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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Moscow Metro held its first training sessions with guide dogs this year.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Metro

    The first training sessions with guide dogs this year took place in the Moscow Metro, with 12 future service dogs beginning the training.

    Since 2014, more than 400 guide dogs have been trained in the metro under the guidance of inspectors from the Passenger Mobility Center and specialists from the Guide Dog Training School of the All-Russian Society of the Blind.

    During training, dogs learn to pass through turnstiles, go up and down escalators, and retrieve dropped objects. They quickly adapt to noise and large crowds. After completing their training, these four-legged helpers move easily in the subway and remain calm in a busy environment.

    Breeds that are best suited for the role of guide dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and East European Shepherds.

    “We are developing passenger services in city transport on the instructions of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. In 2025, 40 guide dogs will undergo training in the Moscow Metro. The first 12 dogs have already begun training, and in the future they will help blind and visually impaired passengers move safely,” said Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Metro held its first guide dog training sessions of the year

    Source: Moscow Metro

    The first guide dog training sessions of the year have taken place in the Moscow Metro, with 12 future service dogs beginning their lessons.

    Since 2014, more than 400 guide dogs have been trained in the metro under the supervision of inspectors from the Passenger Mobility Center and specialists from the Guide Dog Training School of the All Russia Association of the Blind.

    During training, dogs learn to pass through turnstiles, go up and down escalators, and retrieve dropped items. They quickly adapt to noise and large crowds. After completing their training, these four-legged assistants navigate the metro with ease and remain calm in busy environments.

    Dog breeds such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and East European Shepherd are best suited for the role of guide dogs.

    “We are developing passenger services in urban transport following the directive of Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. In 2025, 40 guide dogs will undergo training in the Moscow Metro. The first 12 dogs have already started their training, and in the future, they will assist blind and visually impaired passengers in traveling safely,” — said Maksim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Phobos Ransomware Affiliates Arrested in Coordinated International Disruption

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Note: View the superseding indictment here.

    Phobos Group Alleged to have Attacked Over 1,000 Victims Worldwide

    The Justice Department today unsealed criminal charges against Roman Berezhnoy, 33, and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov, 39, both Russian nationals, who allegedly operated a cybercrime group using the Phobos ransomware that victimized more than 1,000 public and private entities in the United States and around the world and received over $16 million in ransom payments. Berezhnoy and Glebov were arrested this week as part of a coordinated international disruption of their organization, which includes additional arrests and the technical disruption of the group’s computer infrastructure.

    From May 2019, through at least October 2024, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly caused victims to suffer losses resulting from the loss of access to their data in addition to the financial losses associated with the ransomware payments. The victims included a children’s hospital, health care providers, and educational institutions.

    8Base Seizure Banner

    According to court documents, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others operated a ransomware affiliate organization, including under the names “8Base” and “Affiliate 2803,” among others, that victimized public and private entities through the deployment of Phobos ransomware.

    As part of the scheme, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly hacked into victim computer networks, copied and stole files and programs on the victims’ network, and encrypted the original versions of the stolen data with Phobos ransomware. The conspirators then allegedly extorted the victims for ransom payments in exchange for the decryption keys to regain access to the encrypted data by, among other things, leaving a ransom note on compromised victim computers and separately reaching out to victims to initiate ransom payment negotiations.

    As alleged, the conspirators also threatened to expose victims’ stolen files to the public or to the victims’ clients, customers, or constituents if the ransoms were not paid. The conspirators are further alleged to have established and operated a darknet website where they repeated their extortionate threats and ultimately published the stolen data if a victim failed to pay the ransom.

    After a successful Phobos ransomware attack, criminal affiliates paid fees to Phobos administrators for a decryption key to regain access to the encrypted files. Each deployment of Phobos ransomware was assigned a unique alphanumeric string in order to match it to the corresponding decryption key, and each affiliate was directed to pay the decryption key fee to a cryptocurrency wallet unique to that affiliate.

    The charges unsealed today against Berezhnoy and Glebov follow the recent arrest and extradition of Evgenii Ptitsyn, a Russian national, on charges relating to his alleged administration of the Phobos ransomware variant.

    In parallel with this week’s arrests, Europol and German authorities have announced an international operation involving the FBI and other international law enforcement partners to disrupt over 100 servers associated with this criminal network.

    Berezhnoy and Glebov are charged in an 11-count indictment with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, three counts of causing intentional damage to protected computers, three counts of extortion in relation to damage to a protected computer, one count of transmitting a threat to impair the confidentiality of stolen data, and one count of unauthorized access and obtaining information from a protected computer. If convicted, Berezhnoy and Glebov face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each wire fraud-related count; 10 years in prison on each computer damage count; and five years in prison on each of the other counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland, Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division, and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department extends its thanks to international judicial and law enforcement partners in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Thailand, Finland, and Romania, as well as Europol and the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, for their cooperation and coordination with the Phobos ransomware investigation. The National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided valuable assistance.

    Senior Counsel Aarash A. Haghighat of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. Former CCIPS Trial Attorney Riane Harper and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky and Jeffrey J. Izant for the District of Maryland provided substantial assistance.

    Additional details on protecting networks against Phobos ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov, including Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisory AA24-060A.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF plays pivotal role in uncovering 100 million EUR suspected subsidy fraud with links to organised crime

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no 4/2025
    PDF version

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) played a key role in exposing a sophisticated fraud scheme involving EU funding worth over 100 million EUR. The investigation uncovered alleged fraud and forgery in documents for water supply and wastewater infrastructure projects financed by the European Cohesion Fund in Romania. 

    Following a request from the EPPO, OLAF launched several investigations, focusing on the authenticity and traceability of the documents submitted by companies participating in calls for tenders in Romania. These companies managed to secure eight contracts for drinking water distribution and sewage rehabilitation projects worth over 100 million EUR.

    In the framework of its investigations, OLAF gathered evidence indicating a complex fraud mechanism using companies established in Italy and Romania between 2018-2021. 

    To meet the financial and technical criteria required by the contracting authorities, the Romanian companies claimed an annual turnover of their associates of between 42 and 63 million EUR over a 3-year period. OLAF’s investigation revealed that the real turnover was 30 times lower. OLAF also found that after winning the tenders, the bidders transferred a percentage of the total contract value to the associates. 

    One of the companies under investigation was later also found to have been placed under administrative prevention order by Italian authorities under anti-mafia legislation, effectively banning it from public contracts and certain business activities, due to its suspected ties to organised crime.

    Additionally, OLAF identified fake contracts for construction projects in Iraq. According to the winning companies, their associates claimed to have executed design and construction works for drinking water in the country worth around 31 million EUR through its Iraqi branch. OLAF provided evidence that such project, in fact, never existed.

    Director-General Ville Itälä welcomed the results: “This case demonstrates how suspects attempted to manipulate the EU’s financial system for their own gain and at the expense of European taxpayers. Thanks to OLAF’s investigative expertise and the valuable cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, we were able to uncover the sophisticated scheme and help ensure that justice will be served. This is a clear example of how EU institutions working together can effectively protect public funding and uphold the integrity of EU financial interests.” 

    For the investigations already finalised, OLAF has recommended that the European Commission recover €20 million, representing the total amount paid from the Cohesion Fund for the suspected fraudulent contracts. 

    Furthermore, OLAF has transmitted its final reports to the EPPO. For more details, you can read EPPO’s press release here. 

    OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
    OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

    OLAF fulfils its mission by:
    •    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
    •    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
    •    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

    In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
    •    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
    •    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
    •    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

    Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

    For further details:

    Pierluigi CATERINO
    Spokesperson
    European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
    Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
    https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
    LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)

    If you’re a journalist and you wish to receive our press releases in your inbox, pleaseleave us your contact data.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Syrians share stories of violence and displacement from temporary shelters in the northeast

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Shivan* still recalls the terrible days he and his family experienced as fighting approached his town, Manbij, in northern Syria, in December 2024. He met a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team during their visit to a school sheltering displaced people in Hassakeh governorate, and he shared stories of losing loved ones and fears about an unknown future.

    “We heard the sounds of fighting and explosions in Manbij and tried to stay safe, hoping that things would calm down and we wouldn’t have to flee. But the shooting intensified and came closer,” he says.

    When the armed men arrived, they ordered Shivan and everyone in their neighbourhood to leave their homes. “One of my friends refused to leave saying, ‘I am not going to leave my home’. I told him to just leave before they force us to, but I never imagined it would go like this,” Shivan says. “They shot him in the head without hesitation. I’ll never forget that day; my friend was killed in front of me.”

    Seeing the blood of his friend on the street, Shivan and his family joined an estimated 100,000 people who fled Manbij and Tal Rifaat to find safety in Raqqa and Hassakeh governorates in northeast Syria.

    This wave of displacement is part of a recurring cycle of violence and displacement that has been impacting Syrians for 13 years. Now, the most recent escalation of violence, including in Tel Rifaat, Shehba, and Manbij, has made these areas unsafe, forcing thousands to flee once again.

    MSF was not present in the areas people fled from, but collected testimonies about severe violence, including killings, harassment, and physical attacks, that people witnessed in their hometowns and along their journey to northeast Syria.

    “They physically abused us. Everyone was a target, they harassed my sisters and myself, touching our bodies and humiliated us in ways I can’t describe,” says Jiyan*, a woman who was also displaced from Manbij. “I wanted to fight back, to do something, but they had a gun pointed at my head, I couldn’t do anything but watch as they violated my family and my home.”

    Since then, thousands of displaced people have been staying in various temporary shelters. These places are harsh in the cold winter, not offering proper insulation, heating, or privacy. Many families struggled to find safe and stable shelter.

    A classroom in a school in Raqqa which has turned into a shelter for displaced people. Syria, January 2025.
    Giammarco Sicuro

    “When we reached Tabqa, we found out the situation there was not good,” says Layla*, who was displaced from Manbij. “The area was overcrowded with other displaced people, and there was no way we could stay there for long. I decided to bring my family here to Hassakeh, hoping for a better place to live.”

    MSF teams have been providing essential supplies, like hygiene kits, diapers, blankets, pillows, mattresses, and warm jackets, to improve people’s health and wellbeing, and reinforce their dignity. More than 17,500 essential items were distributed in 87 emergency collective centres across northeast Syria since December 2024.

    MSF teams have also carried out activities to improve access to clean water, including providing more than 5,000,000 litres of water to collective centres in Tabqa, Raqqa, and Hassakeh. To improve sanitation and prevent the spread of disease outbreaks, the teams have been cleaning latrines in make-shift collective centres.

    While local responders and international organisations are providing support, some essential services, including care for non-communicable diseases, are unavailable. In a further effort to address urgent healthcare needs, MSF launched mobile clinics in Tabqa providing medical services. In Kobane/Ain Al-Arab, MSF also donated 20,000 measles vaccines to support local healthcare services.

    17,500

    17,5

    essential items distributed

    5,000,000

    5,000,

    litres of water provided

    20,000

    20,

    measles vaccines donated

    The recent displacement has exacerbated an acute and longstanding crisis. People are living in overcrowded camps, infrastructure has been severely damaged, and there is a general lack of basics like water, electricity, healthcare, food, and weather-appropriate shelter.

    As of 20 January, around 24,000 people are still residing in makeshift shelters across northeast Syria. Some people felt comfortable enough to return to other areas across Syria, and others found accommodations with host communities. 
    With no safe place to return to, the need for support to those who have been displaced remains urgent.

    “I’m trying to survive,” says Ali*, a 70-year-old man. “But I have nothing left except memories of a life that was taken from me. I have no place to call home anymore.”

    *Names have been changed to protect the privacy and security of people providing testimonies.

    You could also be interested in

     

    Syria

    MSF mobile clinics bring care to Syria’s neglected region of east Ghouta

    Project Update 6 Feb 2025

     

    Syria

    Three things to know about what’s happening in Syria

    Project Update 12 Dec 2024

     

    Syria

    MSF responds to people’s developing needs in northeast Syria

    Press Release 11 Dec 2024

    MIL OSI NGO –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Successful event helps lead construction industry towards decarbonisation

    Source: City of Derby

    On Thursday 6 February, over 100 people from the local construction industry attended an event at The Museum of Making. The event, hosted by Derby City Council, in partnership with SCAPE aimed to give attendees a clear roadmap to decarbonisation. According to the latest data from DESNZ, 25% of the UK’s CO2e emissions come from the built environment.

    The event included an opening speech from Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, Councillor Carmel Swan and an overview of the Council’s own ongoing journey to net zero as well as the role of procurement in delivering sustainable construction. 

