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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: Varonis at Infosecurity Europe 2025: Automating Data Security for the AI Era

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI and LONDON, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Varonis Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRNS), the leader in data security, announced its full event schedule for Infosecurity Europe 2025, taking place June 3 – 5 at ExCeL London. Varonis proudly returns to present expert sessions on strengthening cyber resilience, mastering proactive security, and modernizing DLP for today’s threat landscape.

    Stop by Varonis’ Booth D60 to learn how Varonis reduces risk to data in the age of AI. While there, learn how Varonis helps customers identify and mitigate threats across IaaS and SaaS, safeguard sensitive data, and boost compliance with privacy regulations automatically.

    Highlights at Infosecurity Europe 2025:

    Expert Session – CISO Secrets: Strengthening Cyber Resilience in 2025. Varonis’ Dr. William Priestley will share the data-centric security playbook built from conversations with top CISOs and cybersecurity leaders across manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and other industries.

    Date: Tuesday, June 3, at 12 p.m. – 12:25 p.m.
    Location: Technology Showcase stage

    Expert Session – Modernizing DLP for Today’s Threat Landscape. Varonis Field CTO Matt Lock will delve into next-gen DLP, an approach aligning modern collaboration with cloud-first detection and prevention. You’ll see how rethinking DLP can help you cut through noise, reduce workloads, and automate security posture.

    Date: Tuesday, June 3, 3:15 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
    Location: Cyber Strategy stage

    Expert Session – Mastering Proactive SaaS Data Security. Varonis’ Dave Philpotts will cover the complexities of securing SaaS applications and the approach needed to enhance your security posture and prevent data breaches.

    Date: Wednesday, June 4, 12 p.m. – 12:25 p.m.
    Location: Technology Showcase stage 

    Additional Resources

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

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

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Strive Asset Management and Asset Entities (Nasdaq: ASST) Announce $750M Private Investment to Fund First Wave of Bitcoin Accumulation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Transaction to raise up to $1.5 billion in total proceeds upon exercise of warrants, which would make Strive Asset Management one of the largest Bitcoin treasury companies.
    • The combined company will continue to have no outstanding debt for borrowed money after this financing.
    • Strive CEO Matt Cole to discuss the company’s proposed alpha-generating Bitcoin strategies during his 11:54 AM PT keynote on May 27, 2025 at the Bitcoin for Corporations Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    DALLAS, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Asset Entities (Nasdaq: ASST) and Strive Asset Management today announced the signing of a $750 million private investment in public equity (PIPE), with an additional $750 million in potential financing upon the exercise of warrants, which could increase total potential proceeds to $1.5 billion. Upon closing of the transactions, the proceeds are expected to support the company’s first wave of Bitcoin acquisitions, with the goal of establishing Strive Asset Management as the first Bitcoin treasury company focused on long-term Bitcoin outperformance through the implementation of alpha-generating strategies, in addition to the company’s plans to implement known beta strategies used by incumbent Bitcoin treasury corporations.

    A select group of leading institutional investors and Strive’s management team, including CEO Matt Cole, participated in the financing, which is expected to close concurrently with the transaction under the merger agreement between Strive Asset Management and Asset Entities.

    “Most Bitcoin treasury companies are valued based on multiples to their Bitcoin holdings, which makes sense because their strategies are tied to leveraged beta to Bitcoin,” said Matt Cole, CEO of Strive. “By contrast, our alpha-generating Bitcoin accumulation strategies are designed to drive sustained outperformance relative to Bitcoin itself, which requires a new valuation framework.”

    Strive Asset Management’s first wave of alpha-generating Bitcoin accumulation strategies include:

    • Unlocking discounted cash through acquisitions of biotech companies trading below their net cash position, which Strive views as a multi-billion dollar opportunity, and one where Strive believes it has a distinctive competitive advantage due to its founding and management team.
    • Acquiring distressed Bitcoin claims—such as Mt. Gox claims—at discounts to Bitcoin NAV, a market opportunity estimated to be over 75,000 BTC, through Strive’s recently announced strategic partnership with 117 Partners LLC.
    • Positioning itself to become a market leader in purchasing bottom tranches of structured Bitcoin credit vehicles, at discounted prices.

    The PIPE was priced at $1.35 per share of common stock, representing a 121% premium to the closing price of Asset Entities (NASDAQ:ASST) immediately before its merger announcement with Strive Asset Management. The exercise price for warrants in this PIPE transaction is $1.35 per share. Strive elected not to raise any debt financing in this transaction, to preserve maximal leverage capacity in the future to optimize returns for common equity.

    Strive will further discuss its alpha strategies during Matt Cole’s 11:54 AM PT presentation today at Bitcoin for Corporations in Las Vegas, Nevada. The presentation is expected to be streamed by the conference later in the day.

    The financing transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approvals from the shareholders of both Strive and Asset Entities.

    Advisors

    Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. served as exclusive financial advisor to Strive. In addition, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. served as exclusive placement agent for the PIPE financing.

    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal advisor to Strive.

    DLA Piper LLP (US) acted as legal advisor to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

    Bevilacqua PLLC is acting as legal advisor to Asset Entities.

    To learn about Asset Entities, please go to www.assetentities.com. To learn about the Ternary payment platform, please go to www.ternarydev.com. To learn about Asset Entities 360 suite of discord services, go to https://www.ae360ddm.com/ and https://discord.gg/ae360ddm.

    About Asset Entities Inc.

    Asset Entities Inc. is a technology company providing social media marketing, management, and content delivery across Discord, TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and other social media platforms. Asset Entities is believed to be the first publicly traded Company based on the Discord platform, where it hosts some of Discord’s largest social community-based education and entertainment servers. The Company’s AE.360.DDM suite of services is believed to be the first of its kind for the Design, Development, and Management of Discord community servers. Asset Entities’ initial AE.360.DDM customers have included businesses and celebrities. The Company also has its Ternary payment platform that is a Stripe-verified partner and CRM for Discord communities. The Company’s Social Influencer Network (SiN) service offers white-label marketing, content creation, content management, TikTok promotions, and TikTok consulting to clients in all industries and markets. The Company’s SiN influencers can increase the social media reach of client Discord servers and drive traffic to their businesses. Learn more at assetentities.com, and follow the Company on X at $ASST and @assetentities.

    About Strive Asset Management

    Strive Asset Management is an asset management firm with a mission to maximize value for clients through unapologetic capitalism.

    Strive Asset Management recently announced plans to become the first publicly traded asset management Bitcoin treasury company. The company is focused on outperforming Bitcoin over the long run by combining traditional Bitcoin treasury company leveraged beta strategies with novel alpha-generating strategies.

    After launching its first ETF in August 2022, the company has grown to manage ~$2 billion in assets.

    Learn more at strive.com

    Company Contacts:
    Arshia Sarkhani, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Michael Gaubert, Executive Chairman
    Asset Entities Inc.
    Tel +1 (214) 459-3117 
    Email Contact

    Investor Contact:
    Skyline Corporate Communications Group, LLC
    Scott Powell, President
    1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor
    New York, NY 10036
    Office: (646) 893-5835
    Email: info@skylineccg.com

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements herein and the documents incorporated herein by reference may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, which statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook and expectations of Strive and Asset Entities, Inc. (“ASST”), respectively, with respect to the proposed transaction, the strategic benefits and financial benefits of the proposed transaction, including the expected impact of the proposed transaction on the combined company’s future financial performance (including anticipated accretion to earnings per share, the tangible book value earn-back period and other operating and return metrics), the timing of the closing of the proposed transaction, and the ability to successfully integrate the combined businesses. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualified words (and their derivatives) such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” “assume,” “forecast,” “target,” “budget,” “outlook,” “trend,” “guidance,” “objective,” “goal,” “strategy,” “opportunity,” and “intend,” as well as words of similar meaning or other statements concerning opinions or judgment of Strive, ASST or their respective management about future events. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the time they are made and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, include, among others, the following:

    • the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the Merger Agreement;
    • the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close when expected or at all because the conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all;
    • the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Strive or ASST or the combined company;
    • the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including anticipated cost savings and strategic gains, are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Strive or ASST operate;
    • the possibility that the integration of the two companies may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;
    • the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive or take longer to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events;
    • the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities;
    • potential adverse reactions of Strive’s or ASST’s customers or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction;
    • changes in ASST’s share price before closing; and
    • other factors that may affect future results of Strive, ASST or the combined company.

    These factors are not necessarily all of the factors that could cause Strive’s, ASST’s or the combined company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of the forward-looking statements. Other factors, including unknown or unpredictable factors, also could harm Strive’s, ASST’s or the combined company’s results.

    Although each of Strive and ASST believes that its expectations with respect to forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its existing knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results of Strive or ASST will not differ materially from any projected future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in ASST’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents subsequently filed by ASST with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The actual results anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on Strive, ASST or their respective businesses or operations. Investors are cautioned not to rely too heavily on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and Strive and ASST undertake no obligation to update or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    In connection with the proposed transaction, ASST intends to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) to register the common stock to be issued by ASST in connection with the proposed transaction and that will include a proxy statement of ASST and a prospectus of ASST (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), and each of Strive and ASST may file with the SEC other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. A definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of ASST to seek their approval of the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF ASST ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STRIVE, ASST AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.

    A copy of the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Strive and ASST, may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, when they are filed, free of charge, from ASST by accessing ASST’s website at https://assetentities.gcs-web.com/. Copies of the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to ASST’s Investor Relations department at 100 Crescent Court, 7th floor, Dallas, TX 75201 or by calling (214) 459-3117 or emailing web@assetentities.com. The information on Strive’s or ASST’s respective websites is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this communication or incorporated into other filings either company makes with the SEC.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Strive, ASST and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of ASST in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the interests of the directors and executive officers of Strive and ASST and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of stockholders of ASST in connection with the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus related to the proposed transaction, which will be filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of ASST, their ownership of ASST common stock, and ASST’s transactions with related persons is set forth in the section entitled “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance,” “Executive Officers of the Company,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” included in ASST’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, as filed with the SEC on August 22, 2024.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements.

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Orchid Security’s State of Identity Security 2025 Report Reveals Alarming Gaps in Application Identity Controls

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS and NEW YORK, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Identiverse — Orchid Security, the company bringing clarity to the complexity of enterprise identity security, today released its inaugural State of Identity Security 2025 report. Orchid’s analysis shows nearly half of enterprise applications violate basic credential-handling guidance, 44% undermine centralized IdP policies and 40% fall short of widely accepted identity-control standards. These shortcomings expose organizations to heightened audit findings, compliance penalties and breach risk.

