Category: Transport

MIL-OSI Submissions: Your data privacy is slipping away – here’s why, and what you can do about it

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mike Chapple, Teaching Professor of IT, Analytics, and Operations, University of Notre Dame

Cybersecurity and data privacy are constantly in the news. Governments are passing new cybersecurity laws. Companies are investing in cybersecurity controls such as firewalls, encryption and awareness training at record levels.

And yet, people are losing ground on data privacy.

In 2024, the Identity Theft Resource Center reported that companies sent out 1.3 billion notifications to the victims of data breaches. That’s more than triple the notices sent out the year before. It’s clear that despite growing efforts, personal data breaches are not only continuing, but accelerating.

What can you do about this situation? Many people think of the cybersecurity issue as a technical problem. They’re right: Technical controls are an important part of protecting personal information, but they are not enough.

As a professor of information technology, analytics and operations at the University of Notre Dame, I study ways to protect personal privacy.

Solid personal privacy protection is made up of three pillars: accessible technical controls, public awareness of the need for privacy, and public policies that prioritize personal privacy. Each plays a crucial role in protecting personal privacy. A weakness in any one puts the entire system at risk.

The first line of defense

Technology is the first line of defense, guarding access to computers that store data and encrypting information as it travels between computers to keep intruders from gaining access. But even the best security tools can fail when misused, misconfigured or ignored.

Two technical controls are especially important: encryption and multifactor authentication. These are the backbone of digital privacy – and they work best when widely adopted and properly implemented.

Read more:
The hidden cost of convenience: How your data pulls in hundreds of billions of dollars for app and social media companies

Encryption uses complex math to put sensitive data in an unreadable format that can only be unlocked with the right key. For example, your web browser uses HTTPS encryption to protect your information when you visit a secure webpage. This prevents anyone on your network – or any network between you and the website – from eavesdropping on your communications. Today, nearly all web traffic is encrypted in this way.

But if we’re so good at encrypting data on networks, why are we still suffering all of these data breaches? The reality is that encrypting data in transit is only part of the challenge.

Securing stored data

We also need to protect data wherever it’s stored – on phones, laptops and the servers that make up cloud storage. Unfortunately, this is where security often falls short. Encrypting stored data, or data at rest, isn’t as widespread as encrypting data that is moving from one place to another.

While modern smartphones typically encrypt files by default, the same can’t be said for cloud storage or company databases. Only 10% of organizations report that at least 80% of the information they have stored in the cloud is encrypted, according to a 2024 industry survey. This leaves a huge amount of unencrypted personal information potentially exposed if attackers manage to break in. Without encryption, breaking into a database is like opening an unlocked filing cabinet – everything inside is accessible to the attacker.

Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires you to provide more than one form of verification before accessing sensitive information. This type of authentication is more difficult to crack than a password alone because it requires a combination of different types of information. It often combines something you know, such as a password, with something you have, such as a smartphone app that can generate a verification code or with something that’s part of what you are, like a fingerprint. Proper use of multifactor authentication reduces the risk of compromise by 99.22%.

While 83% of organizations require that their employees use multifactor authentication, according to another industry survey, this still leaves millions of accounts protected by nothing more than a password. As attackers grow more sophisticated and credential theft remains rampant, closing that 17% gap isn’t just a best practice – it’s a necessity.

Multifactor authentication is one of the simplest, most effective steps organizations can take to prevent data breaches, but it remains underused. Expanding its adoption could dramatically reduce the number of successful attacks each year.

Awareness gives people the knowledge they need

Even the best technology falls short when people make mistakes. Human error played a role in 68% of 2024 data breaches, according to a Verizon report. Organizations can mitigate this risk through employee training, data minimization – meaning collecting only the information necessary for a task, then deleting it when it’s no longer needed – and strict access controls.

Policies, audits and incident response plans can help organizations prepare for a possible data breach so they can stem the damage, see who is responsible and learn from the experience. It’s also important to guard against insider threats and physical intrusion using physical safeguards such as locking down server rooms.

Public policy holds organizations accountable

Legal protections help hold organizations accountable in keeping data protected and giving people control over their data. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is one of the most comprehensive privacy laws in the world. It mandates strong data protection practices and gives people the right to access, correct and delete their personal data. And the General Data Protection Regulation has teeth: In 2023, Meta was fined €1.2 billion (US$1.4 billion) when Facebook was found in violation.

Despite years of discussion, the U.S. still has no comprehensive federal privacy law. Several proposals have been introduced in Congress, but none have made it across the finish line. In its place, a mix of state regulations and industry-specific rules – such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act for health data and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act for financial institutions – fill the gaps.

Some states have passed their own privacy laws, but this patchwork leaves Americans with uneven protections and creates compliance headaches for businesses operating across jurisdictions.

The tools, policies and knowledge to protect personal data exist – but people’s and institutions’ use of them still falls short. Stronger encryption, more widespread use of multifactor authentication, better training and clearer legal standards could prevent many breaches. It’s clear that these tools work. What’s needed now is the collective will – and a unified federal mandate – to put those protections in place.

This article is part of a series on data privacy that explores who collects your data, what and how they collect, who sells and buys your data, what they all do with it, and what you can do about it.

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

– ref. Your data privacy is slipping away – here’s why, and what you can do about it – https://theconversation.com/your-data-privacy-is-slipping-away-heres-why-and-what-you-can-do-about-it-251768

MIL OSI –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SBA Disaster Relief Still Available to Michigan Residents, Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits

Source: United States Small Business Administration

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, homeowners and renters in Michigan of the Aug. 8 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset losses from physical damage caused by affected by the severe winter storms occurring March 28-30, 2025.

The disaster declaration covers the Michigan counties of Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle.

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

“One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 8, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 2026.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: New NIST Method Precisely Measures Radioactivity in Tiny Samples

Source: US Government research organizations

Close-up of a superconducting sensor board containing multiple transition edge sensors (top row of squares), which detect energy released by individual radioactive decay events.

Credit: M. Carlson/NIST

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated a new and faster method for detecting and measuring the radioactivity of minuscule amounts of radioactive material. The innovative technique, known as cryogenic decay energy spectrometry (DES), could have far-reaching impacts, from improving cancer treatments to ensuring the safety of nuclear waste cleanup.

The NIST team has published its results in Metrologia.

The key to this novel technique is a transition-edge sensor (TES), a high-tech device widely used to measure radiation signatures. TES provides a revolutionary capability to record individual radioactive decay events, in which an unstable atom releases one or more particles. By building up data from many individual decays, researchers can then identify which unstable atoms, known as radionuclides, produce the events.

“The TES is much more advanced than a familiar Geiger counter or other detectors used today,” said NIST physicist Ryan Fitzgerald. “Instead of just clicking to indicate radiation, or giving a blurry indication of the decay energy, it gives us a detailed fingerprint of what’s there.”

The TES device operates at extremely low temperatures, near absolute zero. When a radioactive decay occurs in a sample, the energy released is absorbed by the TES. This absorbed energy causes a tiny change in the electrical resistance of the TES. The researchers precisely measure this change in resistance, which provides a high-resolution “energy signature” of the decay event. By analyzing the detailed energy spectrum from multiple events, the researchers can identify the specific radioactive atom undergoing decay. This is possible because different radioactive atoms release unique energy signatures when they decay.

Earlier methods are good at either measuring the amount of radioactivity or identifying which radioactive atoms are present — not both. Fully characterizing a sample once required the use of multiple techniques. In contrast, DES both identifies radioactive elements and quantifies their level of radioactivity.

Rapid Detection and Measurement

When researchers encounter a barrel full of radioactive fluid, they need to identify the mystery substance and measure the amount of radionuclides present to dispose of it safely. Ordinarily, that process could take months, but the transition-edge sensor can significantly cut that time.

“Instead of waiting months for results, we can now get a full radioactivity profile in just a few days from a tiny sample,” said Fitzgerald.

NIST researcher Ryan Fitzgerald places a ball of indium on a transition-edge sensor (TES) chip in preparation for using the TES to detect the energy released by radioactive decay events in a radioactive source.

Credit: NIST

Traditionally, measuring radioactivity required multiple methods and intricate procedures using additional materials called tracers or calibrants. However, the new method offers a streamlined approach, allowing accurate measurement of even tiny samples without needing these extra materials. This allows scientists to better monitor, use and safeguard radioactive materials that affect public health and safety.

Inkjet Precision in Radioactivity Analysis

In their method, the researchers use a specialized inkjet device to carefully dispense tiny amounts, less than 1 millionth of a gram, of a radioactive solution onto thin gold foils. These gold foils have a surface dotted with tiny pores just billionths of a meter in size. These nanopores help to absorb the tiny droplets of the radioactive solution.

By precisely measuring the mass of the solution that was dispensed using the inkjet and then measuring the radioactivity of the dried sample on the gold foils, the researchers can calculate the radioactivity per unit mass, or the “massic activity,” of the sample. This inkjet method allows them to work with extremely small amounts of radioactive material and still get an accurate measurement of its radioactivity.

The potential applications are vast. In medicine, this technology could help ensure the purity and potency of radioactive drugs used in cancer treatments. For nuclear energy, it could quickly identify radioactive composition of reprocessed fuel, speeding development of new advanced reactors.

TrueBq: Redefining Radioactivity Measurement

The newly reported research is the first step in a larger effort, known as the True Becquerel (TrueBq) project, to transform how we monitor and characterize radioactivity. The project’s name is derived from the unit for measuring radioactive decay, honoring the French physicist Henri Becquerel, who discovered radioactivity.

The broader TrueBq project aims to develop a more comprehensive measurement system that can handle a wide range of radioactive substances, including complex mixtures. It will integrate a precision mass balance system with the TES device to measure the massic activity of radioactive materials with unprecedented accuracy.

This new approach represents a significant improvement over traditional workflows, which often involve multiple methods, chemical processing, and the use of chemical tracers and standards. By streamlining the measurement process, TrueBq is expected to reduce the time required for analysis while simultaneously increasing accuracy.

The innovations developed through the TrueBq project could enhance NIST’s ability to serve its customers effectively. NIST offers a variety of customer-focused measurement services, including calibrations, standard reference materials (SRMs) and proficiency testing. All of these services stand to benefit from the streamlined workflow, additional information and reduced uncertainties that the TrueBq technology could potentially deliver.

While TrueBq’s current focus is on improving measurements at NIST itself, researchers have long-term aspirations for the technology. In the future, they hope to develop more portable and user-friendly versions of the system that could be deployed outside of NIST for critical applications in fields such as medicine, environmental cleanup and nuclear waste management.

Paper: Ryan P. Fitzgerald, Bradley Alpert, Denis E. Bergeron, Max Carlson, Richard Essex, Sean Jollota, Kelsey Morgan, Shin Muramoto, Svetlana Nour, Galen O’Neil, Daniel R. Schmidt, Gordon Shaw, Daniel Swetz and R. Michael Verkouteren. Primary activity measurement of an Am-241 solution using microgram inkjet gravimetry and decay energy spectrometry. Metrologia. Published online July 8, 2025. DOI: 10.1088/1681-7575/adecaa

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: SEC, Quidax Bring Together Top Banks, Asset Managers to Drive Digital Assets Adoption in Nigeria

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

L-R: Anya Edmund Duroha Chairman, African Founders Launchpad; Buchi Okoro, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quidax; Pascal Maguire, Sales Director for Africa at Fireblocks; Ajibade Laolu Adewale, Chairman of the Committee of E-Business Heads in Nigerian Banks and Chief Partnership Officer at Wema Bank; Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, Founder and CEO at Nairametrics; Abdulrasheed Dan Abu, Head of FinTech and Innovation at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

LAGOS, Nigeria, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, in collaboration with leading digital assets exchange Quidax, hosted an educational series aimed at equipping Nigerian finance professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the evolving digital assets ecosystem.

The exclusive two-day event, held at the prestigious Capital Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, convened representatives from commercial banks, asset management firms, pension fund administrators, and securities traders. Some of the participants at the event were from Zenith Bank, ARM, Investment One, FBNQuest, Interswitch, Ecobank, Africa Prudential, Meristem, Wema Bank, Capitafield, Sterling Bank, and several other companies.

Driving Adoption Through Education and Regulation

Speaking at the event, Abdulrasheed Dan Abu, Head of FinTech and Innovation at the Securities and Exchange Commission, underscored the programme’s significance. He stated that the initiative reflects the commission’s statutory responsibility not only to regulate the capital market but also to actively develop it.

Dan Abu emphasized the integral role of traditional financial institutions in the growth of the digital asset ecosystem. “The banks hold fiat currency. If they don’t understand what is going on, it creates a disconnect in the value chain. The more banks that understand digital assets, the better the playing field for users,” he explained.

This educational series builds on a series of significant regulatory milestones in Nigeria’s digital finance space. On 29 March 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, which formally classifies cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets as securities, thereby placing them under the SEC’s purview. Prior to this, in June 2024, the commission issued rules for Virtual Asset Service Providers, providing crucial regulatory backing to exchanges and other entities operating in the space.

Quidax’s Pan-African Mission and the Importance of Collaboration

Buchi Okoro, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quidax, highlighted the event’s core purpose: supporting adoption by educating both beginners and advanced participants within the financial industry. “Adoption starts with education. This session caters to people at different knowledge levels, from total beginners to those who have conducted blockchain pilots,” he said.

Okoro reiterated Quidax’s ambitious Pan-African mission, noting that the exchange already operates in nine countries and plans to expand to all 54 African nations. “We’re solving African problems for Africans, and this event partnership with the SEC helps us do that within regulatory guardrails,” he added.

Industry Leaders Endorse the Initiative

The event garnered strong support from other key industry players, reinforcing the collaborative spirit essential for digital asset integration.

Pascal Maguire, Sales Director for Africa at Fireblocks, stressed the need for such forums: “We need more finance and payments experts and decision makers to attend such forums as this enables them to see that they have trusted partners in firms like Quidax, Fireblocks, and the SEC who can both educate them and guide them on their adoption and innovation journey.”

Ajibade Laolu Adewale, Chairman of the Committee of E-Business Heads in Nigerian Banks and Chief Partnership Officer at Wema Bank, a panelist at the event, highlighted the pressing need for digital assets due to inefficiencies in traditional banking. “Today, moving money internationally still takes days and depends on informal channels. With blockchain, you can transfer value instantly and securely,” he stated.

Attendees also expressed their positive reception. Sunday Joseph Olaniyan, Head of E-Business at Sun Trust Bank, remarked, “Events like these bring such awareness even closer to us as institutions here in Nigeria and presents us with the opportunity to not be left out of this wave of change. People like myself who have been aware of digital assets are now even more sensitized to the global trend and I sure do not want to be left behind at all.”