    The second half of the event focused on the practicalities of decarbonisation within construction and gave participants an opportunity to hear about the Supply Chain Sustainability School and The Carbon Reduction Code. 

    The event supported the Council’s wider net zero ambition. With ongoing regeneration work across the city, the Council wants to ensure that the city develops with the climate and sustainability at the forefront of its ambitious plans. 

    Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability commented: 

    “It’s vitally important that we work alongside our construction industry and wider supply chain partners as they are key to being able to reach net zero, not just in Derby but the wider region and globally. 

    “This event has given us the perfect opportunity to open lines of communication about decarbonisation and we’ll keep those conversations going.” 

    Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, said: 

    “We were delighted to support this event, which provided a crucial platform for Derby’s construction supply chain to engage with buyers and gain practical insights into decarbonisation. The built environment is responsible for a significant proportion of the UK’s carbon emissions, so it’s vital that businesses at every level of the supply chain have the knowledge and support they need to deliver more sustainable projects. By working together and accessing initiatives like the Supply Chain Sustainability School and the Carbon Reduction Code, we can drive real change and help ensure that the industry moves towards a low-carbon future.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since 2011, 220 police facilities have been renovated and improved in Moscow

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Since 2011, 220 police facilities have been comprehensively renovated and improved in the capital. Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement made a report on this topic at a meeting of the Moscow Government Petr Biryukov. Following the discussion Sergei Sobyanin instructed to continue work in this area.

    The Moscow government provides systematic assistance to the capital’s police in modernizing its material and technical base. In the newly constructed and renovated buildings of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of Moscow, comfortable conditions for service are created: modern duty stations, service offices, laboratories, rest rooms, gyms, shooting ranges, canteens and buffets are equipped, and the territory is also being improved.

    The safety of employees and visitors is ensured by modern electronic security, surveillance and access control systems.

    Detainees are guaranteed conditions of detention that do not degrade human dignity.

    Moscow Mayor Opens New Building of Tverskoy District Police Department

    In total, 26 new facilities of the capital police were put into operation in 2010–2024. Among them are the building complexes of the Internal Affairs Directorates for the Western, Southern and Eastern Administrative Districts. In addition, the Internal Affairs Directorates for the districts of Akademichesky, Beskudnikovsky, Golyanovo, Danilovsky, Kotlovka, Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye, Rostokino, Tverskoy, Khovrino, Khoroshevo-Mnevniki, Yakimanka and the city of Moskovsky, the Kommunarsky MO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the Canine Service Center, as well as a complex of administrative buildings on Ryabinovaya Street.

    It is planned to build more than 10 buildings for district departments of internal affairs, which are currently located on the ground floors of residential buildings, in former kindergartens and other unsuitable premises or have a small area.

    At the same time, comprehensive repairs and improvements are being carried out at the facilities of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of Moscow. Since 2011, work has been completed on 220 of them. Among them are 79 buildings of district departments of internal affairs, six residential buildings – family dormitories for police officers, 91 sports and hockey grounds for training and recreation of employees and 44 other departmental facilities.

    Sobyanin spoke about the opening of a new building of the Yakimanka District Department of Internal Affairs

    During major repairs, work is carried out to replace engineering systems for heating and air conditioning, water supply and sanitation, sewerage, and power supply. In addition, video surveillance systems, access and evacuation control and management, automatic fire alarms are installed at the facilities, communication networks, telephones, and radio broadcasting are installed, and interior decoration of the premises is done.

    The plans for 2025 include starting the renovation of another building of the district department of internal affairs and two buildings of separate departments of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the city of Moscow, as well as continuing work on the modernization of the complex of buildings on Petrovka (house 38, second stage).

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12373050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: Return to war must be avoided at all costs, insists UN chief

    Source: United Nations 4

    11 February 2025 Peace and Security

    A return to war in Gaza must be avoided at all costs, UN Secretary-General António Guterres insisted on Tuesday, amid fears that the three-week old ceasefire agreement between Hamas fighters and Israel is about to end.

    “We must avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to an immense tragedy,” said the UN chief, in a statement relayed to journalists by UN Geneva spokesperson Rolando Gomez.

    “I appeal to Hamas to proceed with the planned liberation of hostages next Saturday. Both sides must fully abide by their commitments in the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations in Doha for the second phase.”

    The development comes amid reports that Hamas suspended the scheduled release of hostages from Gaza on Saturday, on the grounds that Palestinians continue to be killed in the war-torn enclave and that too little aid is entering the Strip.

    UNRWA operations continue

    The UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Tuesday that its operations continue uninterrupted in Gaza and the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem.

    “Our clinics across the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem are open while the humanitarian operation in Gaza continues. We are committed to staying and delivering,” UNRWA said in an online post.

    The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, meanwhile, highlighted that a significant aid boost into Gaza has been possible “under the conditions generated by this [ceasefire] deal” that began on 19 January.

    Speaking in Geneva, OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke said that the UN had delivered food, medical, shelter supplies and more in the last 21 days “which have enabled us to provide a range of critical services to people in need across Gaza and initiate repairs”.

    Responding to questions from journalists that UN aid teams had not been able to bring in certain materials which could help with the reconstruction of shattered medical centres and more, Mr. Laerke insisted that “the full visibility of the pipeline and the ceasefire deal and the compliance indicators, should be available to the guarantors of the ceasefire deal, which does not include the United Nations, but Egypt, Qatar and the US”.

    Surge in aid

    According to the latest humanitarian update from OCHA, more than 1.5 million people in Gaza have received food parcels since the ceasefire began.

    The World Food Programme (WFP) has distributed food parcels, hot meals and cash to more than 860,000 people in Gaza, OCHA said, and partners are providing more meals as community kitchens open in new areas. 

    Repair work continues on water wells across the enclave. However, widespread destruction of infrastructure and shortages of spare parts, generators and solar panels have impacted efforts to increase water production.      

    Today, nearly 60 health partners provide primary and secondary health services across the Gaza Strip, ensuring access to essential care.

    The UN reproductive health agency UNFPA is distributing supplies expected to benefit more than 65,000 people over the next three weeks. 

    UNFPA has also supported another health partner which has opened three temporary primary healthcare centres in Gaza and a temporary medical point in Jabalya in the north.

    OCHA reported that recent winter storms destroyed at least five child-friendly spaces in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in Gaza.

    “The needs are enormous,” Mr. Gomez told journalists. “The ceasefire is in place and of course that doesn’t mean that there aren’t enormous needs and they remain so…This is where our priorities lie.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: China’s crude oil imports decreased from a record as refinery activity slowed

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-depth analysis

    February 11, 2025

    Data source: China General Administration of Customs, Bloomberg L.P.

    Slower oil demand growth in 2024 led to less crude oil processed by China’s refineries and fewer crude oil imports compared with the record high set in 2023. China, the world’s largest importer of crude oil, received 11.1 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2024, down from 11.3 million b/d in 2023. Even though total imports decreased about 2%, imports from some countries increased while others decreased.

    Why did China’s crude oil imports decrease last year?

    We estimate that 16.3 million b/d of petroleum and other liquid fuels were consumed in China last year, second only to the United States globally. China’s domestic crude oil production averaged 4.3 million b/d in 2024, so the country had to import crude oil to meet the demand from its domestic refined petroleum product and petrochemical manufacturing sectors. China’s refiners imported 11.1 million b/d of crude oil and processed 14.2 million b/d. Both crude oil imports and refinery runs decreased in China from record levels in 2023, when the country imported 11.3 million b/d of crude oil and processed 14.8 million b/d.

    Net decreases in the consumption of transportation fuel (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel) last year meant China’s refineries processed less crude oil. Monthly data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics and General Administration of Customs indicate that consumption of both gasoline and jet fuel grew in China during 2024, but consumption of diesel fuel offset this growth with a large decline from 2023. These estimates are preliminary and subject to revision until late 2025, when China publishes annual consumption data, which we use to update our International Energy Statistics.

    Instead of transportation fuels, liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), naphtha, or other petroleum products that can be imported directly for petrochemical manufacturing instead of refined from crude oil have led China’s growth in petroleum consumption. As a result, the net decline in transportation fuel demand reduced both refinery runs and import demand for crude oil in China last year.

    Which countries do China’s refiners import crude oil from?

    China’s refiners purchase crude oil from dozens of countries, with Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Malaysia being the largest sources. Imports from Malaysia increased significantly last year to 1.4 million b/d, which is more than Malaysia’s domestic crude oil production of around 0.6 million b/d. The large difference stems from crude oil cargoes that were initially shipped from Iran but were then relabeled or transferred to avoid sanctions.

    Imports from Russia increased in 2024 for the third consecutive year and averaged 2.2 million b/d, 1% more than in 2023. China increased imports from Russia after the Group of Seven (G7) country import bans and sanctions limited Russia’s ability to sell crude oil after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These actions prompted Russia to sell some of its crude oil at discounted prices, making it more attractive to certain buyers.

    On January 10, 2025, the United States announced additional sanctions on several oil vessels transporting crude oil from Russia. Because of potential disruptions from these actions, refiners in China may reduce purchases from Russia and replace those barrels with others from crude oil exporting countries not subject to sanctions, such as Brazil, Canada, the United States, or countries in the Middle East.

    China’s second-largest source of crude oil imports was Saudi Arabia, although these imports decreased for the third consecutive year and averaged 1.6 million b/d, 9% less than in 2023.

    Data source: China General Administration of Customs, Bloomberg L.P.
    Note: Congo=Congo-Brazzaville

    Imports from other Middle East OPEC countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait also declined, but imports from Iraq increased. Although small, crude oil imports from Canada increased, particularly in the second half of the year after the Trans Mountain expansion (TMX) project began commercial operations in May 2024. This pipeline expansion brings increased crude oil export capacity to Asia from Canada’s West Coast, which contributed to imports at more than 0.3 million b/d from Canada in September, an all-time high.

    What factors will affect China’s crude oil imports and refining this year?

    We forecast petroleum consumption in China will grow more slowly in 2025 and 2026 than in previous years in our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook. Because we expect growth in China’s consumption will outpace China’s domestic production of crude oil and other liquids, we believe net imports will increase. Last summer, we released a study on refinery capacity expansions in China and other countries through 2028. Several integrated refining and petrochemical complexes will open or expand over the next few years, suggesting crude oil imports will continue growing to meet feedstock demand from these facilities.

    However, a tax change implemented in December 2024 creates considerable uncertainty for China’s petroleum trade balance this year. China reduced a value-added tax rebate offered on some petroleum product exports, which reduces their competitiveness in world markets. Depending on the effects of this change on Chinese refiners’ operations and profitability, refinery runs and crude oil imports could decline.

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, January 2025
    Note: We forecast net imports as domestic consumption minus production.

    Principal contributor: Jeff Barron

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: What Should Be on Your Plate? Study Shows Student Athletes Don’t Know

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    High school health classes often consist of a series of awkward lessons about STDs, drugs, and alcohol. Rarely do these classes teach students anything about another critical component of their health — nutrition.

    This lack of nutrition education is especially dangerous to student athletes who need to fuel their bodies properly to protect themselves from injury and other health risks.

    A new study shows that high school athletes have some serious gaps in both their general and sports-specific nutrition knowledge.

    This work was published in Nutrients. Jennifer B. Fields, assistant professor of nutritional science in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, collaborated with researchers at the University of Wisconsin and George Mason University on this study.

    Fields and her collaborators have known that young athletes struggle with proper nutrition to fuel their highly active bodies.

    “There’s this preconceived notion that all athletes are healthy,” Fields says. “A lot of times that’s not the case.”

    The researchers previously found a high prevalence of eating disorders and other forms of disordered eating in college athletes, often linked to a lack of nutrition knowledge.

    Student athletes often turn to unscientific outlets, like social media, for nutrition information in the absence of formal education.

    Given this, the team became interested in seeing if similar patterns existed for high school athletes.

    They used a pre-validated survey, the Abridged Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire, to assess student athletes’ nutrition knowledge. Forty-four students were recruited from high schools in Wisconsin and beyond.  The students’ total nutrition score averaged around 45% for both boys and girls. Their general nutrition knowledge was about 58% and sport nutrition knowledge was about 35%.

    The students’ perceptions about the daily recommended intake of key nutrients were significantly off base. They thought they needed fewer carbohydrates and total calories, and far more protein and fat than is actually recommended.

    The students also demonstrated a lack of knowledge about when and what to eat to support sport performance.

    “Their level of general nutrition knowledge and sport nutrition knowledge was very, very low,” Fields says. “They didn’t know how to eat a balanced diet for their overall health. Moreso, they didn’t know how to make proper fueling decisions for their sport.”

