management for efficient service delivery. Additionally, it provides centralized baseline management and workspace governance, ensuring consistency and efficient lifecycle management across customer tenants.
    • Increased profitability: AvePoint Elements automates manual tasks and simplifies transactions between partners and their customers, empowering MSPs to focus on value-added services and lower their operational costs. With AvePoint’s multi-SaaS support, MSPs can serve customers across clouds from within one platform, driving their total addressable markets up with one vendor and providing more opportunities to offer security, backup and compliance services.
    • Seamless scalability: The AvePoint Elements Platform offers centralized management for multi-tenant configurations so MSPs can deploy, track and enforce security and compliance across multiple tenants. Using automation to scale, this enables MSPs to increase total volume of data managed and secured and standardize their onboarding process for new customers.
    • Advanced security and control: Without centralized policies, MSPs lack visibility, are at high risk of non-compliance and have inadequate threat protection. With proactive security monitoring and automated policy enforcement through AvePoint Elements, MSPs can ensure robust protection and premium data security to all customers from one platform.

    “MSPs have significant revenue opportunities surrounding multi-cloud data security and workspace management, especially when they offer more than one solution to their customers within a managed service,” said Scott Sacket, Senior Vice President of Partner Strategy, AvePoint. “Through our private preview, partners have already seen a 40% increase in average revenue per user when they integrate more than two solutions into a managed service. On top of that, our private preview partners saw that time wasted on operations and infrastructure, which can take away from valuable service delivery and customer care, has already been reduced by 85%.”

    To learn more about the next generation of AvePoint Elements, visit our website.

    About AvePoint: 

    Securing the Future. AvePoint is a global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, and over 21,000 customers worldwide rely on our solutions to modernize the digital workplace across Microsoft, Google, Salesforce and other collaboration environments. AvePoint’s global channel partner program includes over 3,500 managed service providers, value added resellers and systems integrators, with our solutions available in more than 100 cloud marketplaces. To learn more, visit www.avepoint.com. 

    Forward-Looking Statements: 

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws including statements regarding the future performance of and market opportunities for AvePoint. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: changes in the competitive and regulated industries in which AvePoint operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting AvePoint’s business and changes in AvePoint’s ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and ability to identify and realize additional opportunities, and the risk of downturns in the market and the technology industry. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of AvePoint’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Copies of these and other documents filed by AvePoint from time to time are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and AvePoint does not assume any obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. AvePoint does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this press release to the terms “AvePoint”, “the Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to AvePoint, Inc. and its subsidiaries. 

    Disclosure Information: 

    AvePoint uses the https://www.avepoint.com/ir website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. 

    Investor Contact 
    AvePoint 
    Jamie Arestia 
    ir@avepoint.com 
    (551) 220-5654 

    Media Contact 
    AvePoint 
    Nicole Caci 
    pr@avepoint.com 
    (201) 201-8143 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Learning a new language? Your mindset matters more than ‘having a knack’

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Xijia Zhang, Graduate Student, Department of Psychology, University of Alberta

    Know that every time you manage to learn a new word, or manage to get your message across in the language you are learning and you are improving. (Shutterstock)

    If you stumble when you need to talk to someone in a language that isn’t your native language, do you think: “I just don’t have the knack for languages” or “Maybe I am not cut out to learn another language?”

    Learning and using a language other than your mother tongue can be a daunting challenge. The good news is that everyone is smart enough to learn another language. An important part of that process is developing a mindset that will help you to succeed.

    What is a language mindset?

    We study people’s motivation to learn new languages from the perspective of language mindset theory. Language mindset theory shows that what people believe about aptitude has a role to play in language learning.

    This theory concerns learners’ beliefs about whether they can change their aptitude for learning and using languages, and how different beliefs are associated with different outcomes, including language proficiency.

    If learners think they can improve their ability when learning something hard about a new language, or when they didn’t do well in certain aspects of language learning, they won’t be scared off by thinking that their current level of ability is low.

    Learners may even feel that these difficulties or failures are chances to learn something new and to improve their language ability. They remain hopeful and confident about what they can potentially achieve in language learning. They focus on what they can do to improve their language skills through the learning process, rather than merely surviving the interaction, getting a good grade or doing better than other people.

    A growth or a fixed mindset

    Language mindset theory — pertaining to learners’ beliefs about their aptitude for learning and using languages — can be differentiated into three types of views:

    1. General language intelligence about whether a person believes they can change their ability to use spoken and written language to express themselves and communicate with others;

    2. Beliefs about their aptitude for learning a new language;

    3. Beliefs regarding whether their ability to learn a new language is in any way related to age.

    If a person thinks these three types of language aptitude are something they’re born with and cannot change, they could be classified as a learner with a fixed mindset.

    If they feel they can improve one or more of these aspects of language aptitude, and especially second-language aptitude, they could be characterized as a growth-mindset learner. Ultimately, learners with a growth mindset are likely to become more proficient in the language they are learning than a person with a fixed mindset.

    Our research shows that about 20 per cent of language learners have a growth mindset, another 20 per cent have a fixed mindset and the majority (60 per cent) have a mixed mindset.

    How teachers can help

    Although people are increasingly using digital apps like Duolingo, language courses remain a common way for people to learn languages — and language teachers can help learners develop a growth mindset.

    Teachers have a role promoting having a growth mindset.
    (Shutterstock)

    Teachers can help by reminding learners that they can improve their language intelligence through their efforts. For low-stakes assignments and tests, teachers can encourage learners to take risks and attempt new challenges and use these moments as an opportunity to learn something new.

    Teachers should also provide feedback that focuses on the learning process; for example, what types of learning strategies learners could use, whether they need to work harder and what resources could be helpful for their language learning.

    In this way, teachers convey an important message that it’s OK to make mistakes, and what learners do in the learning process matters more than how proficient they currently are. Even when learners are faced with high-stakes exams, teachers can still help learners connect the content of the exams to using the language in real-life communication.

    If teachers can create a classroom environment that fosters a growth language mindset, learners are more likely to continue learning the language.

    Mindset can shift, aptitude can grow

    If you are a language learner who finds yourself thinking that your language aptitude is fixed, it’s never too late to change your belief.

    Every time you master a new word, or acquire a new aspect of grammar or even just manage to get your message across to another person in the language you are learning, you are improving.

    If you are having a hard time learning a certain aspect of the language, try using a different learning strategy, finding resources that can help you or simply giving yourself more time to practice. Remember, everyone is smart enough to learn a new language.

    Xijia Zhang is affiliated with the University of Alberta.

    Kimberly Noels works for the University of Alberta. She receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Learning a new language? Your mindset matters more than ‘having a knack’ – https://theconversation.com/learning-a-new-language-your-mindset-matters-more-than-having-a-knack-246825

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Influence on Healthcare Market Expected to Generate Revenues of $610 Billion By 2034

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The growing adoption of the digital technologies in the healthcare sector owing to the growing need for reducing the healthcare costs and offer enhanced quality patient care services to the patients are the prominent factors that are boosting the growth of the global artificial intelligence in healthcare market. The surging prevalence of various chronic diseases and growing elderly population is resulting in the increased pool of patients at hospitals. The large volume of patient health data is generated every day, which is required to be stored and managed effectively. The growing demand for the personalized medicines and the necessity of maintaining digital health records are significantly driving the artificial intelligence in healthcare market. The novel technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are now being integrated to the healthcare systems that will allow the health professionals in early identification of the diseases and offer enhanced care services to the patients. Moreover, the data analytics, deep learning technology, natural language processing (NPL), predictive analytics, and content analytics are supporting the healthcare professionals in early diagnosis and care services. A report from Precedence Research said that the global artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare market size accounted for USD 26.69 billion in 2024 and is predicted to reach around USD 613.81 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 36.83% from 2024 to 2034. North America AI in healthcare market size reached USD 8.67 billion in 2023. Active A.I. companies active in the markets include: Avant Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI), Talkspace (NASDAQ: TALK), SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN).

    The Precedence Research report added: “North America region was the highest market share holder in (recent years). North America is characterized by the increased inclination towards the advanced and latest digital technologies. The strong and developed healthcare, IT, and telecommunications infrastructure in North America has supported the growth of the artificial intelligence in healthcare market. Furthermore, the favorable government policies that encourage the adoption of the digital and novel technologies like artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector. North America has the presence of huge pool of patients. It is estimated that over half of the US population is suffering from one or more chronic diseases. This is resulting in increased volume of patients in hospitals. The health data of these patients needs to be stored and managed in digital form as per the government regulations. This is a major factor that propels the demand for the artificial intelligence in healthcare sector.”

    Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI) and Ainnova Advance Toward FDA Clinical Trial with Selection of Top CRO – Avant Technologies, Inc. (“Avant” or the “Company”) and its partner, Ainnova Tech, Inc., (Ainnova), a leading healthcare technology company focused on revolutionizing early disease detection using artificial intelligence (AI), today announced the selection of Fortrea, a global provider of clinical development solutions to the life sciences industry, as the contract research organization (CRO) to conduct Ainnova’s upcoming clinical studies to seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Ainnova’s Vision AI platform.

    Fortrea will assist Ainnova in requesting a pre-submission meeting with the FDA for guidance on the clinical testing needed for its Vision AI platform in the early detection of diabetic retinopathy. After a pre-submission meeting, Fortrea will then work with Ainnova on its FDA submission and a subsequent clinical study before concluding with an FDA 510(k) submission to obtain clearance from the FDA to market its Vision AI platform.

    The upcoming clinical studies are significant to Avant and its shareholders because of the partnership formed by Avant and Ainnova to advance and commercialize Ainnova’s technology portfolio, including its Vision AI platform and its versatile retinal cameras. The joint venture formed by the two companies, Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC), has the licensing rights for this portfolio in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, so the success of Ainnova’s clinical studies with the FDA will be vital to marketing the technology portfolio in the United States.

    Ainnova’s Chief Executive Officer, Vinicio Vargas, said of the selection, “We worked diligently to identify and select the right CRO to help us both engage the FDA and then conduct our clinical studies. Fortrea is an established and highly regarded full-service CRO with expertise in more than 20 therapeutic areas, and a CRO with an extensive portfolio of successfully completed clinical trials, including those involving both emerging and large biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic companies.”