Adding to the sentiment, Bukola James-Cole, Director of Capital Market at Africa Prudential PLC, spoke about the natural evolution of money. She emphasized, “Whether we like it or not it will happen so the earlier we start getting educated about digital assets the better for the industry.”

About Quidax

Quidax is an African-founded cryptocurrency exchange that makes it easy for anyone to buy, sell, store and transfer cryptocurrencies. Quidax additionally enables OTC trading and gives fintechs the tools to offer cryptocurrency services to customers through a dedicated crypto API.

Quidax was officially launched in 2018 and has customers in over 70 countries.

Contact:
Pearl
pearl@quidax.com

Disclaimer: This content is provided by Quidax. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ea4400e-9377-4b98-b4be-b7fb6531a1d5

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Almond FinTech Expands Its Transfer Network in APAC through Ample Transfers Partnership
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BOSTON, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Almond FinTech, the two-time CrossTech Innovation Award winner for “Crypto Payments Solution in Cross-Border Payments,” announced today that Ample Transfers, a 27-year-old remittance provider based in Singapore, has partnered with Almond’s proprietary technology to optimize its internal treasury and settlement operations for transfers from Singapore to Indonesia.

This partnership marks a key milestone in Almond FinTech’s strategic expansion into Southeast Asia’s cross-border money flows.

Award-Winning Technology Expands Across APAC with New Singapore—Indonesia Corridor

The Singapore—Indonesia payment corridor represents a significant remittance route for Singapore’s Indonesian migrant community. Since launching in late May, Almond’s blockchain-based optimization technology has powered over $2 million SGD in transfers through this corridor—delivering exchange rates consistently better than mid-market FX rates and unavailable elsewhere in the industry. These results reflect the same transformative impact that earned Almond consecutive industry recognition in 2023 and 2024.

“This partnership represents a natural evolution in our mission to remove barriers in global financial transfers,” said Adam Swartzbaugh, CEO and Co-Founder of Almond FinTech. “We’ve always believed true innovation comes from deeply understanding customers’ needs and building solutions that not only solve today’s problems but anticipate tomorrow’s. In a crowded and commoditized space, Ample stands out for its commitment to leveraging technology to deliver meaningful value to its customers—making them an ideal partner for our expansion across Asia.”

Proven Performance Meets Regulatory Excellence

Ample has been licensed as a Major Payment Institution by the Monetary Authority of Singapore for over 25 years, establishing its credibility as a trusted financial services provider. The partnership validates Almond’s ability to deliver superior performance while meeting Singapore’s regulatory requirements. Almond leverages a multitude of stablecoins as bridge assets to optimize cross-border treasury transfers between fiat currencies. Almond’s technology aggregates real-time market data to identify the most cost-effective and efficient transfer routes. This same breakthrough infrastructure is active across 10 countries and supports over 100 digital currencies.

For Ample, this enables:
- Better than mid-market FX rates through intelligent routing
- Near real-time settlement for treasury transfers
- Redundancy and reliability through multi-asset routing
- Lower transaction costs compared to traditional rails
Innovation Leadership Drives Market Expansion

This partnership demonstrates Almond’s continued technology leadership in cross-border payments. The company’s consecutive CrossTech Innovation Awards underscore its role as an industry pioneer, consistently delivering solutions that address critical financial challenges globally.

“Receiving this award is a testament to our team’s relentless commitment to pushing the boundaries of financial technology,” said Swartzbaugh, referencing Almond’s recent recognition. “This partnership with Ample shows how award-winning innovation translates directly into enhanced services for financial institutions and their customers. One of our strongest value propositions is helping clients optimize across multiple stablecoins, not just one, enabling better liquidity, tighter spreads, and more flexibility without complicating onboarding.”

Embedded within Ample’s technology stack that powers their customer-facing and internal treasury operations, Almond’s technology enhances backend efficiency—delivering the same optimization capabilities that have positioned Almond as a leader in B2B cross-border payments.

Strategic Growth in Southeast Asia

The partnership with Ample positions Almond FinTech for continued growth across Southeast Asian markets, where digital payment adoption creates opportunities for technological enhancement. This expansion reflects Almond’s strategy of partnering with established, regulated institutions to deliver cutting-edge payment solutions.

“We believe that stablecoins are the future, and powering remittances with them is the way forward. Partnering with Almond has allowed us to harness that future safely, through a treasury layer that delivers faster, cheaper, and more reliable settlement. For our customers, nothing changes on the surface—but under the hood, we’re moving with the times.” — Matthew Yap, CEO, Ample Transfers.

About Almond FinTech

Almond FinTech is a B2B fintech company transforming cross-border payments by empowering financial institutions and their customers with optimal FX Rates and near-instant settlements across all corridors globally.

Visit www.almondfintech.com for more information.

About Ample Transfers

Founded in 1998, Ample Transfers is Singapore’s leading cross-border remittance provider, licensed as a Major Payment Institution by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The company provides reliable, affordable remittance services to over 200 countries and territories through both physical locations and their remit.ai online platform, serving Singapore’s diverse communities for over 25 years. Visit www.ampletransfers.com for more information.

Media Contact:

Howard Davidson
howard@almondfintech.com

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Signs a Memorandum of Understanding with UrAmerica Ltd. to Help Modernize and Develop Argentina’s Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York, N.Y., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UrAmerica Ltd., a private exploration company with a package of uranium and other critical metals licenses primarily in Chubut Province, Argentina.

The newly signed MOU formalizes the discussions that NANO Nuclear initiated with UrAmerica to explore strategic development across Argentina’s uranium-fuel supply chain. Both companies are now working to evaluate specific opportunities, ranging from mining and conversion to UF₆ feedstock supply, that could aid NANO Nuclear in securing a dependable source of material for future supply chain options. Such evaluations may lead to the signing of definitive agreements between NANO Nuclear and UrAmerica related to particular projects.

Argentina has one of the largest uranium repositories in the world and its government is currently looking into the privatization of their nuclear energy sector, enabling innovators like NANO Nuclear to invest and support the development of the nuclear energy infrastructure in the country. Through this MOU, NANO Nuclear and UrAmerica aim to build the mining and milling capacities of the uranium supply chain in Argentina with the intention to be a part of the uranium fuel cycle exports into the U.S.

Under the MOU, the companies will pursue (i) favorable uranium offtake agreements, (ii) potential investments in mineral production and (iii) fuel-cycle infrastructure, and (iv) future joint ventures or related collaboration. One of NANO Nuclear’s goals in entering into the MOU is to help modernize Argentina’s nuclear sector while strengthening U.S. energy security by sourcing materials for nuclear fuel from a reliable partner.

Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Signs Memorandum of Understanding with UrAmerica Ltd., to explore strategic development across the uranium-fuel supply chain in Argentina

“We are pleased to formalize our discussions with UrAmerica through this MOU as we seek to further extend NANO Nuclear’s international footprint,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. “By collaborating with UrAmerica, we aim to position Argentina as a regional center for nuclear technology and a reliable supply-chain partner for the United States, strengthening the country’s existing infrastructure while advancing our shared goals.”

“Argentina holds substantial deposits of strategic metals, like uranium, that could be a strategic supplier to us in the future,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “The timing is also favorable, as the Argentine government is actively looking to reform its nuclear sector to attract international investment. We look forward to advancing our discussions and exploring future opportunities in South America.”

“This Memorandum of Understanding with NANO Nuclear marks a pivotal step forward in unlocking the vast potential of Argentina’s uranium resources, aligning perfectly with UrAmerica’s mission to drive sustainable and secure critical mineral supply chains,” said Omar Adra, Executive Director & CEO of UrAmerica Ltd. and President of UrAmerica Argentina S.A. “Our extensive licenses package in the San Jorge Basin holds world-class uranium deposits, and through this collaboration, we aim to not only meet the growing global demand for nuclear fuel but also position Argentina as a key strategic partner for the United States in energy security. By leveraging UrAmerica’s expertise in mineral exploration and NANO Nuclear’s advanced nuclear technology and expertise, we are hopeful that this collaboration will catalyze investments in mining, milling, and fuel cycle development, delivering long-term economic benefits for Argentina while supporting the U.S. in diversifying its nuclear supply chain away from geopolitical risks.”

About UrAmerica Ltd.

UrAmerica is a private critical metals exploration company with a focus on uranium and other critical metals (e.g., lithium, rare earths, molybdenum, and vanadium) operating primarily in Chubut Province, Argentina. UrAmerica, through its subsidiary UrAmerica Argentina S.A., fully owns licenses of uranium repositories in the San Jorge Basin.

About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

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

Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR^™Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR^™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

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

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

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

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

For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

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

PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “future,” “seek,” “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “goal,” “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements relate to the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of the MOU described herein, as well as the future plans and goals of NANO Nuclear and UrAmerica as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other nuclear technology or capabilities in the timelines we anticipate, if ever (including in collaboration with UrAmerica as described herein), (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act and the May 23, 2025 Executive Orders seeking to streamline nuclear regulation, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

Attachment
- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.
The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Reliance Global Group Closes Sale of Fortman Insurance for $5 Million in Cash
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LAKEWOOD, NJ, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reliance Global Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: RELI) (“Reliance,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) today announced it has completed an asset sale of Fortman Insurance Services (“Fortman”), a wholly owned subsidiary, for $5 million in cash. The transaction marks the successful execution of a strategic initiative to monetize a non-core asset and further strengthen the Company’s financial position.

Following its acquisition by Reliance, Fortman continued to enhance its operational efficiency, financial stability, and market competitiveness. The finalized sale, at a value above the initial purchase price Reliance purchased Fortman for in 2019, reflects Reliance’s commitment to prudent capital deployment and its continued focus on maximizing shareholder returns.

The Company also reaffirmed its expectation that the acquisition of Spetner Associates, Inc. (“Spetner”) will be completed. Spetner has built significant momentum in recent years, with consistent growth and healthy cash flow contributions across its operations. The transaction is expected to complement Reliance’s existing business model and align with its OneFirm strategy, creating opportunities to expand operational scale and drive long-term value.

“Closing the Fortman transaction marks a key milestone in our strategic roadmap and reflects the disciplined approach we take to identifying, enhancing, and monetizing value within our portfolio,” commented Ezra Beyman, CEO of Reliance. “From the outset, Fortman was a compelling acquisition, and through targeted operational improvements, we positioned the business for long-term success. Selling the asset at a premium demonstrates the strength of our execution and adds meaningful capital to our balance sheet, increasing our flexibility to advance strategic priorities. This transaction reinforces our commitment to executing initiatives that strengthen our platform, support sustainable growth, and accelerate our transformation into a streamlined, tech-enabled insurance organization. I remain confident in our ability to deliver lasting value to our shareholders.”

About Reliance Global Group, Inc.

Reliance Global Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RELI) is an InsurTech pioneer, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud-based technologies, to transform and improve efficiencies in the insurance agency/brokerage industry. The Company’s business-to-business InsurTech platform, RELI Exchange, provides independent insurance agencies an entire suite of business development tools, enabling them to effectively compete with large-scale national insurance agencies, whilst reducing back-office cost and burden. The Company’s business-to-consumer platform, 5minuteinsure.com, utilizes AI and data mining, to provide competitive online insurance quotes within minutes to everyday consumers seeking to purchase auto, home, and life insurance. In addition, the Company operates its own portfolio of select retail “brick and mortar” insurance agencies which are leaders and pioneers in their respective regions throughout the United States, offering a wide variety of insurance products. Further information about the Company can be found at https://www.relianceglobalgroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding:
- Our ability to successfully deploy the $5 million in proceeds from the Fortman sale to support our strategic and financial objectives;
- Our expectation that the acquisition of Spetner Associates, Inc. will be completed on commercially reasonable terms, including obtaining any necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals;
- The anticipated benefits of the Spetner acquisition to our business model, operational scale, and long-term value creation strategy;
- Our continued execution of initiatives to streamline operations, enhance financial flexibility, and pursue accretive growth opportunities in the InsurTech and insurance agency sectors; and
- Other statements of our plans, intentions, and expectations regarding future financial performance, operations, and strategic initiatives.
These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, including that the Spetner acquisition will proceed as expected; that projected revenue and EBITDA contributions from Spetner are achievable; that integration risks can be effectively managed; and that there will be no material adverse developments in market, economic, or regulatory conditions impacting our business. There can be no assurance that these assumptions will prove correct.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: delays or failure to complete the Spetner acquisition; unanticipated integration challenges or liabilities associated with the acquisition; our inability to achieve expected financial results or operational synergies; increased competition in the InsurTech and agency brokerage industries; adverse regulatory or market developments; and other risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Registration Statement on Form S-1 and our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should carefully review our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as amended, and our other SEC filings for a more complete discussion of these and other risks. Except as required by law, Reliance Global Group, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: +1 (212) 671-1020
Email: RELI@crescendo-ir.com

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Reliance Global Group Closes Sale of Fortman Insurance for $5 Million in Cash
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LAKEWOOD, NJ, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reliance Global Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: RELI) (“Reliance,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) today announced it has completed an asset sale of Fortman Insurance Services (“Fortman”), a wholly owned subsidiary, for $5 million in cash. The transaction marks the successful execution of a strategic initiative to monetize a non-core asset and further strengthen the Company’s financial position.

Following its acquisition by Reliance, Fortman continued to enhance its operational efficiency, financial stability, and market competitiveness. The finalized sale, at a value above the initial purchase price Reliance purchased Fortman for in 2019, reflects Reliance’s commitment to prudent capital deployment and its continued focus on maximizing shareholder returns.

The Company also reaffirmed its expectation that the acquisition of Spetner Associates, Inc. (“Spetner”) will be completed. Spetner has built significant momentum in recent years, with consistent growth and healthy cash flow contributions across its operations. The transaction is expected to complement Reliance’s existing business model and align with its OneFirm strategy, creating opportunities to expand operational scale and drive long-term value.

“Closing the Fortman transaction marks a key milestone in our strategic roadmap and reflects the disciplined approach we take to identifying, enhancing, and monetizing value within our portfolio,” commented Ezra Beyman, CEO of Reliance. “From the outset, Fortman was a compelling acquisition, and through targeted operational improvements, we positioned the business for long-term success. Selling the asset at a premium demonstrates the strength of our execution and adds meaningful capital to our balance sheet, increasing our flexibility to advance strategic priorities. This transaction reinforces our commitment to executing initiatives that strengthen our platform, support sustainable growth, and accelerate our transformation into a streamlined, tech-enabled insurance organization. I remain confident in our ability to deliver lasting value to our shareholders.”

About Reliance Global Group, Inc.