    Many students reported that their primary source for nutrition knowledge was friends or family, followed closely by their coaches, who do not generally receive any formal nutrition training or education.

    Fields says many of these knowledge gaps may be fueled by social media which pumps out inaccurate nutrition information and unrealistic body standards for young people, especially athletes.

    “Adolescents in particular are just inundated with social media,” Fields says. “High schoolers are on Instagram, TikTok, whatever it may be, getting preconceived notions about how their bodies should look, how they should eat, and how they should exercise. And many times, it’s really conflicting with how they should be fueling as an athlete.”

    One of the key differences between sports and regular nutrition is athletes’ calories and carbohydrate needs. Athletes should be consuming more than half their daily calories as carbohydrates, Fields says.

    “Carbohydrates are athletes’ best friends,” Fields says. “That is so contradictory to what a lot of social media tells us.”

    Athletes also, generally, shouldn’t follow the trend of intermittent fasting diets as they need to be fueling consistently throughout the day to support performance and recovery and ensure they are getting enough calories.

    Athletes need to have more muscle mass to support their own safety as well, meaning they won’t look like some of the people they see on social media.

    The next step for this research will be to develop an educational intervention for high school athletes to empower them with the knowledge they need to make healthy choices.

    “One of our biggest takeaways is simply the need for more general nutrition education and sports-specific nutrition education for these adolescent athletes,” Fields says. “If we can change the behaviors throughout these high school years, then they get to college and have a much better sense of how to eat for their health and to optimize their performance.”

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: CPA Canada – Interview opportunity: Celebrate love without the price tag this Valentine’s Day

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Valentine’s Day is often seen as the ultimate celebration of love—but does it always have to come with a price tag?

    Some couples splurge on extravagant dinners and lavish gifts, while others are rethinking whether you need to break the bank to show you care.

    A 2024 survey by Leger found that nearly half of Canadians spend money on gifts, 40 per cent on dining out, and yet 87 per cent believe the holiday is overly commercialized.

    “Money and love don’t have to go hand-in-hand,” says Li Zhang, financial literacy leader at CPA Canada. “The key is making sure your Valentine’s Day celebration reflects what truly matters to you and your partner—not just for the ‘gram.’”

    For those who want to celebrate love without the hefty price tag, here are some low- or no-cost ways to make the day special:

    • Recreate your first date at home: Cook the same meal, play the same music, and reminisce.
    • Write a love letter: A heartfelt, handwritten note can be far more meaningful than any store-bought card.
    • Take a digital detox together: Unplug from your devices and spend uninterrupted quality time together.
    • Plan a memory walk: Visit a place that holds special meaning in your relationship.
    • Make a ‘reasons I love you’ jar: Fill a jar with small notes of appreciation and admiration.

    “If love is priceless, why does Valentine’s Day come with a receipt? Perhaps the most romantic gesture isn’t about spending—it’s about making your partner feel valued in ways money can’t buy,” says Zhang.

    To arrange an interview with our personal finance expert, please contact media@cpacanada.ca.

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Two Six Technologies Delivers Strategic Growth and Makes Exceptional Mission Impact in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Two Six Technologies, a high-growth technology company dedicated to providing products and expertise to national security customers, achieved outstanding growth and milestone results in 2024. Most importantly, Two Six’s products, systems, and teams supported more than 46,000 mission operations last year.

    In 2024, the company generated organic revenue growth of 25%, expanded its contract portfolio with large IDIQ awards, grew single-award contract ceiling to over $1.5 billion, and increased annual recurring revenue (ARR) to $60 million through the delivery of proprietary products and software platforms.

    “Our core focus is to rapidly deliver products, technologies, and expertise to address complex challenges facing our nation today,” said Joe Logue, CEO of Two Six Technologies. “I could not be more proud of the exceptionally talented professionals of Two Six, and their dedication to supporting the critical missions of our U.S. Government customers.”

    Two Six Technologies is a next-generation defense technology company, strategically positioned at the intersection of innovative technologies and mission impact. The company is purpose-built for a new era of government efficiency, with proven capabilities to execute on R&D programs, create breakthrough technologies, transition new innovations to operational users and warfighters, and deliver scalable product solutions.

    Two Six Technologies supports its customers through a suite of proprietary products that deliver technological superiority for our nation, allies, and partners. These products, including IKE™, Pulse, SIGMA™, and TrustedKeep™, are proven solutions offering direct and scalable impact for real-world challenges in critical sectors including cybersecurity, information advantage, CBRN detection, resilient secure communications, and zero trust.

    The company’s strategic expansions in 2024 included investments in infrastructure, secure labs, and the opening of new offices in Herndon, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; and Laurel, MD. Two Six’s employees work in 26 office locations in 7 states, as well as in labs, customer sites, and hybrid and remote locations across the country.

    In 2024, Two Six Technologies was recognized with numerous industry awards for outstanding individual and corporate performance, including: WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards and Pinnacle Awards, Greater Washington GovCon Awards Contractor of the Year, NVTC’s Cyber 50 and Tech 100, and Inc. Magazine’s Best in Business 2024. Additionally, the company was awarded nine new U.S. patents in 2024 for inventions created by Two Six employees.

    Two Six continues to invest in supporting employees’ growth and professional development, including recruiting programs, referral bonuses, training courses, and team events. In 2024, the company hired and onboarded more than 280 new employees and continues to recruit mission-focused professionals for its world-class teams. Two Six offers competitive benefits and compelling career development opportunities. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit twosixtech.com/careers/.

    About Two Six Technologies
    Two Six Technologies is a high-growth technology company dedicated to providing innovative products and expertise for defense, intelligence, public safety, and national security customers. The company solves complex technical challenges in five focus areas that are key to missions on the modern battlefield: cyber, information operations, resilient secure communications, electronic systems, and zero trust solutions.

    The company offers a robust suite of sole source contract vehicles with more than $1.5 billion of aggregate single-award contract ceiling; a family of operationally deployed products including IKE™, Pulse, TrustedKeep™, and SIGMA™; and a global operational footprint that includes technical access in more than 100 countries coupled with native proficiency in more than 20 languages.

    Two Six supports national security customers across the Department of Defense, including U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Cyber Command and DARPA; Department of State; the Intelligence Community; and Civilian agencies.

    Two Six was formed in February 2021 by the global investment firm The Carlyle Group. Since its formation, Two Six has acquired and integrated four companies that are highly complementary to Two Six’s mission, culture, and growth strategy.

    Two Six is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia and employs approximately 900 professionals working in 37 states across the country. For more information, visit twosixtech.com and Two Six Technologies on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact
    David Leach
    Vice President of Corporate Development
    david.leach@twosixtech.com
    703-782-9473

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Mainspring Expands Channel Network with Leading Resellers as Linear Generator Installations Grow

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mainspring Energy today announced the expansion of its channel sales network into new markets and geographies, accelerating adoption of the company’s Linear Generators with the addition of three new resellers. The program welcomes dGEN Energy Partners, Gould Group, and INF Associates to the team of partner companies bringing Mainspring’s advanced power generation solutions to commercial and industrial companies.

    The addition of these leading power resellers expands Mainspring’s reach into more projects and vertical markets such as hotels and commercial buildings, EV charging infrastructure, cold storage facilities, and other industrial operations. It also opens the door to delivering projects in new regions for the company, particularly in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, which are prone to extreme weather events and extended power disruptions. As in the fast-growing U.S. linear generator market, commercial and industrial companies in this region are exploring linear generator solutions for greater control over their energy resources and costs. Mainspring’s products provide resilient, low-emission, rapidly installed power capacity with market-leading flexibility in siting, project scope, load profiles, and fuel types.

    “In an era of unprecedented load growth, demand is spiking globally for reliable, efficient power,” said Wissam Balshe, Senior Director of Channel Partnerships at Mainspring. “dGen, Gould Group and INF bring valuable expertise to our reseller team in deploying advanced power infrastructure in commercial and industrial markets. Together we are expanding our reach and accelerating the transition to cleaner, more efficient power.”

    The expanded reseller network puts Mainspring solutions in the hands of a growing force of industry experts specializing in reliable, affordable, and sustainable power projects that deliver new power capacity. It builds on the launch of the Mainspring reseller network last year and Mainspring’s strategic partnerships with global power leaders Schneider Electric and ABM.

    dGen
    dGen brings a wealth of experience in the renewable energy industry with over 750 MW of clean energy installed today. They are known in the solar industry for their ability to take a project from design to financing to installation with a dedicated team of developers and EPC installers. dGen expands access to renewable energy solutions to all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

    Gould Group
    As a trusted real estate portfolio fiduciary, Gould Group uses energy efficiency as a strategic tool to enhance cost-effectiveness and quality across industrial, office, hospital, and multifamily properties nationwide. Gould Group stands by three certainties—Budget, Execution, and Quality—ensuring every project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Its expertise spans energy procurement, strategic financing, and tailored sustainability solutions, enabling it to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and create long-term value for its clients.

    INF Associates
    INF is a turnkey energy solutions firm performing complete design, equipment supply, and installation of projects, including electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, LED lighting upgrades, distributed and renewable energy technologies, and mechanical system retrofits. INF has offices in New York City, the Hudson Valley and New Jersey, and supports energy projects nationwide. INF has a team dedicated to securing funding from utility and state commissions to advance the sustainability goals for each company they work with. Since 2011, INF has secured tens of millions of dollars of utility incentives for energy projects and has installed more than 5,000 EV chargers totaling over 50 megawatts of charging power.

    About Mainspring
    Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers innovative, flexible, low-emissions onsite power solutions that rapidly add new power capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, clean electric power. The Mainspring Linear Generator is fully dispatchable and scalable from 250 kW to 100+MW. It is uniquely fuel-flexible, operating on any gaseous fuel including hydrogen, ammonia, biogas, natural gas, propane, and others. The company began commercial shipments in 2020 and to date has tens of MWs of power in operation and more than 100 MW in advanced development for leading Fortune 500 companies and utilities. Learn more at mainspringenergy.com.

    Media Contact:

    Marjorie Bonga
    marjorie@teamsilverline.com
    15407462385

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Codeword Elevates Gabie Kur to Partner, Driving New Phase of Growth and Client Services Alongside Leadership Evolution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, communication agency Codeword announced the promotion of Gabie Kur to Partner, Head of Growth, making her the agency’s first-ever woman partner, first growth lead, and first partner addition in more than a decade. In her new role, Kur will oversee business development, external communications, agency service expansions, and innovative partnerships. She will continue to oversee Codeword’s PR practice as well. She joins partners Kyle Monson and Michael McKloskey on Codeword’s executive leadership bench.

    Kur has spent over a decade at Codeword, most recently as Senior Vice President, PR, where she doubled Codeword’s client retention, tripled its monthly minimum retainer, and grew the team amid challenges in the tech, media, and PR industries. She has led PR programs for global brands such as Lowe’s, ASUS, Coway, Skillshare, Drift, and Alphabet’s Wing, and has successfully launched over 200 companies across her career. Her leadership in strategic growth, PR, and client expansion positions her to build out the agency’s growth function and push Codeword’s capabilities to the next level.

    “At Codeword, we’re constantly working to strengthen the way we support both our clients’ and our growth. I’m eager to maximize Codeword’s momentum in a reinvigorated function that equips our teams to deliver the best work we can for the brands that count on us,” said Kur. “This role is the perfect blend of everything I love—PR, problem-solving, business development—and I’m especially looking forward to working even more closely with Kyle and Michael, who have played pivotal roles in much of my career.”

    Codeword leadership is equally excited to add Kur to the partner bench.

    “I’ve worked closely with hundreds of PR pros over the years, and there’s nobody like Gabie,” said Kyle Monson, founding partner at Codeword. “She has a level of energy that defies the laws of physics, and her intelligence and problem-solving skills are adored by both her clients and her teammates. Over the past few years, we watched her do the impossible, and push the business forward in an era of industry retraction. After years of trying and failing to find her limit, we’re like ‘Maybe the limit does not exist. Why doesn’t she just run the place with us?’ And we’re delighted that she agreed to it. I hope we continue to make memories and good work together for a very long time.”

    Alongside Kur’s elevation to partner, Codeword upleveled its leadership across the agency.

    Ted Brown has been named Head of Editorial, reporting to Kyle Monson. Ted brings over fourteen years of creative and editorial leadership to the role. After joining Codeword two years ago, Brown quickly became a trusted partner for high-profile clients like Google and Android. In his new position, Brown will set and maintain the bar for Codeword’s editorial output, and manage Codeword’s team of writers and editors, the agency’s largest department. He’ll also continue mentoring the next generation of writers and creatives, helping them push boundaries and refine their craft in an evolving media landscape. Outside of Codeword, Brown continues to be a regular contributor to The New York Times, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and The New Yorker.