    With Fortrea’s guidance, Ainnova expects to submit its pre-submission application in the coming weeks and expects to meet with the FDA for its pre-submission meeting in late March/early April 2025. Additionally, Ainnova will also interact with the FDA to devise a plan to obtain clearance for four algorithms it recently acquired the exclusive licensing rights to, which include early detection for cardiovascular risk, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and chronic kidney disease. CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Avant Technologies at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-avai/

    In other A.I. developments and happenings in the market recently include:

    Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine and patient care, recently announced it has completed its acquisition of Ambry Genetics, a recognized leader in genetic testing that aims to improve health by understanding the relationship between genetics and disease.

    “This acquisition complements our strategy of leveraging diagnostics and data to drive innovation, further strengthening our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions to clinicians, patients, and life sciences companies,” said Eric Lefkofsky, Founder and CEO of Tempus. “We are excited to welcome Ambry to the Tempus team as we work together to improve patient outcomes and transform treatment journeys through the power of technology.”

    BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI) has recently been awarded a contract by the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) to advance BigBear.ai’s Virtual Anticipation Network (VANE) prototype. This initiative will support the CDAO and Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) by leveraging custom AI models to better assess news media originating in countries that are potential foreign adversaries.

    The prototype award is designed to improve CDAO’s ability to identify key trends and topics related to potential foreign adversarial areas of interest, enabling faster and more informed assessments of media data vital to national security. VANE was created to contrive clarity in multi-domain environments for military and government applications by aggregating and analyzing vast data points, enabling predictions of adversarial activity in complex situations.

    “We are honored to continue our support in the modernization of our nation’s defense efforts. This award underscores the importance of leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies to address complicated geopolitical challenges,” said Ryan Legge, President of National Security at BigBear.ai. “By advancing VANE within CDAO, we are arming our warfighters with sophisticated intelligence capabilities to leverage foreign insights critical to the safety of our Nation and those protecting it.”

    Talkspace (NASDAQ: TALK) recently announced the launch of Insights, a new feature that enhances therapeutic care by helping Talkspace providers efficiently prepare for sessions and guide client care between sessions. The feature was developed and refined in partnership with Talkspace clinicians.

    Before each session, providers can use Insights to synthesize data from each client’s care journey, a process that is typically manual — including changes in that client’s symptom acuity from evidence-based psychological assessments and key details from the most recent session — to generate a concise pre-session primer tailored to the therapist’s upcoming appointment. After the session, an update can be generated to reflect the discussion’s key points, highlight therapeutic progress, and note follow-ups for future sessions.

    SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN), a global leader in voice artificial intelligence, recently announced the launch of Brand Personalities, a groundbreaking feature for its SoundHound Chat AI Automotive voice assistant – making it the first in-vehicle assistant to offer distinct, customizable personas tailored to each automaker’s unique brand identity, designed to enhance both the user experience and brand loyalty for OEMs.

    Brand Personalities enables car makers to control the entire personality of their voice assistant including response style, character and vivaciousness. Automotive partners can choose from pre-designed personas, create fully customized personalities tailored to their specific needs, or even introduce seasonal characters for campaigns. Due to SoundHound’s unique software architecture, multiple personas can be defined for specific sub-brands or model lines—allowing sports cars, family cars, and commercial vehicles to each have distinct personalities that reflect the unique needs of their customers.

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

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: New Forests adopts Intapp DealCloud to bolster capital raising

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intapp (NASDAQ: INTA), a leading global provider of AI-powered solutions for professionals at advisory, capital markets, and legal firms, announces that New Forests has implemented Intapp DealCloud to modernize its investor relations and fundraising functions. New Forests is a global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies with teams spanning the United States, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia. The firm manages a diversified portfolio of sustainable timber plantations and conservation areas, carbon and conservation finance projects, agriculture, timber processing, and infrastructure.

    Leading strategic change
    “With Intapp DealCloud, we are able to keep better track of our investors, and the entire fundraising process, to ensure we’re offering investors and prospective investors a more targeted and tailored approach to relationship management,” said Sarah Clawson, Global Head of Investor Relations at New Forests. “The AI capabilities within DealCloud will help streamline reporting, investor outreach, and follow ups.”

    Modernizing investor relations
    DealCloud provides New Forests’ investor relations teams with the insight they need to make important decisions and build long-term relationships with investors. It is a data-powered platform built for capital markets firms that centralizes critical proprietary and third-party data. Access to real-time data and analytics helps New Forests’ IR professionals cultivate existing and prospective investor relationships, build pipeline, organize investor events, and tailor thought leadership content.

    Using Applied AI, DealCloud furthers the modernization of investor relations processes through every stage of the process. With AI assistance, IR professionals can analyze data quickly and accurately, and make more informed decisions based on real-time insights, market trends, and existing firm knowledge. DealCloud’s AI capabilities also help automate everyday workflows, identify and communicate with potential new investors, and ensure investor and fundraising activity is recorded for future reference.

    Multiplying success with Intapp
    “We’re excited to work with New Forests, a leading investment manager across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Africa and the United States,” said Rudy Saad, Global Head of Private Equity and Private Capital Markets at Intapp. “With Intapp DealCloud, their IR professionals are empowered with greater visibility into key investor interactions, more targeted business development campaigns, and ultimately better management of capital raising initiatives while automating more manual processes.”

    About Intapp 
    Intapp software helps professionals unlock their teams’ knowledge, relationships, and operational insights to increase value for their firms. Using the power of Applied AI, we make firm and market intelligence easy to find, understand, and use. With Intapp’s portfolio of vertical SaaS solutions, professionals can apply their collective expertise to make smarter decisions, manage risk, and increase competitive advantage. The world’s top firms — across accounting, consulting, investment banking, legal, private capital, and real assets — trust Intapp’s industry-specific platform and solutions to modernize and drive new growth. For more information, visit intapp.com and LinkedIn. 

    About New Forests
    New Forests is a global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies, with A$11.6 billion in assets under management across more than 4.2 million hectares of investments. We manage a diversified portfolio of sustainable timber plantations and conservation areas, carbon and conservation finance projects, agriculture, timber processing and infrastructure. We aim to generate shared prosperity for our clients and the communities in which we operate and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future (as at 30 June 2024).

    Headquartered in Sydney, New Forests is a Certified B Corp and operates in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Africa and the United States. www.newforests.com.

    Intapp
    Ali Robinson
    Global Media Relations Director, Intapp
    press@intapp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The New Yorker turns 100 − how a poker game pipe dream became a publishing powerhouse

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christopher B. Daly, Professor Emeritus of Journalism, Boston University

    The New Yorker expanded the scope of journalism far beyond the standard categories of crime, courts, politics and sports. Design Uncensored

    Literate in tone, far-reaching in scope, and witty to its bones, The New Yorker brought a new – and much-needed – sophistication to American journalism when it launched 100 years ago this month.

    As I researched the history of U.S. journalism for my book “Covering America,” I became fascinated by the magazine’s origin story and the story of its founder, Harold Ross.

    In a business full of characters, Ross fit right in. He never graduated from high school. With a gap-toothed smile and bristle-brush hair, he was frequently divorced and plagued by ulcers.

    Ross devoted his adult life to one cause: The New Yorker magazine.

    For the literati, by the literati

    Born in 1892 in Aspen, Colorado, Ross worked out west as a reporter while still a teenager. When the U.S. entered World War I, Ross enlisted. He was sent to southern France, where he quickly deserted from his Army regiment and made his way to Paris, carrying his portable Corona typewriter. He joined up with the brand-new newspaper for soldiers, Stars and Stripes, which was so desperate for anybody with training that Ross was taken on with no questions asked, even though the paper was an official Army operation.

    Harold Ross and Jane Grant in 1926.
    University of Oregon Libraries

    In Paris, Ross met a number of writers, including Jane Grant, who had been the first woman to work as a news reporter at The New York Times. She eventually became the first of Ross’ three wives.

    After the armistice, Ross headed to New York City and never really left. There, he started meeting other writers, and he soon joined a clique of critics, dramatists and wits who gathered at the Round Table in the Algonquin Hotel on West 44th Street in Manhattan.

    Over long and liquid lunches, Ross rubbed shoulders and wisecracked with some of the brightest lights in New York’s literary chandelier. The Round Table also spawned a floating poker game that involved Ross and his eventual financial backer, Raoul Fleischmann, of the famous yeast-making family.

    In the mid-1920s, Ross decided to launch a weekly metropolitan magazine. He could see that the magazine business was booming, but he had no intention of copying anything that already existed. He wanted to publish a magazine that spoke directly to him and his friends – young city dwellers who’d spent time in Europe and were bored by the platitudes and predictable features found in most American periodicals.

    First, though, Ross had to come up with a business plan.

    The kind of smart-set readers Ross wanted were also desirable to Manhattan’s high-end retailers, so they got on board and expressed interest in buying ads. On that basis, Ross’ poker partner Fleischmann was willing to stake him US$25,000 to start – roughly $450,000 in today’s dollars.

    Ross goes all in

    In the fall of 1924, using an office owned by Fleischmann’s family at 25 West 45th St., Ross got to work on the prospectus for his magazine:

    “The New Yorker will be a reflection in word and picture of metropolitan life. It will be human. Its general tenor will be one of gaiety, wit and satire, but it will be more than a jester. It will not be what is commonly called radical or highbrow. It will be what is commonly called sophisticated, in that it will assume a reasonable degree of enlightenment on the part of its readers. It will hate bunk.”

    The magazine, he famously added, “is not edited for the old lady in Dubuque.”

    In other words, The New Yorker was not going to respond to the news cycle, and it was not going to pander to middle America.

    Ross’ only criterion would be whether a story was interesting – with Ross the arbiter of what counted as interesting. He was putting all his chips on the long-shot idea that there were enough people who shared his interests – or could discover that they did – to support a glossy, cheeky, witty weekly.

    Ross almost failed. The cover of the first issue of The New Yorker, dated Feb. 21, 1925, carried no portraits of potentates or tycoons, no headlines, no come-ons.

    Instead, it featured a watercolor by Ross’ artist friend Rea Irvin of a dandified figure staring intently through a monocle at – of all things! – a butterfly. That image, nicknamed Eustace Tilly, became the magazine’s unoffical emblem.

    A magazine finds its footing

    Inside that first edition, a reader would find a buffet of jokes and short poems. There was a profile, reviews of plays and books, lots of gossip, and a few ads.

    It was not terribly impressive, feeling quite patched together, and at first the magazine struggled. When The New Yorker was just a few months old, Ross almost even lost it entirely one night in a drunken poker game at the home of Pulitzer Prize winner and Round Table regular Herbert Bayard Swope. Ross didn’t make it home until noon the next day, and when he woke, his wife found IOUs in his pockets amounting to nearly $30,000.