Reliance Global Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RELI) is an InsurTech pioneer, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud-based technologies, to transform and improve efficiencies in the insurance agency/brokerage industry. The Company’s business-to-business InsurTech platform, RELI Exchange, provides independent insurance agencies an entire suite of business development tools, enabling them to effectively compete with large-scale national insurance agencies, whilst reducing back-office cost and burden. The Company’s business-to-consumer platform, 5minuteinsure.com, utilizes AI and data mining, to provide competitive online insurance quotes within minutes to everyday consumers seeking to purchase auto, home, and life insurance. In addition, the Company operates its own portfolio of select retail “brick and mortar” insurance agencies which are leaders and pioneers in their respective regions throughout the United States, offering a wide variety of insurance products. Further information about the Company can be found at https://www.relianceglobalgroup.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “potential,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding:
- Our ability to successfully deploy the $5 million in proceeds from the Fortman sale to support our strategic and financial objectives;
- Our expectation that the acquisition of Spetner Associates, Inc. will be completed on commercially reasonable terms, including obtaining any necessary regulatory or shareholder approvals;
- The anticipated benefits of the Spetner acquisition to our business model, operational scale, and long-term value creation strategy;
- Our continued execution of initiatives to streamline operations, enhance financial flexibility, and pursue accretive growth opportunities in the InsurTech and insurance agency sectors; and
- Other statements of our plans, intentions, and expectations regarding future financial performance, operations, and strategic initiatives.
These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, including that the Spetner acquisition will proceed as expected; that projected revenue and EBITDA contributions from Spetner are achievable; that integration risks can be effectively managed; and that there will be no material adverse developments in market, economic, or regulatory conditions impacting our business. There can be no assurance that these assumptions will prove correct.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: delays or failure to complete the Spetner acquisition; unanticipated integration challenges or liabilities associated with the acquisition; our inability to achieve expected financial results or operational synergies; increased competition in the InsurTech and agency brokerage industries; adverse regulatory or market developments; and other risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Registration Statement on Form S-1 and our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should carefully review our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as amended, and our other SEC filings for a more complete discussion of these and other risks. Except as required by law, Reliance Global Group, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: +1 (212) 671-1020
Email: RELI@crescendo-ir.com

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Thrive Acquires GRC-Focused Abacode

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BOSTON, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced the acquisition of Abacode, a leading Managed Cybersecurity & Compliance Provider (MCCP) based in Tampa, Florida. Abacode specializes in holistic, outcome-driven cybersecurity solutions and governance programs that help businesses transform their cyber risk management strategies and turn compliance challenges into competitive advantages. This acquisition further strengthens Thrive’s compliance solutions and adds to its growing footprint in the Southeast U.S.

As compliance mandates and cyber threats grow in complexity—including updates to standards like CMMC, changing AI legislation on the international stage, and proposed changes to industry standards like HIPAA—businesses require more strategic and scalable solutions to meet governance and risk requirements. Thrive has always been on the front lines of navigating customers through these challenges. With the acquisition of Abacode, the company is doubling its commitment to enhancing its governance, risk, and compliance offerings to empower mid-market businesses to meet evolving regulatory requirements. Abacode’s unique approach, which integrates cybersecurity and compliance into a single comprehensive program, aligns with Thrive’s mission of providing simplified, yet holistic, security and IT to their customers, eliminating headaches and allowing businesses to focus on what matters most to them.

“Compliance is a hurdle for many small and mid-sized enterprises, because they simply don’t have the time or resources dedicated to tracking every change that could impact their business,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Abacode’s strong leadership, robust offerings, and MCCP model align with our high-touch, customer-first approach, making them a natural fit for us. With the team at Abacode, Thrive is strongly positioned to help clients manage increasingly stringent cybersecurity regulations.”

This acquisition—the second of the year for Thrive— builds on the company’s growing focus on its compliance services. Thrive has long supported organizations across various industries— including financial services, healthcare, and government operations— that want to maintain compliance in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The company recently launched its new Compliance Center, filled with unrivaled resources and expertise that educates mid-market businesses on international, federal, state and industry-specific regulations.

“Joining forces with Thrive allows us to take our mission of delivering measurable business outcomes through cybersecurity and compliance to the next level,” said Michael Ferris, CEO of Abacode. “Thrive has an established reputation for having enterprise-grade infrastructure and global support, offering clients unmatched expertise and scalability. We’re looking forward to being part of this expert delivery and further helping our clients as part of the Thrive team.”

Stephens served as exclusive financial advisor to Thrive in the transaction. To learn more about Thrive and its offerings, visit www.thrivenextgen.com.

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

Contacts
Hannah Johnston
thrive@v2comms.com

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Thrive Acquires GRC-Focused Abacode

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BOSTON, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced the acquisition of Abacode, a leading Managed Cybersecurity & Compliance Provider (MCCP) based in Tampa, Florida. Abacode specializes in holistic, outcome-driven cybersecurity solutions and governance programs that help businesses transform their cyber risk management strategies and turn compliance challenges into competitive advantages. This acquisition further strengthens Thrive’s compliance solutions and adds to its growing footprint in the Southeast U.S.

As compliance mandates and cyber threats grow in complexity—including updates to standards like CMMC, changing AI legislation on the international stage, and proposed changes to industry standards like HIPAA—businesses require more strategic and scalable solutions to meet governance and risk requirements. Thrive has always been on the front lines of navigating customers through these challenges. With the acquisition of Abacode, the company is doubling its commitment to enhancing its governance, risk, and compliance offerings to empower mid-market businesses to meet evolving regulatory requirements. Abacode’s unique approach, which integrates cybersecurity and compliance into a single comprehensive program, aligns with Thrive’s mission of providing simplified, yet holistic, security and IT to their customers, eliminating headaches and allowing businesses to focus on what matters most to them.

“Compliance is a hurdle for many small and mid-sized enterprises, because they simply don’t have the time or resources dedicated to tracking every change that could impact their business,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Abacode’s strong leadership, robust offerings, and MCCP model align with our high-touch, customer-first approach, making them a natural fit for us. With the team at Abacode, Thrive is strongly positioned to help clients manage increasingly stringent cybersecurity regulations.”

This acquisition—the second of the year for Thrive— builds on the company’s growing focus on its compliance services. Thrive has long supported organizations across various industries— including financial services, healthcare, and government operations— that want to maintain compliance in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The company recently launched its new Compliance Center, filled with unrivaled resources and expertise that educates mid-market businesses on international, federal, state and industry-specific regulations.

“Joining forces with Thrive allows us to take our mission of delivering measurable business outcomes through cybersecurity and compliance to the next level,” said Michael Ferris, CEO of Abacode. “Thrive has an established reputation for having enterprise-grade infrastructure and global support, offering clients unmatched expertise and scalability. We’re looking forward to being part of this expert delivery and further helping our clients as part of the Thrive team.”

Stephens served as exclusive financial advisor to Thrive in the transaction. To learn more about Thrive and its offerings, visit www.thrivenextgen.com.

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

Contacts
Hannah Johnston
thrive@v2comms.com

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Patria Announces Second Quarter 2025 Investor Call

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Patria (Nasdaq:PAX) announced today that it will release financial results for the second quarter 2025 on Friday, August 1, 2025, and host a conference call via public webcast at 9:00 a.m. ET.

To register, please use the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/rpv5tvp5.

For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, there will be a webcast replay on the Shareholders section of Patria’s website at https://ir.patria.com/.

Patria distributes its earnings releases via its website and email lists. Those interested in firm updates can sign up to receive Patria press releases via email at https://ir.patria.com/ir-resources/email-alerts.

About Patria

Patria is a global alternative asset management firm focused on the mid-market segment, specializing in resilient sectors across select regions. We are a leading asset manager in Latin America and have a strong presence in Europe through our extensive network of General Partners relationships. Our on-the-ground presence combines investment leaders, sector experts, company managers, and strategic relationships, allowing us to identify compelling investment opportunities accessible only to those with local proficiency. With 36 years of experience and over $45 billion in assets under management, we consistently deliver attractive returns through long-term investments, while promoting inclusive and sustainable development in the regions where we operate. Further information is available at www.patria.com.

Asset Classes: Credit, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity, GPMS (Solutions), and Public Equities

Main sectors: Agribusiness, Power & Energy, Healthcare, Logistics & Transportations, Food & Beverage and Digital & Tech Services

Investment Regions: Latin America, Europe and the U.S.

Contact

Patria Shareholder Relations
PatriaShareholderRelations@patria.com
t +1 917 769 1611

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Laura Underwood PhD Joins Locus Technologies to Drive the Expansion of the Company’s Water Software Division

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locus Technologies, the sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance software leader, announced the appointment of Dr. Laura Underwood as Director of Digital Water Services. In this strategic role, Underwood will lead the continued growth and innovation of Locus Water, a comprehensive suite of solutions for water quality management, stormwater, wastewater, produced water, and PFAS tracking.

Underwood brings over two decades of leadership in the water and environmental sectors, most recently serving as Senior Director of Strategy & Innovation at Veolia. She has also held key roles in water utility management, including serving as the Director of Water Quality & Environmental Compliance for Veolia’s Municipal Water business. A long-time contributor to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and a passionate advocate for digital transformation, Laura has built a national reputation for advancing smart, sustainable water practices across the utility and industrial landscapes.

“Laura’s combination of deep technical experience and strategic vision makes her the ideal leader to accelerate the next phase of our water business,” said Neno Duplan, founder and CEO of Locus Technologies. “As the market moves toward fully digital, integrated solutions for water data and compliance, Laura will guide our efforts to deliver even more value to utilities, energy companies, and industrial customers.”

“I’ve long admired Locus’ pioneering role in cloud-based environmental data management,” said Laura Underwood. “Joining Locus is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of digital water services. I look forward to driving innovation that empowers customers to manage water more efficiently, comply with complex regulations, and meet their sustainability goals.”

To learn more about Locus Water software, please visit http://www.locustec.com.

About Locus Technologies
Locus Technologies is the only scientist-driven software company at the nexus of analytical and field data management, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) compliance, and sustainability. Locus software manages air, water, waste, energy, emissions, site, and incident data within a configurable platform for risk mitigation and regulatory reporting. The company’s work in embodied carbon, CO₂ emissions, refrigerants, and PFAS raises the bar in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures. And with industry-leading methods for data intake, queries, validation, tracking, visualization, and tasking, Locus is uniquely suited for the most complex or consequential operations — where accuracy and credibility cannot be compromised. Founded in 1997, Locus software now supports 1.3 million sites and 500 million real-time records for nuclear, chemical, petroleum, manufacturing, water utilities, environmental consulting firms, and U.S. Department of Energy facilities such as Los Alamos National Laboratory*. Locus Technologies is headquartered in Mountain View, California. To learn more, visit www.locustec.com.

Media Contact:
Brenda Mahedy
Locus Technologies
media@locustechnologies.net

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: 1-Hour Payday Loans with No Credit Check & Guaranteed Approval Announced as Key Feature in Wizzay’s Instant Loan Program for Bad Credit in 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York City, NY, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Wizzay has rolled out an efficient 1 hour payday loan product, providing instant access to emergency cash throughout the U.S. Built for speed and ease of use, the site fills the financial gaps of consumers whose purchases have been hit by inflation, unexpected expenses, or income shortfalls.

In contrast to banks that demand forms and credit checks, Wizzay enables borrowers to apply online, get approved in seconds, and possibly access funds in one business day. The site connects consumers with licensed lenders — several of whom accept borrowers with low or no credit.

The procedure is quick and discreet. A brief application gathers rudimentary information, and decisions are made on the basis of income verification as opposed to credit reports. This method makes Wizzay an available solution for individuals with bad credit who need immediate financial assistance.

With the increasing cost of living, Wizzay’s 1 hour payday loans prove to be a convenient option for paying off unexpected bills, repairing the car, or renting. With the removal of conventional lending obstacles, Wizzay enables borrowers to receive money at short notice and with minimal hassle.

<<< Learn how to navigate urgent financial needs with limited credit history >>>

Wizzay Introduces Rapid 1-Hour Payday Loan Access for Time-Sensitive Borrowers

Financial pressure has fueled the need for fast, convenient, and easily accessible payday loans. Wizzay addresses this need by providing an online platform where a payday loan can be applied for and promptly decided by licensed lenders.

These 1 hour payday loans are built for speed. Traditional lenders take days and perform hard credit checks, but Wizzay’s partners review applications on the basis of income and employment rather than credit history.

Most qualified borrowers who pass simple requirements — such as consistent income and U.S. residency status — can expect loan approval within minutes and cash as early as the next business day, frequently through direct deposit.

Wizzay’s entirely online process mirrors users’ desire for online and mobile financial services. For immediate users, it’s quicker than bank loans, credit cards, or overdrafts.

Wizzay is not a lender but a loan-matching website that refers applicants to state-sanctioned, licensed lenders. This maintains legal soundness while providing access to instant no credit check payday loans when they are available.

Key Features of Wizzay’s 1-Hour Payday Loans with No Credit Check

Wizzay has an optimized process designed for speed and ease. These are the top advantages of using this portal:
- Instant Approval: Your request is processed by automated systems within minutes.
- No Credit Check: Only a soft check is performed, which will not affect your FICO score.
- Direct Lender Access: Only you and the authenticated lenders will interface with no third-party delays or brokers.
- Mobile Friendly: Complete the application, e-sign, and check the status of your loan on any smartphone or tablet.
This format provides quick funding, which makes Wizzay a reliable option for sudden financial needs.

<<< Understand your short-term loan options without added pressure >>>

How the 1-Hour Loan Process Works on Wizzay’s Platform

Here’s a brief guide on how the Wizzay loan process works:
- Submit Your Online Application – This takes around 2–3 minutes.
- Soft Credit Check – Utilized to evaluate eligibility, not affecting your credit score.
- Lender Match and Approval – The approval outcome is back in less than one hour.
- E-Signature & Funding – View terms, sign electronically, and receive funds directly into your account the same day.
This process is streamlined to cut down on delays while keeping borrowers involved at all times.

Understanding Same-Day Payday Loan Options Through Wizzay

Wizzay’s interface offers same day pay day loan access to borrowers who are qualified. Although same-day funding is not guaranteed to all users, the system prioritizes quick loan processing for those who qualify.

Considerations for same day loans are:
- Eligibility: Borrowers are required to qualify with lender-specific requirements like verified income, U.S. residence, and checking account activity status.
- Timing: Earlier-in-the-day submitted applications are more likely to be funded the same day. Lender processing times differ by state.
- Loan Amounts: Most of the lenders will allow lending amounts from $100 to $1,000. Personal lending limits will really depend on the jurisdiction.
- Approval Process: Time is of the essence! Soft credit inquiries documents sent electronically with no collateral means the lender will be able to get back to you quickly.
- Online No Credit Check Access: These loans are handled all online, and most involve no standard credit checks.
Compared to bank loans the old-fashioned way — which can take days or weeks — Wizzay’s same day loans online help borrowers with a quicker response to their needs for immediate cash.