    Complementing traditional industry research based on post-incident findings, the report presents a proactive analysis of the state of identity controls. Unlike assessments of external exposures, Orchid analyzes authentication flows and authorization practices embedded deep within enterprise applications. These insights span financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, energy and other sectors – offering the first large-scale view into unseen and often overlooked identity practices, and in doing so, exposing hidden vulnerabilities and compliance gaps.

    Orchid will showcase these findings and its Identity-First Security platform at Identiverse 2025, taking place June 3-6 in Las Vegas.

    The report’s findings come at a critical time in the industry. The recently released 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report confirms that stolen credentials are once again the most common initial access method leading to breaches. Similarly, Crowdstrike’s Threat Report observes that “​​every breach starts with initial access, and identity-based attacks are among the most effective entry methods.” As threat actors focus on “logging in” via stolen credentials rather than “hacking in,” understanding and eliminating identity security gaps becomes a top priority for CISOs and identity providers.

    Key findings from Orchid’s research:

    1. Clear-text credentials found in nearly 50% of applications
      Given that no code is impenetrable and weaknesses as well as their exploit, are a fact of life, masking or encrypting credentials – ideally in an identity store but certainly when coded into applications – is a security imperative. In nearly half of the binary-level assessments conducted, Orchid’s LLM-powered analysis uncovered clear-text credentials. These were normally associated with alternative access flows, often for non-human accounts, but they also present an easy target for threat actors seeking entry or lateral movement.
    2. 44% of applications bypass Identity Providers (IdP)
      While (IdPs) are very common within enterprises and a valuable tool to centralize secure authentication practices, 44% of the time no IdP was utilized by at least one authentication path offered by the application. This is often due to application-level constraints, particularly around integrating with third-party or legacy systems. While understandable, especially in support of external access scenarios, these siloed authentication paths create significant operational challenges. Because they sit outside the centralized IAM framework, these non-standard directories are frequently excluded from routine joiner, mover, and leaver (JML) processes. As a result, they can become outdated, unmanaged and ultimately represent a growing blind spot that increases organization’s exposure to identity-related cyber risk.
    3. ~40% of apps lack identity control basics
      Basic best practices to maintain identity security include monitoring and even rate controlling login attempts, implementing account lockout after a certain number of failed attempts, enforcement of password complexity, token lifetime configurations and more. Unfortunately, each of these was found to be missing roughly 40% of the time. We know that most application developers are valued for their creativity, as it spurs innovation, but that spirit can make the consistent implementation of standards across applications a challenge.

    “These identity security gaps are by no means a reflection on today’s identity and access management teams,” said Roy Katmor, CEO and co-founder of Orchid Security. “The reality is, with the average enterprise relying on more than 1,200 applications – some developed and deployed globally, others introduced by regional offices or specific lines of business – it is a huge challenge to simply know all of the apps in use. Let alone to fully understand not only the standard audited identity flows, but also all feasible authentication pathways and authorization attributes within each application. That complexity is only compounded by the fact that, until now, the process has been largely manual.”

    Orchid’s recommendations for reducing identity risk

    Orchid Security notes that there are a variety of common tools and methods that enterprises can use to assess their environments for identity security exposures, including:

    • Static Application Security Testing (SAST): Code analysis during the development phases can easily be configured to look for hard-coded credentials, including those stored in clear text. Applications developed without a SAST tool should also be subject to code reviews looking for these practices as part of the release process.
    • Architecture reviews: The use of identity providers (IdPs) should be a standard design requirement, enforced during design reviews.
    • Monitoring tools: Basic log monitoring and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) products will show you whether basic identity security hygiene is in place.
    • Penetration testing: Identity is the most common way in for threat actors, as well as those acting as them for security assessment. Testing for common identity weaknesses should be included.

    “Organizations can no longer afford to overlook identity as a central element of their security posture,” said Katmor. “Even without automated tools such as Orchid Security in place, there are practical steps teams can take, from manual code reviews to architecture and monitoring enhancements. Identity remains the most common attack vector, and proactive, layered assessment is key to reducing exposure.”

    Methodology

    Orchid Security performed automated, binary‑level assessments of applications in production environments across North America and Europe between January and April 2025. Rather than observing primary user interactions, Orchid mapped every identity flow built into each application – including legacy, third‑party and service‑account paths – to surface controls that could be subverted by threat actors. The State of Identity Security 2025 report aggregates the most gaps revealed by those assessments in order to surface those that are most common.

    Visit Orchid at Identiverse 2025 in the Startup Alley (SU21) June 3-6.

    To learn more about the current state of identity security, download Orchid’s State of Identity Security report.

    For more information on Orchid’s Identity-First Security platform, visit the website.

    About Orchid
    Orchid Security is an identity security orchestration platform—leveraging Open Telemetry, Prompt Engineering and Large Language Models (LLMs)—to unify and secure complex identity environments across enterprises. Founded by AI and cybersecurity experts Roy Katmor, Robert Weisman, and Ido Kelson, and backed by Intel Capital and Team8, Orchid enables large organizations to reduce the costs and effort of identity and access management (IAM), while maintaining compliance and security across their digital infrastructure. Its platform facilitates the continuous discovery of both self-hosted and SaaS applications, assessment of their native identity controls (and gaps), and remediation of compliance and cyber exposure from a single point of control—without extensive effort or application recoding.

    Media Contact
    Chloe Amante
    Montner Tech PR
    camante@montner.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: OSS to Attend NVIDIA GTC Paris 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ESCONDIDO, Calif., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One Stop Systems, Inc. (OSS or the Company) (Nasdaq: OSS), a leading provider of rugged, enterprise-class compute solutions for AI, machine learning (ML), and sensor processing at the edge, and an NVIDIA TIER 2 OEM and a NPN Elite Partner, today announced its participation in the upcoming NVIDIA GTC Paris Conference. The event takes place at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, France, on June 11–12, 2025.

    “NVIDIA is a valued long-time partner,” stated OSS President and CEO, Mike Knowles. “GTC Paris provides a premier platform to showcase our rugged, enterprise-class compute solutions designed for large-scale, data center-class AI, autonomy, and sensor fusion applications in edge environments.”

    Visitors to NVIDIA GTC Paris can experience OSS’s specialized AI computing solutions at Booth E07. Representatives from Bressner, OSS’s European subsidiary, will also be present and exhibiting at the conference.

    NVIDIA GTC Paris, organized in partnership with VivaTech 2025, brings together developers, researchers, business leaders, and technical experts to explore real-world applications of AI and accelerated computing. The event features live demos and sessions on generative AI, industrial digitalization, robotics, large language models, and more.

    For product inquiries or to schedule a meeting, contact OSS sales engineers at sales@onestopsystems.com or call +1 (877) 438-2724.

    About One Stop Systems
    One Stop Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSS) is a leader in AI enabled solutions for the demanding ‘edge’. OSS designs and manufactures Enterprise Class compute and storage products that enable rugged AI, sensor fusion and autonomous capabilities without compromise. These hardware and software platforms bring the latest data center performance to harsh and challenging applications, whether they are on land, sea or in the air.

    OSS products include ruggedized servers, compute accelerators, flash storage arrays, and storage acceleration software. These specialized compact products are used across multiple industries and applications, including autonomous trucking and farming, as well as aircraft, drones, ships and vehicles within the defense industry.

    OSS solutions address the entire AI workflow, from high-speed data acquisition to deep learning, training and large-scale inference, and have delivered many industry firsts for industrial OEM and government customers.

    As the fastest growing segment of the multi-billion-dollar edge computing market, AI enabled solutions require-and OSS delivers-the highest level of performance in the most challenging environments without compromise.

    OSS products are available directly or through global distributors. For more information, go to www.onestopsystems.com. You can also follow OSS on X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    One Stop Systems cautions you that statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “suggest,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions or phrases, or the negative of those expressions or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by One Stop Systems or its partners that any of our plans or expectations will be achieved, including but not limited to the potential and/or the results of current or future programs, the future adoption of technologies or applications, or the potential benefit of attending NVIDIA GTC Paris. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in our business, including risks described in our prior press releases and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading “Risk Factors” in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

    Media Contacts:
    Robert Kalebaugh
    One Stop Systems, Inc.
    Tel (858) 518-6154
    Email contact

    Investor Relations:
    Andrew Berger
    Managing Director
    SM Berger & Company, Inc.
    Tel (216) 464-6400
    Email contact

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ila Bank partners with Mastercard to launch innovative solutions and expand into new markets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MANAMA, Bahrain, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ila Bank, powered by Bank ABC, has partnered with Mastercard to enhance the bank’s proposition across consumer products, launching new affluent, travel products and loyalty offerings.

    ila Bank will leverage Mastercard’s expertise to introduce loyalty program that supports cardholders’ lifestyle, providing added value across a wide range of areas, including dining, luxury shopping, travel and priceless experiences. The new product line will also leverage enhanced fraud solutions and privacy protection to secure every transaction.

    Mohamed Almaraj, ila Bank CEO, said, “ila has always been about the customer. We are proud to have maintained our commitment to offering customer-centric solutions and experiences in a growingly cashless economy, and this strategic agreement furthers the ila promise of ‘banking that reflects you’. Renewing our engagement with Mastercard will strengthen our standing as the frontrunner in the region’s digital payments landscape by offering the most seamless, secure and future-focused product portfolio that provides unparalleled premium benefits.”

    Adam Jones, Mastercard’s Division President for West Arabia, said, “In line with our shared commitment to driving innovation across the digital ecosystem, our long-standing relationship with ila Bank focuses on delivering customer-first solutions that help ensure a secure and rewarding banking experience. We will continue to provide our partners with enhanced product offering, supporting regional expansion.”

    Mastercard has been a trusted partner of ila Bank from the outset, supporting the bank’s strategy Together, they have introduced several innovative propositions to the market, including the multi-currency debit program, the Pay with Rewards loyalty program and the Mastercard airline co-brand with Gulf Air in Bahrain.

    Since its establishment in 2019, ila Bank has been dedicated to addressing the dynamic needs and lifestyles of its customers with bespoke banking solutions. The digital, mobile-only bank, well-received both domestically and regionally, currently offers a range of card products, including debit, credit and prepaid cards, that provide unparalleled bonus advantages and a personalized loyalty reward system.

    Other innovative products accessible through the award-winning ila app include smart digital saving tools, like Hassala and Jamiya, as well as Al Kanz, ila’s prize account that awards substantial cash prizes to lucky customers throughout the year.

    About Mastercard
    Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

    www.mastercard.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a838d1fe-d20b-4879-8e41-152c9e78b0a4

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Cheap Psychic Readings [$0.99/Min] Best Cheap Phone Psychics for Affordable Readings in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, CA, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — — Are you searching for insight into your future without breaking the bank? You’re not alone. Many people want spiritual clarity but hesitate due to high prices. Fortunately, cheap psychic readings are now more accessible than ever. With a wide range of affordable psychics available online and over the phone, getting the answers you need is just a call or click away.