    Katy Donkin has been appointed Head of Client Accounts, reporting to Michael McKloskey. Over her eight years at Codeword, Donkin has cultivated deep, trust-based relationships with major clients—her expert stewardship has allowed the agency to maintain a decade-long partnership with Google. She has demonstrated a unique ability to craft audience-driven strategies that deliver results, foster long-term satisfaction, and meet detailed client needs. In this elevated role, Donkin’s focus will be on helping teams proactively orchestrate success while ensuring effective client delivery and maintaining high client satisfaction. Throughout her time at the agency, she’s played a vital role in developing her team, mentoring colleagues, and championing Codeword’s client relationships—all while seamlessly managing her responsibilities remotely from New Zealand.

    Liv Allen has been named Head of PR, reporting to Gabie Kur. Allen has been instrumental in growing the PR team and expanding the department’s integrated communications capabilities since joining Codeword in 2017. Across her career, Allen has worked with a diverse range of brands—from startups like Codeacademy and Outerspace to global companies such as ASUS, Payscale, and Sennheiser, as well as publicly traded companies like NVIDIA, Adobe, and Lowe’s. Her expertise in creating impactful media moments and fostering strong relationships has been integral to the agency’s success.

    “We’re hyped as hell to announce the new leadership roles for Gabie, Ted, Katy, and Liv. Each of them has consistently shown their commitment to Codeword’s mission to create brand experiences people actually care about,” said Michael McKloskey, managing partner and EVP at Codeword. “They make a positive impact on their clients’ businesses. They lead their teams to be better marketers. They shape Codeword into an ever-evolving agency of expert communicators. It’s an incredible combination that’s setting us up for limitless success. There’s nothing this team can’t accomplish together.”

    About Codeword
    Codeword is a communication design agency that helps brands create breakthrough comms, content, and community experiences. A team of fast-moving writers, designers, PR pros, and strategists, Codeword fosters an independent spirit with global scale and capabilities. The nationwide team is remote-first, with offices in NYC and SF. Part of the WE Communications family.

    Find us online at: www.codewordagency.com or @codewordagency

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Baby Boomers and Gen X Responsible for Increased Betting Activity in Q4 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Betting activity increased slightly in Q4 2024 to 26% of consumers, compared to 24% in the same period of 2023. However, this uptick was caused by significant generational changes in activity, primarily among Baby Boomers and Millennials, according to a new report from TransUnion (NYSE: TRU).

    While Millennials have dominated all forms of betting in recent years, this generation’s engagement dropped 5% YoY in Q4 2024. Conversely, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers got more involved, with 7% and 4% respective YoY increases. Gen Z bettors’ participation remained about the same. These and many more findings are available in TransUnion’s latest US Betting Report.

    “The demographic shift in betting activity serves as a good reminder that the best predictor of engagement is not age but rather increased earnings and liquidity,” said Declan Raines, head of TransUnion’s Gaming business. “Those who have a sudden influx of disposable income are more likely to participate in betting, and operators should keep that in mind when developing their marketing strategies.”

    In addition to Millennials, fewer high-value bettors engaged in online and land-based betting activities. High-value bettors are those who spend more than $500 per month on betting. This group’s engagement dropped by 8% with land-based operators and 9% with online operators.

    Healthier finances among bettors

    The report found high-value bettors also attained improved overall finances. In Q4 2024, 54% of those betting $500 or more per month had good or excellent credit combined with middle or high income. This was up from 50% in the same period in 2023. In addition, those with the riskiest financial profile—having lower income and fair or poor credit—fell from 7% in Q4 2023 to just 4% in Q4 2024.

    Bettors proved to have a more resilient financial profile than non-bettors. More than half of consumers who bet in either land-based or online channels said their income had gone up a little or a lot in the past 3 months. Only 21% of non-bettors said the same.

    Consumer Credit Scores: Bettors vs Non-bettors

      Land-based Bettors Online Bettors Non-bettors
    Good/Excellent 59% 54% 47%
    Average 22% 24% 19%
    Fair/Bad 18% 20% 24%

    Excellent: 781-850 | Good: 721-780 | Average: 661-720 | Fair: 601-660 | Bad: 300-600

    Consumers who bet also had stronger credit scores, with more than half of land-based and online bettors indicating good or excellent credit scores, compared to just 47% of non-bettors. Conversely, one-third of non-bettors fell into credit score ranges that indicate poorer credit quality—including those who don’t know their score—compared to 22% of online bettors and 20% of land-based bettors.

    Mounting regulatory pressure

    Regulators and consumer advocacy groups became more focused on the betting industry in 2024. Recent studies published by Northwestern and UCLA outlining the risks to personal finances among a subset of players served to elevate the pressure on gaming operators to implement reasonable procedures to identify and curb problem gaming. In response, the industry formed the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) to establish industry-wide responsible gaming standards and support research and education on safe practices.

    TransUnion’s US Betting Report has consistently found bettors experience higher levels of financial volatility—both positive and negative—relative to non-bettors. This represents a significant challenge for operators when engaging in responsible gaming assessments. It is imperative that gaming operators stay vigilant to ensure their most active players can sustain high levels of play without compromising their financial health.

    “As the industry matures, new tools have emerged to help operators assess players’ financial resilience and promote responsible gaming,” said Raines. “Adopting these measures will help build on the significant investments made by the industry in responsible gaming to date as well as demonstrate good faith efforts to regulators and consumers while protecting profitability for operators in the long run.”

    For full details from the US Betting Report, click here.

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

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

    Contact Dave Blumberg
    TransUnion
    E-mail david.blumberg@transunion.com
    Telephone 312-972-6646

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Provident Bank Strengthens Executive Leadership Team, Welcoming Chief Lending Officer to Advance Commercial Banking and Lending Strategy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ISELIN, N.J., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Provident Bank, a leading New Jersey-based financial institution, is pleased to announce the addition of Bill Fink as Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, leading the commercial bank and the commercial lending growth strategy.

    Mr. Fink has over 30 years of experience in commercial banking and credit administration and will lead and direct the bank’s commercial lending strategies, including new business development, loan portfolio management, and policy management for all commercial business lines, including C&I, commercial real estate, treasury management, and specialty lines. His expertise in structuring complex credit transactions and developing innovative approaches will help expand the bank’s loan portfolio and drive sustainable growth consistent with the bank’s risk appetite. In addition to overseeing lending initiatives, given his deep commercial banking experience, Mr. Fink will serve as a strategic advisor, collaborating closely with Provident’s Executive Leadership Team.

    “I’m excited to begin a new chapter in my career where I can support Provident Bank’s mission to redefine the super community banking space,” said Bill Fink, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. “With a strong foundation and clear momentum, I look forward to using my experience in commercial lending to drive growth, strengthen customer relationships, and foster a culture of innovation and excellence that supports Provident Bank’s business strategy.”

    Mr. Fink will oversee a $16B loan portfolio and lead a team of eight direct reports and a total team of 250 employees based in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. He will also oversee portfolio management and credit risk, ensuring the bank’s lending strategies align with market opportunities and long-term objectives. Mr. Fink will contribute to enhancing credit policies, introducing new lending products, and optimizing the portfolio mix to ensure the bank is providing the best solution to its customers. Additionally, he will represent the bank at industry events and public engagements, strengthening relationships with customers and partners, while reinforcing Provident’s market presence.

    “Bill is an exceptional leader, bringing broad expertise in commercial banking with a vision for driving growth and innovation,” said Anthony Labozzetta, President and CEO, Provident Bank. “I am thrilled to welcome him to our team as we enhance our commercial lending capabilities, deepen customer relationships, and position our bank for long-term success.”

    Mr. Fink brings two decades of leadership experience at TD Bank, N.A., where he held key senior roles across regional and national markets. Most recently, he served as EVP and Head of U.S. Middle Market Banking, leading TD’s nationwide expansion strategy for Middle Market and Asset-Based Lending and overseeing a $24 billion portfolio. Previously, as EVP, Chief Lending Officer, and Head of Credit Management for TD’s U.S. Commercial Banking Division, he played a critical role in credit oversight and risk management.

    Mr. Fink holds an MBA in Management & Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. Joseph’s University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). In addition, he completed the Advanced Finance Postgraduate Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Executive Education Board of Directors at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

    About Provident Bank
    Founded in Jersey City in 1839, Provident Bank is the oldest community-focused financial institution based in New Jersey and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS). With assets of $24.05 billion as of December 31, 2024, Provident Bank offers a wide range of customized financial solutions for businesses and consumers with an exceptional customer experience delivered through its convenient network of 140 branches across New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania, via mobile and online banking, and from its customer contact center. The bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company, and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc. To learn more about Provident Bank, go to www.provident.bank or call our customer contact center at 800.448.7768.

    Media Contact:
    Provident Bank
    Keith Buscio – keith.buscio@provident.bank
    Vested – providentbank@fullyvested.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1dab4f57-ba76-4ff3-9ba9-48d91a5dc47c

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: SensoRy AI and OCFA deploy AI-driven early wildfire detection system in City of Irvine Open Space Preserve

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a unified effort to address the growing threat of wildfires in Southern California, Ryan Honary, founder of SensoRy AI, has partnered with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the City of Irvine to deploy his award-winning AI-driven wildfire detection system in the Irvine Open Space Preserve.

    SensoRy AI’s platform combines a wireless mesh sensor network with artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect wildfires at their earliest stages, providing firefighters with instant notifications and real-time updates on predicted growth speed and direction. Designed to be low-cost and scalable, the solution is ideal for high-risk areas.

    “Early detection is one of our greatest weapons in what has become a year-round fire season, empowering crews to more safely and effectively execute the robust and rapid initial attack required to keep wildfires small,” said OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “For several years now, we have partnered with Ryan and SensoRy AI. We are proud and grateful that his technology has the potential to provide our firefighters with real-time data that expedites resource allocation, improves firefighting strategy, and enhances our mission to protect life and property.”

    The initial installation focuses on high-risk zones within the Irvine Open Space Preserve, which is a part of nearly 40,000 acres of interconnected open space owned by the City of Irvine, OC Parks, and California State Parks that functions as a key ecological corridor connecting open space in Orange County to the Cleveland National Forest. The deployment comes after several successful pilots carried out with the support of Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) at their native seed farm and OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.

    “We are thrilled to have partnered with and supported Ryan in the development and testing of SensoRy AI’s technology,” said Dr. Nathan Gregory, Senior Vice President and Chief Programs Officer at IRC. “Utilizing innovative tools to assist with protecting open spaces and communities from wildfire is essential, and this technology will help us do that.”

    So far this year, wildfires have burned over 57,000 acres in California, killing nearly 30 people and causing an estimated $255 billion in economic losses. By merging OCFA’s operational expertise with SensoRy AI’s advanced detection technology, the deployment represents a significant step forward in protecting lives, property and ecosystems from the devastating effects of these disasters.

    “Since 2020, my goal has been to create technology that gives first responders the early warning they need to respond to wildfires faster and more effectively,” said Ryan Honary. “The support I’ve received from experts like Chief Fennessy and Dr. Gregory has been invaluable as I’ve worked to turn what started as a science project into a real-world solution that can save lives.”

    About SensoRy AI

    SensoRy AI, founded by Ryan Honary, is a company dedicated to developing AI-powered solutions for environmental hazard detection. The company’s mission is to provide cutting-edge technology that enables communities and emergency responders to stay ahead of environmental disasters, from wildfires to other critical threats. SensoRy AI’s early detection system is just one of its innovative solutions aimed at protecting lives and property. Learn more at sensoryai.com

    About Orange County Fire Authority

    The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is a regional fire service agency that serves 23 cities in Orange County and all unincorporated areas. OCFA operates from 78 fire stations, providing fire protection and emergency medical services to nearly 2 million residents. The agency is committed to safeguarding lives and property through a combination of fire prevention, education, and effective emergency response.

    About Irvine Ranch Conservancy

    Irvine Ranch Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the ecological health of urban wildlands in a way that fosters compatible human behaviors and inspires connections and partnerships. These lands include the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks — over 40,000 acres of precious open space in Orange County that have been recognized for their biological and geological significance. IRC actively manages these critically important areas in partnership with the City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach, OC Parks, and numerous other community partners.

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Duck Creek Technologies Partners with Worldpay to Enhance Payments Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, today announced a strategic partnership with Worldpay®, a global industry leader in payments technology and solutions.