<<< Explore how Wizzay’s process works for borrowers with low credit >>>

Inside Wizzay’s Same-Day Online Payday Loan Offering

Wizzay’s online same day payday loans product indicates a trend toward speed and digitalization within the industry. Most sites engage in manual verification and hold up disbursal, while Wizzay connects borrowers with lenders that have automated underwriting powers.

These loans work through:
- Fully Digital Processing
- Credit Score Flexibility
- Guaranteed Approval Caution
- Online Same Day No Credit Impact
- Real-Time Approval Decisions
This process minimizes human intervention and provides emergency funding more conveniently to people who might not otherwise qualify through conventional means.

Guaranteed $100 Loan No Credit Check via Wizzay: What’s Realistic?

One of the most popular requests borrowers make is for a guaranteed $100 loan with no credit check. Although the term “guaranteed” is loosely used, Wizzay’s system does improve the odds of approval for eligible borrowers — particularly for smaller loan amounts like $100.

Here’s why:
- $100 Loan Minimums: Most lenders on the platform provide microloans starting at $100. These are generally the least difficult to qualify for.
- No Hard Credit Check: There isn’t a full credit report pulled out, which decreases the risks of rejection for low-credit applicants.
- Income First Verification: Lenders prefer stable income and regular banking history to FICO scores.
- Loan Approval: No loan is guaranteed in general, but the platform allows applicants to be matched to lenders who have high approval rates.
For bad credit or no credit borrowers, this type of short-term lending provides a ready substitute for mainstream financial institutions, where such amounts are not usually extended.

<<< Get clarity on what emergency financial support might look like >>>

Wizzay’s Function as a Direct Lender Connector for Payday Loans

Wizzay acts as an intermediary linking borrowers to certified direct lenders — positioning it apart from third-party aggregators or unregulated loan marketplaces.

The distinguishing characteristics of its connector model are:
- Loan No Credit Check Direct Access
- Regulatory Compliance
- No Broker Fees
- Credit Check from Direct Lenders Only
- Loan Term Disclosure
Such a direct path ensures transparency, compliance, and improved results for borrowers looking for quick, responsible payday loan alternatives.

Emergency Payday Loan Solutions via Wizzay’s Fast Online Application Model

Wizzay also offers prompt cash access for immediate expenses such as doctor’s bills, auto repairs, or unexpected utility shutoffs. The system is designed to give you access to money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (also on holidays and weekends), allowing borrowers to address emergencies and immediate urgent expenses without worry. The application to the funding process can take as little as 1-3 hours, depending upon your bank processing time.

Wizzay Offers Payday Loans for Bad Credit With Fast Approvals

Wizzay is designed to support borrowers with poor credit using soft credit checks and alternative eligibility factors. This makes it possible to introduce borrowers with restricted credit, charge-offs in the past, or recent hardship into the system. Matching users they then can see loan details without a commitment, meaning they have full control over their financial choices.

<<< See how timing and credit requirements impact short-term solutions >>>

Setting Realistic Expectations with Wizzay’s Guaranteed Loan Approval in 1 Hour

Although Wizzay facilitates quick loan processing, the phrase “guaranteed approval in 1 hour” must be read carefully. The platform facilitates quick matching and immediate decisions, but final approval is subject to lender requirements.

However, for successful applicants, Wizzay frequently provides:
- 1 Hour Payday Loan Matching
- Same Day Approval Potential
- Guaranteed Approval Terms
- 1 Hour Loan Online Instant Decisioning
This feature supports realistic expectations for urgent users while emphasizing the platform’s effectiveness in matching borrowers with instant lending decisions.

Online Payday Loans From Wizzay: A Digital Alternative to Traditional Lending

Wizzay’s digital-only model eliminates the friction in traditional storefront lending. Everything from application to payment is done online. No paperwork is required, no visits necessary, and no faxing. Borrowers can fill out their requests, confirm employment electronically, and sign documents via their smartphone, making it a quicker and more convenient lending option.

Direct Lender Payday Loans from Wizzay: No Third Parties, More Clarity

Wizzay’s marketplace stands out by connecting borrowers solely with direct lenders — without third-party resellers or lead generators. This direct strategy reduces unnecessary handling of data, incurs fewer costs, and fosters borrower-lender transparency.

The benefits of this model are:
- Secure Handling of Data
- No Brokerage Fees
- Transparency of Clear Terms from the Lenders
- Less Risk of Misinformation
Borrowers who prefer dealing directly with financial institutions — instead of opaque third-party networks — might find Wizzay’s direct-lender model more reliable and easier to use.

<<< Understand next steps for borrowers seeking same-day assistance >>>

Final Thoughts: Meeting Urgent Needs with Wizzay’s 1-Hour Payday Loan Service

Wizzay’s 1 hour payday loans are a major breakthrough in the accessibility of short-term lending. By harnessing digital infrastructure, instant decision-making capabilities, and income-driven approval frameworks, Wizzay allows a broad range of borrowers — even those with bad or no credit — to access capital within hours, not days.

With economic instability and financial crises persisting in American homes, Wizzay’s business model presents a pragmatic solution to mainstream banks. Whether it is emergency car repairs, surprise bills, or emergency rent payments, the platform provides a smooth, secure, and transparent experience.

Without hard credit checks, immediate approval avenues, and direct lender access, Wizzay makes it possible for lenders to manage fiscal hardships without the complications and waiting periods typical of traditional lending. For borrowers looking for guaranteed, same day cash loans with minimal hassle, Wizzay is a punctual, tech-based solution designed for the needs of today’s finances.

Attachment

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: 1-Hour Payday Loans with No Credit Check & Guaranteed Approval Announced as Key Feature in Wizzay’s Instant Loan Program for Bad Credit in 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York City, NY, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Wizzay has rolled out an efficient 1 hour payday loan product, providing instant access to emergency cash throughout the U.S. Built for speed and ease of use, the site fills the financial gaps of consumers whose purchases have been hit by inflation, unexpected expenses, or income shortfalls.

In contrast to banks that demand forms and credit checks, Wizzay enables borrowers to apply online, get approved in seconds, and possibly access funds in one business day. The site connects consumers with licensed lenders — several of whom accept borrowers with low or no credit.

The procedure is quick and discreet. A brief application gathers rudimentary information, and decisions are made on the basis of income verification as opposed to credit reports. This method makes Wizzay an available solution for individuals with bad credit who need immediate financial assistance.

With the increasing cost of living, Wizzay’s 1 hour payday loans prove to be a convenient option for paying off unexpected bills, repairing the car, or renting. With the removal of conventional lending obstacles, Wizzay enables borrowers to receive money at short notice and with minimal hassle.

<<< Learn how to navigate urgent financial needs with limited credit history >>>

Wizzay Introduces Rapid 1-Hour Payday Loan Access for Time-Sensitive Borrowers

Financial pressure has fueled the need for fast, convenient, and easily accessible payday loans. Wizzay addresses this need by providing an online platform where a payday loan can be applied for and promptly decided by licensed lenders.

These 1 hour payday loans are built for speed. Traditional lenders take days and perform hard credit checks, but Wizzay’s partners review applications on the basis of income and employment rather than credit history.

Most qualified borrowers who pass simple requirements — such as consistent income and U.S. residency status — can expect loan approval within minutes and cash as early as the next business day, frequently through direct deposit.

Wizzay’s entirely online process mirrors users’ desire for online and mobile financial services. For immediate users, it’s quicker than bank loans, credit cards, or overdrafts.

Wizzay is not a lender but a loan-matching website that refers applicants to state-sanctioned, licensed lenders. This maintains legal soundness while providing access to instant no credit check payday loans when they are available.

Key Features of Wizzay’s 1-Hour Payday Loans with No Credit Check

Wizzay has an optimized process designed for speed and ease. These are the top advantages of using this portal:
- Instant Approval: Your request is processed by automated systems within minutes.
- No Credit Check: Only a soft check is performed, which will not affect your FICO score.
- Direct Lender Access: Only you and the authenticated lenders will interface with no third-party delays or brokers.
- Mobile Friendly: Complete the application, e-sign, and check the status of your loan on any smartphone or tablet.
This format provides quick funding, which makes Wizzay a reliable option for sudden financial needs.

<<< Understand your short-term loan options without added pressure >>>

How the 1-Hour Loan Process Works on Wizzay’s Platform

Here’s a brief guide on how the Wizzay loan process works:
- Submit Your Online Application – This takes around 2–3 minutes.
- Soft Credit Check – Utilized to evaluate eligibility, not affecting your credit score.
- Lender Match and Approval – The approval outcome is back in less than one hour.
- E-Signature & Funding – View terms, sign electronically, and receive funds directly into your account the same day.
This process is streamlined to cut down on delays while keeping borrowers involved at all times.

Understanding Same-Day Payday Loan Options Through Wizzay

Wizzay’s interface offers same day pay day loan access to borrowers who are qualified. Although same-day funding is not guaranteed to all users, the system prioritizes quick loan processing for those who qualify.

Considerations for same day loans are:
- Eligibility: Borrowers are required to qualify with lender-specific requirements like verified income, U.S. residence, and checking account activity status.
- Timing: Earlier-in-the-day submitted applications are more likely to be funded the same day. Lender processing times differ by state.
- Loan Amounts: Most of the lenders will allow lending amounts from $100 to $1,000. Personal lending limits will really depend on the jurisdiction.
- Approval Process: Time is of the essence! Soft credit inquiries documents sent electronically with no collateral means the lender will be able to get back to you quickly.
- Online No Credit Check Access: These loans are handled all online, and most involve no standard credit checks.
Compared to bank loans the old-fashioned way — which can take days or weeks — Wizzay’s same day loans online help borrowers with a quicker response to their needs for immediate cash.

<<< Explore how Wizzay’s process works for borrowers with low credit >>>

Inside Wizzay’s Same-Day Online Payday Loan Offering

Wizzay’s online same day payday loans product indicates a trend toward speed and digitalization within the industry. Most sites engage in manual verification and hold up disbursal, while Wizzay connects borrowers with lenders that have automated underwriting powers.

These loans work through:
- Fully Digital Processing
- Credit Score Flexibility
- Guaranteed Approval Caution
- Online Same Day No Credit Impact
- Real-Time Approval Decisions
This process minimizes human intervention and provides emergency funding more conveniently to people who might not otherwise qualify through conventional means.

Guaranteed $100 Loan No Credit Check via Wizzay: What’s Realistic?

One of the most popular requests borrowers make is for a guaranteed $100 loan with no credit check. Although the term “guaranteed” is loosely used, Wizzay’s system does improve the odds of approval for eligible borrowers — particularly for smaller loan amounts like $100.

Here’s why:
- $100 Loan Minimums: Most lenders on the platform provide microloans starting at $100. These are generally the least difficult to qualify for.
- No Hard Credit Check: There isn’t a full credit report pulled out, which decreases the risks of rejection for low-credit applicants.
- Income First Verification: Lenders prefer stable income and regular banking history to FICO scores.
- Loan Approval: No loan is guaranteed in general, but the platform allows applicants to be matched to lenders who have high approval rates.
For bad credit or no credit borrowers, this type of short-term lending provides a ready substitute for mainstream financial institutions, where such amounts are not usually extended.

<<< Get clarity on what emergency financial support might look like >>>

Wizzay’s Function as a Direct Lender Connector for Payday Loans

Wizzay acts as an intermediary linking borrowers to certified direct lenders — positioning it apart from third-party aggregators or unregulated loan marketplaces.

The distinguishing characteristics of its connector model are:
- Loan No Credit Check Direct Access
- Regulatory Compliance
- No Broker Fees
- Credit Check from Direct Lenders Only
- Loan Term Disclosure
Such a direct path ensures transparency, compliance, and improved results for borrowers looking for quick, responsible payday loan alternatives.

Emergency Payday Loan Solutions via Wizzay’s Fast Online Application Model

Wizzay also offers prompt cash access for immediate expenses such as doctor’s bills, auto repairs, or unexpected utility shutoffs. The system is designed to give you access to money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (also on holidays and weekends), allowing borrowers to address emergencies and immediate urgent expenses without worry. The application to the funding process can take as little as 1-3 hours, depending upon your bank processing time.

Wizzay Offers Payday Loans for Bad Credit With Fast Approvals

Wizzay is designed to support borrowers with poor credit using soft credit checks and alternative eligibility factors. This makes it possible to introduce borrowers with restricted credit, charge-offs in the past, or recent hardship into the system. Matching users they then can see loan details without a commitment, meaning they have full control over their financial choices.

<<< See how timing and credit requirements impact short-term solutions >>>

Setting Realistic Expectations with Wizzay’s Guaranteed Loan Approval in 1 Hour

Although Wizzay facilitates quick loan processing, the phrase “guaranteed approval in 1 hour” must be read carefully. The platform facilitates quick matching and immediate decisions, but final approval is subject to lender requirements.

However, for successful applicants, Wizzay frequently provides:
- 1 Hour Payday Loan Matching
- Same Day Approval Potential
- Guaranteed Approval Terms
- 1 Hour Loan Online Instant Decisioning
This feature supports realistic expectations for urgent users while emphasizing the platform’s effectiveness in matching borrowers with instant lending decisions.

Online Payday Loans From Wizzay: A Digital Alternative to Traditional Lending

Wizzay’s digital-only model eliminates the friction in traditional storefront lending. Everything from application to payment is done online. No paperwork is required, no visits necessary, and no faxing. Borrowers can fill out their requests, confirm employment electronically, and sign documents via their smartphone, making it a quicker and more convenient lending option.

Direct Lender Payday Loans from Wizzay: No Third Parties, More Clarity

Wizzay’s marketplace stands out by connecting borrowers solely with direct lenders — without third-party resellers or lead generators. This direct strategy reduces unnecessary handling of data, incurs fewer costs, and fosters borrower-lender transparency.

The benefits of this model are:
- Secure Handling of Data
- No Brokerage Fees
- Transparency of Clear Terms from the Lenders
- Less Risk of Misinformation
Borrowers who prefer dealing directly with financial institutions — instead of opaque third-party networks — might find Wizzay’s direct-lender model more reliable and easier to use.

<<< Understand next steps for borrowers seeking same-day assistance >>>

Final Thoughts: Meeting Urgent Needs with Wizzay’s 1-Hour Payday Loan Service

Wizzay’s 1 hour payday loans are a major breakthrough in the accessibility of short-term lending. By harnessing digital infrastructure, instant decision-making capabilities, and income-driven approval frameworks, Wizzay allows a broad range of borrowers — even those with bad or no credit — to access capital within hours, not days.

With economic instability and financial crises persisting in American homes, Wizzay’s business model presents a pragmatic solution to mainstream banks. Whether it is emergency car repairs, surprise bills, or emergency rent payments, the platform provides a smooth, secure, and transparent experience.