    ⇒ Talk to experienced and trusted cheap psychics offering free trial readings!

    You don’t need to spend a fortune to receive quality spiritual guidance. With so many reliable and cheap psychics available online and by phone, connecting with your higher path is more affordable than ever. Explore affordable psychic readings today and discover how much clarity and peace of mind are just a session away.

    The Psychic Experts, a reputable platform known for reviewing top psychic services, has released its 2025 report featuring the best affordable psychic readings online. The report reveals a rising trend: more people are turning to trusted, low-cost advisors for guidance on love, career, and emotional clarity. With growing demand for cheap phone psychics and live chat readings, this guide helps users find accurate, budget-friendly psychic services they can trust.

    ⇒ Connect with affordable psychics who deliver real answers!

    Why Choose Cheap Psychic Readings?

    Contrary to popular belief, a cheap psychic reading doesn’t mean low quality. Many trusted and gifted psychics offer discounted or promotional rates to make their services more accessible. These cheap psychics often deliver the same level of accuracy, empathy, and spiritual guidance as higher-priced readers, especially on reputable online platforms.

    Whether you’re looking for answers about love, career, family, or finances, affordable psychic readings can provide meaningful insights without straining your budget.

    ⇒ Talk to cheap psychics you can trust – free trial readings included!

    Top Benefits of Cheap Phone Psychics

    Cheap phone psychics offer incredible convenience. You can connect with a psychic instantly from the comfort of your home, eliminating travel time and added costs. Phone readings are especially ideal for those who value privacy or need guidance during stressful moments.

    Here are a few reasons people choose cheap phone psychics:

    • Immediate access to guidance during tough decisions
    • Flexible scheduling, day or night
    • Anonymity and emotional comfort
    • Affordable rates without compromising quality

    ⇒ Connect now for cheap psychic readings that are accurate and affordable!

    How to Find Affordable Psychics You Can Trust

    When looking for affordable psychics, it’s essential to choose a platform with verified readers and positive user reviews. Many well-known psychic websites offer introductory deals, such as:

    • First 3 minutes free
    • $1 per minute specials
    • Discounted first readings

    These promotions let you test a psychic’s style and accuracy before committing to a longer session.

    Get the best cheap psychic readings from trusted and accurate advisors. Affordable, real insights from cheap phone psychics ready to guide your path today.

    ⇒ Connect with affordable psychics offering free trial readings!

    What to Expect During a Cheap Psychic Reading

    A cheap psychic session can be just as enlightening as a premium one. The key is to approach the reading with an open mind and clear intentions. Whether your session is over chat, phone, or video, prepare your questions in advance and be honest with your psychic.

    Common reading types include:

    • Tarot card readings
    • Astrology reports
    • Love and relationship readings
    • Career guidance
    • Spiritual and life path coaching

    ⇒ Discover the best cheap psychics for love, career, or life decisions

    Tips to Maximize Your Affordable Psychic Readings

    To get the most out of your session:

    1. Write down your questions ahead of time.
    2. Choose a quiet, private space for your reading.
    3. Stay open and relaxed to receive clear guidance.
    4. Take notes during or after the reading.
    5. Follow up if needed — many platforms allow reviews or follow-up sessions.

    Explore accurate and affordable guidance with cheap psychic readings. Connect instantly with the best cheap phone psychics trusted by thousands.

    ⇒ Connect instantly and get free minutes with top-rated cheap psychics!

    As search interest grows for terms like “cheap psychic,” “cheap psychic readings,” and “affordable psychic readings,” it’s clear that accessibility is now just as important as accuracy. That’s why The-Psychic-Experts.com is committed to helping users find trusted, insightful services that don’t come with a high price tag.

    Unlike generic directories filled with marketing hype or vague listings, this guide was designed to provide real answers to real questions: Are psychics legitimate? Can you chat with a psychic online for free before paying? What are the best platforms for psychic phone readings on a budget?

    To answer these questions, The-Psychic-Experts.com reviewed platforms offering flexible options, such as chat or phone formats, transparent pricing, and specialties like love readings, energy healing, and mediumship. Special attention was given to services offering trial minutes, clear pricing, and affordable access to accurate guidance, helping users make informed choices without overspending.

    ⇒ Talk to cheap phone psychics for quick, accurate insights!

    The goal is to make it easy for users to find a cheap psychic without compromising on quality, accuracy, or privacy. Whether you’re looking for a quick live chat or a longer phone psychic reading, this guide connects you with options that suit both your budget and emotional needs.

    Trusted, accurate, and affordable — explore the best cheap psychic readings with top-rated cheap phone psychics who deliver real answers that matter.

    ⇒ Connect instantly with affordable and trusted cheap psychics!

    How The Psychic Experts Rank the Best Cheap Psychic Reading Services in 2025

    The psychic experts evaluate psychic reading platforms using a detailed and independent review system. The aim is to give users a clear understanding of what to expect from affordable psychic services before committing time or money. Every service reviewed is analyzed through several key criteria designed to ensure that the recommendations are trustworthy, accessible, and aligned with user expectations.

    Unlock your future with affordable and accurate cheap psychic readings. The best cheap phone psychics are available now for trusted, insightful advice.

    ⇒ Talk now to cheap phone psychics with a free trial offer!

    Price Transparency

    One of the most essential factors in the ranking process is pricing clarity. Services showing per-minute rates, trial offers, and refund terms are rated higher than those that obscure fees behind layered credit systems or hidden conditions. A primary concern among new users is being charged without fully understanding how pricing works. To address this, only platforms that provide upfront pricing and clearly explain the cost of cheap psychic readings were considered for the final list.

    The guide also places value on services that offer a low-cost entry point—such as a few free minutes to try the service or no requirement for upfront credit card information. These features help users test the quality of a phone psychic or live chat session before deciding whether to continue.

    ⇒ Connect with the most accurate cheap psychics today!

    Service Accessibility (Chat and Phone Options)

    Accessibility is also a priority. The rankings focus on services that support chat and phone psychic readings, allowing users to choose the most comfortable format. Some prefer speaking with a psychic by phone for a more direct and personal exchange, while others are more at ease using a chat-based interface, especially when exploring sensitive topics in private.

    In both formats, accessibility across devices (mobile and desktop), language support, and the option for instant sessions were all evaluated. Services that made it easy to chat with psychics online, free of complicated signups or long wait times, were rated more favorably.

    Spiritual Accuracy and Professionalism

    To assess the quality of the readings themselves, The-Psychic-Experts.com uses controlled testing. A selection of readers from each service is evaluated through trial sessions designed to measure consistency, relevance, and tone. Services that employed psychics with clear, situation-specific insights scored higher in this category.

    The site does not promote guarantees of supernatural outcomes or unrealistic claims. Instead, the focus is on practical guidance delivered respectfully, with a tone that supports emotional clarity. Psychics who consistently offered helpful, grounded insights in phone and chat formats were favored in the final ranking.

    ⇒ Discover affordable guidance with cheap psychic readings!

    User Experience and Real Reviews

    Finally, user feedback plays a central role in the ranking process. Hundreds of verified customer reviews, across multiple sources, were analyzed to identify patterns. Common themes included satisfaction with pricing, responsiveness, emotional impact, and whether the session met expectations.

    Services with frequent complaints about billing confusion, rushed readings, or lack of availability were excluded from the top ranks. Instead, preference was given to platforms with steady user satisfaction and repeat engagement.

    No specific company or brand is named in this report. The goal is to offer general consumer guidance based on consistent patterns and user needs. This approach protects the editorial neutrality of The-Psychic-Experts.com and keeps the focus on experience quality rather than marketing.

    The result is a trusted resource for anyone seeking a cheap psychic who can offer reliable advice without financial risk or long-term commitment.

    ⇒ Discover cheap psychic readings with honest and trusted advisors!

    What Makes Cheap Psychic Readings Online a Practical Option in 2025?

    There’s a common misunderstanding that lower-cost services mean lower quality. The-Psychic-Experts.com’s 2025 guide proves that this is not the case when it comes to psychic readings. Affordable services can deliver valuable, emotionally supportive insights, especially when evaluated carefully.

    Access Anytime, Across Time Zones

    One of the most substantial advantages of online psychic services is 24/7 access. No matter where the user is located, they can connect with a phone psychic or live chat advisor at any hour. This removes scheduling barriers and allows quick access during personal crises, major decisions, or periods of emotional uncertainty.

    The guide highlights how services offering both live chat and phone readings are helping users avoid the long wait times often associated with in-person appointments. Whether someone wants to speak with a psychic directly or have a text-based conversation, availability is much more flexible than before.

    ⇒ Talk live with affordable and accurate cheap psychics!

    Lower Cost Doesn’t Mean Low Value

    Price is a significant concern for many people looking for guidance, but not everyone can afford sessions that cost $5 or more per minute. The services reviewed in this report offer alternatives starting at under $1 per minute or include trial minutes to test the service at no cost.

    The ability to speak with cheap phone psychics under traditional rates means more people can access emotional support without pressure. It also encourages repeat engagement, helping users build longer-term insight without financial strain.

    Quality was not compromised. Many users reported that their experiences with cheap psychics were as detailed and impactful as sessions they’d previously paid more for. What matters most is how clear, focused, and helpful the reading is, not how much it costs.

    ⇒ Talk to cheap psychics now and enjoy a free trial session!

    Private, Flexible Sessions

    Not everyone is comfortable discussing personal issues face-to-face. Many users prefer psychic chat sessions because they can stay anonymous while receiving direct answers. The live chat format is handy for first-time users or those who want to explore specific questions discreetly.

    Phone readings remain a preferred option for those seeking a more interactive experience. The connection can feel more personal with voice tone, pauses, and real-time responses. Both methods have benefits, and having the option to choose adds to the appeal of cheap psychic readings online.

    Services that allow users to chat with psychics online for free, at least for a few minutes, give an added layer of confidence. They reduce risk, support trust, and allow users to experience the process before paying for a longer session.

    User Control and Session Customization

    Cheap psychic services often allow users to filter by category, skill, and reading style. This level of control helps people match with psychics who specialize in what they’re going through—whether that’s a relationship issue, work stress, or spiritual uncertainty.

    Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, users can choose how long they want their session to be, how much they’re willing to spend, and what topics they want to discuss.

    ⇒ Connect with top-rated cheap phone psychics today

    Types of Cheap Psychic Readings Available Online in 2025

    As demand for affordable psychic services increases, so do the options available. The psychic expert’s latest report outlines the most common formats users can choose from when seeking insight and support. These services are built around flexibility—letting people decide how to connect, how much time they want to spend, and what information they hope to receive.