    Fleischmann, who had been at the card game but left at a decent hour, was furious. Somehow, Ross persuaded Fleischmann to pay off some of his debt and let Ross work off the rest. Just in time, The New Yorker began gaining readers, and more advertisers soon followed. Ross eventually settled up with his financial angel.

    A big part of the magazine’s success was Ross’ genius for spotting talent and encouraging them to develop their own voices. One of the founding editor’s key early finds was Katharine S. Angell, who became the magazine’s first fiction editor and a reliable reservoir of good sense. In 1926, Ross brought James Thurber and E.B. White aboard, and they performed a variety of chores: writing “casuals,” which were short satirical essays, cartooning, creating captions for others’ drawings, reporting Talk of the Town pieces and offering commentary.

    E.B. White in his office at The New Yorker.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

    As The New Yorker found its footing, the writers and editors began perfecting some of its trademark features: the deep profile, ideally written about someone who was not strictly in the news but who deserved to be better known; long, deeply reported, nonfiction narratives; short stories and poetry; and, of course, the single-panel cartoons and the humor sketches.

    Intensely curious and obsessively correct in matters grammatical, Ross would go to any length to ensure accuracy. Writers got their drafts back from Ross covered in penciled queries demanding dates, sources and endless fact-checking. One trademark Ross query was “Who he?”

    During the 1930s, while the country was suffering through a relentless economic depression, The New Yorker was sometimes faulted for blithely ignoring the seriousness of the nation’s problems. In the pages of The New Yorker, life was almost always amusing, attractive and fun.

    The New Yorker really came into its own, both financially and editorially, during World War II. It finally found its voice, one that was curious, international, searching and, ultimately, quite serious.

    Ross also discovered still more writers, such as A.J. Liebling, Mollie Panter-Downes and John Hersey, who was raided from Henry Luce’s Time magazine. Together, they produced some of the best writing of the war, most notably Hersey’s landmark reporting on the use of the first atomic bomb in warfare.

    A crown jewel of journalism

    Over the past century, The New Yorker had a profound impact on American journalism.

    For one thing, Ross created conditions for distinctive voices to be heard. For another, The New Yorker provided encouragement and an outlet for nonacademic authority to flourish; it was a place where all those serious amateurs could write about the Dead Sea Scrolls or geology or medicine or nuclear war with no credentials other than their own ability to observe closely, think clearly and put together a good sentence.

    Finally, Ross must be credited with expanding the scope of journalism far beyond standard categories of crime and courts, politics and sports. In the pages of The New Yorker, readers almost never found the same content that they’d come across in other newspapers and magazines.

    Instead, readers of The New Yorker might find just about anything else.

    Christopher B. Daly 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. The New Yorker turns 100 − how a poker game pipe dream became a publishing powerhouse – https://theconversation.com/the-new-yorker-turns-100-how-a-poker-game-pipe-dream-became-a-publishing-powerhouse-246774

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Whether Christians should prioritize care for migrants as much as for fellow citizens has been debated for centuries

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Laura E. Alexander, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Nebraska Omaha

    Vice President JD Vance has criticized the U.S. Catholic bishops condemning agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement entering churches and schools. Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

    Vice President JD Vance and several bishops of the U.S. Roman Catholic Church are having a war of words over the Trump administration’s flurry of executive orders and highly publicized immigration raids. The bishops argue that these policies tend to empower gangs and traffickers while harming vulnerable families; Vance has criticized the bishops’ stance and argued that crackdowns are a matter of public safety.

    In the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, both Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Mark Seitz, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, publicly objected to the tone and the humanitarian impacts of the orders.

    Seitz critiqued generalizations that denigrate and describe migrants without legal status as “criminals” or “invaders,” saying this “is an affront to God, who has created each of us in his own image.” Instead, he urged humane policies and bipartisan immigration reform for an “effective, orderly immigration system.”

    Interviewed on “Face the Nation,” Vance argued that the USCCB should “look in the mirror … and recognize that when they receive over US$100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line?”

    To be clear, this line of attack appears to be false. USCCB contracts with the U.S. State Department to resettle refugees and has received over $100 million in recent years to do so, but refugee resettlement is a legal immigration program. The Catholic Church, rather than making money on this program, provides funding from its own budget to supplement its humanitarian work with refugees. For example, according to the USCCB’s audited financial statements, in 2023, the most recent year reported, the USCCB spent over $134.2 million on resettlement services. Federal grants provided over $129.6 million for these services, with the USCCB covering the rest.

    As a scholar of religion and migration, I see in this debate long-standing tensions among Catholic – and other Christian – thinkers and practitioners about moral obligations to people with whom we have closer versus more distant relationships.

    This tension is magnified in the case of migrants without legal status, since most of these migrants do have close relationships with U.S. communities and citizens, but they are not legally authorized by the U.S. government.

    2 perspectives on moral responsibility

    In international relations, different stances on how to treat people who are not citizens of one’s own state are described as “cosmopolitan” and “communitarian,” respectively.

    Some Christian thinkers have adopted these terms as a helpful way to understand Christian ethical debates over how to prioritize caring for people who are more closely connected or less connected to us. Those who take a cosmopolitan stance argue that Christians should care equally about all people of the world and should not show preference to family members or those within their near orbit, even if, for practical reasons, they do assist those close to them more often.

    Meanwhile, thinkers who take a communitarian stance argue that Christians certainly should care about the well-being of all but have a moral obligation to prefer helping people they have a closer relationship with, such as family members, those who are close geographically and possibly fellow citizens.

    Christian theologies of neighborly love

    Many Christian thinkers have developed perspectives on how to prioritize care for different neighbors by interpreting the words and actions of Jesus, as well as the teachings and practices of the early Christian church. Over time, Christian thinkers have also considered institutional statements and traditional teachings of different church bodies.

    Early theologians, including Clement of Rome, the first-century bishop of Rome, and John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople in the fourth and fifth centuries, demonstrated cosmopolitan tendencies.

    Biblical passages encourage believers to welcome strangers.
    ‘Sermon on the Mount’ by Henrik Olrik via Wikimedia Commons

    These early church leaders consider biblical passages, including commandments in the Hebrew Bible, to welcome strangers. In the Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan upholds a person of different ethnicity and religion from Jesus and his followers as an ideal “neighbor.” It also praises acts of kindness across ethnic and religious boundaries.

    In another passage, Jesus heals the daughter of a woman who was both non-Jewish and of foreign ethnicity, accepting her chastisement for his initial reluctance to assist a non-Jew.

    Later in the New Testament, the apostle Paul used expansive language for the Christian community, particularly in Galatians, the ninth book of the New Testament: “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

    The contemporary Roman Catholic Church has often taken a cosmopolitan perspective on social issues. Pope Francis, in his message for the 2024 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, highlights the biblical passage that “our citizenship is in heaven” and states that “the encounter with the migrant … ‘is also an encounter with Christ.’”

    Catholic service organizations draw on this thinking when they help migrants in concrete ways. In addition to refugee resettlement services, many Catholic organizations provide humanitarian assistance such as food and shelter to migrants, no matter where they are from.

    Christian communitarian thought

    From a communitarian perspective, some thinkers argue that Christians’ concrete obligations to members of their communities can differ from their obligations to others, even though they view all people as of equal moral worth.

    New Testament writings describe how members of early Christian groups provided food and care for those in their communities – even as they also gave charity to the poor in the wider society.

    St. Thomas Aquinas, whose writings have also become part of the current debate after Vance referenced them online, argues that Christians should assist people in need, even to the point of depriving themselves of luxuries or social standing. He consistently urges Christians to love all people as commanded by God. Yet he also writes that, all other things being equal, Christians can properly meet the needs of people close to them before they give to those outside their own family or close circles, and that in political matters there can be some justification for preferring fellow citizens.

    Some contemporary Christian thinkers apply similar ideas to relationships between citizens and noncitizens in modern states. Ethicist Mark Amstutz argues that American Christian churches should incorporate a stronger focus on citizens’ needs and solidarity within state communities into their statements on immigration. German Catholic thinker Manfred Spieker has advocated that Christian social teachings permit preferences for people one is close to, as well as requirements of cultural integration by immigrants.

    These proponents of Christian communitarian perspectives continue to stress that all neighbors should be treated well even if some are prioritized over others. In this way, Vance’s remarks are not the best example of Christian communitarian thought, since migrants without legal status still should not be demonized nor falsely accused of criminal behavior, both of which Vance himself has done in the past few months.

    Immigrants in communities and the command to love

    Christian thinkers do agree that Christians are commanded by God to show love for all people – those who are like them, those who are not like them and even enemies.

    But it’s possible that love could take different shapes in different relationships. Immigration poses a unique test case because immigrants are not citizens, but they are “close” neighbors to U.S. citizens.

    Immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are integral parts of the communities where they live. They work in vital jobs; in 2020-22, 42% of hired farmworkers were migrants without legal status. Immigrants, both with legal status and without, have brought new workers and young families to small towns whose populations have declined in recent decades.

    This further nuances debates about cosmopolitan and communitarian moral perspectives, since immigrants arrive from places outside the U.S. but have close relationships with U.S. citizens, whether as family members or as neighbors with whom they work, shop and worship.

    At the moment, public debate over immigration reflects trends in U.S. politics as much or more than it does Christian ethics. Yet Christian communities do continue to wrestle with cosmopolitan and communitarian ways of thinking, as they try to understand and apply Christian scriptural and moral commands to care for all people.

    Laura E. Alexander receives funding from the Mellon Foundation and has previously received funding from the Public Religion Research Institute. As a private individual, she is a member of the Nebraska Alliance for Thriving Communities, a statewide network of businesses, institutions, and individuals seeking immigration reform solutions.

    – ref. Whether Christians should prioritize care for migrants as much as for fellow citizens has been debated for centuries – https://theconversation.com/whether-christians-should-prioritize-care-for-migrants-as-much-as-for-fellow-citizens-has-been-debated-for-centuries-248640

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Rural Americans don’t live as long as those in cities − new research

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, James Irvine Chair in Urban and Regional Planning and Professor of Public Policy, University of Southern California

    Part of the problem is that people living in rural areas don’t always have easy access to health care. cstar55/iStock via Getty Images

    Rural Americans – particularly men – are expected to live significantly shorter, less healthy lives than their urban counterparts, according to our research, recently published in the Journal of Rural Health.

    We found that a 60-year-old man living in a rural area is expected on average to live two fewer years than an urban man. For women, the rural-urban gap is six months.