    Worldpay’s global payments capabilities embedded in Duck Creek Payments, provide carriers with a seamless, end-to-end payment management platform tailored specifically to the insurance industry. The addition of Worldpay’s payments capabilities fortifies Duck Creek’s ability to serve carriers worldwide with its payments platform while ensuring scalability and future-proofing through continued technology investments.

    “Selecting the right payments processing partner is pivotal to delivering an exceptional experience for our customers,” said Allan Lacoste, Chief Payments Officer at Duck Creek Technologies. “Worldpay aligns perfectly with our mission to provide insurance carriers with secure, efficient, and flexible payment solutions. Through this partnership, Duck Creek Payments becomes even more robust, eliminating the need for costly, bespoke integrations while embedding industry-leading payment processing capabilities directly into Duck Creek’s core technology.”

    This partnership also reflects Duck Creek’s commitment to expanding its Marketplace, where strategic payment partnerships empower carriers to access a comprehensive suite of innovative payment solutions tailored to their unique needs. Worldpay’s technology is a critical, component of the Duck Creek Payments solution, emphasizing its role within the company’s ecosystem.

    “By joining forces with Duck Creek, we are realizing our shared goal of modernizing payment solutions for the insurance industry,” said Jason Pavona, General Manager of North America at Worldpay. “The integration of our advanced payment technologies into Duck Creek Payments gives insurance carriers the tools they need to reduce complexity, deliver a better customer journey, and navigate an increasingly dynamic marketplace.”

    Duck Creek Payments delivers unparalleled value, ensuring carriers benefit from a seamless, future-ready payments experience that integrates effortlessly into existing core systems. Additionally, insurers can process easier, more cost-effective payments and provide customers with increased payment flexibility, including Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options. 

    About Worldpay
    Worldpay is an industry leading payments technology and solutions company with unique capabilities to power omni-commerce across the globe. Our processing solutions allow businesses of all sizes to take, make and manage payments in-person and online from anywhere in the world. Annually, we process over 50 billion transactions across 146 countries and 135 currencies. We help our customers become more efficient, more secure and more successful. To learn more, visit worldpay.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and or Facebook.

    About Duck Creek Technologies  
    Duck Creek Technologies is the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and X.   

    Media Contacts:  

    Duck Creek:
    Marianne Dempsey/Tara Stred  
    duckcreek@threeringsinc.com  

    Worldpay:
    Siobhan Acha Derrington
    Director of Public Relations
    media@worldpay.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: LightSolver Partners With Ansys to Accelerate CAE Modelling for Automotive and Other Key Industries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LightSolver, inventors of a new laser-based computing paradigm, today announced a partnership with Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS), a leading provider of engineering simulation software. Following a successful test run on LightSolver’s platform, the two companies are working to integrate LightSolver’s technology with Ansys LS-DYNA® nonlinear dynamics structural simulation software to accelerate simulations for automotive, aerospace, and other industries.

    LightSolver’s all-optical Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) will leverage laser interactions to compute large and complex problems, faster and more efficiently than the most advanced classical HPC systems available today. The LPU processes at the speed of light, making it ideally suited for computations that require massive amounts of iterations, such as optimization problems and simulations for global challenges such as transport scheduling and supply chain optimization, financial risk management, climate simulations, computer-aided engineering (CAE), and many more.

    Today, LightSolver offers a digital platform that emulates LPU functionality and accelerates computations for certain use cases. Together, LightSolver and Ansys collaborated to explore accelerators based on advanced computing methods, successfully testing LightSolver’s digital platform on a number of implicit mechanical analysis cases to reduce floating point operations and storage. The test showed that the combination can shorten product development cycles, ultimately delivering more accurate design insights and reducing costs for companies that use complex engineering models.

    Multiphysics simulations, such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) often require the calculation of dynamics for billions of grid points across many time steps. As a result, these processes can take hours, days, or even weeks to complete. In the cases tested, LightSolver successfully optimized sparse matrix reordering within the Ansys LS-DYNA solver, reducing the amount of computation required and ultimately enabling faster run times.

    “We’re excited to partner with Ansys and augment the value of their multiphysics simulation tools through acceleration,” said LightSolver CEO and co-founder Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D. “Modeling in computer-aided engineering remains one of the most computationally intensive workloads requiring specialized HPC infrastructure. We’re looking forward to providing clients with increased value as our hardware platform continues to evolve.”

    About LightSolver
    LightSolver is developing an all-optical supercomputer capable of solving complex and large computational problems at the speed of light. Utilizing the interference patterns of lasers, the Laser Processing Unit™ (LPU) can tackle challenges that were previously constrained by the limits of electronics, while fitting into a rack unit and operating at room temperature. Dr. Ruti Ben-Shlomi and Dr. Chene Tradonsky, physicists from the world-renowned Weizmann Institute, founded the company in 2020. More than 2/3 of the team are physics, math and computer science PhDs. LightSolver has secured investment from TAL Ventures, Entree Capital, IBI Tech Fund, Angular Ventures, Maverick, and Artofin. The company has also received a €12.5M grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to advance its all-optical supercomputer. Connect with LightSolver @LightSolverCo on X and on LinkedIn. For more information, visit lightsolver.com or email info@lightsolver.com.

    Media Contact:
    Seth Menacker
    Fusion PR
    lightsolver@fusionpr.com  

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Bitdeer Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings Conference Call for February 25, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing, today announced that it has scheduled its fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings conference call and webcast for Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM EST. During the call, Bitdeer management will discuss the preliminary and unaudited financial and operational results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, followed by a question-and-answer session.

    Bitdeer will release its fourth quarter and full year 2024 preliminary and unaudited results before the call at approximately 7:00 AM EST on February 25, 2025. A copy of the earnings release will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.bitdeer.com.

    Conference Call Information:

    • Date: February 25, 2025
    • Time: 8:00 AM EST / 9:00 PM SGT
    • Participant Call Links:
      • Live Webcast: Link
      • Participant Call Registration: Link

    Participants wishing to join the conference call by phone should register using the Participant Call Registration link provided above. After completing the registration, the participants will receive an email with the necessary details to access the call including dial-in number, passcode, and PIN. To ensure a timely start, the Company encourages all callers to connect about 5 minutes before the scheduled time.

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investors section of Bitdeer’s website at https://ir.bitdeer.com.

    About Bitdeer Technologies Group

    Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive computing solutions for its customers. The Company handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, datacenter design and construction, equipment management, and daily operations. The Company also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed datacenters in the United States, Norway, and Bhutan. To learn more, visit https://ir.bitdeer.com/ or follow Bitdeer on X @ BitdeerOfficial and LinkedIn @ Bitdeer Group.

    Investors and others should note that Bitdeer may announce material information using its website and/or on its accounts on social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Therefore, Bitdeer encourages investors and others to review the information it posts on the social media and other communication channels listed on its website.

    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. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “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. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    Orange Group
    Yujia Zhai
    bitdeerIR@orangegroupadvisors.com

    Public Relations
    BlocksBridge Consulting
    Nishant Sharma
    bitdeer@blocksbridge.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: A music expert’s tips on making an unforgettable mixtape (or playlist) for your Valentine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Glenn Fosbraey, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Winchester

    There’s something about tangible music that the digital world simply can’t touch. Whether that’s putting a new record on the turntable, popping a shiny CD out of its jewel case or clicking a tape into place on a cassette deck.

    I still remember a time when cassette was king – when the ultimate Christmas present was a pack of blank tapes, and recording your favourite songs from the radio without the interference of the DJ’s voice was a skill to be proud of.

    Then, of course, there was the mixtape. Lovingly compiled over weeks, dubbed from CDs, other cassettes, the radio or LPs, the track listings would be written on the back in your neatest handwriting. When the time was right, you passed it on to that special someone.

    The process wasn’t without risk, of course. Critic Christopher Partridge has noted that, for many of us, popular music is central to the construction of our identities and sense of self. That means that creating something so personal often felt like giving up a section of our diaries.

    A practical guide to making a physical mixtape.

    Handing it over to the wrong person and having your taste ridiculed was a surefire way to spend the next few days wallowing in self-pity, eating multipacks of crisps and listening to The Smiths. Handing it over to the right person, though, and seeing them share your love for those most precious of songs was a certain way to take a relationship to the next level.

    Cassette tapes and players are having a second lease on life. They can be bought online for as little as £30, or even cheaper if you get lucky in a charity shop.

    So, this Valentine’s Day, why not do something that really shows how much you care, and go old school instead of just sending over another Spotify link? Here are five top tips from a seasoned mixtape maker.

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

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

    1. Be honest

    Romantic mixtapes are supposed to be an opportunity for you to share the tracks that you love; a chance to say “this is a piece of me – what do you think?” If you’re choosing tracks simply because you think they’ll make you look current, deep or edgy, therefore, you’re not being true to the process. Pick the songs that mean something to you and don’t overthink how they may look to someone else.

    2. Be considerate

    Writing on your CD or cassette can add an extra personal touch.
    Isabela Donô Peixoto/Dupe

    If you know the recipient of your mixtape quite well, chances are you might also know a little something about their music tastes.

    Tip one still applies in such an instance, but that’s not to say you should force-feed them Metallica, for example, if they’ve previously said they hate heavy metal. Doing so would either show you to be someone who doesn’t listen (bad), or someone who listens, but doesn’t care (worse).

    So, be considerate, but don’t spend the whole time thinking “Oh God: will they hate this?” They might do, of course, but if they haven’t given you a clue either way, it’s a risk you’ll have to take.

    3. Don’t be cringey

    Mixtapes, especially Valentine’s mixtapes, are not about vicariously displaying your feelings for someone through the voice and lyrics of others. Instead, they are about showing that you trust someone enough to share the songs that are important to you.

    If you own vinyl records, try playing them while recording with a blank cassette.
    Cora Pursley/Dupe

    To that end, please, no Let’s Get It On or J’taime… Moi Non Plus. Not least because it may make the object of your affection cringe, which (hopefully) won’t be your desired reaction.

    Also, try to avoid cringey behaviours when presenting the mixtape, whether that’s saying, “oh, you’re going to LOVE this,” followed by winks and elbow nudges, or, on the flipside, being almost apologetic: “You’re probably going to hate it … but here it is anyway.”

    Instead, just go with something like, “I made you this,” hand it over, and let the music do the rest of the talking.

    4. Sequencing

    When it comes to deciding the running order of your mixtape, it can be looked upon like the sequencing of an album.

    Joy Division and New Order’s Peter Hook says that a tracklist should “build up … slow down” and then have a “big finish”. Taylor Swift says she never likes to put two happy songs in a row or two of the same kind of sadness in a row. Adele swears by leaving the biggest and boldest track to the end. And Elbow’s Guy Garvey likes to include a short post-script of song after the record sounds like it’s ended, which feels like extra kisses at the bottom of a letter.

    Unfortunately, our modern attention spans may also need to be taken into consideration. Radio expert Kelli Fannon admits that she can only get through the first three or four songs of an album (or mixtape) before the phone rings, someone asks a question, or she has a meeting to run to. And she’s not alone.

    So, if there are a few songs you really want your lover to hear, ignore the sequencing advice of the stars, and make sure you put those tracks first.

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

    5. Variety is the spice of life

    I’ll never forget my wife’s face when she came to the end of Satan Rejected My Soul by Morrissey, which I’d inexplicably and inadvisably put on the mixtape I’d made for her a few weeks after we’d met.

    Sure, I sulked for a bit (how could she not like it?) but we moved past it, and 20 years on I just know not to play Morrissey within her earshot. It’s unlikely the recipient of your tape is going to love every track and, so long as they let you down respectfully, all is well.

    With hindsight, I can’t think of an instance where Satan Rejected My Soul should ever be on a mixtape. So do yourself (and your love interest) a favour and leave that one off.

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

    – ref. A music expert’s tips on making an unforgettable mixtape (or playlist) for your Valentine – https://theconversation.com/a-music-experts-tips-on-making-an-unforgettable-mixtape-or-playlist-for-your-valentine-249240

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Camp Hill virus explained: what are the risks of a henipavirus outbreak in America?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Shirin Ashraf, Postdoctoral Researcher, MRC-Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow

    A new pathogen, called Camp Hill virus, was recently discovered in Alabama, drawing attention to a group of viruses known as henipaviruses. This is a big deal because other viruses in this group are linked to serious, often fatal, disease, and this is the first time one of them has been found in North America.

    Camp Hill virus was discovered by looking at tissue samples from short-tailed shrews that were collected in 2021. It’s a new species of virus that’s related to other dangerous viruses such as Nipah and Hendra, which have caused serious outbreaks in other parts of the world. It’s also distantly related to the measles virus.

    The first known henipavirus, Hendra virus, was identified in Australia in 1994. There have been just seven cases of humans getting infected – four of them were fatal.