    Psychic Phone Readings

    Phone psychic readings continue to be one of the most requested formats. This method lets users speak directly with a psychic, offering a natural and real-time conversation. Many people feel more connected when they hear voice tone, emotion, and pacing—all of which help build trust during a reading.

    Phone sessions are ideal for those who want detailed discussions or have multiple questions that need follow-up. They’re also preferred by people dealing with emotionally complex topics like relationship decisions or long-term career questions. Because of their interactive nature, phone readings often allow for deeper follow-through and clarification.

    Phone psychic readings are offered at various price points. The report features several services where cheap phone psychics offer quality sessions under $2 per minute, with many providing free minutes upfront for first-time users.

    ⇒ Talk to psychic experts offering affordable phone readings!

    Live Psychic Chat Readings

    Chat-based readings are especially popular with users who prefer privacy or wish to remain anonymous. This format involves real-time messaging with a psychic advisor, often through a platform’s built-in chat tool.

    Many users choose this option because it gives them more time to think about what they want to say. It also creates a written transcript of the conversation, which can be helpful for review later. Live psychic chat is a common starting point for new users exploring the service without committing to a phone call.

    For those wondering if chat readings are as effective as phone ones, The-Psychic-Experts.com notes that both formats can be equally accurate. The decision often comes down to personal comfort.

    Chat services are also a strong choice for people with hearing difficulties or those in shared living spaces where phone calls aren’t ideal. They often include features like instant connection, user ratings, and profile filters that help match the reader to the user’s concerns.

    ⇒ Connect with cheap psychics who offer real insight

    Psychic Medium Chat

    This chat form focuses specifically on communicating with loved ones who have passed away. Medium readings are usually more specialized and are handled by psychics trained in this type of spiritual connection.

    The format can vary between chat and phone, but many people find psychic medium chat to be less overwhelming than a phone session, especially when dealing with grief. Written communication allows them to take their time, reflect, and process what is being shared.

    Not all services offer this type of reading, and The-Psychic-Experts.com’s report highlights which platforms include mediumship among their specialties. Readers trained in this area are usually marked clearly on their profiles, and users are encouraged to seek reviews before beginning a session.

    Free Psychic Reading Online Chat (No Credit Card Needed)

    A growing number of users prefer to try a reading without any financial commitment. The guide also looks at platforms offering free psychic chat with no credit card required.

    These trial sessions are often short, typically 3 to 5 minutes, but give users a sense of the reader’s style and accuracy. More importantly, they reduce the risk of misunderstanding pricing models or being locked into service before feeling confident.

    Many people use these free minutes to test multiple readers before deciding who to work with long-term. For those unsure where to start, this is one of the most practical ways to explore psychic reading without pressure.

    ⇒ Talk now and get a free trial with cheap psychic readings!

    When to Choose Chat or Phone

    There’s no single format that fits everyone. Choosing between chat and phone depends on the user’s communication style, emotional needs, and environment.

    Phone is best for:

    • Real-time emotional support
    • Follow-up questions
    • Detailed explanations

    Chat is best for:

    • Privacy or public settings
    • Written reference after the session
    • First-time users testing the service

    ⇒ Connect for accurate, affordable cheap phone psychic sessions

    How to Choose the Right Cheap Psychic for Your Needs

    Finding the right psychic doesn’t always mean finding the most expensive one. Many users discover that a low-cost reader can offer just as much value when properly vetted. The-Psychic-Experts.com outlines several tips to help people choose wisely, avoid common mistakes, and match with a psychic who aligns with their goals.

    Look for Verified Reviews and Reading Samples

    A good starting point is reading user feedback. Platforms included in the guide often feature star ratings, written testimonials, and repeat client data. These reviews can help identify patterns, such as whether a psychic is known for accuracy, compassion, or quick connection.

    Some services allow potential clients to read public transcripts or summaries from previous sessions. This can give insight into how the psychic communicates and whether their tone matches the user’s preferences.

    ⇒ Talk to affordable, cheap psychics with top reviews!

    Focus on Specialty Match

    Not all psychics work the same way. Some focus on love and relationships, while others specialize in spiritual growth, career decisions, or past life readings. Choosing someone aligned with the topic at hand makes the session more productive.

    For example:

    • Love readings: Look for keywords like soulmate, twin flame, or relationship analysis.
    • Career or money questions: Search for financial clarity or professional guidance tags.
    • Past life insight: Choose readers trained in regression or spiritual recall techniques.

    Use Free Minutes or Trial Offers

    Cheap psychic readings don’t mean guessing. Many reviewed services offer free 3–5 minutes to new users. This time can be used to evaluate clarity, tone, and connection before deciding whether to continue.

    Users can end the session without penalty if the reader seems unclear, vague, or repetitive. Trial minutes are essential for testing multiple options until the right match is found.

    ⇒ Talk to affordable psychics now and enjoy free minutes!

    Red Flags to Watch Out For

    While most reviewed services are legitimate, staying cautious is still essential. The-Psychic-Experts.com advises users to be aware of certain warning signs:

    • Pushing for extended time: If a reader pressures a client to extend beyond their planned session, this is a concern.
    • Making absolute promises: No psychic can guarantee specific outcomes.
    • Scare tactics or upselling: Any mention of curses, spells, or urgent need for payment to avoid bad energy is a red flag.

    If a psychic introduces those themes, users can disconnect immediately and report the session if needed.

    Trust Your First Impression

    First impressions matter. If a psychic doesn’t feel present, respectful, or connected in the first few minutes, they may not be the right choice.

    Users are encouraged to prepare a few clear questions before the session and to keep the conversation focused. The best psychics will listen carefully, respond directly, and create a comfortable space for users to share details at their own pace.

    ⇒ Talk to the best cheap psychics for career and relationship insights!

    What Real Users Say About Cheap Psychic Readings Online

    The psychic experts gathered experiences from everyday users who’ve turned to cheap psychic readings online for clarity and emotional support. The following testimonials represent user profiles covering a range of demographics and situations. These stories help show how accessible psychic services, including psychic phone readings and free psychic chat options, are making a difference in people’s lives in 2025.

    ⇒ Discover peace of mind with cheap psychic readings!

    Samantha, 27, Graphic Designer — Oregon

    “I started using psychic chat services about a year ago when I was going through a confusing breakup. I didn’t want to discuss it with friends, and therapy wasn’t in my budget. I found a cheap psychic online who helped me put my feelings in perspective. We connected through a free psychic reading online chat with no credit card required. I was surprised by how calming it was just to talk through things.”

    Samantha now uses affordable psychics for guidance on career decisions. “It’s a tool I use when I need another point of view. Not everything is groundbreaking, but the good sessions really help me get unstuck.”

    ⇒ Connect to trusted cheap psychics offering free minutes!

    Richard, 64, Retired Police Officer — Florida

    “I used to think psychic readings were all just entertainment. But when I lost my wife, I found myself searching for anything that could offer comfort. I wasn’t ready for a full conversation at first, so I tried a live psychic chat. The reader made no wild claims; it just helped me think about what I was holding onto.”

    Now, Richard prefers phone psychic readings. “Sometimes you just want to talk, and the chat doesn’t feel like enough. I’ve found a few cheap phone psychics who actually take the time to listen.”

    He continues to use psychic phone readings every few months. “The cost is manageable, and it helps me focus.”

    Tania, 35, Single Mother of Two — Texas

    “I work full-time and raise two kids. There’s not a lot of time or money left over for me. A friend told me about free psychic chat online, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I asked about some decisions I’d been avoiding—whether to move, take a promotion, start dating again.”

    Tania found the convenience of live chat critical. “I could message someone late at night while the kids were sleeping. And the advice felt honest, not like someone trying to sell me a dream.”

    She’s used affordable psychic readings several times since. “You can get what you need in 15 minutes, and it doesn’t cost more than lunch. That’s what makes it sustainable.”

    ⇒ Discover love, money, and destiny with cheap phone psychics

    Closing Summary: A Practical Guide for Affordable Spiritual Support in 2025

    The Psychic Experts 2025 report is a practical resource for anyone looking to explore cheap psychic readings without confusion or high costs. By focusing on services that are accessible, affordable, and flexible, the guide helps users take control of their spiritual questions, whether they prefer quick online chats or full phone psychic readings.

    With interest in cheap psychic readings, low-cost phone sessions, and flexible reading formats rising across the country, users now have more ways to get support that fits their schedule and budget. This guide simplifies that process by providing precise, unbiased evaluations prioritizing user experience over promotional claims.

    The platform has helped thousands of people find their first psychic, explore new reading formats, and return to trusted advisors—all without long-term commitment or inflated pricing. Whether someone seeks relationship advice, closure from a past event, or direction in a career choice, the right psychic match is easier to find when guided by accurate, experience-based information.

    FAQs

    Are cheap psychic readings accurate?

    Yes, cheap psychic readings can be just as accurate as more expensive sessions. Many affordable psychics offer low rates to attract new clients or provide spiritual guidance to a wider audience. Accuracy depends more on the psychic’s ability than the price.

    What makes a psychic reading “cheap”?

    A cheap psychic reading usually refers to sessions offered at a lower-than-average rate, often as part of a promotion or introductory offer. Many trusted platforms feature cheap psychics with special deals like $1 per minute or free first minutes.

    Where can I find affordable psychic readings online?

    You can find affordable psychic readings on reputable websites that verify their psychics and offer user reviews. Look for platforms that highlight cheap phone psychics and chat options, with clearly stated pricing and customer support.

    Are cheap phone psychics reliable?

    Yes, many cheap phone psychics are experienced and trustworthy. Phone readings can offer the same depth and accuracy as in-person sessions, especially when provided by vetted and well-reviewed affordable psychics.

    Can I get a cheap psychic reading about love and relationships?

    Absolutely. Many cheap psychics specialize in love, relationships, and compatibility readings. Whether you’re dealing with heartbreak or seeking your soulmate, cheap psychic readings can offer deep insights at a low cost.

    How long does a cheap psychic reading last?

    The duration depends on the platform and your budget. Most cheap psychic readings are billed per minute, allowing you to control how much you spend. Short sessions can still provide powerful insights, especially with focused questions.

    What should I ask during an affordable psychic reading?

    Prepare clear, specific questions to get the most out of your affordable psychic reading. Topics can include love, career, family, finances, or spiritual growth. Many people ask cheap phone psychics about timing, decision-making, or past-life insights.

    Do affordable psychics offer free readings?