    A key reason is worse rates among rural people for smoking, obesity and chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. These conditions are condemning millions to disability and shortened lives.

    What’s more, these same people live in areas where medical care is evaporating. Living in rural areas, with their relatively sparse populations, often means a shortage of doctors, longer travel distances for medical care and inadequate investments in public health, driven partly by declines in economic opportunities.

    Our team arrived at these findings by using a simulation called the Future Elderly Model. With that, we were able to simulate the future life course of Americans currently age 60 living in either an urban or rural area.

    The model is based on relationships observed in 20 years of data from the Health and Retirement Study, an ongoing survey that follows people from age 51 through the rest of their lives. Specifically, the model showed how long these Americans might live, the expected quality of their future years, and how certain changes in lifestyle would affect the results.

    We describe the conditions that drive our results as “diseases of despair,” building off the landmark work of pioneering researchers who coined the now widely used term “deaths of despair.” They documented rising mortality among Americans without a college degree and related these deaths to declines in social and economic prospects.

    The main causes of deaths of despair – drug overdoses, liver disease and suicide – have also been called “diseases of despair.” But the conditions we study, such as heart disease, could similarly be influenced by social and economic prospects. And they can profoundly reduce quality of life.

    We also found that if rural education levels were as high as in urban areas, this would eliminate almost half of the rural-urban life-expectancy gap. Our data shows 65% of urban 60-year-olds were educated beyond high school, compared with 53% of rural residents the same age.

    One possible reason for the difference is that getting a bachelor’s degree may make a person more able or willing to follow scientific recommendations – and more likely to work out for 150 minutes a week or eat their veggies as their doctor advises them to.

    Rural communities are increasingly hampered by their lack of access to health care.

    Why it matters

    The gap between urban and rural health outcomes has widened over recent decades. Yet the problem goes beyond disparities between urban and rural health: It also splits down some of the party lines and social divides that separate U.S. citizens, such as education and lifestyle.

    Scholarship on the decline of rural America suggests that people living outside larger cities are resentful of the economic forces that may have eroded their economic power. The interplay between these forces and the health conditions we study are less appreciated.

    Economic circumstances can contribute to health outcomes. For example, increased stress and sedentary lifestyle due to joblessness can contribute to chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease. Declines in economic prospects due to automation and trade liberalization are linked to increases in mortality.

    But health can also have a strong influence on economic outcomes. Hospitalizations cause high medical costs, loss of work and earnings, and increases in bankruptcy. The onset of chronic disease and disability can lead to long-lasting declines in income. Even health events experienced early in childhood can have economic consequences decades later.

    In tandem, these health and economic trends might reinforce each other and help fuel inequality between rural and urban areas that produces a profoundly different quality of life.

    What still isn’t known

    It should be noted that our results, like many studies, are describing outcomes on average; the rural population is not a monolith. In fact, some of the most physically active and healthy people we know live in rural areas.

    Just how much your location affects your health is an ongoing area of research. But as researchers begin to understand more, we can come up with strategies to promote health among all Americans, regardless of where they live.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

    Elizabeth Currid-Halkett was the Kluge Chair in Modern Culture at the Library of Congress while conducting some of this research.

    Currid-Halkett is on the Scholars’ Council for the nonprofit Braver Angels.

    Bryan Tysinger receives funding from NIA.

    Jack Chapel 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. Rural Americans don’t live as long as those in cities − new research – https://theconversation.com/rural-americans-dont-live-as-long-as-those-in-cities-new-research-242261

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How opioid deaths tripled in Philly over a decade − and what may be behind a recent downturn

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ben Cocchiaro, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, Drexel University

    Fatal overdose deaths in Philadelphia dropped 7% in 2023. The city is expected to release 2024 data in the spring. Spencer Platt via Getty Images

    After nearly a decade of almost year-over-year increases in overdose deaths, the tide may finally be turning in Philadelphia.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in May 2024 an estimated 3% decrease in overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023 compared with 2022. Shortly after, data from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health showed a similar trend: Fatal overdoses across the city decreased 7% in 2023, from 1,207 to 1,122. The city is expected to release its 2024 data in the spring of 2025.

    While these declines are notable, the city’s 2023 fatal overdose numbers are three times higher than they were in 2013.

    Still, if 2024 numbers confirm the downward trend, it allows a little hope into an otherwise bleak epidemic that is killing more Philadelphians than homicides, car accidents and diabetes combined.

    Something may finally be working. But what?

    If over a decade spent treating and researching substance use disorders has taught me anything, it’s that the overdose epidemic is what researchers and policymakers refer to as a wicked problem. Wicked problems are constantly changing, complex, interconnected knots of other problems with no clear solution.

    But let’s look at what we do know about how overdose deaths in Philadelphia spiked in the first place – and why they may finally be decreasing.

    Why overdose deaths spiked

    The first wave of the overdose epidemic began in the late 1990s and is attributed to overprescription of opioid pain medicines. But the largest acceleration in deaths didn’t occur until after the government and health insurers implemented prescribing controls in the early 2010s. These controls led many people who were no longer able to get prescribed opioids to turn to illicit heroin.

    In a phenomenon known as the “iron law of prohibition,” stricter drug law enforcement led drug-trafficking organizations to shift from heroin toward more powerful synthetic opioids that are easier to produce, conceal and distribute. Gram for gram, pure fentanyl is over 50 times stronger than pure heroin.

    But street-obtained fentanyl has proven to be anything but pure.

    Local drug-testing efforts found as much as a fiftyfold difference in potency between bags of fentanyl that appear identical.

    This unpredictable potency is considered to be the chief contributor to the deadliness of street fentanyl. It’s like cracking a beer and not knowing whether drinking it will get you mildly buzzed or send you to the graveyard.

    Research suggests drug busts, though touted as improving public safety, can lead to more inconsistency and unpredictability in the potency of illicit opioids. An analysis of 14 studies conducted in the U.S. demonstrated a marked increase in fatal overdoses following the supply disruptions that result from drug seizures.

    There’s also some evidence that the heightened economic insecurity and despair caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have intensified the fatal overdose epidemic.

    Andres Freire of Prevention Point stands on the ‘bupe bus,’ a mobile service that offers medication treatment such as buprenorphine to people with opioid use disorder in Philadelphia.
    Jeff Fusco for The Conversation U.S., CC BY-NC-ND

    Potential reasons for decline

    Just as economic insecurity was associated with rising deaths, the subsequent economic recovery as the U.S. emerged from the pandemic may have contributed to the 2023 drop in overdose fatalities nationwide.

    However, the unequal distribution of that recovery seems to track with worsening racial disparities in overdose rates in the late 2010s to early 2020s.

    Another possible explanation for the reduction in overdose deaths is the increasing availability of buprenorphine.

    Buprenorphine, an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder, reduces withdrawal and cravings for fentanyl. What’s more, it decreases overdose risk by more than 50%.

    However, efforts to increase access to this medication have stagnated. National prescribing rates for buprenorphine were relatively stable from 2019 to 2023, and the CDC estimates that only a quarter of those who need treatment are getting it. Efforts to make buprenorphine available without a prescription have not yet gained traction.

    Access to and education around naloxone, a lifesaving drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, has also increased, and the drug is increasingly being administered by bystanders. Over 1.3 million doses were distributed in Pennsylvania since 2017. National research suggests these distribution efforts, often spearheaded by local harm-reduction organizations, have led to quicker administration of naloxone. This saves lives while also decreasing reliance on emergency medical services.

    Finally, the consequences of a seemingly minor characteristic of fentanyl’s pharmacology might also be reducing the overdose death rate in Philadelphia.

    Fentanyl’s effects last only a third as long as heroin. This shorter duration led drug traffickers to add the animal tranquilizer xylazine – also called “tranq” – and the veterinary anesthetic medetomidine into Philadelphia’s street drug supply. In 2019, two-thirds of heroin or fentanyl sampled in Philadelphia had xylazine in it. By 2021 all of it did.

    These additives lengthen the duration of the effect, mitigate withdrawal symptoms and possibly reduce the amount of fentanyl needed per dose. Some evidence from animal studies shows that xylazine reduces fentanyl intake by suppressing fentanyl withdrawal, thereby lengthening the time before a person uses again.

    What’s more, the skin wounds and sedative effects that are associated with xylazine may be motivating some people to avoid using street fentanyl.

    Over 1.3 million doses of naloxone have been distributed for free in Pennsylvania since 2017.
    Jeff Fusco for The Conversation U.S., CC BY-NC-ND

    What’s next for Philadelphia

    The opioid settlement, a multibillion-dollar payment from the pharmaceutical industry to resolve legal actions against them, has led to increased funding in Philadelphia for naloxone and medications such as buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder.

    However, in the past year the city eliminated funding for needle exchanges and implemented compulsory treatment strategies, which research suggests often do not reduce drug use or criminal recidividism.

    Meanwhile, at the federal level, Republican members of Congress have proposed cuts to Medicaid, the health insurance program for low-income Americans.

    Whether new data, when it’s released, will show overdose deaths in Philly have continued to decline or are back on the rise is anybody’s guess. But I do know that harm-reduction advocates, medical providers and communities of people who use drugs will continue to fight this epidemic as if their lives depend on it. For many, it does.

    Ben Cocchiaro is affiliated with Prevention Point Philadelphia but his opinions are his own. He served on the Data Analysis and Sharing Subcommittee of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Task Force to Combat the Opiate Epidemic from 2016-2017.

    – ref. How opioid deaths tripled in Philly over a decade − and what may be behind a recent downturn – https://theconversation.com/how-opioid-deaths-tripled-in-philly-over-a-decade-and-what-may-be-behind-a-recent-downturn-247768

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Decluttering can be stressful − a clinical psychologist explains how personal values can make it easier

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mary E. Dozier, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Mississippi State University

    Asking how discarding an item fits with a person’s goals can help them decide whether to keep it. MoMo Productions via Getty Images

    I recently helped my mom sort through boxes she inherited when my grandparents passed away. One box was labeled – either ironically or genuinely – “toothpick holders and other treasures.” Inside were many keepsakes from moments now lost to history – although we found no toothpick holders.

    My favorite of the items we sorted through was a solitary puzzle piece, an artifact reflecting my late grandmother’s penchant for hiding the final piece to a jigsaw puzzle just to swoop in at the last moment and finish it.

    After several hours of reminiscing, my mom and I threw away 90% of what we had sorted.