Without hard credit checks, immediate approval avenues, and direct lender access, Wizzay makes it possible for lenders to manage fiscal hardships without the complications and waiting periods typical of traditional lending. For borrowers looking for guaranteed, same day cash loans with minimal hassle, Wizzay is a punctual, tech-based solution designed for the needs of today’s finances.

Attachment

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: AAC Clyde Space to Present at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference July 10th
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

UPPSALA, Sweden, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AAC Clyde Space (OTC: ACCMF), based in Uppsala, Sweden, focused on small satellite technologies and services that help governments, businesses and institutions access high-quality data from space, today announced that Luis Gomes, CEO, will present live at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on July 10, 2025.

DATE: July 10^th
TIME: 10:30 AM ET
LINK: REGISTER HERE

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights
- 30 June: AAC Clyde Space has resolved to carry out a directed share issue amounting to approximately SEK 64.5 million
- 18 June: AAC Clyde Space wins strategic order for first phase of ESA-backed satellite swarm mission
- 23 May: Major General Lars-Olof Corneliusson elected to the Board of Directors of AAC Clyde Space
About AAC Clyde Space
AAC Clyde Space provides small satellite technologies and services that help governments, businesses and institutions access high-quality data from space. Covering satellite components, mission services and space-based data delivery, the company offers end-to-end solutions that turn space-based intelligence into real-world impact. Applications include weather monitoring, maritime safety, security and defence, agriculture and forestry.
AAC Clyde Space is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, with main operations also in the UK, Netherlands, South Africa and the USA. The company’s shares are traded on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm (Ticker: AAC) and on the US OTCQX Market (Symbol: ACCMF). The Company’s Certified Adviser is DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:
AAC Clyde Space
Håkan Tribell
Director of Communications
+46 707 230 382
investor@aac-clydespace.com

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: AAC Clyde Space to Present at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference July 10th
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

UPPSALA, Sweden, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AAC Clyde Space (OTC: ACCMF), based in Uppsala, Sweden, focused on small satellite technologies and services that help governments, businesses and institutions access high-quality data from space, today announced that Luis Gomes, CEO, will present live at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on July 10, 2025.

DATE: July 10^th
TIME: 10:30 AM ET
LINK: REGISTER HERE

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights
- 30 June: AAC Clyde Space has resolved to carry out a directed share issue amounting to approximately SEK 64.5 million
- 18 June: AAC Clyde Space wins strategic order for first phase of ESA-backed satellite swarm mission
- 23 May: Major General Lars-Olof Corneliusson elected to the Board of Directors of AAC Clyde Space
About AAC Clyde Space
AAC Clyde Space provides small satellite technologies and services that help governments, businesses and institutions access high-quality data from space. Covering satellite components, mission services and space-based data delivery, the company offers end-to-end solutions that turn space-based intelligence into real-world impact. Applications include weather monitoring, maritime safety, security and defence, agriculture and forestry.
AAC Clyde Space is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, with main operations also in the UK, Netherlands, South Africa and the USA. The company’s shares are traded on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm (Ticker: AAC) and on the US OTCQX Market (Symbol: ACCMF). The Company’s Certified Adviser is DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:
AAC Clyde Space
Håkan Tribell
Director of Communications
+46 707 230 382
investor@aac-clydespace.com

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: BTCS Inc. Announces Intent to Raise $100 Million for Strategic Ethereum Acquisition Using DeFi/TradFi Flywheel
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Silver Spring, MD, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (“BTCS” or the “Company”) short for Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions, a blockchain technology-focused company, today announced its strategic intent to raise $100 million in 2025 to acquire Ethereum. This initiative is part of the Company’s long-term vision to build the leading publicly traded company focused on Ethereum infrastructure while remaining one of the largest holders of ETH among public companies.

“We believe that Ethereum has significant growth potential and is central to the future digital financial infrastructure. Now, with Ethereum at 2021 price levels, is the time to deepen our exposure,” said Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS. “Our approach to capital formation has been – and continues to be – designed to minimize dilution, maximize flexibility, and align with our commitment to sound financial management for the protection of our shareholders.”

This initiative represents a transformative expansion of BTCS’s Ethereum-first strategy, leveraging a cutting-edge financing model that combines both decentralized finance (“DeFi”) and traditional finance (“TradFi”) mechanisms. The planned capital raises¹ will be structured through a sophisticated DeFi/TradFi accretion flywheel consisting of At-The-Market (“ATM”) equity sales, convertible debt issuance, on-chain borrowing via Aave, yield generated from NodeOps (staking Ethereum), and vertical integration with Builder+ (block building), one of the most advanced opportunities for driving revenue and increasing ETH per share while minimizing dilution.

Key principles of the DeFi/TradFi Strategy

Subject to market conditions, the Company intends to raise funds to acquire Ethereum on a rolling basis, with a targeted emphasis on maximizing capital efficiency. BTCS plans to adhere to a strict net asset value (“NAV”) leverage cap of up to 40% at the time of each financing, covering its combined exposure to convertible debt and Aave borrowings, to ensure a conservative and sustainable balance sheet. The strategy includes:
- ATM Equity Sales: Opportunistic issuance through the Company’s existing ATM program, designed to access equity markets efficiently and transparently. This would utilize BTCS’s current $250 million shelf registration to the extent it is not restricted by baby shelf limitations.
- Convertible Debt: Opportunistic use of the previously announced convertible debt arrangement with ATW Partners LLC (“ATW”), which BTCS may utilize upon mutual agreement with ATW, provided it represents the lowest cost of capital. This arrangement, which forms part of BTCS’s broader capital strategy, is designed to provide access to funding while minimizing shareholder dilution.
- DeFi Borrowing via Aave: Continuing to borrow stablecoins from Aave using ETH as collateral. This structure operates as a perpetual loan, carrying no associated banking or underwriting fees. The current net annual cost of capital remains extremely favorable at around 3%, with no shareholder dilution. This structure can be implemented in minutes, is highly scalable, and provides a flexible mechanism for rapid growth.
This innovative mix of financing is designed to achieve the least dilutive cost of capital while expanding the Company’s Ethereum holdings in a responsible and forward-looking manner, with the goal of increasing its ETH per share and simultaneously driving revenue growth.

A New Frontier in Crypto Capital Formation

By utilizing both decentralized and institutional capital markets, BTCS aims to set a precedent for how public blockchain companies can bridge DeFi and TradFi to create shareholder value and foster trust in programmable financial systems.

“We’re engineering a capital structure that mirrors the ethos of crypto itself—efficient, transparent, and decentralized,” said Allen. “With 20 years of capital markets experience and 10 years at the forefront of crypto, BTCS is uniquely positioned to lead in this new paradigm. With a new crypto-friendly administration and increased institutional interest in Ethereum, now is the time to rapidly scale our operations.”

The chart below illustrates the history of BTCS’s ETH accumulation over the last 5 years:

The Company plans to provide additional updates, in accordance with its disclosure obligations under securities laws, regarding the specific timelines, instruments, and market conditions as part of its regular investor communications.

About BTCS:

BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (short for Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions) is a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure technology company currently focused on driving scalable revenue growth through its blockchain infrastructure operations. BTCS has honed its expertise in blockchain network operations, particularly in block building and validator node management. Its branded block-building operation, Builder+, leverages advanced algorithms to optimize block construction for on-chain validation, thus maximizing gas fee revenues. BTCS also supports other blockchain networks by operating validator nodes and staking its crypto assets across multiple proof-of-stake networks, allowing crypto holders to delegate assets to BTCS-managed nodes. In addition, the Company has developed ChainQ, an AI-powered blockchain data analytics platform, which enhances user access and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. Committed to innovation and adaptability, BTCS is strategically positioned to expand its blockchain operations and infrastructure beyond Ethereum as the ecosystem evolves. Explore how BTCS is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure in the public markets by visiting www.btcs.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, constitute “forward-looking statements” within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 including statements regarding plans to raise $100 million in 2025, Ethereum’s growth potential, plans for capital raises and limiting our NAV leverage cap and rapidly increasing the Company’s ETH per share and simultaneously driving revenue growth. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation market conditions, regulatory issues and requirements, unexpected issues with Builder+, as well as risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 which was filed on March 20, 2025. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For more information follow us on:
Twitter: https://x.com/NasdaqBTCS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasdaq-btcs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NasdaqBTCS

Investor Relations:
Charles Allen – CEO
X (formerly Twitter): @Charles_BTCS
Email: ir@btcs.com

¹ Subject to regulatory approval and market conditions.

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: BTCS Inc. Announces Intent to Raise $100 Million for Strategic Ethereum Acquisition Using DeFi/TradFi Flywheel
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Silver Spring, MD, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (“BTCS” or the “Company”) short for Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions, a blockchain technology-focused company, today announced its strategic intent to raise $100 million in 2025 to acquire Ethereum. This initiative is part of the Company’s long-term vision to build the leading publicly traded company focused on Ethereum infrastructure while remaining one of the largest holders of ETH among public companies.

“We believe that Ethereum has significant growth potential and is central to the future digital financial infrastructure. Now, with Ethereum at 2021 price levels, is the time to deepen our exposure,” said Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS. “Our approach to capital formation has been – and continues to be – designed to minimize dilution, maximize flexibility, and align with our commitment to sound financial management for the protection of our shareholders.”

This initiative represents a transformative expansion of BTCS’s Ethereum-first strategy, leveraging a cutting-edge financing model that combines both decentralized finance (“DeFi”) and traditional finance (“TradFi”) mechanisms. The planned capital raises¹ will be structured through a sophisticated DeFi/TradFi accretion flywheel consisting of At-The-Market (“ATM”) equity sales, convertible debt issuance, on-chain borrowing via Aave, yield generated from NodeOps (staking Ethereum), and vertical integration with Builder+ (block building), one of the most advanced opportunities for driving revenue and increasing ETH per share while minimizing dilution.

Key principles of the DeFi/TradFi Strategy

Subject to market conditions, the Company intends to raise funds to acquire Ethereum on a rolling basis, with a targeted emphasis on maximizing capital efficiency. BTCS plans to adhere to a strict net asset value (“NAV”) leverage cap of up to 40% at the time of each financing, covering its combined exposure to convertible debt and Aave borrowings, to ensure a conservative and sustainable balance sheet. The strategy includes:
- ATM Equity Sales: Opportunistic issuance through the Company’s existing ATM program, designed to access equity markets efficiently and transparently. This would utilize BTCS’s current $250 million shelf registration to the extent it is not restricted by baby shelf limitations.
- Convertible Debt: Opportunistic use of the previously announced convertible debt arrangement with ATW Partners LLC (“ATW”), which BTCS may utilize upon mutual agreement with ATW, provided it represents the lowest cost of capital. This arrangement, which forms part of BTCS’s broader capital strategy, is designed to provide access to funding while minimizing shareholder dilution.
- DeFi Borrowing via Aave: Continuing to borrow stablecoins from Aave using ETH as collateral. This structure operates as a perpetual loan, carrying no associated banking or underwriting fees. The current net annual cost of capital remains extremely favorable at around 3%, with no shareholder dilution. This structure can be implemented in minutes, is highly scalable, and provides a flexible mechanism for rapid growth.
This innovative mix of financing is designed to achieve the least dilutive cost of capital while expanding the Company’s Ethereum holdings in a responsible and forward-looking manner, with the goal of increasing its ETH per share and simultaneously driving revenue growth.

A New Frontier in Crypto Capital Formation

By utilizing both decentralized and institutional capital markets, BTCS aims to set a precedent for how public blockchain companies can bridge DeFi and TradFi to create shareholder value and foster trust in programmable financial systems.

“We’re engineering a capital structure that mirrors the ethos of crypto itself—efficient, transparent, and decentralized,” said Allen. “With 20 years of capital markets experience and 10 years at the forefront of crypto, BTCS is uniquely positioned to lead in this new paradigm. With a new crypto-friendly administration and increased institutional interest in Ethereum, now is the time to rapidly scale our operations.”

The chart below illustrates the history of BTCS’s ETH accumulation over the last 5 years:

The Company plans to provide additional updates, in accordance with its disclosure obligations under securities laws, regarding the specific timelines, instruments, and market conditions as part of its regular investor communications.

About BTCS:

BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (short for Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions) is a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure technology company currently focused on driving scalable revenue growth through its blockchain infrastructure operations. BTCS has honed its expertise in blockchain network operations, particularly in block building and validator node management. Its branded block-building operation, Builder+, leverages advanced algorithms to optimize block construction for on-chain validation, thus maximizing gas fee revenues. BTCS also supports other blockchain networks by operating validator nodes and staking its crypto assets across multiple proof-of-stake networks, allowing crypto holders to delegate assets to BTCS-managed nodes. In addition, the Company has developed ChainQ, an AI-powered blockchain data analytics platform, which enhances user access and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. Committed to innovation and adaptability, BTCS is strategically positioned to expand its blockchain operations and infrastructure beyond Ethereum as the ecosystem evolves. Explore how BTCS is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure in the public markets by visiting www.btcs.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, constitute “forward-looking statements” within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 including statements regarding plans to raise $100 million in 2025, Ethereum’s growth potential, plans for capital raises and limiting our NAV leverage cap and rapidly increasing the Company’s ETH per share and simultaneously driving revenue growth. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation market conditions, regulatory issues and requirements, unexpected issues with Builder+, as well as risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 which was filed on March 20, 2025. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For more information follow us on:
Twitter: https://x.com/NasdaqBTCS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasdaq-btcs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NasdaqBTCS

Investor Relations:
Charles Allen – CEO
X (formerly Twitter): @Charles_BTCS
Email: ir@btcs.com

¹ Subject to regulatory approval and market conditions.

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Quidax Bring Together Top Banks, Asset Managers to Drive Digital Assets Adoption in Nigeria

Source: APO – Report:

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, in collaboration with leading digital assets exchange Quidax (www.Quidax.io), hosted an educational series aimed at equipping Nigerian finance professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the evolving digital assets ecosystem.

The exclusive two-day event, held at the prestigious Capital Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, convened representatives from commercial banks, asset management firms, pension fund administrators, and securities traders. Some of the participants at the event were from Zenith Bank, ARM, Investment One, FBNQuest, Interswitch, Ecobank, Africa Prudential, Meristem, Wema Bank, Capitafield, Sterling Bank, and several other companies.

Driving Adoption Through Education and Regulation

Speaking at the event, Abdulrasheed Dan Abu, Head of FinTech and Innovation at the Securities and Exchange Commission, underscored the programme’s significance. He stated that the initiative reflects the commission’s statutory responsibility not only to regulate the capital market but also to actively develop it.