    Many affordable psychics offer the first few minutes free or discounted as a trial. While not completely free, these offers make it easy to test the psychic’s style and accuracy before committing to a full cheap psychic reading.

    Are cheap psychic readings safe and confidential?

    Yes, most reputable platforms that offer cheap psychic readings ensure privacy and confidentiality. Whether you’re connecting with cheap phone psychics or using online chat, your personal information and questions remain secure.

    What’s the difference between a cheap psychic and an expensive one?

    Often, the difference lies in popularity or years of experience. However, many cheap psychics are just as talented but choose to keep their rates accessible. It’s always a good idea to read reviews and choose a psychic based on connection and accuracy, not just price.

    Media Contact
    Company: The Psychic Experts
    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya
    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com
    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/
    Phone: +1 414-203-2598

    Content Accuracy Disclaimer
    Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this article. However, due to the dynamic nature of product formulations, promotions, and availability, details may change without notice. The publisher makes no warranties or representations as to the current completeness or accuracy of any content, including product claims, pricing, or ingredient lists.

    It is the responsibility of the reader to verify product information directly through the official website or manufacturer prior to making a purchasing decision. Any reliance placed on the information in this article is done strictly at your own risk.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through these links, the publisher may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the creation of in-depth reviews and educational wellness content.

    The publisher only promotes products that have been independently evaluated and deemed potentially beneficial to readers. However, this compensation may influence the content, topics, or products discussed in this article. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliate partner or product provider.

    All product reviews and descriptions reflect the author’s honest opinion based on available public data, user feedback, and scientific references at the time of writing. The inclusion of affiliate links does not influence the objectivity or integrity of the content. However, readers are encouraged to independently verify product information and consult with healthcare professionals prior to purchase or use.

    No warranties, either expressed or implied, are made about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the content provided. The publisher and all affiliated parties expressly disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of any information contained herein.

    Product and Trademark Rights
    All product names, logos, and brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Use of these names does not imply endorsement unless explicitly stated. The-Psychic-Exerts.com®.com® are the trademarks of its respective brand owner.

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    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The App Store prevented more than $9 billion in fraudulent transactions

    Source: Apple

    Headline: The App Store prevented more than $9 billion in fraudulent transactions

    May 27, 2025

    UPDATE

    The App Store prevented more than $9 billion in fraudulent transactions over the last five years

    In 2024 alone, Apple stopped over $2 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions and blocked nearly 2 million risky app submissions from reaching users

    Since launching in 2008, the App Store has been a safe and trusted place for users and a vibrant marketplace for developers to grow their businesses around the world. In the last five years, the App Store has protected users by preventing over $9 billion in fraudulent transactions, including over $2 billion in 2024 alone, according to Apple’s annual App Store fraud analysis. This reflects the App Store’s continued investment in fostering the most secure experience for users while providing developers with tools and resources, including a powerful commerce system that helps customers transact safely and securely in 175 regions around the globe. With an average of more than 813 million visitors a week, the App Store is a trusted destination for users to download their favorite apps and discover new ones.

    Preserving the App Store’s safe and secure marketplace requires constant vigilance, as bad actors continue to evolve their tactics in an attempt to defraud users. These threats range from deceptive apps designed to steal personal information, to fraudulent payment schemes that attempt to exploit users. Apple employs a comprehensive approach to combating fraud on the App Store, with teams across the company working to detect, investigate, and prevent malicious activity before it can reach users.

    Account Fraud

    Apple’s strong antifraud infrastructure helps ensure that malicious developer and customer accounts are swiftly flagged and eliminated. In 2024, Apple terminated more than 146,000 developer accounts over fraud concerns and rejected an additional 139,000 developer enrollments, preventing bad actors from submitting their apps to the App Store in the first place.

    Apple also rejected over 711 million customer account creations and deactivated nearly 129 million customer accounts last year, blocking these risky and malicious accounts from carrying out nefarious activity. That includes spamming or manipulating ratings and reviews, charts, and search results that risk compromising the integrity of the App Store.

    This commitment to safety extends beyond the App Store, as Apple works to prevent risky software distributed by pirate storefronts from reaching users. In 2024, Apple detected and blocked over 10,000 illegitimate apps on pirate storefronts, which include malware, pornography apps, gambling apps, and pirated versions of legitimate apps from the App Store. By restricting these storefronts, Apple also protects developers from having their apps cloned, altered, or weaponized for spreading malicious software.

    Over the past month, Apple has also stopped nearly 4.6 million attempts to install or launch apps distributed illicitly outside the App Store or approved third-party marketplaces.

    App Review

    Before any app makes its way onto the App Store, it is vetted by a member of Apple’s App Review team, all of whom are deeply familiar with the App Review Guidelines, and focused on ensuring apps meet Apple’s standards for quality and safety. On average, this team reviews nearly 150,000 app submissions each week, helping bring new apps and updates to the App Store. Last year, App Review helped more than 220,000 developers publish their first app on the App Store.

    App Review involves both human review and automated processes to detect and take action on apps that are suspected to be potentially harmful to users. With over 7.7 million App Store submissions reviewed in 2024, more than 1.9 million were rejected for failing to meet Apple’s standards for security, reliability, and user experience, including for privacy violations or fraud concerns.

    Malicious actors are known to employ a variety of tactics in their attempts to circumvent App Review’s safeguards and sneak bad apps onto the App Store with the intention of defrauding users. App Review rejects any potentially malicious apps it identifies during review, and the team’s investigation into one fraudulent app often results in the takedown of several others linked to the same problematic developer. In 2024, App Review removed more than 37,000 apps for fraudulent activity.

    Other common tactics used by fraudulent developers can include concealing hidden features and functionality in their code, which are only enabled after the app passes App Review. Apple monitors for such behavior, and in 2024, rejected over 43,000 app submissions for containing hidden or undocumented features. App Review also takes action against a number of apps that attempt to trick or scam users, and in 2024, rejected over 320,000 submissions that copied other apps, were found to be spam, or otherwise misled users.

    These bad actors can also attempt to deceive users by disguising potentially risky software as seemingly innocuous apps. Last year, App Review removed over 17,000 apps for bait-and-switch maneuvers such as these, as part of its ongoing efforts to routinely monitor and take action against problematic apps.

    Apps that attempt to access users’ personal data without their permission or knowledge are also prohibited from the App Store. In 2024, App Review rejected 400,000 app submissions for privacy violations.

    Discovery Fraud

    Apple takes swift action against apps that attempt to cheat the system and boost their ranking on the App Store, such as by using bots or paid services to artificially inflate download numbers or post fake five-star reviews.

    In 2024, Apple processed over 1.2 billion ratings and reviews and took significant action to combat fraud, removing more than 143 million fraudulent ratings and reviews from the App Store. In the same year, Apple also removed more than 7,400 apps from App Store charts and nearly 9,500 deceptive apps from appearing in App Store search results. These actions in turn benefit developers who are in good standing, leveling the playing field and allowing them a fair chance to thrive on the App Store.

    Payment and Credit Card Fraud

    Apple is diligent in its mission to protect users from scam and payment threats, and in 2024, protected users by preventing more than $2 billion in fraudulent transactions.

    Apple also takes credit card fraud extremely seriously and remains committed to protecting users from such. For example, when consumers make a purchase with Apple Pay, it uses a device-specific number and unique transaction code so a card number is never stored on a consumer’s device or on Apple servers. Additionally, credit and debit card numbers are never shared with developers, thus eliminating another risk factor in the payment transaction process. Last year, Apple identified nearly 4.7 million stolen credit cards and banned over 1.6 million accounts from transacting again.

    In addition to its antifraud measures, Apple also equips developers with access to world-class payment technologies. Examples of these include Apple Pay and StoreKit, which are used by over 420,000 apps to provide users with a safe, secure way to make purchases on the App Store.

    Developers leveraging StoreKit can take advantage of Apple’s in-app purchase system, which provides users with much more than a way to purchase subscriptions and digital add-ons. In-app purchase on the App Store offers users a secure and trusted environment designed to protect privacy, prevent fraud, and make managing purchases simple. With built-in tools to view, modify, or cancel subscriptions; purchase history; and support for refunds, users stay in control every step of the way. Every transaction is authenticated with a user’s Apple ID, backed by an industry-leading fraud protection engine, and handled with end-to-end encryption.

    Keeping Users Safe

    Apple will continue to build on its commitment to provide users with the safest and most secure experience on the App Store, which includes empowering them with resources to get help and report suspected fraud. Learn more about staying safe on the App Store at support.apple.com/en-us/122712.

    Press Contacts

    Adam Dema

    Apple

    AdamDema@apple.com

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    Apple

    athelemaque2@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Displacement orders are psychological and physical warfare in Israeli campaign of ethnic cleansing in Gaza

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Jerusalem – The Israeli forces continue to systematically use last-minute displacement orders as a violent tool, turning the Gaza Strip, Palestine, into hell on earth for Palestinians. Incessant bombing, a near-total blockade of aid, and displacement orders are moving and trapping hundreds of thousands of people into ever-shrinking spaces. The constant state of alert and unpredictability of displacement orders have devastating consequences on people’s mental health, reports Médecins sans Frontières (MSF). The forced displacement of people through displacement orders must end.

    “Israeli forces are destroying all means of life for Palestinians in Gaza through psychological and physical warfare. Forced displacements are part of the Israeli forces and authorities’ campaign of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. They have nowhere else to go,” denounces Claire Manera, MSF emergency coordinator. 

    Two MSF colleagues describe the impact of evacuation orders on their lives in Gaza, Palestine, April 2025.
    Nour Alsaqqa/MSF

    Since the start of the war, Palestinians have been forced to evacuate repeatedly, many fleeing for their lives multiple times, as experienced by a number of MSF staff. With 31 displacement orders issued since Israel broke the ceasefire on 18 March, the relentless forced displacements have trapped Palestinians in an endless cycle of suffering. On 19 May, a single large-scale displacement order in Khan Younis covered 22 per cent of the Strip, affecting more than 70 MSF staff members, while another one on 26 May covered 40 per cent of central and south Gaza.

    “Our colleagues are desperate,” says Omar Alsaqqa, MSF logistic manager. “There are no tents left and no space for people to set up, I don’t know what to answer when colleagues ask me where they can go with their children in the middle of the night. We are running out of options to stay alive.”

    These displacement orders and established no-go military zones now cover around 80 per cent of Gaza, and not a single area of Gaza has been spared from attacks. On 26 May, MSF teams treated 17 patients following an attack very close to its Khan Younis healthcare centre in central Gaza, right in the area where people are supposed to move to. People evacuate areas only to be bombed again in their new “safe refuge”. About 600,000 people have been displaced again since 18 March.