    “Why did I keep this?” is a question I hear frequently, both from my family and friends and from patients. I am a licensed clinical psychologist whose research focuses on the characterization, assessment and treatment of hoarding disorder, particularly for adults 60 years of age or older. As such, I spend a great deal of my time thinking about this question.

    What drives the need to keep stuff?

    Hoarding disorder is a psychiatric condition defined by urges to save items and difficulty discarding current possessions. For adults with “clinically severe” hoarding disorder, this leads to a level of household clutter that impairs daily functioning and can even create a fire hazard. In my professional experience, however, many adults struggle with clutter even if they do not meet the clinical criteria for hoarding disorder.

    Holding on to things that have sentimental value or could be useful in the future is a natural part of growing older. For some people, though, this tendency to hold on to objects grows over time, to the point that they eventually do meet criteria for hoarding disorder. Age-related changes in executive function may help explain the increase in prevalence of hoarding disorder as we get older; increasing difficulty with decision-making in general also affects decisions around household clutter.

    The traditional model behind hoarding disorder suggests that difficulty with discarding comes from distress during decision-making. However, my research shows that this may be less true of older adults.

    Time to declutter.
    Kurt Whitman/Education Images via Getty Images

    When I was a graduate student, I conducted a study in which we asked adults with hoarding disorder to spend 15 minutes making decisions about whether to keep or discard various items brought from their home. Participants could sort whatever items they wanted. Most chose to sort paper items such as old mail, cards or notes.

    We found that age was associated with lower levels of distress during the task, such that participants who were older tended to feel less stressed when making the decision about what to keep and what to discard. We also found that many participants, particularly those who were older, actually reported positive emotions while sorting their items.

    In new research publishing soon, my current team replicated this finding using a home-based version of the task. This suggests that fear of making the wrong decision isn’t a universal driver of our urge to save items.

    In fact, a study my team published in August 2024 with adults over 50 with hoarding disorder suggests that altruism, a personality trait of wanting to help others, may explain why some people keep items that others might discard. My colleagues and I compared our participants’ personality profiles with that of adults in the general population of the same gender and age group. Compared with the general population, participants with hoarding disorder scored almost universally high on altruism.

    Altruism also comes up frequently in my clinical work with older adults who struggle with clutter. People in our studies often tell me that they have held onto something out of a sense of responsibility, either for the item itself or to the environment.

    “I need it to go to a good home” and “my grandmother gave this to me” are sentiments we commonly hear. Thus, people may keep things not out of fear of losing them but because saving them is consistent with their values.

    Your values can help guide which possessions should stay in your life and which ones should go.

    Leaning into values

    In a 2024 study, my team demonstrated that taking a values-based approach to decluttering helps older adults to decrease household clutter and increases their positive affect, a state of mind characterized by feelings such as joy and contentment. Clinicians visited the homes of older adults with hoarding disorder for one hour per week for six weeks. At each visit, the clinicians used a technique called motivational interviewing to help participants talk through their decisions while they sorted household clutter.

    We found that having participants start with identifying their values allowed them to maintain focus on their long-term goals. Too often, people focus on the immediate ability of an object to “spark joy” and forget to consider whether an object has greater meaning and purpose. Values are the abstract beliefs that we humans use to create our goals. Values are whatever drives us and can include family, faith or frivolity.

    Because values are subjective, what people identify as important to keep is also subjective. For example, the dress I wore to my sister’s wedding reminded me of a wonderful day. However, when it no longer fit I gave it away because doing so was more consistent with my values of utility and helpfulness: I wanted the dress to go to someone who needed it and would use it. Someone who more strongly valued family and beauty might have prioritized keeping the dress because of the aesthetics and its link to a family event.

    Additionally, we found that instead of challenging the reasons a person might have for keeping an item, it is helpful to instead focus on eliciting their reasons for discarding it and the goals they have for their home and their life.

    Tips for sweeping away the old

    My research on using motivational interviewing for decluttering and my observations from a current clinical trial on the approach point to some practical steps people can take to declutter their home. Although my work has been primarily with older adults, these tips should be helpful for people of all ages.

    Start with writing out your values. Every object in your home should feel value-consistent for you. For example, if tradition and faith are important values for you, you might be more inclined to hold onto a cookbook that was made by the elders at your church and more able to let go of a cookbook you picked up on a whim at a bookstore.

    If, instead, health and creativity are your core values, it might be more important to hold onto a cookbook of novel ways to sneak more vegetables into your diet.

    Defining value-consistent goals for using your space can help to maintain motivation as you declutter. Are you clearing off your desk so you can work more efficiently? Making space on kitchen counters to bake cookies with your grandchildren?

    Remember that sometimes your values will conflict. At those moments, it may help to reflect on whether keeping or discarding an object will bring you closer to your goals for the space.

    Similarly, remember that values are subjective. If you are helping a loved one declutter, maintain a curious, nonjudgmental attitude. Where you might see a box filled with junk, your grandmother might see something filled with “toothpick holders and other treasures.”

    For additional resources and information on hoarding disorder, visit the International OCD Foundation website.

    Mary E. Dozier has received funding from the American Psychological Foundation and the National Institute of Mental Health.

    – ref. Decluttering can be stressful − a clinical psychologist explains how personal values can make it easier – https://theconversation.com/decluttering-can-be-stressful-a-clinical-psychologist-explains-how-personal-values-can-make-it-easier-247171

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Legal fight against AI-generated child pornography is complicated – a legal scholar explains why, and how the law could catch up

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Wayne Unger, Assistant Professor of Law, Quinnipiac University

    Child pornography laws may be clear, but AI makes enforcement more difficult. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

    The city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was shaken by revelations in December 2023 that two local teenage boys shared hundreds of nude images of girls in their community over a private chat on the social chat platform Discord. Witnesses said the photos easily could have been mistaken for real ones, but they were fake. The boys had used an artificial intelligence tool to superimpose real photos of girls’ faces onto sexually explicit images.

    With troves of real photos available on social media platforms, and AI tools becoming more accessible across the web, similar incidents have played out across the country, from California to Texas and Wisconsin. A recent survey by the Center for Democracy and Technology, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, found that 15% of students and 11% of teachers knew of at least one deepfake that depicted someone associated with their school in a sexually explicit or intimate manner.

    The Supreme Court has implicitly concluded that computer-generated pornographic images that are based on images of real children are illegal. The use of generative AI technologies to make deepfake pornographic images of minors almost certainly falls under the scope of that ruling. As a legal scholar who studies the intersection of constitutional law and emerging technologies, I see an emerging challenge to the status quo: AI-generated images that are fully fake but indistinguishable from real photos.

    Policing child sexual abuse material

    While the internet’s architecture has always made it difficult to control what is shared online, there are a few kinds of content that most regulatory authorities across the globe agree should be censored. Child pornography is at the top of that list.

    For decades, law enforcement agencies have worked with major tech companies to identify and remove this kind of material from the web, and to prosecute those who create or circulate it. But the advent of generative artificial intelligence and easy-to-access tools like the ones used in the Pennsylvania case present a vexing new challenge for such efforts.

    In the legal field, child pornography is generally referred to as child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, because the term better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the children involved. In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled that child pornography is not protected under the First Amendment because safeguarding the physical and psychological well-being of a minor is a compelling government interest that justifies laws that prohibit child sexual abuse material.

    That case, New York v. Ferber, effectively allowed the federal government and all 50 states to criminalize traditional child sexual abuse material. But a subsequent case, Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition from 2002, might complicate efforts to criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse material. In that case, the court struck down a law that prohibited computer-generated child pornography, effectively rendering it legal.

    The government’s interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of children, the court found, was not implicated when such obscene material is computer generated. “Virtual child pornography is not ‘intrinsically related’ to the sexual abuse of children,” the court wrote.

    States move to criminalize AI-generated CSAM

    According to the child advocacy organization Enough Abuse, 37 states have criminalized AI-generated or AI-modified CSAM, either by amending existing child sexual abuse material laws or enacting new ones. More than half of those 37 states enacted new laws or amended their existing ones within the past year.

    California, for example, enacted Assembly Bill 1831 on Sept. 29, 2024, which amended its penal code to prohibit the creation, sale, possession and distribution of any “digitally altered or artificial-intelligence-generated matter” that depicts a person under 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct.

    Deepfake child pornography is a growing problem.

    While some of these state laws target the use of photos of real people to generate these deep fakes, others go further, defining child sexual abuse material as “any image of a person who appears to be a minor under 18 involved in sexual activity,” according to Enough Abuse. Laws like these that encompass images produced without depictions of real minors might run counter to the Supreme Court’s Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition ruling.

    Real vs. fake, and telling the difference

    Perhaps the most important part of the Ashcroft decision for emerging issues around AI-generated child sexual abuse material was part of the statute that the Supreme Court did not strike down. That provision of the law prohibited “more common and lower tech means of creating virtual (child sexual abuse material), known as computer morphing,” which involves taking pictures of real minors and morphing them into sexually explicit depictions.

    The court’s decision stated that these digitally altered sexually explicit depictions of minors “implicate the interests of real children and are in that sense closer to the images in Ferber.” The decision referenced the 1982 case, New York v. Ferber, in which the Supreme Court upheld a New York criminal statute that prohibited persons from knowingly promoting sexual performances by children under the age of 16.

    The court’s decisions in Ferber and Ashcroft could be used to argue that any AI-generated sexually explicit image of real minors should not be protected as free speech given the psychological harms inflicted on the real minors. But that argument has yet to be made before the court. The court’s ruling in Ashcroft may permit AI-generated sexually explicit images of fake minors.

    But Justice Clarence Thomas, who concurred in Ashcroft, cautioned that “if technological advances thwart prosecution of ‘unlawful speech,’ the Government may well have a compelling interest in barring or otherwise regulating some narrow category of ‘lawful speech’ in order to enforce effectively laws against pornography made through the abuse of real children.”

    With the recent significant advances in AI, it can be difficult if not impossible for law enforcement officials to distinguish between images of real and fake children. It’s possible that we’ve reached the point where computer-generated child sexual abuse material will need to be banned so that federal and state governments can effectively enforce laws aimed at protecting real children – the point that Thomas warned about over 20 years ago.

    If so, easy access to generative AI tools is likely to force the courts to grapple with the issue.

    Wayne Unger 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. Legal fight against AI-generated child pornography is complicated – a legal scholar explains why, and how the law could catch up – https://theconversation.com/legal-fight-against-ai-generated-child-pornography-is-complicated-a-legal-scholar-explains-why-and-how-the-law-could-catch-up-247980

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council Tax needs to be replaced not reformed say Scottish Greens

    Source: Scottish Greens

    11 Feb 2025 Finance

    Councils and local communities deserve our support to succeed.