Dan Abu emphasized the integral role of traditional financial institutions in the growth of the digital asset ecosystem. “The banks hold fiat currency. If they don’t understand what is going on, it creates a disconnect in the value chain. The more banks that understand digital assets, the better the playing field for users,” he explained.

This educational series builds on a series of significant regulatory milestones in Nigeria’s digital finance space. On 29 March 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, which formally classifies cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets as securities, thereby placing them under the SEC’s purview. Prior to this, in June 2024, the commission issued rules for Virtual Asset Service Providers, providing crucial regulatory backing to exchanges and other entities operating in the space.

Quidax’s Pan-African Mission and the Importance of Collaboration

Buchi Okoro, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quidax, highlighted the event’s core purpose: supporting adoption by educating both beginners and advanced participants within the financial industry. “Adoption starts with education. This session caters to people at different knowledge levels, from total beginners to those who have conducted blockchain pilots,” he said.

Okoro reiterated Quidax’s ambitious Pan-African mission, noting that the exchange already operates in nine countries and plans to expand to all 54 African nations. “We’re solving African problems for Africans, and this event partnership with the SEC helps us do that within regulatory guardrails,” he added.

Industry Leaders Endorse the Initiative

The event garnered strong support from other key industry players, reinforcing the collaborative spirit essential for digital asset integration.

Pascal Maguire, Sales Director for Africa at Fireblocks, stressed the need for such forums: “We need more finance and payments experts and decision makers to attend such forums as this enables them to see that they have trusted partners in firms like Quidax, Fireblocks, and the SEC who can both educate them and guide them on their adoption and innovation journey.”

Ajibade Laolu Adewale, Chairman of the Committee of E-Business Heads in Nigerian Banks and Chief Partnership Officer at Wema Bank, a panelist at the event, highlighted the pressing need for digital assets due to inefficiencies in traditional banking. “Today, moving money internationally still takes days and depends on informal channels. With blockchain, you can transfer value instantly and securely,” he stated.

Attendees also expressed their positive reception. Sunday Joseph Olaniyan, Head of E-Business at Sun Trust Bank, remarked, “Events like these bring such awareness even closer to us as institutions here in Nigeria and presents us with the opportunity to not be left out of this wave of change. People like myself who have been aware of digital assets are now even more sensitized to the global trend and I sure do not want to be left behind at all.”

Adding to the sentiment, Bukola James-Cole, Director of Capital Market at Africa Prudential PLC, spoke about the natural evolution of money. She emphasized, “Whether we like it or not it will happen so the earlier we start getting educated about digital assets the better for the industry.”

– on behalf of Quidax.

About Quidax:
Quidax is an African-founded cryptocurrency exchange (https://apo-opa.co/3TvxUhk) that makes it easy for anyone to buy, sell, store and transfer cryptocurrencies. Quidax additionally enables OTC trading (https://apo-opa.co/3IiELby) and gives fintechs the tools to offer cryptocurrency services to customers through a dedicated crypto API.

Quidax was officially launched in 2018 and has customers in over 70 countries.

Media files

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Benchmarking Public Spending Efficiency in Education, Health, and Infrastructure in Ireland
Source: International Monetary Fund
Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Yen N Mooi. “Benchmarking Public Spending Efficiency in Education, Health, and Infrastructure in Ireland”, Selected Issues Papers 2025, 090 (2025), accessed July 8, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229016872.018

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Summary

The paper benchmarks Ireland’s public spending efficiency to peer countries in infrastructure, health, and education using a variety of indicators and maps the efficiency frontiers in these sectors using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. It finds that while Ireland is at the efficiency frontier for education spending, there is room for potential gains in public spending efficiency on health and infrastructure. Achieving these gains could create further fiscal space to improve Ireland’s buffers for shocks in an environment of heightened global uncertainty and structural shifts.

Subject: Capital spending, Current spending, Education, Education spending, Expenditure, Expenditure efficiency, Health, Health care, Health care spending, Infrastructure, National accounts

Keywords: Capital spending, Current spending, Data Envelopment Analysis, Education spending, Expenditure efficiency, General government spending, Health care, Health care spending, Infrastructure, Public Spending Efficiency, Total expenditures

Publication Details
MIL OSI Global Banks –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: The aftermath of floods, hurricanes and other disasters can be hardest on older rural Americans – here’s how families and neighbors can help

Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Lori Hunter, Professor of Sociology, Director of the Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder

Edith Schaecher, center, and her daughter and granddaughter look at a photo album recovered from her tornado-damaged home in Greenfield, Iowa, in May 2024. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Hurricanes, tornadoes and other extreme weather do not distinguish between urban and rural boundaries. But when a disaster strikes, there are big differences in how well people are able to respond and recover – and older adults in rural areas are especially vulnerable.

If a disaster causes injuries, getting health care can take longer in rural areas. Many rural hospitals have closed, leaving patients traveling longer distances for care.

At the same time, rural areas have higher percentages of older adults, a group that is more likely to have chronic health problems that make experiencing natural disasters especially dangerous. Medical treatments, such as dialysis, can be disrupted when power goes out or clinics are damaged, and injuries are more likely around property damaged by flooding or powerful winds.

As a sociologist who studies rural issues and directs the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, I believe that understanding the risks is essential for ensuring healthier lives for older adults. I see many different ways rural communities are helping reduce their vulnerability in disasters.

Disasters disrupt health care, especially in isolated rural regions

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 20% of the country’s rural population is age 65 and over, compared with only 16% of urban residents. That’s about 10 million older adults living in rural areas.

There are three primary reasons rural America has been aging faster than the rest of the country: Young people have been leaving for college and job opportunities, meaning fewer residents are starting new families. Many older rural residents are choosing to “age in place” where they have strong social ties. And some rural areas are gaining older adults who choose to retire there.

An aging population means rural areas tend to have a larger percentage of residents with chronic disease, such as dementia, heart disease, respiratory illness and diabetes.

According to research from the National Council on Aging, nearly 95% of adults age 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, while more than 78% have two or more. Rural areas also have higher rates of death from chronic diseases, particularly heart disease.

At the same time, health care access in rural areas is rapidly declining.

Nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed or stopped providing in-patient care since 2005. Over 700 more — one-third of the nation’s remaining rural hospitals — were considered to be at risk of closing even before the cuts to Medicaid that the president signed in July 2025.

Hospital closures have left rural residents traveling about 20 miles farther for common in-patient health care services than they did two decades ago, and even farther for specialist care.

Those miles might seem trivial, but in emergencies when roads are damaged or flooded, they can mean losing access to care and treatment.

After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, 44% of patients on dialysis missed at least one treatment session, and almost 17% missed three or more.

When Hurricanes Matthew and Florence hit rural Robeson County, North Carolina, in 2016 and 2018, some patients who relied on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels went without insulin for weeks. The county had high rates of poverty and poor health already, and the healthy foods people needed to manage the disease were also hard to find after the storm.

Insulin is important for treating diabetes – a chronic disease estimated to affect nearly one-third of adults age 65 and older. But a sufficient supply can be harder to maintain when a disaster knocks out power, because insulin should be kept cool, and medical facilities and drugstores may be harder for patients to reach.

Rural residents also often live farther from community centers, schools or other facilities that can serve as cooling centers during heat waves or evacuation centers in times of crisis.

Alzheimer’s disease can make evacuation difficult

Cognitive decline also affects older adults’ ability to manage disasters.

Over 11% of Americans age 65 and older – more than 7 million people – have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, and the prevalence is higher in rural areas’ older populations compared with urban areas.

Caregivers for family members living with dementia may struggle to find time to prepare for disasters. And when disaster strikes, they face unique challenges. Disasters disrupt routines, which can cause agitation for people with Alzheimer’s, and patients may resist evacuation.

Living through a disaster can also worsen brain health over the long run. Older adults who lived through the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami were found to have greater cognitive decline over the following decade, especially those who lost their homes or jobs, or whose health care routines were disrupted.

Social safety nets are essential

One thing that many rural communities have that helps is a strong social fabric. Those social connections can help reduce older adults’ vulnerability when disasters strike.

Following severe flooding in Colorado in 2013, social connections helped older adults navigate the maze of paperwork required for disaster aid, and some even provided personal loans.

Community support through churches, like this one whose building was hit by a tornado in rural Argyle, Wis., in 2024, and other groups can help older adults recover from disasters.
Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Friends, family and neighbors in rural areas often check in on seniors, particularly those living alone. They can help them develop disaster response plans to ensure older residents have access to medications and medical treatment, and that they have an evacuation plan.

Rural communities and local groups can also help build up older adults’ mental and physical health before and after storms by developing educational, social and exercise programs. Better health and social connections can improve resilience, including older adults’ ability to respond to alerts and recover after disasters.

Ensuring that everyone in the community has that kind of support is important in rural areas and cities alike as storm and flood risks worsen, particularly for older adults.

Lori Hunter receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

– ref. The aftermath of floods, hurricanes and other disasters can be hardest on older rural Americans – here’s how families and neighbors can help – https://theconversation.com/the-aftermath-of-floods-hurricanes-and-other-disasters-can-be-hardest-on-older-rural-americans-heres-how-families-and-neighbors-can-help-247691

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: 3 basic ingredients, a million possibilities: How small pizzerias succeed with uniqueness in an age of chain restaurants

Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Paula de la Cruz-Fernández, Cultural Digital Collections Manager, University of Florida

Variety is the sauce of life. Suzanne Kreiter/Boston Globe via Getty Images

At its heart, pizza is deceptively simple. Made from just a few humble ingredients – baked dough, tangy sauce, melted cheese and maybe a few toppings – it might seem like a perfect candidate for the kind of mass-produced standardization that defines many global food chains, where predictable menus reign supreme.

Yet, visit two pizzerias in different towns – or even on different blocks of the same town – and you’ll find that pizza stubbornly refuses to be homogenized.

We are researchers working on a local business history project that documents the commercial landscape of Gainesville, Florida, in the 20th and 21st centuries. As part of that project, we’ve spent a great many hours over the past two years interviewing local restaurant owners, especially those behind Gainesville’s independent pizzerias. What we’ve found reaffirms a powerful truth: Pizza resists sameness – and small pizzerias are a big reason why.

Why standardized pizza rose but didn’t conquer

While tomatoes were unknown in Italy until the mid-16th century, they have since become synonymous with Italian cuisine – especially through pizza.

Pizza arrived in the U.S. from Naples in the early 20th century, when Italian immigration was at its peak. Two of the biggest destinations for Italian immigrants were New York City and Chicago, and today each has a distinctive pizza style. A New York slice can easily be identified by its thin, soft, foldable crust, while Chicago pies are known for deep, thick, buttery crusts.

After World War II, other regions developed their own types of pizza, including the famed New Haven and Detroit styles. The New Haven style is known for being thin, crispy and charred in a coal-fired oven, while the Detroit style has a rectangular, deep-dish shape and thick, buttery crust.

By the latter half of the 20th century, pizza had become a staple of the American diet. And as its popularity grew, so did demand for consistent, affordable pizza joints. Chains such as Pizza Hut, founded in 1958, and Papa John’s, established in 1984, applied the model pioneered by McDonalds in the late 1940s, adopting limited menus, assembly line kitchens and franchise models built for consistency and scale. New technologies such as point-of-sale systems and inventory management software made things even more efficient.

As food historian Carol Helstosky explains in “Pizza: A Global History,” the transformation involved simplifying recipes, ensuring consistent quality and developing formats optimized for rapid expansion and franchising. What began as a handcrafted, regional dish became a highly replicable product suited to global mass markets.

Today, more than 20,000 Pizza Huts operate worldwide. Papa John’s, which runs about 6,000 pizzerias, built its brand explicitly on a promise rooted in standardization. In this model, success means making pizza the same way, everywhere, every time.

So, what happened to the independent pizzerias? Did they get swallowed up by efficiency?

Not quite.

Chain restaurants don’t necessarily suffocate small competitors, recent research shows. In fact, in the case of pizza, they often coexist, sometimes even fueling creativity and opportunity. Independent pizzerias – there are more than 44,000 nationwide – lean into what makes them unique, carving out a niche. Rather than focusing only on speed or price, they compete by offering character, inventive toppings, personal service and a sense of place that chains just can’t replicate.

A local pizza scene: Creativity in a corporate age

For an example, look no farther than Gainesville. A college town with fewer than 150,000 residents, Gainesville doesn’t have the same culinary cache as New York or Chicago, but it has developed a very unique pizza scene. With 13 independent pizzerias serving Neapolitan, Detroit, New York and Mediterranean styles and more, hungry Gators have a plethora of options when craving a slice.

What makes Gainesville’s pizza scene especially interesting is the range of backgrounds its proprietors have. Through interviews with pizzeria owners, we found that some had started as artists and musicians, while others had worked in engineering or education – and each had their own unique approach to making pizzas.

The owner of Strega Nona’s Oven, for example, uses his engineering background to turn dough-making into a science, altering the proportions of ingredients by as little as half of a percent based on the season or even the weather.

Satchel’s Pizza, on the other hand, is filled with works made by its artist owner, including mosaic windows, paintings, sculptures and fountains.

Gainesville’s independent pizzerias often serve as what sociologists call “third places”: spaces for gathering that aren’t home or work. And their owners think carefully about how to create a welcoming environment. For example, the owner of Scuola Pizza insisted the restaurant be free of TVs, so diners can focus on their food. Squarehouse Pizza features a large outdoor space; an old, now repurposed school bus outfitted with tables and chairs to dine in, and a stage for live music.

Squarehouse also is known for its unusual toppings on square, Detroit-style pies – for example, the Mariah Curry, topped with curry chicken or cauliflower and coconut curry sauce. It refreshes its specialty menus every semester or two.

While the American pizza landscape may be shaped by big brands and standardized menus, small pizzerias continue to shine. Gainesville is a perfect example of how a local pizza scene in a small Southern college town can be so unique, even in a globalized industry. Small pizzerias don’t just offer food – they offer a flavorful reminder that the marketplace rewards distinctiveness and local character, too.

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

– ref. 3 basic ingredients, a million possibilities: How small pizzerias succeed with uniqueness in an age of chain restaurants – https://theconversation.com/3-basic-ingredients-a-million-possibilities-how-small-pizzerias-succeed-with-uniqueness-in-an-age-of-chain-restaurants-259661

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major progress at York Central as new travel routes open to the public
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

Major progress at York Central as new travel routes open to the public

Residents and visitors can now enjoy safer, greener and more attractive journeys into York city centre as new travel routes through the York Central development open.
Replacing Leeman Road as a through-route, the new road runs from Salisbury Road to Marble Arch, with dedicated wider pedestrian and cycle paths alongside it.

Designed with sustainability and comfort in mind, the new infrastructure features Hudson Boulevard, a standout walking and cycling route complete with high-quality materials, seating, and a striking central rain garden.