    “I woke up my children and told them we were just going out for a little bit. They started crying. They grabbed their bags. I was terrified but tried to act calm, even though my heart was pounding with fear,” explains Asmaa Abu Asaker, MSF liaison officer, after a displacement order was issued in her neighbourhood.

    These orders are unpredictable and come with ridiculously short deadlines, putting people in an impossible situation. People receive leaflets, social media posts or a phone call about an imminent attack, leaving them limited time to collect their belongings and seek shelter. The very act of forcing people to repeatedly flee, often in the middle of the night, without having anywhere to go and at risk of their lives, is not only having a physical impact, but causes an immense psychological toll.

    “This time I don’t want to pack. No bags, no papers, nothing. I don’t know why, maybe my mindset is wrong, but I just cannot mentally process the idea of leaving home again,” says Sabreen Al-Massani, an MSF psychotherapist who has been displaced multiple times. “A whole new struggle started, no flour and food supplies. I used to have my own life, [going from] house to work, work to house, normal life. Suddenly, I had to live with unknown people in a harsh environment, without access to basic necessities, chasing after water, phone charging. Then came another evacuation: our whole area was hit.”  

    While displacement orders are forcing Palestinians to be cramped in ever-shrinking areas, Israeli forces also regularly attack without issuing displacement orders. On 9 April, more than 20 people were killed in a strike that targeted a residential block of seven buildings in Gaza City. Among those killed were the families of two MSF staff members who were at work when the strike occurred and later learned their loved ones had been buried under the rubble.

    “We are in a constant state of alert; we can receive a notification to flee at any time. We cannot sleep at night thinking we might be the next,” says Al-Massani, describing how the displacement orders are severely affecting Palestinian’s mental health and state of anxiety.

    MSF calls on the Israeli forces to immediately halt the forced displacement of people and ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. We also call on Israel’s allies to halt their support and complicity.

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    MIL OSI NGO –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian Defense Ministry Confirms Strikes on Ukrainian Military Facilities in Response to Ukrainian UAV Attacks

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, May 27 /Xinhua/ — In response to massive Ukrainian drone attacks, the Russian military is striking exclusively at military facilities and enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

    The agency also reported that from the evening of May 20 to the morning of May 27, Russian air defense systems destroyed and intercepted 2,331 attack unmanned aerial vehicles, including 1,465 outside the special military operation zone.

    According to the full list published by the department, military facilities include airfield infrastructure facilities, ammunition depots, missile and artillery weapons depots of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, temporary deployment points for foreign mercenaries, as well as aircraft repair shops, unloading areas and container warehouses with military property and ammunition in the port of Odessa, infrastructure facilities and training sites for attack UAVs at airfields, etc.

    “The strikes will be carried out exclusively on military facilities and enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine,” the Russian Defense Ministry’s statement emphasized. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lewisporte — Lewisporte RCMP arrests two ATV operators for fleeing from police

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Two all-terrain vehicle (ATV) operators were arrested after twice fleeing from Lewisporte RCMP on Saturday night.

    Shortly before 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, police observed three ATVs driving on the Main Road, headed towards Campbellton. When an officer stopped to speak with the group, two of the operators fled the scene. The remaining operator remained stopped and spoke with police, as required. While police were processing the traffic stop, the two operators who had fled returned to the area, revved their engines and turned around in the roadway a number of times before fleeing again.

    At approximately 2:30 on Sunday morning, the same officer observed the two ATVs stopped on the eastbound side of the Trans-Canada Highway. When the officer approached, the operators of the ATVs fled once again, headed east on the TCH at a high rate of speed. In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue the vehicles.

    What may have possibly resulted in a traffic ticket at the original traffic stop, had the operators stopped for police, has resulted in criminal charges. The operators, ages 23 and 18, were identified and arrested. The two are set to appear in court at a later date. Both individuals will face two counts each of criminal charges for flight from police.

    RCMP NL reminds all off-road vehicle operators to drive safety and obey the province’s Off-Road Vehicles Act and Highway Traffic Act. More information about the Off-Road Vehicles Act and Highway Traffic Act can be found here:

    https://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/o05-1.htm

    https://www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/statutes/h03.htm

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Montgomery Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison Following Federal Firearm Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MONTGOMERY, AL – On May 22, 2025, 29-year-old Corey Jarrod Wortham of Montgomery, Alabama, received a sentenced of 84 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. Following his prison term, Wortham will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court records, on November 24, 2024, law enforcement in Montgomery responded to a report of a sexual assault, in which the caller identified Corey Wortham as a potential suspect. Upon arrival, officers spotted Wortham in a vehicle, but he fled the scene and successfully evaded capture. Before losing sight of Wortham, officers observed what appeared to be an AR-style pistol in his possession. The firearm was later recovered.

    Then, on December 18, 2024, agents with the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression (MACS) detail spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the earlier incident. When agents attempted a traffic stop, the driver of the car initially refused to pull over. Law enforcement ultimately had to block his vehicle to prevent another escape. Inside the vehicle, agents found Wortham and a handgun.

    Due to prior felony convictions, Wortham is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on January 23, 2025.

    The investigation was conducted by members of the MACS detail, which includes the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Relm Insurance Appoints Rob Thomas as Chief Information Security Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Hamilton, Bermuda, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Relm Insurance (Relm), the leading specialty insurance carrier supporting emerging and innovative industries, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Thomas as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

    Robert brings over 20 years of leadership experience in cybersecurity and technology across the Banking, Insurance, and FinTech sectors. In his role at Relm, he will be responsible for shaping and executing the company’s information security strategy, strengthening its cyber resilience, and ensuring regulatory compliance as Relm continues to scale globally.

    Throughout his career, Robert has spearheaded digital transformation initiatives, transitioned organizations from outsourced to internal IT service models, and implemented DevOps and automation programs to drive operational efficiency. He has developed robust cybersecurity frameworks aligned with global standards, enabling innovation while protecting critical digital assets in complex, highly regulated environments.

    “Robert’s blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and leadership acumen makes him a tremendous asset to the team,” said Relm CEO and Founder, Joseph Ziolkowski. “His appointment reflects our continued investment in building a secure, scalable foundation to support the unique needs of our clients in fast-evolving industries.”

    Robert emphasized his enthusiasm about joining Relm, stating: “Relm’s bold approach to innovation and its commitment to client success are what drew me to this opportunity. I’m excited to lead the charge in strengthening cybersecurity posture and embedding security as a core enabler of growth and resilience across the business.”

    Robert holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool. His leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, transparency, and mentorship, empowering cross-functional teams to deliver secure and scalable solutions.

    About Relm Insurance 

    Relm Insurance Ltd. (Relm) is a Bermuda-domiciled specialty insurance carrier supporting emerging industries that spur innovation and next-generation technologies. Launched in 2019 to address the scarcity of insurance capacity available to these high-growth markets, Relm plays an active role in bolstering the resilience of these innovative industries.  

    Relm’s unrivaled industry expertise and solutions-driven track record makes it a highly sought-after risk partner for businesses and institutions operating at the forefront of various industries including Web3, digital assets, AI, biotech, and the space economy. Relm has earned a Financial Stability Rating of A, Exceptional, from Demotech.  

    Media contact:
    Yasmin Oronos
    Luna PR
    yasmin.oronos@lunapr.io

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Motivosity Launches Lifestyle Spending Accounts to Help Companies Offer Flexible, Hassle-Free Employee Perks

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEHI, Utah, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motivosity, the leading people-first employee recognition and rewards platform built for today’s workforce, is proud to announce the launch of its new Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs) program. With this release, HR leaders can now offer personalized, competitive employee perks without the burden of spreadsheets, reimbursements, or disconnected systems—right inside the employee recognition and rewards platform their teams already know and love.

    Designed to meet the growing demand for flexible benefits, Motivosity’s LSA solution enables companies to easily fund and manage perks like wellness stipends, learning budgets, WFH allowances, and commuter benefits—all while maintaining control, visibility, and automation.

    “Most companies want to offer meaningful perks, but they get stuck in the admin,” said Scott Johnson, CEO of Motivosity. “Motivosity lifestyle spending accounts are the most flexible way to offer tailored rewards and incentives to employees. Because employees engage heavily with our platform, the impact of doing LSA’s within Motivosity is unmatched. This gives HR leaders comfort and confidence of knowing programs they put together will have maximum value.”

    Motivosity’s LSAs are fully integrated with the company’s ThanksMatters Visa® card, allowing employees to spend their benefits in the Motivosity store, through custom reward catalogs, or out in the world in pre-defined categories set by their company. Administrators can launch multiple LSA programs in minutes, configure detailed spending rules, and automate top-ups—all while tracking usage and ROI from a single dashboard.

    “Our goal was to make LSAs just as engaging as the rest of our platform,” Johnson added. “When perks are easy to use and visibly celebrated, they don’t just make employees happy—they reinforce your culture.”

    Key benefits of Motivosity’s new LSA offering include:

    • Fully controllable spending: Employers define categories and limits, ensuring every dollar is used as intended.
    • Pre-funded accounts: Eliminate unfunded liabilities with proactive wallet funding.
    • Automated workflows: No more manual receipt reviews or ad hoc reimbursements.
    • Centralized platform: Run LSAs alongside recognition, rewards, and people programs to boost participation and connection.

    Motivosity’s approach to employee experience has already earned the trust of leading brands like Toyota, Bosch, Western Governors University, and KPMG. With the addition of LSAs, the platform now supports even more ways for companies to build culture, increase retention, and simplify HR operations—all without adding another tool to the tech stack.

    To learn more or request a custom demo, visit www.motivosity.com.

    About Motivosity
    Motivosity is the people-first Recognition and Rewards solution built for today’s workforce. By combining peer-to-peer recognition, meaningful rewards, and community-building tools, Motivosity helps organizations create connected cultures where employees feel valued, motivated, and inspired to do their best work.

    Contact Details:

    Name: Erik Yorgason
    Title: Director of Creative & Brand
    Email: erik.yorgason@motivosity.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Blue Mantis’ Josh Dinneen Honored with Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Kevin A. Houston Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTSMOUTH, N.H., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Mantis, a leading provider of digital strategy and services specializing in managed services, cybersecurity and cloud solutions, today announced that its CEO, Josh Dinneen, has been honored as the recipient of the Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Kevin A. Houston Award. This prestigious recognition is awarded annually by InnoVets and Massachusetts Fallen Heros and it commemorates veterans who exemplify extraordinary service and demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of military families.

    Dinneen, a former sergeant in the U. S. Marine Corps, received the award during the Patriot Week Gala, held at the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel Thursday, May 22. Patriot Week, established in 2016 by InnoVets, is a week-long event series dedicated to spreading awareness of military life and honoring Fallen Heroes. It brings together the veterans and military families for ceremonies, discussions, and celebrations, recognizing local leaders who make meaningful contributions to the Veteran and Gold Star communities.