    More in Finance

    Council Tax is a broken system that needs to be replaced rather than reformed, says Scottish Greens spokesperson for local government, Ariane Burgess MSP. 

    The call comes as the Scottish Government has announced that it is taking action to make the system “fairer.”

    Ms Burgess said:

    “Council tax is an outdated and broken tax that works for nobody. 

    “It isn’t fair to the households who are paying it and does not benefit the councils that are struggling to fund essential services.

    “From schools and social care to waste collections, libraries and community centres, our councils are on the front line of delivering for our communities. We need to support them. 

    “Tweaking and reforming it is not enough. It is time to replace it with a fairer and more progressive system that would see most households paying less while the wealthiest would pay more.”

    Ms Burgess added:

    “The Scottish Greens have already delivered important reforms, like doubling Council Tax on holiday homes and allowing councils to set tourist levies, raising money for local services and helping to tackle the housing crisis.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Siebert Financial Launches Investment Banking Division, Adding Industry Leaders Kimberly Boulmetis and Ajay Asija as Co-Heads

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI and NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Siebert Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: SIEB) has launched Siebert Investment Banking, a strategic expansion designed to serve middle-market clients often overlooked by larger financial institutions. Leading this new division are Kimberly Boulmetis and Ajay Asija, two seasoned professionals with extensive experience in capital markets, M&A, and financial advisory services.

    Siebert Investment Banking will initially focus on providing tailored solutions for underserved companies in financial services in FinTech, depository, and specialty finance, expanding the practice into blockchain and digital assets and building additional verticals over time. In addition to the existing institutional distribution channels, the new division will be able to leverage Siebert’s extensive retail distribution network. The firm is uniquely positioned to provide certainty of execution in equity and debt financings while offering a client-centric, transparent business model that attracts top banking talent.

    John J. Gebbia Sr., CEO of Siebert Financial, emphasized the firm’s strategic vision. “Investment banking is a natural extension of Siebert’s commitment to providing best-in-class financial solutions to its clients. Kimberly and Ajay bring the expertise and leadership necessary to develop a strong platform, serving a vital market segment.”

    Asija and Boulmetis’ appointment strategically complements the recent expansion of the firm with the Capital Markets Group, led by Randy Billhardt complementing Siebert’s existing strengths.

    Ajay Asija, bringing over 25 years of experience in investment banking, has advised on over $90 billion in transactions throughout his career at firms including Lehman Brothers, J.P. Morgan, Bear Stearns, and B. Riley. Most recently, he served as CFO of BM Technologies, a publicly traded FinTech company, orchestrating its successful sale to First Carolina Bank. His M&A and strategic financial advisory expertise make him a key driver in Siebert’s expansion.

    “The middle market deserves the same level of expertise and execution as larger firms,” said Asija. “Siebert’s platform offers the ideal foundation to deliver trusted high-quality advisory services to clients who need them most.”

    With over 25 years of experience in debt capital markets and financial institutions advisory, Kimberly Boulmetis most recently was the head of U.S. Financial Institutions for the DCM Group at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) where she was responsible for covering a broad roster of financial institution clients – including banks, insurance companies, asset management firms, private equity sponsors, business development companies (BDCs) and closed-end funds.  She has a deep knowledge of markets, providing her clients with innovative strategic and financing solutions in both public & private markets. One of her major areas of focus is helping ’40 Act companies, specifically BDCs and Closed-End Funds, optimize their cost of capital.

    “I am so excited to join Siebert, a firm that was originally founded by Muriel Siebert, a true trailblazer, with current leadership that honors her legacy with incredible focus, drive, and the desire to continue to strategically enhance the firm for our clients’ benefit,” said Boulmetis. “Siebert’s current platform, coupled with the areas that the firm is building out, will allow Randy, Ajay & I to be extremely well-positioned to truly add value to our clients from a corporate advisory and capital raising perspective.”

    Randy Billhardt, Head of Capital Markets at Siebert, comments, “Investment banking at Siebert will be defined by its ability to provide a boutique, high-touch experience while leveraging the firm’s broad distribution network. I am proud to welcome Kimberly and Ajay to Siebert, adding their deep expertise and leadership to our growing capabilities.”

    About Siebert Financial Corp.
    Siebert is a diversified financial services company and has been a member of the NYSE since 1967 when Muriel Siebert became the first woman to own a seat on the NYSE and the first to head one of its member firms.

    Siebert operates through its subsidiaries Muriel Siebert & Co., LLC, Siebert AdvisorNXT, LLC, Park Wilshire Companies, Inc., RISE Financial Services, LLC, Siebert Technologies, LLC, and StockCross Digital Solutions, Ltd, and Gebbia Entertainment LLC. Through these entities, Siebert provides a full range of brokerage and financial advisory services, including securities brokerage, investment advisory and insurance offerings, securities lending, and corporate stock plan administration solutions, in addition to entertainment and media productions. For over 55 years, Siebert has been a company that values its clients, shareholders, and employees. More information is available at www.siebert.com.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “intend” and similar words or expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.

    These forward-looking statements, which reflect beliefs, objectives, and expectations as of the date hereof, are based on the best judgment of the management of Siebert. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, including, without limitation, the following: economic, social and political conditions, global economic downturns resulting from extraordinary events; securities industry risks; interest rate risks; liquidity risks; credit risk with clients and counterparties; risk of liability for errors in clearing functions; systemic risk; systems failures, delays and capacity constraints; network security risks; competition; reliance on external service providers; new laws and regulations affecting Siebert’s business; net capital requirements; extensive regulation, regulatory uncertainties and legal matters; failure to maintain relationships with employees, customers, business partners or governmental entities; the inability to achieve synergies or to implement integration plans; and other consequences associated with risks and uncertainties detailed in Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors of Siebert’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and Siebert’s filings with the SEC.

    Siebert cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive, and new factors may emerge, or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact its business. Siebert undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by the federal securities laws.

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cca28fdf-fc44-4b26-8a62-2f005b866714

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Turbo Energy Welcomes International Business Executive Julian Groves to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VALENCIA, Spain, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Turbo Energy, S.A. (NASDAQ:TURB) (“Turbo Energy” or the “Company”), a global provider of leading-edge, AI-optimized solar energy storage technologies and solutions, today announced the appointment of Julian Groves to the Company’s Board of Directors, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders on December 18, 2024 at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.

    Turbo Energy Welcomes Julian Groves to Board of Directors 

    Groves brings Turbo Energy extensive experience in commercial strategy, geographic market expansion, worldwide product distribution and logistics, capital formation, private equity investments and corporate governance, as well as nearly three decades of experience leading business-to-business, direct-to-consumer, retail, wholesale and ecommerce initiatives for numerous iconic global brands in both the public and private sectors.       

    Since February 2019, Groves has served as Chief Operating Officer and executive member of the Board of MGO Global, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company engaged in global commercialization of digitally-native lifestyle brands that have included both legendary soccer icon Leo Messi’s apparel brand, Messi Brand, and Stand Flagpoles. In this role, he has helped MGO raise tens of millions in pre-IPO, IPO and follow-on financings and is currently working to complete MGO’s business combination with one of the world’s leading commercial and pool management businesses serving the crude oil and refined petroleum tanker market in a transaction expected to be valued at more than $300 million. 

    Previously, Groves served as CEO of EC2M Holdings, a lifestyle brand-building company which owned and operated London Persona, a growing men’s lifestyle brand launched as a direct-to-consumer shopping experience for men seeking season-to-season high-end wardrobes. EC2M also represented the lifestyle brand Trickers throughout North America and Canada, charged with developing and managing the brand’s B2B channel. Other former senior executive posts have included Sales Director, EMEA of J Brand Europe, a premium, American denim clothing company in which Fast Retailing acquired an 80% stake for $290 million in 2012. As General Manager, EMEA of True Religion, Julian had full profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for the region, overseeing corporate operations in Switzerland and managing full P&L responsibility for the growing, fashion-forward denim brand.

    In August 2007, Julian was recruited by GUESS Europe to serve as Country Manager of the casual lifestyle brand’s operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Under his proven leadership, GUESS Europe opened 32 concessions and 22 retail shops, including GUESS’ Central London flagship store. Earlier in his distinguished career, he was General Manager, UK and Ireland, for Groupe Zannier International from September 2004 through 2007; United Kingdom Sales Director for Burberry from September 2001 through 2004; and United Kingdom Sales Manager for LVMH Kenzo Homme UK Ltd. from November 1997 through August 2001.

    Commenting on Groves’ appointment to the Board Enrique Selva, Chairman of the Board of Turbo Energy, stated, “I am delighted to welcome Julian to Turbo Energy’s Board and believe that his deep understanding of business strategy and global market penetration will have a significant impact on Turbo Energy’s planned expansion initiatives – with particular emphasis on commercialization of our SUNBOX Home solar energy storage technologies in the United States. He represents an outstanding addition to our Board and his unique and proven skillset is expected to greatly complement and enhance the overall strength and depth of capabilities of our leadership.”

    About Turbo Energy, S.A.

    Founded in 2013, Turbo Energy is a globally recognized pioneer of proprietary solar energy storage technologies and solutions managed through Artificial Intelligence. Turbo Energy’s elegant all-in-one and scalable, modular energy storage systems empower residential, commercial and industrial users expanding across Europe, North America and South America to materially reduce dependence on traditional energy sources, helping to lower electricity costs, provide peak shaving and uninterruptible power supply and realize a more sustainable, energy-efficient future. A testament to the Company’s commitment to innovation and industry disruption, Turbo Energy’s introduction of its flagship SUNBOX represents one of the world’s first high performance, competitively priced, all-in-one home solar energy storage systems, which also incorporates patented EV charging capability and powerful AI processes to optimize solar energy management. Turbo Energy is a proud subsidiary of publicly traded Umbrella Global Energy, S.A., a vertically integrated, global collective of solar energy-focused companies. For more information, please visit www.turbo-e.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the business of the Company, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control, including the risks described in our registration statements and annual report under the heading “Risk Factors” as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Turbo Energy, S.A. specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    For more information, please contact:
    At Turbo Energy, S.A.                                                 
    Dodi Handy, Director of Communications                        
    Phone: 407-960-4636                                                    
    Email: dodihandy@turbo-e.com 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Schellman Appoints Preeya Voss as Chief Revenue Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Schellman, a leading provider of attestation and compliance services and a top 50 CPA firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Preeya Voss as its new Chief Revenue Officer. Voss brings nearly two decades of experience in SaaS and services revenue leadership, with a proven track record of driving transformative growth across diverse industries and customer segments.