The opening of new travel routes through York Central is evidence of how Homes England is working with local leaders to transform underused, brownfield land into thriving communities and creating places people can be proud of.

Leon Guyett, Project Director on behalf of Homes England and Network Rail, said:

The opening of the new road, walking and cycling routes is a huge step forward for the project, providing safer and more attractive journeys into the city centre for pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and drivers.

This modern infrastructure not only supports sustainable transport but also plays a key role in unlocking the wider York Central development for new homes, public spaces and commercial opportunities.

The second phase of works will see two new bridges constructed over the East Coast Main Line, completing the direct link to Water End. This will further reduce traffic through areas such as Salisbury Terrace and enhance connections for all road users.

Funding from Homes England has supported turning local ambitions into reality, creating well-connected neighbourhoods that support both economic growth and environmental goals.

Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, commented:

This is a significant milestone for York Central. These new routes help unlock a transformative opportunity for the city—thousands of homes, well-paid jobs and welcoming public spaces.

The improved walking, cycling and bus provision is already making a difference, and Hudson Boulevard in particular is a beautiful and functional new feature. Looking ahead, the new road will ultimately connect directly to Water End, removing through-traffic from nearby residential areas and improving neighbourhood environments.

Matt Mosley, Regional Director for Sisk Infrastructure, added:

Sisk is proud to have delivered this transformative infrastructure. We’ve worked closely with Homes England to create lasting value for York, both economically and socially.

As one of the UK’s largest city centre brownfield regeneration projects, York Central is backed by over £155 million in public funding. Construction on key infrastructure began in 2022 and will ultimately include more than 2km of new roads, bus lanes, pedestrian footpaths and cycleways.

In 2024, McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate were appointed as development partners to deliver up to 2,500 homes, 1 million square feet of commercial space, a new western entrance to York Station, and extensive new green spaces. At least 20% of the homes will be affordable, and the project is expected to support over 6,500 jobs.

The scheme will also enable a major expansion of the National Railway Museum, enhancing York’s position as a cultural and economic hub.

For the latest updates, visit www.yorkcentral.info or the developer’s website at www.yorkcentral.uk.

About York Central

York Central is one of the UK’s largest city centre regeneration sites. The scheme has unprecedented support from Central, Regional and Local government, with £155m already committed to building key up front infrastructure.

The site is being brought forward by majority landowners and master developers McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate, Homes England and Network Rail in collaboration with key stakeholders, the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum.

For more information visit: https://www.yorkcentral.info

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Published 8 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iran did not request talks with US – MFA

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

TEHRAN, July 8 (Xinhua) — Iran has not requested any meetings with the United States, the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

This is how the diplomat responded to the words of US President Donald Trump, who said the day before that Iran had asked for a meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the United States was ready to negotiate with Iran. “We have a meeting scheduled with Iran, and they want to talk,” he said. “They have requested a meeting, and I am going to attend. If we can put something on paper, that would be good,” the president added.

From April 12 to May 23, Iran and the United States held five rounds of indirect talks on Tehran’s nuclear program and the lifting of American sanctions. They were mediated by Oman.

Two days before the sixth round, scheduled for June 15 in the Omani capital Muscat, Israel launched massive airstrikes on a number of Iranian sites, including nuclear and military facilities, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and scores of civilians. Tehran responded with a series of missile and drone strikes on Israel.

On June 22, the United States struck three Iranian nuclear facilities: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iran later attacked the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

On June 24, after 12 days of fighting, Iran and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iran did not request talks with US – MFA

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

TEHRAN, July 8 (Xinhua) — Iran has not requested any meetings with the United States, the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

This is how the diplomat responded to the words of US President Donald Trump, who said the day before that Iran had asked for a meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the United States was ready to negotiate with Iran. “We have a meeting scheduled with Iran, and they want to talk,” he said. “They have requested a meeting, and I am going to attend. If we can put something on paper, that would be good,” the president added.

From April 12 to May 23, Iran and the United States held five rounds of indirect talks on Tehran’s nuclear program and the lifting of American sanctions. They were mediated by Oman.

Two days before the sixth round, scheduled for June 15 in the Omani capital Muscat, Israel launched massive airstrikes on a number of Iranian sites, including nuclear and military facilities, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and scores of civilians. Tehran responded with a series of missile and drone strikes on Israel.

On June 22, the United States struck three Iranian nuclear facilities: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iran later attacked the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

On June 24, after 12 days of fighting, Iran and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: The Rule of Law is Key to Capitalism − Eroding it is Bad News for American Business

Source: US State of Connecticut

Something dangerous is happening to the U.S. economy, and it’s not inflation or trade wars. Chaotic deregulation and the selective enforcement of laws have upended markets and investor confidence. At one point, the threat of tariffs and resulting chaos evaporated US$4 trillion in value in the U.S. stock market. This approach isn’t helping the economy, and there are troubling signs it will hurt both the U.S. and the global economy in the short and long term.

The rule of law – the idea that legal rules apply to everyone equally, regardless of wealth or political connections − is essential for a thriving economy. Yet globally the respect for the rule of law is slipping, and the U.S. is slipping with it. According to annual rankings from the World Justice Project, the rule of law has declined in more than half of all countries for seven years in a row. The rule of law in the U.S., the most economically powerful nation in the world, is now weaker than the rule of law in Uruguay, Singapore, Latvia and over 20 other countries.

When regulation is unnecessarily burdensome for business, government should lighten the load. However, arbitrary and frenzied deregulation does not free corporations to earn higher profits. As a business school professor with an MBA who has taught business law for over 25 years, and the author of a recently published book about the importance of legal knowledge to business, I can affirm that the opposite is true. Chaotic deregulation doesn’t drive growth. It only fuels risk.

Chaos undermines investment, talent and trust

Legal uncertainty has become a serious drag on American competitiveness.

A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that public policy risks — such as unexpected changes in taxes, regulation and enforcement — ranked among the top challenges businesses face, alongside more familiar business threats such as competition or economic volatility. Companies that can’t predict how the law might change are forced to plan for the worst. That means holding back on long-term investment, slowing innovation and raising prices to cover new risks.

When the government enforces rules arbitrarily, it also undermines property rights.

For example, if a country enters into a major trade agreement and then goes ahead and violates it, that threatens the property rights of the companies that relied on the agreement to conduct business. If the government can seize assets without due process, those assets lose their stability and value. And if that treatment depends on whether a company is in the government’s political favor, it’s not just bad economics − it’s a red flag for investors.

When government doesn’t enforce rules fairly, it also threatens people’s freedom to enter into contracts.

Consider presidential orders that threaten the clients of law firms that have challenged the administration with cancellation of their government contracts. The threat alone jeopardizes the value of those agreements.

If businesses can’t trust public contracts to be respected, they’ll be less likely to work with the government in the first place. This deprives the government, and ultimately the American people, of receiving the best value for their tax dollars in critical areas such as transportation, technology and national defense.

Regulatory chaos also allows corruption to spread.

For example, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits businesses from bribing foreign government officials, has leveled the playing field for firms and enabled the best American companies to succeed on their merits. Before the law was enacted in 1977, some American companies felt pressured to pay bribes to compete. “Pausing” enforcement of the law, as the current presidential administration has done, increases the cost of doing business and encourages a wild west economy where chaos thrives.

When corruption grows, stable and democratic governments weaken, opportunities for terrorism increase and corruption-fueled authoritarian regimes, which oppose the interests of the U.S., thrive. Halting the enforcement of an anti-bribery law, even for a limited time, is an issue of national security.

Legal uncertainty fuels brain drain

Chaotic enforcement of the law also corrodes labor markets.

American companies require a strong pool of talented professionals to fuel their financial success. When legal rights are enforced arbitrarily or unjustly, the very best talent that American companies need may leave the country.

The science brain drain is already happening. American scientists have submitted 32% more applications for jobs abroad compared with last year. Nonscientists are leaving too. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has witnessed a 50% increase in Americans taking steps to obtain an Irish passport. Employers in the U.K. saw a spike in job applications from the United States.

Business from other countries will gladly accept American talent as they compete against American companies. During the Third Reich, Nazi Germany lost its best and brightest to other countries, including America. Now the reverse is happening, as highly talented Americans leave to work for firms in other nations.

Threats of arbitrary legal actions also drive away democratic allies and their prosperous populations that purchase American-made goods and services. For example, arbitrarily threatening to punish or even annex a closely allied nation does not endear its citizens to that government or the businesses it represents. So it’s no surprise that Canadians are now boycotting American goods and services. This is devastating businesses in American border towns and hurts the economy nationwide.

Similarly, the Canadian government has responded to whipsawing U.S. tariff announcements with counter-tariffs, which will slice the profits of American exporters. Close American allies and trading partners such as Japan, the U.K. and the European Union are also signaling their own willingness to impose retaliatory tariffs, increasing the costs of operations to American business even more.

Modern capitalism depends on smart regulation to thrive. Smart regulation is not an obstacle to capitalism. Smart regulation is what makes American capitalism possible. Smart regulation is what makes American freedom possible.

Clear and consistently applied legal rules allow businesses to aggressively compete, carefully plan, and generate profits. An arbitrary rule of law deprives business of the true power of capitalism – the ability to promote economic growth, spur innovation and improve the overall living standards of a free society. Americans deserve no less, and it is up to government to make that happen for everyone.

Originally published in The Conversation.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: The Rule of Law is Key to Capitalism − Eroding it is Bad News for American Business

Source: US State of Connecticut

Something dangerous is happening to the U.S. economy, and it’s not inflation or trade wars. Chaotic deregulation and the selective enforcement of laws have upended markets and investor confidence. At one point, the threat of tariffs and resulting chaos evaporated US$4 trillion in value in the U.S. stock market. This approach isn’t helping the economy, and there are troubling signs it will hurt both the U.S. and the global economy in the short and long term.

The rule of law – the idea that legal rules apply to everyone equally, regardless of wealth or political connections − is essential for a thriving economy. Yet globally the respect for the rule of law is slipping, and the U.S. is slipping with it. According to annual rankings from the World Justice Project, the rule of law has declined in more than half of all countries for seven years in a row. The rule of law in the U.S., the most economically powerful nation in the world, is now weaker than the rule of law in Uruguay, Singapore, Latvia and over 20 other countries.

When regulation is unnecessarily burdensome for business, government should lighten the load. However, arbitrary and frenzied deregulation does not free corporations to earn higher profits. As a business school professor with an MBA who has taught business law for over 25 years, and the author of a recently published book about the importance of legal knowledge to business, I can affirm that the opposite is true. Chaotic deregulation doesn’t drive growth. It only fuels risk.

Chaos undermines investment, talent and trust

Legal uncertainty has become a serious drag on American competitiveness.

A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that public policy risks — such as unexpected changes in taxes, regulation and enforcement — ranked among the top challenges businesses face, alongside more familiar business threats such as competition or economic volatility. Companies that can’t predict how the law might change are forced to plan for the worst. That means holding back on long-term investment, slowing innovation and raising prices to cover new risks.

When the government enforces rules arbitrarily, it also undermines property rights.

For example, if a country enters into a major trade agreement and then goes ahead and violates it, that threatens the property rights of the companies that relied on the agreement to conduct business. If the government can seize assets without due process, those assets lose their stability and value. And if that treatment depends on whether a company is in the government’s political favor, it’s not just bad economics − it’s a red flag for investors.

When government doesn’t enforce rules fairly, it also threatens people’s freedom to enter into contracts.

Consider presidential orders that threaten the clients of law firms that have challenged the administration with cancellation of their government contracts. The threat alone jeopardizes the value of those agreements.

If businesses can’t trust public contracts to be respected, they’ll be less likely to work with the government in the first place. This deprives the government, and ultimately the American people, of receiving the best value for their tax dollars in critical areas such as transportation, technology and national defense.

Regulatory chaos also allows corruption to spread.

For example, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits businesses from bribing foreign government officials, has leveled the playing field for firms and enabled the best American companies to succeed on their merits. Before the law was enacted in 1977, some American companies felt pressured to pay bribes to compete. “Pausing” enforcement of the law, as the current presidential administration has done, increases the cost of doing business and encourages a wild west economy where chaos thrives.

When corruption grows, stable and democratic governments weaken, opportunities for terrorism increase and corruption-fueled authoritarian regimes, which oppose the interests of the U.S., thrive. Halting the enforcement of an anti-bribery law, even for a limited time, is an issue of national security.

Legal uncertainty fuels brain drain

Chaotic enforcement of the law also corrodes labor markets.

American companies require a strong pool of talented professionals to fuel their financial success. When legal rights are enforced arbitrarily or unjustly, the very best talent that American companies need may leave the country.

The science brain drain is already happening. American scientists have submitted 32% more applications for jobs abroad compared with last year. Nonscientists are leaving too. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has witnessed a 50% increase in Americans taking steps to obtain an Irish passport. Employers in the U.K. saw a spike in job applications from the United States.

Business from other countries will gladly accept American talent as they compete against American companies. During the Third Reich, Nazi Germany lost its best and brightest to other countries, including America. Now the reverse is happening, as highly talented Americans leave to work for firms in other nations.

Threats of arbitrary legal actions also drive away democratic allies and their prosperous populations that purchase American-made goods and services. For example, arbitrarily threatening to punish or even annex a closely allied nation does not endear its citizens to that government or the businesses it represents. So it’s no surprise that Canadians are now boycotting American goods and services. This is devastating businesses in American border towns and hurts the economy nationwide.

Similarly, the Canadian government has responded to whipsawing U.S. tariff announcements with counter-tariffs, which will slice the profits of American exporters. Close American allies and trading partners such as Japan, the U.K. and the European Union are also signaling their own willingness to impose retaliatory tariffs, increasing the costs of operations to American business even more.

Modern capitalism depends on smart regulation to thrive. Smart regulation is not an obstacle to capitalism. Smart regulation is what makes American capitalism possible. Smart regulation is what makes American freedom possible.

Clear and consistently applied legal rules allow businesses to aggressively compete, carefully plan, and generate profits. An arbitrary rule of law deprives business of the true power of capitalism – the ability to promote economic growth, spur innovation and improve the overall living standards of a free society. Americans deserve no less, and it is up to government to make that happen for everyone.

Originally published in The Conversation.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: UConn Researchers Are at the Forefront of Using AI for Weather Forecasting

Source: US State of Connecticut

Weather forecasting is not easy. The truth is that predicting future weather conditions over broad, or even narrow, swathes of Earth’s surface comes down to complex microphysical processes, and as College of Engineering Associate Professor and UConn Atmospheric and Air Quality Modeling Group Leader Marina Astitha puts it, nature is chaotic.