    The award pays tribute to the legacy of Houston, a highly decorated Navy SEAL known for his exceptional courage and dedication to duty. Born in West Hyannis Port, Mass., Houston enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1995 and embarked on a distinguished career marked by valor and selflessness. His legacy continues to inspire those who serve and those who support military communities.

    “I am incredibly honored to receive the Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Kevin A. Houston Award,” said Dinneen. “Patriot Week is a powerful reminder of the commitment we share to support our veterans and their families. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I am proud to contribute to InnoVet’s mission and continue Chief Petty Officer Houston’s legacy.”

    InnoVets, founded by Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, empowers veterans, transitioning service members, Gold Star Families, and military family members through career development, mentorship, and entrepreneurial opportunities. InnoVets offers programs like STRAC, a business accelerator; CodeX, a cybersecurity training program designed with the support of Blue Mantis; and Veteran’s Edge, a career support initiative. Its mission is to bridge the gap between military service and business success, fostering a strong, united community.

    “Josh Dinneen is a proven business leader, distinguished veteran and rather worthy recipient of the Kevin A. Houston Award and we congratulate him on this honor,” said Dan Magoon, Co-Founder and Executive Director, InnoVets. “Blue Mantis has been a tremendous partner to InnoVets in providing invaluable cybersecurity and IT education, training, mentorship and job placement assistance for military veterans and we are grateful for the firm has done with Josh’s guidance and support.”

    InnoVets further honored the fallen and their Gold Star Families at its Annual Memorial Rededication Ceremony on Saturday, May 24th, at 10 a.m., held at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial. Learn more at innovets.org.

    About InnoVets
    InnoVets and Massachusetts Fallen Heroes are dedicated to honoring the Massachusetts Veterans we have lost since 9/11 and supporting Veterans and Gold Star Families through various avenues of programming.

    About Blue Mantis
    Blue Mantis is a security-first, IT solutions and services provider with a 30+ year history of successfully helping clients achieve business modernization by applying next-generation technologies including managed services, cybersecurity, cloud and collaboration. Headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the company provides digital technology services and strategic guidance to ensure clients quickly adapt and grow through automation and innovation. Blue Mantis partners with more than 1,500 leading mid-market and enterprise organizations in a multitude of vertical industries and is backed by leading private equity firm, Recognize. For more information about Blue Mantis and its services, please visit www.bluemantis.com.

    Contact
    Touchdown PR for Blue Mantis
    tdbm@touchdownpr.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: John Snow Labs Acquires WiseCube to Refine and Safeguard Medical AI Models with Knowledge Graphs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEWES, Del., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — John Snow Labs, the AI for healthcare company, today announced the acquisition of WiseCube, a pioneer in biomedical knowledge graphs and AI-powered literature analysis. The acquisition strengthens the company’s mission to deliver responsible, accurate, and explainable healthcare AI solutions enhanced by WiseCube’s billion-scale knowledge platform.

    WiseCube unifies and analyzes disjointed biomedical datasets to provide fast, literature-backed answers to complex medical questions. Its integration of cutting-edge biomedical ontologies and documents ensures access to the most current and comprehensive medical knowledge. This capability has proven indispensable, uncovering new use cases and solutions John Snow Labs can support, such as drug discovery and precision medicine within the Medical Chatbot Platform.

    The WiseCube acquisition will enable John Snow Labs to:

    • Enhance Biomedical Literature Review: Unique algorithms enable holistic analysis of unstructured data and medical ontologies to generate new scientific hypotheses.
    • Accelerate Drug Discovery: Surfacing hidden relationships among drugs, genes, and diseases, WiseCube shortens the path from discovery to clinical trials.
    • Improve Hallucination Detection for Medical LLMs: WiseCube’s Pythia service includes a hallucination detection tool that can monitor AI-generated responses alignment with verified medical knowledge, enhancing compliance and safety of medical AI applications.

    “With John Snow Labs’ leadership in healthcare AI, our combined teams can now bring safe and effective AI solutions to the market at scale,” said Vishnu Vettrivel, CEO, WiseCube. “We look forward to improving research productivity, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes together.”

    “The integration of WiseCube’s knowledge graph technology into our healthcare AI solutions enables a new level of accuracy and reliability for our customers,” said David Talby, CEO, John Snow Labs. “We’re excited to accelerate the ability to deliver real-world, production-ready solutions that clinicians and researchers can trust.”

    About John Snow Labs
    John Snow Labs, the AI for healthcare company, provides state-of-the-art software, models, and data to help healthcare and life science organizations put AI to good use. Developer of Medical LLMs, Healthcare NLP, Spark NLP, the Generative AI Lab No-Code Platform, and the Medical Chatbot, John Snow Labs’ award-winning medical AI software powers the world’s leading pharmaceuticals, academic medical centers, and health technology companies. Creator and host of The NLP Summit, the company is committed to further educating and advancing the global AI community.

    Contact
    Gina Devine
    Head of Communications
    John Snow Labs
    gina@johnsnowlabs.com 

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Goodyear’s Sightline Tire Intelligence Software Technologies to be Featured on SDVerse, Advancing Software-Defined Mobility

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SDVerse™, the premier B2B marketplace for vehicle software, today announced that Goodyear, one of the world’s largest tire companies, will promote its SightLine suite of tire intelligence software offerings on the SDVerse platform. Goodyear, whose state-of-the-art products and services set the technology and performance standard for the industry, is marking a bold step into the software-defined vehicle (SDV) space, introducing tire-centric software solutions aimed at enhancing vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency.

    Goodyear’s suite of intelligent mobility solutions – featuring real-time tire health diagnostics, road surface sensing, and predictive maintenance insights – were designed to empower OEMs and Tier-1s the ability to integrate tire intelligence directly into core vehicle systems. SDVerse is the first online marketplace to showcase Goodyear’s expansion from hardware into the digital layer of mobility. Goodyear’s digital offerings reflect a growing industry shift towards data driven and connected platforms, where every component, including tires, contributes to a safer, more efficient driving experience.

    “​Our tire intelligence technologies are at the core of our commitment to innovation” said Werner Happenhofer, Vice President of Global Tire Intelligence & Solutions at Goodyear. “Integrating these technologies into a vehicle’s controls systems represents a significant step forward in enhancing vehicle safety, performance, and efficiency. Partnering with SDVerse gives us the opportunity to collaborate with other members and OEMs as we meet the evolving demands of the industry.”

    With Goodyear’s entry, SDVerse continues its mission to transform automotive software sourcing – connecting buyers and sellers, accelerating innovation, and enabling software-defined mobility at scale.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Goodyear to SDVerse,” said Prashant Gulati, CEO of SDVerse. “Goodyear’s move into software is not only bold but incredibly timely. Their presence on our platform underscores the breadth of what software-defined vehicles can become—where even tires evolve into intelligent systems contributing real-time data and decision-making capabilities across the vehicle ecosystem.”

    For more information or to explore Goodyear’s software offerings, visit Goodyear at SDVerse.

    About SDVerse
    SDVerse is a first-of-its-kind B2B marketplace for buying and selling vehicle software. Backed by founding members General Motors (GM), Magna, and Wipro, SDVerse is accelerating the future of software-defined vehicles by providing a matchmaking marketplace for buyers and sellers that benefits the entire automotive ecosystem. Its standard-agnostic marketplace is available to all OEMs, suppliers, and any company with relevant software offerings and tools. Learn more at www.sdverse.auto.

    SOURCE SDVerse

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Oxbridge / SurancePlus to Participate in the “2025 Virtual Tech Conference: Discover the Innovations Reshaping Tomorrow” Virtual Conference Presented by Maxim Group LLC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: OXBR) (“Oxbridge Re”), together with its subsidiary SurancePlus, is engaged in the tokenization of Real-World Assets (“RWAs”), initially with tokenized reinsurance securities and in providing reinsurance solutions to property and casualty insurers in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The company today announced its CEO Jay Madhu has been invited to present at the “2025 Virtual Tech Conference: Discover the Innovations Reshaping Tomorrow,” presented by Maxim Group LLC, on Tuesday, June 3rd at 1:00 PM EDT.

    Event Details: Oxbridge / SurancePlus CEO and Maxim Senior Analyst Fireside Chat
    Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
    Time: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM (EDT)
    Location: This conference will be live on M-Vest. To attend, sign up to become an M-Vest member.
    Click here to learn more and reserve your seat.

    Discussion Highlights

    • Bringing Traditional Finance On-Chain: How Oxbridge and SurancePlus are leveraging blockchain to modernize reinsurance markets
    • Democratization of Reinsurance: Making reinsurance accessible to a much broader range of investors globally
    • Tokenized Reinsurance RWAs: A first-of-its-kind asset class offered by a public company subsidiary, targeting 20% and 42% annual yields

    Jay Madhu, CEO of Oxbridge, commented: “Maxim’s Tech Conference is a great platform to showcase how we are bridging traditional insurance with Web3 and blockchain innovation. At SurancePlus, we are not just creating tokenized reinsurance securities – we are expanding access to a high-yield opportunity that is uncorrelated to traditional capital markets and has been historically inaccessible to most.”

    Oxbridge / SurancePlus will be taking part in the “2025 Virtual Tech Conference: Discover the Innovations Reshaping Tomorrow.” The rapid evolution of technology is paving the way for disruption across all industries, including healthcare, drones, consumer IoT, business solutions, gaming & entertainment, and more. In Maxim’s 2025 Virtual Tech Conference, we will explore how emerging growth companies are expanding their use of Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to position themselves for the future. Maxim Senior Analysts will facilitate engaging dialogues with CEOs and key management of diverse companies who have their attention on technology and how it will impact and grow their business.

    About Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited 

    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: OXBR, OXBRW) (“Oxbridge”) is headquartered in the Cayman Islands. The company offers tokenized Real-World Assets (“RWAs”) as tokenized reinsurance securities and reinsurance business solutions to property and casualty insurers, through its wholly owned subsidiaries SurancePlus Inc., Oxbridge Re NS, and Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited.

    Insurance businesses in the Gulf Coast region of the United States purchase property and casualty reinsurance through our licensed reinsurers Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited and Oxbridge Re NS.

    Our Web3-focused subsidiary, SurancePlus Inc. (“SurancePlus”), has developed the first “on-chain” reinsurance RWA of its kind to be sponsored by a subsidiary of a publicly traded company. By digitizing interests in reinsurance contracts as on-chain RWAs, SurancePlus has democratized the availability of reinsurance as an alternative investment to both U.S. and non-U.S. investors. 