    Voss has spent her entire career in GTM, spanning a variety of industries and customer segments. She joins Schellman from her most recent role as Senior Vice President of Sales at Ellucian, the global market leader in EdTech for higher education. She was responsible for the company’s enterprise cross-selling strategy, including overseeing revenue growth for both SaaS subscriptions and professional services.

    “As we double down on our investment in sales and go-to-market strategies in 2025, having the right leadership is critical,” said Avani Desai, CEO of Schellman. “Preeya brings not only a wealth of experience in driving revenue and scaling organizations but also a unique ability to inspire teams and foster lasting client relationships. Her strategic mindset and passion for innovation will help us take our growth to the next level while staying true to our core values of excellence and client service.”

    In her role as Chief Revenue Officer, Voss will oversee all revenue-generating initiatives, including client acquisition, strategic partnerships, and go-to-market strategies. Her focus will be on enhancing Schellman’s growth trajectory by aligning sales, marketing, and customer success efforts to deliver exceptional value and outcomes for clients. Based in Denver, Colorado, Voss is an advocate for mentorship and is deeply committed to empowering early-career talent and women in customer-facing roles.

    “I’m honored to join Schellman as Chief Revenue Officer during such a pivotal time in the company’s history,” said Voss. “My mission is to amplify Schellman’s legacy of excellence by driving innovation, forging deeper client partnerships, and unlocking new market opportunities. With Schellman’s unparalleled suite of services—from SOC reports to the latest AI-related assessments to expanded sustainability services—we will continue to empower our clients to build trust with their customers in an increasingly complex compliance landscape.”

    Voss’ appointment underscores Schellman’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its leadership team with exceptional top-tier talent. This announcement follows a series of strategic advances in Q4 of 2024, including receiving ISO 42001 and ISO 14001 accreditation and furthering its mission to be a leader in compliance and attestation services.

    To learn more about Schellman’s services and how they can help your organization, visit the website.

    About Schellman
    “Schellman” is the brand name under which Schellman & Company, LLC and Schellman Compliance, LLC provide professional services. Schellman stands as a leading global provider of attestation, compliance, and certification services. Operating under two distinct entities, Schellman & Company, LLC (a top 50 firm) and Schellman Compliance, LLC (a globally accredited compliance assessment firm which is not a licensed CPA firm). The services provided by the Schellman entities include acting as a CPA firm (Schellman & Company, LLC Florida license number AD62941) as a leading provider of SOC reports, an ISO Certification Body, a PCI Qualified Security Assessor Company, a HITRUST assessor, a FedRAMP 3PAO, being among the pioneering CMMC Authorized C3PAOs, as well as offering international certification services including TISAX and HDS.

    Renowned for its professionals’ expertise combined with practical experience, Schellman delivers superior client service while upholding steadfast independence. The company’s approach fosters successful, long-term relationships, enabling clients to achieve multiple compliance objectives through a single trusted third-party assessor. For further information about the services provided, please visit schellman.com.

    Contact
    V2 Communications
    schellman@v2comms.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/099b8006-8be0-4e69-91a0-788fb889fc7d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Two Payden Mutual Funds Receive Five-Star Overall Morningstar Rating™

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Payden Floating Rate Fund (PYFRX) and the Payden High Income Fund (PYHRX) each received a five-star overall Morningstar rating as of January 31, 2025.

    The Floating Rate Fund’s investment objective is to seek a high level of current income through floating rate debt instruments, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. In addition, the fund received a five-star Morningstar rating for the three-, five- and ten-year periods.

    The High Income Fund invests in corporate high-yield bonds, which provide a premium to U.S. Treasury bonds. The fund generally invests in the higher-quality segment of the market and looks for companies with good growth prospects, superior and defensible products and strong management teams.

    The Payden Funds span the fixed income asset class, from short-term floating rate bonds to socially responsible municipal bonds to credit sensitive areas like high yield and emerging markets corporates. During a turbulent period for the bond market, with rising rates and increasing uncertainty about the future direction of the global economy, Payden’s process has endured even in challenging markets.

    About Payden & Rygel

    With $159 billion under management, Payden & Rygel is one of the largest privately-owned global investment advisers focused on the active management of fixed income and equity portfolios. Payden & Rygel provides a full range of investment strategies and solutions to investors around the globe, including Central Banks, Pension Funds, Insurance Companies, Private Banks, and Foundations. Independent and privately-owned, Payden is headquartered in Los Angeles and has offices in Boston, London, and Milan. Visit www.payden.com for more information about Payden’s investment offerings, including US mutual funds and Irish-domiciled funds (subject to investor eligibility).

    *Morningstar rates funds from one to five stars based on how well their risk-adjusted performance compares to similar funds. Within each Morningstar Category, the top 10% of funds receive five stars, the next 22.5% four stars, the middle 35% three stars, the next 22.5% two stars, and the bottom 10% receive one star. Funds are rated for up to three time periods—three-, five-, and 10 years—and these ratings are combined to produce an overall rating. Funds with less than three years of history are not rated. Ratings are objective, based entirely on a mathematical evaluation of past performance. They’re a useful tool for identifying funds worthy of further research, but shouldn’t be considered buy or sell recommendations. Morningstar does not adjust total returns for sales charges (such as front-end loads, deferred loads, and redemption fees). Total returns do account for the expense ratio, which includes management, administrative, 12b-1 Distribution fees, and other costs that are taken out of assets.

    © 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

    Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate, so investors’ shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. For the most recent month-end performance, which may be higher or lower than that quoted, visit our website at payden.com or call 800 572-9336.

    For more information and to obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus, visit payden.com or call 800 572-9336. Before investing, investors should carefully read and consider investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other important information about the Fund, which is contained in these documents.

    A Investing in high-yield securities entails certain risks from investing in investment grade securities, including higher volatility, greater credit risk, and the issues’ more speculative nature.

    B Investment in foreign securities entails certain risks from investing in domestic securities, including changes in exchange rates, political changes, differences in reporting standards, and, for emerging-market securities, higher volatility. The Payden Funds are distributed through Payden & Rygel Distributors, member FINRA.

    Sources for the material contained herein are deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed. This material is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or buy any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

    A chart accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b8d395c-a448-4ade-a15e-69e566acc651

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Thrive Appoints Ben Reich as Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced Ben Reich has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer. Reich will bring his strategic expertise in growing businesses organically and through acquisition as Thrive continues to experience rapid growth to meet the complex needs of the industries the company serves.

    With a proven track record of building finance, operations, and HR teams while successfully managing P&L and capital budgets, Reich brings a wealth of expertise in financial and M&A strategy to Thrive. Reich most recently held the title of Chief Financial Officer at Opti9 Tech, a leading hybrid cloud solutions provider, where he provided critical financial guidance to the executive team and stakeholders, and drove the M&A strategy by modeling potential acquisition targets, conducting due diligence, and evaluating synergies. Prior to Opti9 Tech, Reich served as Vice President, Finance at ATSG, completing the integration of four acquisitions and driving $100M in commitment from external investment groups.

    “We have grown into one of the leading global technology outsourcing firms, and to support our momentum, we need leaders who will help us execute our growth and expansion objectives,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Ben’s proven track record and deep understanding of driving M&A strategy and business growth will be indispensable as we continue to scale to deliver the best solutions for our customers.”

    The appointment of Reich comes at an exciting time of growth for Thrive, having recently elevated Bill McLaughlin to the CEO role. The company also received a strategic investment from Berkshire Partners and Court Square Capital Partners to unlock further growth. Along with this, Thrive continues to expand geographically, most recently acquiring Michigan-based Safety Net and North Carolina-based The Longleaf Network.

    “Tapping into financial strategies that lead to business growth and bring real impact to organizations is what I’m most enthusiastic about,” said Reich. “Thrive’s growth trajectory and aggressive M&A goals are why I am here. I look forward to working with Bill and the rest of the Thrive team to start executing against them and continue to scale the company to ensure future success.”

    If you’re interested in learning more about open positions at Thrive, visit the careers page.

    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: Allied Energy Fuels the Future of Crypto with Groundbreaking Natural Gas Agreement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MCKINNEY, Texas, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Allied Energy Corporation (OTC: AGYP) (“Allied Energy”) proudly announces a transformative Natural Gas Purchase and Sale Agreement with River Energy Group, LLC and Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. This collaboration positions Allied Energy at the forefront of both the energy and digital economies, helping to power the next generation of cryptocurrency data centers while embracing sustainable and efficient natural gas usage.

    With exclusive rights granted to Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. to purchase natural gas from the Thiel Well 1 in Washington County, Texas, this agreement is set to energize a state-of-the-art cryptocurrency mining facility. Strategically located near the wellhead, this facility is designed to meet the rapidly growing energy demands of the digital economy.

    As of the latest Texas Railroad Commission data from December 2024, Texas continues to lead in natural gas production, with the state accounting for nearly 25% of U.S. natural gas production. In 2023 alone, Texas produced more than 11 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily, making it the largest natural gas producer in the United States. The natural gas supply from Well 1 will provide the stable, reliable energy necessary to support Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. cutting-edge 2-3.5 megawatt mining operation, with plans for future expansion.

    In addition, according to the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, the U.S. is the world leader in Bitcoin mining, with approximately 37% of the global hash rate coming from U.S.-based operations. This dominance is partly powered by reliable, low-cost energy sources such as natural gas, an efficient and environmentally responsible option for powering large-scale mining facilities.

    Key Highlights of the Agreement Include:

    • Exclusive Natural Gas Supply: Allied Energy and River Energy will deliver a steady and exclusive natural gas supply from Well 1, providing a reliable and cost-effective energy source to power Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. mining operations.
    • Crypto Datacenter Infrastructure: Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. will build and operate a state-of-the-art mining facility with a minimum one-megawatt power generation capacity, with plans for future expansion to meet future energy demands.
    • Sustainability and Efficiency: This collaboration is committed to utilizing natural gas in the most efficient and sustainable manner possible, supporting a greener, more energy-efficient future for the crypto currency sector.
    • Regulatory Compliance: Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. is fully dedicated to securing all required regulatory approvals and permits, ensuring that every aspect of the project meets rigorous environmental and safety standards.