Astitha and her research group are at the forefront of exploring ways to improve weather prediction using AI and machine learning to enhance existing physics-based models. They developed new methods for the prediction of snowfall accumulation and wind gusts associated with extreme weather events in three recent papers in the Journal of Hydrology, Artificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems, and another in the Journal of Hydrology.

Postdoctoral researcher Ummul Khaira Ph.D. ’24 led the snowfall prediction work during her time as a Ph.D student. Ph.D candidate Israt Jahan is passionate about building models that improve predictions of damaging wind gusts from storms.

The researchers met with UConn Today to discuss the importance and everyday applications of enhanced forecasting capabilities using these new technologies.

Are there forecasting challenges that are unique to the Northeast?

Astitha: There are characteristics about the Northeast that make it particularly difficult to make weather predictions for. This is especially true for winter weather because we have Nor’easters that can come from either the center of the country or from the Gulf. Some move slowly, and they are highly predictable. Some can be what we call a bomb cyclone, where they rush up here and dump a lot of snow in a small amount of time.

For weather forecasting, we traditionally use numerical weather prediction models that are based on physics principles and have seen large improvements over the last 20-30 years. We have been running our own weather forecasting system at UConn since 2014, based on physical models. However, numerical weather prediction comes with its own challenges due to uncertainty in parameterizations that are necessary when no physical laws are known for a specific process.

For windstorms, wind gusts specifically are a complicated variable. It’s wind, but the way we observe it and the way we model it is different.

Can you explain more about the physics used in numerical weather prediction models?

Astitha: Precipitation is a microscale process. As air rises and cools, clouds form, and within those clouds, tiny cloud droplets develop through complex microphysical interactions. Over time, some of these droplets grow large enough to become raindrops or snowflakes. Once they reach a critical size, gravity causes them to fall to the ground as precipitation. This entire process is governed by microphysical processes.

We try to predict such microphysical processes embedded in numerical weather models by solving many equations and parameterizations. These models describe our atmosphere as a 3D grid, dividing it into discrete boxes where we solve equations based on first principles (motion, thermodynamics, and more). This approach poses a major challenge: even with increased resolution, each grid cell often represents a large volume of air, typically one to four square kilometers. Despite efforts to refine the grid, these cells still encompass vast areas, limiting the model’s ability to resolve smaller-scale processes.

Numerical prediction is what got me here. 20 years ago, I could run a code to numerically solve physics equations of the atmosphere, and then I could tell approximately what the weather would be like the next day. That, to me, was mind-blowing!

Once you run one deterministic model, you get one answer that the temperature is going to be, say 75 degrees tomorrow in Storrs. That’s one potential realization of the future. Models like that are not capable of giving us an exact answer, because nature is chaotic. I’ve always had the mindset of looking at multiple models to have an idea of that uncertainty and variability, and if 10 different realizations give you 74, 75, or 76 degrees, you know you’re close.

Khaira: Few things are more humbling than a snowfall that defies prediction. My work lies in embracing that uncertainty in the chaos and building models not to promise perfection, but to offer communities and decision makers a clearer window into what might lie ahead.

How is your recent research helping with the challenges of numerical weather prediction?

Astitha: Imagine a Nor’easter coming our way during wintertime; they come with a lot of snow and wind. We work with the Eversource Energy Center and we’re interested not only on the scientific advancement, but also the impact and accuracy in predicting when and where that storm is going to happen in Connecticut. Weather prediction accuracy influences the estimation of impacts; for example, power outages. We might underestimate or overestimate the impact by a lot. That makes winter storms of particular interest because of the impact they have on our society, our transportation networks, and electrical power distribution networks.

Five years ago, we decided to test whether a machine learning framework could help with wind gust and snowfall prediction. It comes with its own challenges and uncertainties, but we quickly saw that there is a lot of promise for these tools to correct errors and do better than what numerical weather prediction can do and at a fraction of the time. Machine learning and AI can help improve the analysis of wind gusts and snowfall, but these systems are not perfect either. We want to be able to better predict storms over Connecticut and the Northeast US, which is why we started this exploration with ML/AI, even though most of the research out there about how to implement AI in weather prediction is either at the global scale or much coarser resolution, but we’re getting there.

Can you talk about the everyday impact of the research?

Astitha: An example is when the trees are full of leaves like they are in late spring and summer, and a storm comes in with a lot of rain and intense wind. Whole trees can come down and topple the power lines, which causes many disruptions around the state.

Our close collaboration with the Eversource Energy Center involves our immediate collaborators taking this weather prediction information and operationally predicting power outages for Connecticut and other service territories. That information can go to the utility managers, so they can prepare two to three days in advance, indicating a direct link from science and engineering to the application and to the manager.

I understand people’s frustrations and the need for answers about weather forecasts and impacts of storms. You want to know if your family is going to be safe and if you should or should not be out during particular times of the day. We’re doing this research to improve the reliability and accuracy of weather forecasting, so communities and stakeholders are aware of what’s happening when the storm hits their area and can take appropriate actions.

Jahan: It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work has the potential to improve early warnings and give communities more time to prepare. By combining AI and uncertainty analysis, we’re not just making gust predictions more accurate – we are helping decision-makers plan with greater confidence.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: UConn Researchers Are at the Forefront of Using AI for Weather Forecasting

Source: US State of Connecticut

Weather forecasting is not easy. The truth is that predicting future weather conditions over broad, or even narrow, swathes of Earth’s surface comes down to complex microphysical processes, and as College of Engineering Associate Professor and UConn Atmospheric and Air Quality Modeling Group Leader Marina Astitha puts it, nature is chaotic.

Astitha and her research group are at the forefront of exploring ways to improve weather prediction using AI and machine learning to enhance existing physics-based models. They developed new methods for the prediction of snowfall accumulation and wind gusts associated with extreme weather events in three recent papers in the Journal of Hydrology, Artificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems, and another in the Journal of Hydrology.

Postdoctoral researcher Ummul Khaira Ph.D. ’24 led the snowfall prediction work during her time as a Ph.D student. Ph.D candidate Israt Jahan is passionate about building models that improve predictions of damaging wind gusts from storms.

The researchers met with UConn Today to discuss the importance and everyday applications of enhanced forecasting capabilities using these new technologies.

Are there forecasting challenges that are unique to the Northeast?

Astitha: There are characteristics about the Northeast that make it particularly difficult to make weather predictions for. This is especially true for winter weather because we have Nor’easters that can come from either the center of the country or from the Gulf. Some move slowly, and they are highly predictable. Some can be what we call a bomb cyclone, where they rush up here and dump a lot of snow in a small amount of time.

For weather forecasting, we traditionally use numerical weather prediction models that are based on physics principles and have seen large improvements over the last 20-30 years. We have been running our own weather forecasting system at UConn since 2014, based on physical models. However, numerical weather prediction comes with its own challenges due to uncertainty in parameterizations that are necessary when no physical laws are known for a specific process.

For windstorms, wind gusts specifically are a complicated variable. It’s wind, but the way we observe it and the way we model it is different.

Can you explain more about the physics used in numerical weather prediction models?

Astitha: Precipitation is a microscale process. As air rises and cools, clouds form, and within those clouds, tiny cloud droplets develop through complex microphysical interactions. Over time, some of these droplets grow large enough to become raindrops or snowflakes. Once they reach a critical size, gravity causes them to fall to the ground as precipitation. This entire process is governed by microphysical processes.

We try to predict such microphysical processes embedded in numerical weather models by solving many equations and parameterizations. These models describe our atmosphere as a 3D grid, dividing it into discrete boxes where we solve equations based on first principles (motion, thermodynamics, and more). This approach poses a major challenge: even with increased resolution, each grid cell often represents a large volume of air, typically one to four square kilometers. Despite efforts to refine the grid, these cells still encompass vast areas, limiting the model’s ability to resolve smaller-scale processes.

Numerical prediction is what got me here. 20 years ago, I could run a code to numerically solve physics equations of the atmosphere, and then I could tell approximately what the weather would be like the next day. That, to me, was mind-blowing!

Once you run one deterministic model, you get one answer that the temperature is going to be, say 75 degrees tomorrow in Storrs. That’s one potential realization of the future. Models like that are not capable of giving us an exact answer, because nature is chaotic. I’ve always had the mindset of looking at multiple models to have an idea of that uncertainty and variability, and if 10 different realizations give you 74, 75, or 76 degrees, you know you’re close.

Khaira: Few things are more humbling than a snowfall that defies prediction. My work lies in embracing that uncertainty in the chaos and building models not to promise perfection, but to offer communities and decision makers a clearer window into what might lie ahead.

How is your recent research helping with the challenges of numerical weather prediction?

Astitha: Imagine a Nor’easter coming our way during wintertime; they come with a lot of snow and wind. We work with the Eversource Energy Center and we’re interested not only on the scientific advancement, but also the impact and accuracy in predicting when and where that storm is going to happen in Connecticut. Weather prediction accuracy influences the estimation of impacts; for example, power outages. We might underestimate or overestimate the impact by a lot. That makes winter storms of particular interest because of the impact they have on our society, our transportation networks, and electrical power distribution networks.

Five years ago, we decided to test whether a machine learning framework could help with wind gust and snowfall prediction. It comes with its own challenges and uncertainties, but we quickly saw that there is a lot of promise for these tools to correct errors and do better than what numerical weather prediction can do and at a fraction of the time. Machine learning and AI can help improve the analysis of wind gusts and snowfall, but these systems are not perfect either. We want to be able to better predict storms over Connecticut and the Northeast US, which is why we started this exploration with ML/AI, even though most of the research out there about how to implement AI in weather prediction is either at the global scale or much coarser resolution, but we’re getting there.

Can you talk about the everyday impact of the research?

Astitha: An example is when the trees are full of leaves like they are in late spring and summer, and a storm comes in with a lot of rain and intense wind. Whole trees can come down and topple the power lines, which causes many disruptions around the state.

Our close collaboration with the Eversource Energy Center involves our immediate collaborators taking this weather prediction information and operationally predicting power outages for Connecticut and other service territories. That information can go to the utility managers, so they can prepare two to three days in advance, indicating a direct link from science and engineering to the application and to the manager.

I understand people’s frustrations and the need for answers about weather forecasts and impacts of storms. You want to know if your family is going to be safe and if you should or should not be out during particular times of the day. We’re doing this research to improve the reliability and accuracy of weather forecasting, so communities and stakeholders are aware of what’s happening when the storm hits their area and can take appropriate actions.

Jahan: It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work has the potential to improve early warnings and give communities more time to prepare. By combining AI and uncertainty analysis, we’re not just making gust predictions more accurate – we are helping decision-makers plan with greater confidence.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: The Costs and Benefits of Year-Round Schooling
Source: US State of Connecticut

Editor’s Note: Kristin Simmers prepared the following research brief (unabridged version) with the Center for Education Policy Analysis, Research, and Evaluation (CEPARE). The full brief examines year-round education for districts exploring its adoption. Below is an executive summary.

Year-round education (YRE) redistributes the traditional 180-day school calendar by incorporating shorter, more frequent breaks. Proponents argue that YRE can reduce learning loss, alleviate school overcrowding, and address educational inequities. However, findings on its effectiveness are varied, and evidence suggests outcomes may be influenced by the specific model and implementation context. This brief examines the academic, operational, and financial implications of YRE and key considerations for districts exploring its adoption.

YRE can be implemented as a single-track or multi-track system. In a single-track model, all students follow the same year-round calendar with scheduled intersession breaks, which can be used for remediation and enrichment. Research suggests these programs may help mitigate some learning loss, particularly for disadvantaged students, though the overall academic impact is modest and inconsistent. For example, a Virginia study found that while Black and Hispanic students in YRE schools showed greater gains in state test scores than their peers in traditional calendar schools, participation in intersession programs varied greatly, and there was no significant academic impact on the general student population (Brown et al., 2012). These findings suggest that the observed academic gains among certain student groups in YRE schools may be influenced more by the additional instruction provided during intersession than by the year-round calendar itself.

Multi-track YRE, designed primarily to ease overcrowding, staggers student attendance schedules and generally increases school capacity by 20-33% without building new facilities. While this model offers operational and financial benefits, research indicates little to no academic advantage in model adoption, and some students in lower-resourced tracks may even experience negative academic outcomes. For example, a California study found slight declines in reading and math scores among students in multi-track YRE schools, particularly in the first few years of implementation (Graves, 2011). Additionally, Wake County, North Carolina, which rapidly implemented multi-track YRE to address overcrowding, saw no overall academic gains but did succeed in reducing school population pressures (Graves et al., 2013). However, the YRE transition faced legal challenges from parents who opposed mandatory enrollment in multi-track YRE systems (McMullen & Rouse, 2012), and the district now actively includes parents in their school assignment process (Wake County Public School System, n.d.).

While YRE offers potential benefits, research findings are mixed and suggest its success depends on careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and thoughtful implementation. &#8212 Kristin Simmers

Implementing YRE requires careful consideration of financial, logistical, and community factors. Single-track YRE may increase costs due to intersession programming, staffing, and year-round operations, while multi-track models require complex scheduling and transportation coordination. Family schedules, childcare availability, and extracurricular activities must also be considered. Additionally, teacher workload and retention remain key concerns, as anecdotal reports on YRE’s impact on teacher stress are inconsistent.

Case studies from Greenwood, South Carolina, and Wake County highlight the role of local context. Greenwood 50 adopted single-track YRE in 2021 to improve low test scores and found that attendance at intersession remediation programs surpassed that of traditional summer school remediation. While test scores improved, other factors, such as smaller class sizes, may have contributed to these outcomes (Gregory & Turcotte, 2022).

For districts considering YRE, successful implementation may include:
- Defining objectives about whether YRE implementation will address overcrowding, improve academic outcomes, or both
- Engaging educators, families, and stakeholders throughout the decision-making process
- Ensuring equitable access to remediation and enrichment
- Securing funding for intersession programs when appropriate
- Considering a phased approach or pilot program before full-scale adoption
While YRE offers potential benefits, research findings are mixed and suggest its success depends on careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and thoughtful implementation.

CEPARE produces high-quality research, evaluation, and policy analysis that informs leaders and policymakers on a range of pressing issues, with a particular focus on enhancing social justice and equity across p-20 educational settings in Connecticut and beyond. Learn more about CEPARE, or access the PDF version of this rapid research brief (including all references and appendices), at cepare.uconn.edu.

Kristin Simmers is a Ph.D. candidate in the Learning Sciences program at UConn’s Neag School of Education. She has over 16 years of international teaching experience and holds an MS in elementary education, MS Ed. in curriculum and instruction, and graduate certificates in special education and English as a second language. Her research explores teachers’ understanding of the brain and learning, emphasizing the connection between education research and classroom practice. She promotes a transdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and health to enrich educational research. Through her various professional roles, she works to bridge the gap between research and practice, fostering meaningful collaboration across disciplines.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 9, 2025