    Nipah virus, discovered in Malaysia in 1998, is much more deadly. It has caused 30 outbreaks in south-east Asia, infecting over 600 people, with death rates as high as 100% in some cases.

    These viruses usually cause fever and other serious symptoms, such as brain swelling and difficulty breathing. They are thought to be carried by bats and can spread to humans through their saliva or urine. Horses are also thought to be carriers.

    Thanks to new technology that allows scientists to study the genetics of viruses, they’ve now found nearly 20 species of henipaviruses around the world. These viruses have been found on every continent except Antarctica, including places like Ghana, China, Australia and Brazil. This shows that henipaviruses are probably common in nature, and new ones could pop up almost anywhere.

    For example, in China, a virus called Mojang virus was linked to the deaths of three workers who were exposed to it in a mine. Another virus, Langya, spread by shrews, caused an outbreak in which 35 people got sick – although they all recovered.

    So far, other henipaviruses haven’t caused human infections, but the potential is there.

    The rapid growth in our understanding of these viruses comes from improvements in technology and global efforts to study diseases. But it also reminds us that viruses can suddenly jump from animals to humans in unpredictable ways.

    Whether a virus can harm humans depends on how well it can infect human cells, and how badly it affects the body. Some viruses cause mild symptoms, while others can lead to life-threatening diseases. Studying these viruses requires scientists to look closely at their genetic code and run laboratory tests to understand how they work.

    Henipaviruses can infect many animals, including bats, horses, monkeys, dogs, cats and even rodents. This means they are more adaptable and have a higher chance of jumping from animals to humans in different ways. In comparison, a virus like measles can only infect humans, which makes it less likely to spread to other species.

    No drugs or vaccines … yet

    There is no cure for henipavirus infections, but researchers are working on a vaccine for Nipah virus. Some new treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, are also being developed but aren’t ready for use yet. This makes Nipah and Hendra viruses major public health concerns. The World Health Organization has called for more research to help fight them.

    While there’s no evidence that Camp Hill virus has infected any humans yet – and the chances of it doing so are low – its discovery in North America is a reminder that viruses can emerge anywhere. Even though shrews usually live in forests and don’t come into much contact with people, the potential for the virus to spread remains a worry.

    The more we learn about these viruses, the better we’ll be at creating vaccines that can protect us from both known and new threats. Keeping up with research and staying prepared is crucial to protecting global health from future outbreaks.

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

    – ref. Camp Hill virus explained: what are the risks of a henipavirus outbreak in America? – https://theconversation.com/camp-hill-virus-explained-what-are-the-risks-of-a-henipavirus-outbreak-in-america-249183

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five ways that illustrations can tell climate justice stories

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andi Misbahul Pratiwi, PhD Candidate, School of Geography, University of Leeds

    Climate change is often communicated through scientific reports, statistics and policy discussions. However, these technical approaches can be inaccessible to the public, failing to capture the experiences of those most affected.

    Climate narratives structured as stories that involve emotional engagement and personal anecdotes are more effective at mobilising communities, influencing policy and promoting pro-environmental actions across diverse audiences. By blending art with storytelling, illustrations can make complex environmental issues, such as climate justice, much more accessible to the general public.

    Illustrations are not just artistic expressions. They can amplify the voices of affected communities and help make the case for climate justice. In an era where climate action is urgent, harnessing the power of illustration can be transformative. It can challenge dominant narratives while creating more inclusive and participatory ways of understanding climate action.

    I have been collaborating with Puspita Bahari, an Indonesian fisherwomen’s movement to develop ways to communicate the effects of tidal floods and the importance of feminist solidarity. For my PhD research, I spent seven months carrying out fieldwork in three coastal villages in Demak, Central Java, Indonesia. This involved interviews, observations and creative workshops with the community.

    By drawing on 38 women’s firsthand experiences, we have published an illustrated book: Tidal Floods: Women, Fisheries, and Climate Crisis in Indonesia (2024). This story about Indonesia’s fisherwomen explores the intersections of gender, environmental change, activism and the future of the country’s coastal regions. Here are five ways that collaborative illustrations can be used to tell female-led climate justice stories:

    1. Intersectional narration

    The effects of tidal flooding on Indonesian women vary depending on location, livelihood, age and disability status. Along the coastline, women in Indonesia are involved in selling fish, processing seafood and fishing at sea, alongside domestic work.

    This book does not depict women as having a single, monolithic identity. Instead, the images portray their varied realities. These shape how they experience climate injustice and how pre-existing inequalities reproduce new climate injustices.

    Intersectional narration is storytelling that captures how different aspects of identity overlap to shape people’s experiences in complex ways. Using this, various issues such as economic hardship, domestic violence, sexual reproductive health, physical and mental health can be better represented.

    The image below illustrates these challenges. A woman with a disability is unable to use her wheelchair because the village is sinking. A pregnant woman struggles to access healthcare facilities. Fisherwomen face declining incomes due to environmental and economic pressures.

    2. Body maps

    To understand the complexity of climate impacts, I worked with women to draw body maps. As they annotated each picture, fisherwomen shared their embodied experiences of living with tidal floods as an everyday disaster.

    Body mapping is an intimate cartographic process that involves tracing the body and visually exploring one’s lived experience. This method goes beyond textual and oral narratives. It helps women recall and record body memories that might otherwise remain unspoken.

    Their body maps are not just research artefacts. They have been translated into powerful visuals so their personal stories can be shared in this book. The picture above illustrates one fisherwoman’s daily struggles, physical and physiological burdens – so the image reveals the complex, gendered, and intersectional effects of tidal floods.

    3. Historical context

    Certain pictures show how the coastal landscapes are rapidly changing and how villages are sinking at an alarming rate. This historical context is not only drawn from women’s oral narratives but also from past photo albums shared by the community.

    The picture below illustrates the landscape change over 20 years, from rice fields to tidal floodwaters.

    4. Movement and agency

    Beyond documenting vulnerabilities and the social, ecological and economic effects of climate change on women, this book shows how these women have agency. This manifests in various ways, from small acts of resilience to broader feminist solidarity.

    When they work together as a community, women can adapt through collective action. This includes planting crops, building cooperatives and holding demonstrations. Stories can play a role in moving beyond positioning women not just as victims but as people with valuable knowledge and the ability to assert their agency and drive sustainable climate action.

    5. Reflection and collective ownership

    In an era defined by uncertainty and rapid change, the ability to pause and reflect on climate justice is more valuable than ever. Certain images actively encourage readers to reflect on more tech-driven and infrastructure-focused responses to the climate crisis.

    The final pages include questions that prompt critical thinking about the links between gender, climate justice and activism. For example, “what do you think will happen if we do not address the climate crisis?”

    Rather than extracting knowledge from women, especially those in Global South countries, this book is co-created. Fisherwomen’s voices and narratives are central to the storytelling process. By reclaiming conversations about climate change that are often dominated by international forums, we can hear and learn from the people who are most affected. And hopefully inspire more climate advocacy and grassroots action.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    The creation of this book was funded by the GENERATE Project as part of a United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship at the University of Leeds: www.generateproject.org.

    – ref. Five ways that illustrations can tell climate justice stories – https://theconversation.com/five-ways-that-illustrations-can-tell-climate-justice-stories-249104

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Podcasts are a great tool for political persuasion – just ask this 18th century thinker

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Katie East, Senior Lecturer in the History of Radical Ideas, Newcastle University

    Podcasts have been around for more than two decades, but the last few years – and particularly their influence in the 2024 US election – have solidified their role in the media landscape.

    Some of the most popular podcasts in the US and UK (such as The Joe Rogan Experience and The Rest is Politics) have a conversational format. They typically include two or more people discussing topics in an unstructured, uncensored way. The hosts and guests are unencumbered by word counts or TV timeslots. Such podcasts are a viable medium for political persuasion.

    There is some debate as to whether podcasts are simply an extension of the echo chambers formed in other media. But as a researcher of intellectual history and political discourse, I believe that conversational podcasts offer a uniquely valuable way to unpick political questions – and change the listener’s point of view.

    To understand the value of conversation as a means of communication, I suggest looking to writing from 18th-century Britain. This period saw a shift away from monarchy towards parliamentary government, along with the explosion of print culture. Popular engagement with political issues grew, and discussion of politics became a notable pastime.

    The rapidly expanding public sphere produced countless works on the art of conversation. Traditionally, they have been interpreted as indicative of the Georgian fascination with civility and politeness, instructing the reader in the proper behaviour for civilised discussion.

    However, the work of the Independent minister Isaac Watts (1674-1748) reveals a different view. Watts achieved prominence as a writer on education and as a philosopher. He engaged with key Enlightenment debates concerning reason, dogmatism and freedom of thought.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    In 1741, Watts published The Improvement of the Mind, which outlined the most effective ways of acquiring and creating useful knowledge. Among these was conversation.

    Watts viewed conversation as a tool for persuasion. This was not in the sense of compelling someone to your view – he explicitly warned against approaching conversation with a dogmatic mindset – but rather as a collective endeavour to reach the truth of a matter. Ultimately, this is a much more enduring form of persuasion.

    The appeal of conversation

    There is a logic to the appeal of conversational podcasts in a world of increasing isolation and division. Even the supposed great connector – social media – offers only a facade of conversation. While social media connects people more than ever before, the natural flow and deep engagement of a conversation is difficult to replicate online. Exchanges are rarely immediate, numerous voices are vying for position and tone of voice or expression is obscured behind faceless avatars.

    Conversation, Watts argued, offers a greater clarity of understanding of an opposing position than a one-way interaction like reading (or scrolling). A person can explain their meaning in different terms if it is not initially clear. If questions arise, the speakers can unpack the nuances before becoming hostile.

    Moreover, Watts argued, encountering a different perspective can draw the conversation closer to “evidence and truth” in unexpected ways.

    This supports the idea that conversation is the best forum for better understanding a different stance from your own. Such a view paves the way for the kind of “agreeable disagreement” celebrated by The Rest is Politics.

    Even listening to an conversation can help you understand a stance different from your own.
    Yuri A/Shutterstock

    It was not only that the nature of conversation facilitated better mutual understanding, in Watts’ view, but also that it offered unique creative possibilities in the pursuit of truth. The act of conversation demanded more active engagement of the mind and the “secret chambers of the soul,” drawing forth ideas which might otherwise have remained lodged deep in the recesses of the mind. Not only could hidden thoughts be revealed, but entirely new ones could be created through the process of conversing.

    Watts likened two people in conversation to flints being struck together: in motion working together they could produce fire, but stationary and solitary nothing could be created. In solitude “our souls may be serene,” Watts wrote, “but not sparkling”.

    Conversation and disagreement

    Watts recognised that caution was needed to avoid the most likely pitfalls of conversation: the echo chamber and the risk of hostility.

    He was emphatic that conversation with those whose opinions differed from your own was necessary. If knowledge and truth were to be discovered, then new ideas had to be considered. As noted, he also warned against dogma, advising patience regarding a firm and unalterable proposition until you have grounds for it.

    Most interestingly, he warned against bothsidesism, or arguing a question pro and con for the sake of it. This, he argued, would embed confrontation in the conversation and prevent the mind from being in the proper position to uncover the truth.

    Today, the polarisation resulting from avoiding views different from our own, and from deliberately seeking out binary positions for the sake of confrontation is all too apparent.

    Yet the popularity of conversational political podcasts indicates the appetite for a different approach to political discussion. Though they didn’t have podcasts in the 18th century, conversation was a public endeavour, performed at coffee houses and replicated in print so the audience could also learn good practice and understand – so listen on.

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

    – ref. Podcasts are a great tool for political persuasion – just ask this 18th century thinker – https://theconversation.com/podcasts-are-a-great-tool-for-political-persuasion-just-ask-this-18th-century-thinker-245213

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Struggling with money? Here are 5 tips for growing your income from a financial expert

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Lisa Kramer, Professor of Finance, University of Toronto

    Whether you are just starting or looking to advance your financial skills, there are steps you can take to improve your financial situation. (Shutterstock)

    Personal finance can often feel overwhelming, with many Millennial and Gen Z individuals struggling with student loans, the high cost of living, housing market challenges and a general sense of financial anxiety. But just as any challenge can be overcome through skill development and persistence, so can your finances.

    Whether you are just starting or looking to advance your financial skills, there are steps you can take to improve your financial situation. From basic recommendations to more advanced strategies, here are some ways to get yourself on the path to financial stability.

    Ready to make a change? The Quarter Life Glow-up is a new, six-week newsletter course from The Conversation’s UK and Canada editions.