    “We are thrilled to be partnering with River Energy and Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. on this exciting new venture,” said George Monteith, CEO of Allied Energy. “This agreement marks a major milestone for Allied Energy, highlighting our dedication to providing sustainable energy solutions for the rapidly growing crypto currency sector. It also positions us to play a pivotal role in the expanding natural gas market, supporting long-term growth and innovation.”

    This agreement represents a key moment for both the energy and technology industries, underscoring the importance of sustainable, reliable energy in powering the future of digital economies worldwide.

    About AGYP:

    Allied Energy Corp. is an energy development and production company acquiring oil & gas reserves in some of the most prolific hydrocarbon bearing regions of the United States. The Company specializes in the business of reworking & re-completing ‘existing’ oil & gas wells located in the thousands of mature oil & gas producing fields across the United States. The Company applies its knowledge, experience, and effective well-remediation technologies to achieve higher production volumes, longer well life, and more efficient recovery of the proven and available oil and gas reserves in the fields/projects in which it has acquired an ownership interest. The Company will utilize updated technologies such as hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), drilling of lateral (“horizontal”) legs in productive zones, and utilizing new cased hole electric logging to locate bypassed pays, all to enhance daily rates and oil & gas recoveries. By acquiring interests in a growing number of selected projects in various regions, Allied Energy Corp. is diversifying its exposure and effectively minimizing risk as it pursues corporate growth, top line & bottom-line revenues to the benefit of all stakeholders. There are proven, recoverable reserves contained in the many aging oil & gas fields that have been bypassed by companies moving away from these fields in search of deeper, more plentiful, but more costly reserves. The Company plans to concentrate on bypassed oil and gas as there is less competition and, as mentioned above, the costs are considerably less. Additionally, the company will acquire interests in marginal wells that can be acquired at minimal cost, of which there are 420,000 wells in the U.S. Quoting Barry Russell, President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (“IPAA”) – “With approximately 20 percent of American oil production and 10 percent of American natural gas production coming from marginal wells, they are America’s true strategic petroleum reserve.”

    About River Energy Group, LLC:

    River Energy Group, LLC brings over 90 years of expertise in the commodities, derivatives, and financial services sectors. The company has partnered with Allied Energy Corporation through a joint venture to identify, secure, and allocate stranded and flared natural gas resources. Their focus is on transforming these resources into resilient and reliable stand-alone microgrids, advancing sustainable energy solutions.

    About Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc.:

    Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. is a forward-thinking energy company specializing in the development, operation, and optimization of innovative energy solutions. The company focuses on providing high-capacity, sustainable energy to diverse industries, with a notable emphasis on powering crypto currency data centers. Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. is committed to advancing renewable energy technologies while ensuring operational efficiency, reliability, and regulatory compliance across all its projects. Through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge infrastructure, Louis Energy Gas Texas, Inc. continues to play a pivotal role in driving Texas’ energy future forward.

    Safe Harbor Statement:

    This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “potential” and similar expressions. These statements reflect the Company’s current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition or alteration to the information catered in this Press Release, including such forward-looking statements.

    Contact:

    Allied Energy Corporation
    Phone: 972-632-2393
    Email: info@alliedengycorp.com
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlliedEnergyCo1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Art and science illuminate the same subtle proportions in tree branches

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mitchell Newberry, Research Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Michigan

    Tree branches in art throughout history follow geometric rules related to fractal geometry. ‘Almond blossom’ by Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

    Do artists and scientists see the same thing in the shape of trees? As a scientist who studies branching patterns in living things, I’m starting to think so.

    Piet Mondrian was an early 20th-century abstract artist and art theorist obsessed with simplicity and essence of form. Even people who have never heard of Mondrian will likely recognize his iconic irregular grids of rectangles.

    When I saw Mondrian’s 1911 “Gray Tree,” I immediately recognized something about trees that I had struggled to describe. By removing all but the most essential elements in an abstract painting, Mondrian demonstrated something I was attempting to explain using physics and fractal geometry.

    My field of research is mathematical biology. My colleagues and I try to explain how treelike structures such as veins and arteries, lungs and leaves fine-tune their physical form to efficiently deliver blood, air, water and nutrients.

    Fundamental research in the biology of branching helps cure cardiovascular diseases and cancer, design materials that can heal themselves and predict how trees will respond to a changing climate. Branching also shows up in ant foraging patterns, slime molds and cities.

    The treeless tree

    From 1890 to 1912, Mondrian painted dozens of trees. He started with full-color, realistic trees in context: trees in a farmyard or a dappled lane. Gradually he removed leaves, depth, color and eventually even branching from his tree paintings. “Gray Tree” uses only curved lines of various thickness superimposed on top of one another at seemingly random angles. Yet the image is unmistakably a tree.

    How did Mondrian convey the sense of a tree with so little? The science of trees may offer some clues.

    The science of branching

    One goal of mathematical biology is to synthesize what scientists know about the vast diversity of living systems – where there seems to be an exception to every rule – into clear, general principles, ideally with few exceptions. One such general principle is that evolution fine-tunes treelike structures in living things to make metabolism and respiration as efficient as possible.

    The body carefully controls the thickness of vessels as they branch, because deviation from the most efficient diameter wastes energy and causes disease, such as atherosclerosis.

    In many cases, such as human blood vessels, the body exerts much tighter control over diameter than length. So while veins and arteries might take circuitous routes to accommodate the vagaries of organs and anatomy, their diameter usually stays within 10% of the optimum. The same principle appears in tree branches as well.

    The precise calibration of branch diameter leads to a hallmark of fractal shapes called scale invariance. A scale invariance is a property that holds true regardless of the size of an object or part of an object you’re looking at. Scale invariance occurs in trees because trunks, limbs and twigs all branch in similar ways and for similar reasons.

    The scale invariance in branch diameter dictates how much smaller a limb should be as it branches and how much investment a tree makes in a few thick branches versus many thin ones. Trees have evolved scale invariance to transport water, reach light and resist gravity and wind load as efficiently as possible given physical limits.

    This science of trees inspired my colleague and me to measure the scaling of tree branch diameter in art.

    The art of trees

    Among my favorite images is a carving of a tree from a late-medieval mosque in India. Its exaltation of trees reminds me of Tolkien’s Tree of Gondor and the human capacity to appreciate the simple beauty of living things.

    But I also find mathematical inspiration in the Islamic Golden Age, a time when art, architecture, math and physics thrived. Medieval Islamic architects even decorated buildings with infinitely nonrepeating tiling patterns that were not understood by Western mathematics until the 20th century.

    The stylized tree carvings of the Sidi Saiyyed mosque also follow the precise system of proportions dictated by the scale invariance of real trees. This level of precision of branch diameter takes an attentive eye and a careful plan – much better than I could freehand.

    Indeed, wherever our team looked at trees in great artwork, such as Klimt’s “Tree of Life” or Matsumura Goshun’s “Cherry Blossoms,” we also found precise scale invariance in the diameter of branches.

    “Grey Tree” also realistically captures the natural variation in branch diameters, even when the painting gives the viewer little else to go on. Without realistic scaling, would this painting even be a tree?

    As if to prove the point, Mondrian made a subsequent painting the following year, also with a gray background, curved lines and the same overall composition and dimensions. Even the position of some of the lines are the same.

    But, in “Blooming Apple Tree” (1912), all the lines are the same thickness. The scaling is gone, and with it, the tree. Before reading the title, most viewers would not guess that this is a painting of a tree. Yet Mondrian’s sketches reveal that “Blooming Apple Tree” and “Gray Tree” are the very same tree.

    The two paintings contain few elements that might signal a tree – a concentration of lines near the center, lines that could be branches or a central trunk and lines that could indicate the ground or a horizon.

    Yet only “Gray Tree” has scale-invariant branch diameters. When Mondrian removes the scale invariance in “Blooming Apple Tree,” viewers just as easily see fish, scales, dancers, water or simply nonrepresentational shapes, whereas the tree in “Gray Tree” is unmistakable.

    Photo synthesis

    Mondrian’s tree paintings and scientific theory highlight the importance of the thickness of tree branches. Consilience is when different lines of evidence and reasoning reach the same conclusions. Art and math both explore abstract descriptions of the world, and so seeing great art and science pick out the same essential features of trees is satisfying beyond what art or science could accomplish alone.

    Just as great literature such as “The Overstory” and “The Botany of Desire” show us how trees influence our lives in ways we often don’t notice, the art and science of trees show how humans are finely attuned to what’s important to trees. I think this resonance is one reason people find fractals and natural landscapes so pleasing and reassuring.

    All these lines of thinking give us new ways to appreciate trees.

    Mitchell Newberry has published research on tree branching supported by University of Michigan and University of New Mexico. He volunteers with Cool It Burque, a tree-planting group in Albuquerque, NM.

    – ref. Art and science illuminate the same subtle proportions in tree branches – https://theconversation.com/art-and-science-illuminate-the-same-subtle-proportions-in-tree-branches-247967

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Exercise Cutlass Express 2025 launches across East Africa

    Source: United States Navy

    Exercise Cutlass Express 2025, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and enabled by U.S. 6th Fleet, brings together more than 20 multinational partners for two weeks of training to support collaborative maritime security operations in the region.

    Throughout the exercise, U.S. forces will work alongside participating nations to enhance maritime domain awareness, improve international law enforcement capacity and increase interoperability between the U.S., African, and other multinational partner navies and coast guards.

    “Cutlass Express continues to provide an exceptional venue to collaborate with our African partners on maritime security,” said Vice Adm. J. T. Anderson, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “When we combine the strength of our partnerships with the high level of training provided by exercises like this, we improve the overall security and economic prosperity of a region that extends far beyond the territorial waters and exclusive economic zones of each individual nation.”

    This year’s exercise will focus training efforts in Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania, though information sharing and coordination will take place across nine maritime operation centers (MOCs) located throughout the region. Additionally, Exercise Cutlass Express 2025 is linked to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s International Maritime Exercise 2025 through information sharing between MOCs to improve theater-to-theater coordination, reduce regional seams, and strengthen U.S. and partner nation capabilities and interoperability.

    Exercise Cutlass Express 2025 will also run concurrently with the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa led exercise Justified Accord 2025 in Kenya and Tanzania to improve defense capabilities of multi-domain forces and refine crisis and counterterrorism responses, ultimately reducing global maritime threats.

    Participants in this year’s iteration of Cutlass Express include Belgium, Comoros, Djibouti, France, Georgia, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.

    Cutlass Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. 6th Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.

    Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

    MIL Security OSI –