    Every week, we’ll bring you research-backed advice and tools to help improve your relationships, your career, your free time and your mental health – no supplements or skincare required. Sign up here to start your glow-up at any time.

    1. Create a budget

    The first step to mastering your finances is working out where your money is going. You may discover, as my now-husband realized when he was a graduate student, that you’re spending a third of your food expenditures on coffee.

    Once you determine where your money is going, you can reign in some of your expenses and ensure some money is left over each month to devote to debt repayment or savings. Creating a budget is essential for doing this.

    The Government of Canada has an online budget planner tool available, as does the United States Federal Trade Commission and the United Kingdom government’s Money and Pensions Service.

    Once your budget is made, you can focus on reducing discretionary costs and redirect those savings toward your financial goals.

    Create a realistic budget that aligns with your financial goals.
    (Shutterstock)

    2. Boosting your income

    It can be difficult to reduce expenses in an inflationary environment — especially when the cost of basic needs like food and shelter are becoming increasingly expensive in Canada, the United States and elsewhere.

    But you can still find ways to boost your income without necessarily getting a second or third job.



    Read more:
    Maths that will help you as an adult: from baking a cake to asking for a pay rise

    It can be daunting to ask your employer for a raise, but you’re much more likely to get one if you ask. Arm yourself with quantifiable evidence about your productivity and work ethic. Then, rehearse your request with a mentor who is further along on your career path.

    If you don’t succeed on your first try, use the experience to understand how to secure a raise in the future. Another way to get a raise? While still employed — and on your own time, not company time — look for a new job, get an offer and use it as leverage to politely negotiate a raise. If you’re still unsuccessful, it may be time to move on to that new job.

    3. Build your pension

    Older generations are more likely to have worked in jobs that came with defined-benefit pensions, a type of pension plan that provides someone with a stream of income after they retire.

    These days, jobs are less likely to come with such perks. A recent World Bank report found about half of gig workers worldwide have no retirement plan; in some countries, that figure is as high as 75 per cent.

    It’s important to check if your current employer offers a defined contribution pension plan, which involves you and your employer contributing to a saving account that grows over time.

    Even if you don’t have access to such a plan, consider using a robo-advisor to replicate one of its key features by setting up an automatic monthly contribution to an investment account. Then, you can increase the amount you contribute every time you get a raise.

    You should also consider allocating that investment to a well-diversified stock index, or to a blend of stocks and bonds if you are relatively risk averse. An exchange-traded fund, also known as an ETF, is a low-cost way to do this compared to buying mutual funds. While the value of your investment may go up and down over the short term, it is likely to perform well over the long term.

    Talking to a financial advisor is always a good idea if you feel stuck.
    (Shutterstock)

    4. Steady does it

    Once you have set up automatic contributions and established a routine of increasing them over time, you will see your investment account balance start to grow. Even if you can put away only small amounts each month in the beginning, you’ll develop good financial habits.

    Your next task should be avoiding the temptation of timing the ups and downs of financial markets by actively trading. To dodge this common pitfall, avoid examining the balance of your investment account on a month-to-month basis and keep contributing, regardless of whatever may be happening in financial markets.



    Read more:
    If you have money anxiety, knowing your financial attachment style can help

    Ironically, overconfident investors often underperform the market when they try — and fail — to outperform by frequently trading their investment holdings. Successful investors understand the most reliable path to wealth accumulation is paved with a buy-and-hold mentality, meaning you should purchase investments with the intention of keeping them long-term rather than frequently buying and selling.

    5. Imagine the future

    When you’re young, it can be hard to identify with an abstract future version of yourself in retirement. Your golden years may be decades in the future, and it can seem like you have ages to prepare for whatever life will bring you at that stage in life.

    However, research shows that the clearer you can mentally picture your future self, the more motivated you will be to make sensible saving and retirement planning decisions for your future self.

    Try imagining what your life will be like when you’re retired, or what you will look like. Will you have grey hair or wrinkles? How will you spend your time? Picture your future self in retirement and the kind of life you would like to have.

    Meet the challenge head-on

    If you still find yourself overwhelmed by these tips and don’t know where to begin, consider contacting a fee-only financial advisor to analyze your situation and provide you with personalized advice.

    Remember, no matter what financial challenge you may face, it’s simply a new opportunity to overcome. With the right strategies and support, you’ll be able to tackle any financial hurdles and work toward a more secure future for yourself.

    Achieving financial stability is a journey that requires ongoing effort and dedication. Each milestone you reach brings you closer to your ultimate goal.

    Lisa Kramer has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Securities Institute Research Foundation.

    – ref. Struggling with money? Here are 5 tips for growing your income from a financial expert – https://theconversation.com/struggling-with-money-here-are-5-tips-for-growing-your-income-from-a-financial-expert-234623

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government ramps up efforts to end HIV transmissions in England

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Over 20,000 self-testing and self-sampling kits will be made available to help end HIV transmissions by the end of the decade.

    • Public health campaign to end HIV transmissions in England by 2030 given £1.5 million fund from government
    • Funding will increase testing, reduce stigma, tackle health disparities and raise awareness
    • The Prime Minister became the first serving G7 leader to have an HIV test on camera

    Over 20,000 self-testing and self-sampling kits will be made available to help end HIV transmissions by the end of the decade.

    The packs are part of a public health campaign to end the virus transmissions in England by 2030 and has been backed by £1.5 million in government funding.

    To mark National HIV Testing Week, the government has also announced it will extend the national HIV prevention programme – HIV Prevention England (HPE) by a year.

    The campaign, delivered by the Terrence Higgins Trust and local partners, carries out vital work to increase testing for groups disproportionally affected by HIV and reduce stigma, as well as raise awareness of ways to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

    The Prime Minister has given his backing by becoming the first ever serving leader of a G7 nation to take a self-testing HIV test on camera, demonstrating that getting a test is quick, easy, free, and confidential.  

    After undertaking a test, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said:

    It is really important to do it, and I am pleased to have taken part too. It’s easy, it is quick, and during Testing Week you can get a test free – so it is a great time to also take part.

    If people test, they will know their status, it is better that people know and that is a good thing because you can then get treatment to help meet our target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

    Speaking in the House of Commons, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    Getting tested for HIV is quick, free and confidential and I would like to pay tribute to the leadership of my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister, for becoming the first in history to take a HIV test, the first leader in the history of the G7 to take a HIV test.

    As a former member of the independent HIV commission, I’m determined that this government will deliver our commitment to end new transmissions of HIV in England by 2030 and we’ll set this out shortly in our new Action Plan.

    It comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, has found that more than 80% of adults in England are unaware it is possible to test for HIV at home. However, when prompted as an option, at-home testing was the most popular way to know your HIV status, with 44% of people saying it would be their preference.  

    Since the introduction of self-testing kits, home testing has increased in popularity, especially among women and some ethnic minorities who are less likely to test through their local sexual health services.

    They can be ordered this week by anyone in England from www.startswithme.org.uk to use at home.

    The funding follows on from £27 million announced by the Prime Minister to extend the NHS England innovative opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments, announced ahead of World Aids Day.

    The move supports the government’s Plan for Change by ensuring people can get timely access to diagnostics and care if they need it, while supporting the shift from sickness to prevention. It precedes the new HIV Action Plan, which is expected later this year.

    Speaking at the House of Commons today, Public Health and Prevention Minister Ashley Dalton said:

    Increasing HIV testing is a vital step towards meeting our goal and will be a core element of our new HIV Action Plan published later this year.

    That’s why we are investing over £4.5 million to deliver a national prevention programme.

    And that’s why today, I can announce that we will extend the programme for a further year to March 2026, backed by an extra £1.5 million.

    Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said:

    National HIV Testing Week is an award-winning campaign and we are so pleased that it will be back next year. The continued success of this partnership between Terrence Higgins Trust and the Department for Health and Social Care delivers 25,000 HIV at-home tests across England and is crucial in our joint mission to end new HIV cases by 2030.

    England can be the first country in the world to end the epidemic, but we are not yet on track to do so. A new HIV Action Plan for England will turbo-charge those efforts. We are delighted that Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting are leading from the front in this mission.

    Testing can also take place in community settings, not just at-home or at sexual health services.

    The UK Health Security Agency has published its community testing survey results today, which show in 2023, testing in community settings – such as nightclubs, festivals, and voluntary sector premises – increased by 7% compared to 2022.

    The report also found nearly a quarter of all tests were reported among individuals being tested for HIV for the first time. It also highlights the impact of National HIV Testing Week, noting that there was a 22% increase in the number of tests carried out in this time compared to 2022.

    Dr Tamara Ðuretić, Head of HIV Section at the UK Health Security Agency, said:

    HIV can affect anyone, no matter your gender or sexual orientation. It’s good to see HIV Testing Week once again highlighting the hugely important role regular testing plays in helping to prevent new infections, alongside condom use.

    Testing allows people to have access to free prevention interventions such as PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) and, should you test positive, ensures timely access to treatment that saves lives and prevents the virus being passed on.

    NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard, said:

    Increasing the early detection and diagnoses of HIV, enables the NHS to provide people with better access to the latest and most effective life-saving medication, which can prevent long-term health issues and reduces the chance of unknown transmissions to others.

    Boosting opportunities to test for HIV, including through home testing and the highly successful NHS emergency department testing programme, is crucial. We would encourage anyone who could be living with HIV to order a test and get checked.

    Further information:

    • During National HIV Testing Week this week, anyone in England can order a free HIV test from www.freetesting.hiv to do at home.
    • Alongside free postal test kits being available during National HIV Testing Week, there are also testing events and drop-ins happening across England. A variety of online, postal and face to face testing is also available year-round through local authority commissioned sexual and reproductive health services.
    • The government is also supporting the international effort to ending HIV/AIDS, a further £37 million, announced in November 2024, will go to towards increasing access to vital sexual and reproductive health services and support for vulnerable and marginalised people across the globe.
    • This is in addition to the government’s ongoing contribution to international efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS, totalling at least £497 million in 2023, which works to tackle stigma and improve testing, enable greater access to HIV prevention pill PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and better post-diagnosis support.
    • All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2071 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th – 30th January 2025.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

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    Published 11 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Suspected E. coli cluster probed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today said it is looking into a suspected Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection cluster involving three doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital’s Oncology Department.

    One of the doctors passed away on February 7.

    After receiving notification from the hospital yesterday, the CHP, together with representatives from the hospital and Hong Kong University Chair of Infectious Diseases Prof Yuen Kwok-yung, inspected the workplace of the Oncology Department and other facilities of the hospital this morning.

    Initial investigations revealed that the three doctors developed symptoms on February 4, 6 and 10, CHP Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Albert Au said.

    “Symptoms included fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

    “One of them, who had the onset of symptoms on February 4, was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on February 6 and passed away the following day. The other two affected individuals had mild symptoms.”

    Preliminary test results showed that the stool specimen from one of them tested positive for STEC, while those of the other two, including the deceased patient, tested negative.

    “Taking into account the clinical and epidemiological information, the CHP tentatively believed that the cluster may be associated with STEC infection.”

    While the CHP’s epidemiological and environmental investigations are ongoing, it will continue to collaborate with the Hospital Authority and the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Microbiology to trace the potential source of infection.

    Meanwhile, Princess Margaret Hospital has strengthened the monitoring of the gastrointestinal symptoms among its staff and requested that any staff with relevant symptoms report immediately for laboratory tests. It has also arranged a comprehensive disinfection of the oncology office area.

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau expressed profound sadness over the passing of the oncologist.

    Prof Lo said: “I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the doctor’s family on behalf of the Health Bureau, and the Hospital Authority will make every effort to assist them.”

    The young doctor had been working for the Hospital Authority since graduation from medical school to serve Hong Kong citizens.

    Prof Lo pointed out that the doctor, having just obtained a specialist qualification in oncology, was still taking care of patients in the ward right before the onset of symptoms.

    “I am deeply moved by the doctor’s professionalism, passion for work and care for patients. The doctor is genuinely a role model for colleagues of the healthcare profession.”

    In general, STEC infections are usually associated with the consumption of contaminated food or water, such as raw or undercooked meat products, contaminated fruits and vegetables, and unpasteurised dairy products. Direct person-to-person transmission through the faecal-oral route can also occur.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Saving Lives, Delivering the Future: Heroes in Uniform and Scrubs

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Story by: Chiara M. Caputo

    U.S. Navy Medicine and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella highlights the accomplishments of three remarkable physicians who have dedicated their lives to serving both their patients and their country. These leaders in military medicine embody the values of innovation, resilience, and selfless service.

    Through their tireless efforts, these physicians have not only advanced medical care within the Military Health System but have also paved the way for future generations of leaders in medicine and the armed forces. Each of their stories highlights a profound commitment to excellence and a passion for making a difference, whether on the battlefield, in clinics, or through groundbreaking research.

    We honor their contributions and celebrate their unwavering dedication to health care, military service, and the pursuit of a healthier, stronger future. Through their stories, we hope to inspire future generations and showcase the unwavering commitment of these women in uniform and in diverse roles in Navy Medicine.

    Brandi L Sakai, MD
    Commander, USN
    Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician

    Born in Welsh, Louisiana, on June 6, 1981, Cmdr. Sakai grew up with a passion for science and the ocean. After graduating from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in 1998, she pursued marine biology, studying diverse ecosystems from the marshes of Louisiana to Scotland’s marine mammals and the vibrant reefs of the Virgin Islands. Her work at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital’s barometric pressure chamber sparked her drive to combine science with service, graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Biology.

    In 2005, she commissioned in the Navy through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and began medical school at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Hurricane Katrina hit during her training, and Commander Sakai worked tirelessly in pop-up clinics, providing care and vaccinations to displaced communities. This experience shaped her dedication to serving others in times of crisis.
    Her Navy career has been marked by leadership and innovation. From integrating Marine medical services in Japan to creating advanced training programs for shock trauma care, she has consistently raised the bar for military medicine. As the Senior Medical Officer in Okinawa and later the Department Head of Emergency Medicine in Guantanamo Bay, she improved operations, ensured top-tier care, and earned recognition for her commitment to excellence.

    Beyond her professional achievements, Commander Sakai is a certified Emergency Medicine Diplomate and a devoted wife and mother of two. When she’s not scuba diving, sailing, or baking, she’s embracing projects that reflect her passion for problem-solving and innovation.

    Reflecting on her career, Cmdr. Sakai shared, “I had many jobs that many would consider a career. I was a PADI scuba instructor and manager of the storefront of a tour operation in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands (USVI). If you took a cruise to the island, you walked past our store on the docks. We may have said hello two decades ago! After doing the job for 5 years, I felt that I had learned all that I could, and there was no chance for advancement based on performance, so I knew that I needed something new and challenging. After getting my degree in Marine Biology and presenting environmental research to the Senate on USVI fisheries and the impact of hotel expansion, I realized that I enjoyed talking and educating people one-on-one, and speaking to rooms and presenting posters wasn’t going to make me happy. I volunteered at the local Emergency Department, and the variety and mental challenge of solving a puzzle on every patient kept me coming back. I decided to turn it into a career, but I also hated to stay in one place (there was a big wide world to explore), so I joined the Navy and never looked back. I did a General Surgery internship, and the Chaplain and I were the only Naval Officers in my first duty with the Marines in Iwakuni, Japan for 3 years. Being part of the Marines for 3 years to start my career really shaped me and set the tone for all my OCONUS tours since. My husband was an Ombudsman and found a great career as a financial educator that allows him to work virtually. If you need advice on mainland Japan, Korea, Okinawa, or Guantanamo Bay, or love medicine and want to explore your options give me a ring.”

    Meagan G. Chauvin, MD, FACOG
    Lieutenant Commander, USN
    Director of Medical Services/Staff Attending OBGYN

    A Houston, Texas native, Lt. Cmdr. Meagan Chauvin has built a remarkable career in military medicine. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2010, she completed her Medical Doctorate at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 2014. She completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in 2018 at Naval Medical Center San Diego.

    Her first assignment as a staff OB/GYN took her to Naval Hospital Guam, where she led the OB/GYN Clinic as Department Head and earned Board Certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Later, at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia, she became Department Chief of the Women’s Health Clinic, further demonstrating her leadership and dedication to women’s health.

    Now serving as the Director of Medical Services at Naval Hospital Sigonella in Italy, Lt. Cmdr. Chauvin continues to lead with excellence. Among her awards are the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

    Lt. Cmdr. Chauvin is also a proud wife to Matthew Gerard Chauvin and mom to three children—EJ, Madeline, and Ellie—balancing her professional success with a fulfilling family life. Reflecting on her career, LCDR Chauvin shared, “I was inspired to become an OBGYN, because I loved taking care of women across their lifespan and developing long-term relationships with my patients. In addition, I love welcoming babies into the world and being part of helping patients grow their families. I joined the Navy after being inspired by classmates from high school who also went to service academies. The Naval Academy was an amazing experience that led me to the most important job I can imagine, supporting Navy women and families as an OBGYN. I am proud to follow in the Navy tradition of my great grandfather, who served on a troop transport ship in WWI, and my grandfather, who joined via the Navy V-12 program during WWII.”

    Kristen Shafer, MC
    Lieutenant, USN
    Emergency Medicine Attending

    Born in New York, New York, Lt. Shafer discovered her passion for science and outreach early in life. After earning her bachelor’s degree in chemistry pre-medicine at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2014, she brought the wonders of chemistry to life for local elementary students through her self-created Chemistry Magic Show.

    In 2015, she pursued her Master of Science in Space Physiology and Health at King’s College London, where her thesis explored visual function and impairment in dynamic environments. She collaborated with the United Kingdom space program’s Mission X initiative, blending her love of science with public engagement.

    Lt. Shafer joined the Navy through the HPSP program and earned her Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2020, graduating early to assist with the initial surge of COVID-19 patients in New York. She went on to complete her Emergency Medicine Residency at USNMRTC Portsmouth in 2024, where she expanded Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) outreach programs, inspiring over 300 high school students annually.

    Now an Emergency Medicine Attending at USNMRTC Sigonella, Lt. Shafer continues her commitment to both medicine and mentorship. As Emergency Response Committee Chair, she oversees emergency preparedness, and as a liaison to local DoDEA schools, she is developing a mentorship program to introduce students to healthcare careers and military opportunities.

    With a passion for outreach and academic medicine, LT Shafer embodies the Navy’s mission to serve both on and off the field, inspiring the next generation of leaders. Reflecting on her career in emergency medicine, Lt. Shafer said, “In emergency medicine, we need to be ready for whatever comes in the door at any time. Military medicine lets me practice that medicine and be comfortable providing care not just at any time, but any place in the world and to a population that is dedicated to serving others and making a difference.”

    USNMRTC Sigonella is one of The Defense Health Agency’s Overseas Military Treatment Facilities (MTF). The staff are comprised of active duty service members, General Service (GS), contractors, and Local Nationals. It ensures maximum readiness by providing high-quality, safe patient and family-centered care to maximize force health protection for all beneficiaries, to included NATO and transient DoD forces in the U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Sixth Fleet areas of operation.

    The U. S. Naval Academy (USNA) offers a variety of academic curriculums that prepare their graduates for a rewarding military career. Graduates of the USNA will accept a commission for 5 years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. For more information regarding the USNA visit: https://www.usna.edu/homepage.php.

    If you are already in or plan to attend school to be a physician, dentist, optometrist, physician assistant or clinical psychologist, the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) will pay your educationally based tuition and fees for up to four years of school and provide a monthly stipend paid directly to you. After graduation, you’ll join the Navy’s active duty team as a commissioned officer. In return, you agree to serve a minimum of 2 years on active duty or year for year of scholarship, whichever is longer.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Phobos Ransomware Affiliates Arrested in Coordinated International Disruption

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON — The Justice Department today unsealed criminal charges against Roman Berezhnoy, 33, and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov, 39, both Russian nationals, who allegedly operated a cybercrime group using the Phobos ransomware that victimized more than 1,000 public and private entities in the United States and around the world and received over $16 million in ransom payments. Berezhnoy and Glebov were arrested yesterday as part of a coordinated international disruption of their organization, which includes additional arrests and the technical disruption of the group’s computer infrastructure.

    From May 2019, through at least October 2024, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly caused victims to suffer losses resulting from the loss of access to their data in addition to the financial losses associated with the ransomware payments. The victims included a children’s hospital, health care providers, and educational institutions.

    According to court documents, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others operated a ransomware affiliate organization, including under the names “8Base” and “Affiliate 2803,” among others, that victimized public and private entities through the deployment of Phobos ransomware.

    As part of the scheme, Berezhnoy, Glebov, and others allegedly hacked into victim computer networks, copied and stole files and programs on the victims’ network, and encrypted the original versions of the stolen data with Phobos ransomware. The conspirators then allegedly extorted the victims for ransom payments in exchange for the decryption keys to regain access to the encrypted data by, among other things, leaving a ransom note on compromised victim computers and separately reaching out to victims to initiate ransom payment negotiations.

    As alleged, the conspirators also threatened to expose victims’ stolen files to the public or to the victims’ clients, customers, or constituents if the ransoms were not paid. The conspirators are further alleged to have established and operated a darknet website where they repeated their extortionate threats and ultimately published the stolen data if a victim failed to pay the ransom.

    After a successful Phobos ransomware attack, criminal affiliates paid fees to Phobos administrators for a decryption key to regain access to the encrypted files. Each deployment of Phobos ransomware was assigned a unique alphanumeric string in order to match it to the corresponding decryption key, and each affiliate was directed to pay the decryption key fee to a cryptocurrency wallet unique to that affiliate.

    The charges unsealed today against Berezhnoy and Glebov follow the recent arrest and extradition of Evgenii Ptitsyn, a Russian national, on charges relating to his alleged administration of the Phobos ransomware variant.

    In parallel with today’s arrests, Europol and German authorities have announced an international operation involving the FBI and other international law enforcement partners to disrupt over 100 servers associated with this criminal network.

    Berezhnoy and Glebov are charged in an 11-count indictment with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, three counts of causing intentional damage to protected computers, three counts of extortion in relation to damage to a protected computer, one count of transmitting a threat to impair the confidentiality of stolen data, and one count of unauthorized access and obtaining information from a protected computer. If convicted, Berezhnoy and Glebov face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each wire fraud-related count; 10 years in prison on each computer damage count; and five years in prison on each of the other counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, made the announcement.

    The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department extends its thanks to international judicial and law enforcement partners in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Thailand, Finland, and Romania, as well as Europol and the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center, for their cooperation and coordination with the Phobos ransomware investigation. The Justice Department’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs also provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan for the District of Maryland and Senior Counsel Aarash A. Haghighat of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting the case. Former CCIPS Trial Attorney Riane Harper and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky and Jeffrey J. Izant for the District of Maryland provided substantial assistance.

    Additional details on protecting networks against Phobos ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov, including Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisory AA24-060A.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 12, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4447–4449: Looking Back at the Marker Band Valley

    Source: NASA

    Earth planning date: Friday, Feb. 7, 2025
    We are continuing our merry way alongside “Texoli” butte, heading toward the boxworks feature in the distance, our next major waypoint. This is a series of large-scale ridges, which appear from orbital data to be a complex fracture network.  
    Of course, we don’t actually expect to get there until late fall 2025, at the earliest. Our drives are long right now (the weekend plan has a 50-meter drive, or about 164 feet) but we are still taking the time to document all of the wonderful geology as we go, and not just speeding past all of the cool things! 
    As Conor mentioned in Wednesday’s blog, power is becoming a challenge right now. Those of us in the northern hemisphere might be thinking (eagerly anticipating!) about the return of Spring but Mars is heading into colder weather, meaning we need to use more power for warming up the rover. However, we are also in a very interesting cloud season (as Conor mentioned), so the environmental theme group (ENV) are keen to do lots of imaging right now. This means very careful planning and negotiating between ENV and the geology theme group (GEO) to make the most of the power we do have. Luckily, this plan has something for everyone. 
    The GEO group was handed a weekend workspace containing a jumble of rocks — some layered, some not. None of the rocks were very large but we were able to plan APXS and MAHLI on a brushed rock surface at “Aliso Canyon” and on a small, flat unbrushed target, “Bridge to Nowhere,” close to the rover. ChemCam will use the LIBS laser to shoot three bedrock targets, sampling regular bedrock at “Newcomb,” some cracked bedrock at “Devore” and some of the more layered material at “Rubio Canyon.” Mastcam will document the ChemCam LIBS targets. In addition to the cloud imaging, we have lots of other imaging in this plan. We are in position right now to look back down at the “Marker Band Valley,” which we first entered almost a thousand sols ago! Before we go too much further along the side of Texoli butte and lose sight of the Marker Band Valley for some time, both ChemCam and Mastcam will take advantage of this to image the Marker Band Valley and the “Marker Band.” Other images include ChemCam remote images of cap rocks in the distance and two Mastcams of near-field (i.e., close to the rover) troughs.
    Written by Catherine O’Connell-Cooper, Planetary Geologist at University of New Brunswick

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 12, 2025
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Twenty Twenty-Five

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