    Company Contact:
    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited
    Jay Madhu, CEO
    +1 345-749-7570
    jmadhu@oxbridgere.com

    About Maxim Group LLC

    Maxim Group LLC is a full-service investment banking, securities and wealth management firm headquartered in New York. The Firm provides a full array of financial services including investment banking; private wealth management; and global institutional equity, fixed-income and derivatives sales & trading, equity research and prime brokerage services. Maxim Group is a registered broker-dealer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and is a member of FINRA SIPC, and NASDAQ. To learn more about Maxim Group, visit maximgrp.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Parched Hospitality Group Puts the Guest Experience First with New Paytronix Rewards App

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Loyalty with an Australian Vibe — Parched launches a tiered rewards program to engage and reward guests digitally, across its unique dining & cocktail brands

    NEWTON, Mass. and NEW YORK, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Paytronix, the leader in guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, and Australian culture inspired Parched Hospitality Group have launched “Parched Locals,” a powerful new rewards program and mobile app to engage with guests across all four of its iconic restaurant brands: Daintree; Hole in the Wall; Isla & Co.; and Wallflower. Guests can sign up for membership to become a Local with any store in the Parched family to get rewards and bonus perks across all the brands.

    Parched operates nine unique restaurants in New York and Florida, featuring multiple concepts that take inspiration from Australia where much of the executive team was born. Stop by Hole in the Wall or Isla and Co. for an Australian street corner vibe to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee and hearty breakfast, or dinner and date night out. Swing by Wallflower for cocktails and a bite, where vinyl records are found spinning throughout the night. Or experience the Australian forest environment at Daintree to enjoy the lush greenery and rooftop view, under the watchful eye of the New York skyline.

    “We’ve got such a fantastic group of loyal customers, we wanted to give back to them and make sure they feel as much a part of our family as we feel about them,” said Tom Rowse, Chief Strategy Officer, Parched, “The Parched Locals program and mobile app will help expand and grow our family while thanking them. Paytronix brings so many ways to surprise and reward guests, engaging with them through a program that’s true to each brand’s unique needs and style.”

    Become a Mate Today
    By downloading the Parched mobile app new mates will automatically get a free cocktail, coffee or fries just for signing up!

    The mobile app is designed to be a one-stop shop to explore all the Parched venues. There, guests can reserve a table, explore the menu, manage their account and earn/redeem rewards. When on the go, they can order online – with app exclusive pricing just for members! Earn and redeem rewards at any restaurant in the Parched family. Sign up online, or at any local Parched location during checkout.

    Members earn points for every purchase they make and also gain first access to special offers and limited-time rewards. Frequent guests can move up tiers in the program to unlock additional perks and extra rewards.

    “Parched designed their digital brand intentionally to ensure guests feel at home and experience Australian hospitality however they engage, across the Parched brands”, said Andrea Mulligan, Chief Customer Officer, Paytronix. “The guest experience has been at the center of the brand since its conceptualization. Parched is giving back to its regular customers and making it convenient for people to engage with them whether in person or remotely.”

    Parched deployed the full Paytronix guest engagement platform, which also provides powerful tools for online ordering, rewards, email/messaging/SMS and marketing, and gift card solutions. Rollout was easy, with Paytronix integrating directly with the Toast POS system used by Parched. Paytronix even supported specialized integration needs, like direct integration of Sunday QR code payments.

    About Parched Hospitality Group
    Parched Hospitality Group (PHG) began in 2014 with the opening of a boutique New York City coffee shop, Hole in the Wall. This humble establishment quickly became an iconic café brand, laying the foundation for PHG’s expansion into a multi-concept hospitality group. Drawing inspiration from Australian, Southeast Asian, and European cultures, PHG delivers exceptional customer experiences and innovative concepts–a third place for guests in each local community it operates in.

    Today, PHG’s portfolio includes renowned establishments such as Hole in the Wall, Isla & Co., Daintree, and Wallflower, each venue offering unique dining experiences, from modern Australian cuisine to innovative cocktails. Parched operates nine restaurants across New York and Florida as well as a direct-to-consumer coffee brand, all connected by a shared mission that puts community, customer experience, and creativity at the heart of everything they do. Learn more at https://parchedhg.com/.

    About Paytronix
    Paytronix, an Access Group company, is a cloud-based digital guest engagement platform for the hospitality industry. Our innovative, unified platform provides loyalty programs, online ordering, gift cards, branded mobile applications, and strategic insights to more than 1,800 leading restaurant and convenience store brands. Our valued clients leverage the power of Paytronix across 50,000 sites globally to create seamless, personalized, and brand-authentic experiences that foster lasting relationships with their customers. For more than 20 years, Paytronix has been a trusted partner helping brands maximize the lifetime value of their guests and grow more profitable businesses. For more information, visit www.paytronix.com.

    Media Contact:
    Calen McGee
    Paytronix Systems, Inc.
    Calen.McGee@theaccessgroup.com 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5188c284-8a8e-457a-ab04-d356fd629588

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Earns ‘Product Carbon Reduction’ and ‘Product Carbon Footprint’ Certifications for Dozens of 2025 TVs, Soundbars and Monitors

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics America announced that nearly 80 models in its 2025 TV, soundbar and monitor lineups have received Product Carbon Reduction1 and Product Carbon Footprint2 certifications from TÜV Rheinland, a globally recognized certification organization based in Germany. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Samsung Neo QLED 8K and Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV lineups have earned the certifications, demonstrating the company’s continued efforts toward carbon reduction.
    “Samsung Electronics is committed to driving technological innovation for a sustainable future,” said Taeyong Son, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “As the world’s leading TV manufacturer, we will continue to be at the forefront of establishing a more energy-efficient ecosystem that benefits consumers.”
    Following last year’s certification of 60 models across the Neo QLED, OLED and Lifestyle TV categories, Samsung has grown its number of certified products in 2025 to include QLED TVs. In addition, the company is also working towards obtaining certification for its Color E-Paper commercial displays later this year.

    The certifications from TÜV Rheinland are awarded following a rigorous evaluation of a product’s entire lifecycle — including manufacturing, transportation, usage and disposal — based on internationally recognized sustainability standards. By assessing and verifying carbon emissions at each stage, these certifications highlight Samsung efforts to reduce environmental impact across its product lineup.
    In particular, the Product Carbon Reduction certification is granted to products that have already received a Product Carbon Footprint certification and further demonstrate a measurable reduction in carbon emissions compared to their predecessors.

    Samsung leadership in energy-efficient display technology dates back to 2021, when Samsung Neo QLED 4K became the first 4K and higher-resolution TV to earn the Reducing CO2 certification. Since then, Samsung has continually expanded its portfolio of environmentally certified products, including QLED, Crystal UHD, Lifestyle TVs, OLED TVs and a wide range of monitors and digital signage products.
    Plus, Samsung makes it easy to responsibly recycle your old TV, while helping you save on your new one. When you purchase a qualifying 2025 Samsung TV, you can choose to trade in your current model and we’ll not only recycle it, but give you a $50 rebate toward your purchase.3
    For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Queer country: LGBTQ+ musicians are outside the spotlight as Grand Ole Opry turns 100

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Tanya Olson, Associate Teaching Professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    The iconic circle in the Grand Ole Opry stage. Who gets to stand in it? Timothy Wildey/Flickr, CC BY-NC

    On March 15, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry country music radio show closed its run at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, with Johnny and June Carter Cash leading the song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” After that final show, a six-foot circle of wood was cut from the Ryman stage and moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House.

    The next night, Roy Acuff opened the first show at the new venue. A video of Acuff singing in the 1940s played before the screen lifted to reveal Acuff himself, singing live in the same spot. The message was clear: Though the stage had changed, the story continued. The circle had not been broken.

    The Opry began on WSM on Nov. 28, 1925, and is celebrating its centennial with a series of concerts and tributes under the name Opry 100. On March 19, 2025, Reba McEntire stepped onto the iconic circle on the Grand Ole Opry stage and kicked off NBC’s Opry 100 celebration with a verse of “Sweet Dreams.”

    The final song of the night was “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” performed by country legends like Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely alongside newcomers like Lainey Wilson and Post Malone. It was a moment meant to celebrate 100 years of country music tradition and connection with a stage full of voices harmonizing across generations. A circle, unbroken.

    But that night in March, one group of country performers was missing. Not a single openly gay, lesbian or bisexual artist appeared onstage during the anniversary celebration. In a moment designed to honor the full sweep of the genre’s past and future, a long line of country musicians was left standing outside the spotlight once again.

    Wilma Burgess’ sexuality was common knowledge in music industry circles in the 1960s and ‘70s.

    A slowly opening circle

    Country music has never been without queer voices, but it regularly refuses to acknowledge them.

    From 1962 to 1982, Wilma Burgess had 15 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country chart and two Grammy Award nominations. She recorded with legendary producer Owen Bradley and had Top 10 hits like “Misty Blue.” Despite this success, Burgess never played the Opry. Though Burgess was never publicly out, her sexuality was common knowledge in recording circles. In the 1980s, she left music and opened The Hitching Post, Nashville’s first lesbian bar. Like so many queer country artists, Burgess had to build her legacy outside the circle.

    In the 1980s and 90s, k.d. lang and Sid Spencer expanded the presence of queer artists in country music. Lang won two Grammys and performed at the Opry, but she was labeled “cowpunk” and left the genre before coming out in 1992. Spencer released albums and toured widely within the gay rodeo circuit, but he was never recognized by mainstream country before his 1996 death from AIDS-related complications.

    The 2000s offered small openings. Mary Gauthier became the first openly queer artist to perform on the Opry stage in 2005. Chely Wright had a No. 1 country single before coming out in 2010, but didn’t return to the Opry until 2019. Ty Herndon charted 17 singles before coming out in 2014. He wouldn’t appear at the Opry again until 2023.

    These artists established themselves first and came out later, at great professional cost. The Opry hosts 5–6 shows a week, featuring 6–8 artists each night. In that context, a nine-year absence isn’t just a scheduling gap. In addition, the Grand Ole Opry currently has 76 members, a special designation indicating a level of success in country music. None of them identify as LGBTQ+.

    Today, there are signs of change. Lily Rose, who has been openly queer since the beginning of her career, receives radio play, has songs on the charts and tours widely. But she remains the exception, not the rule. Other openly LGBTQ+ artists like Paisley Fields, Mya Byrne and Amythyst Kiah are recording, performing and building loyal audiences, but they are still rarely featured on country radio or invited onto the Opry stage. The circle may be widening, but for many queer artists, it’s still just out of reach.

    The importance of the circle

    In country music, visibility isn’t just symbolic. If you’re not on the radio, you don’t chart. If you don’t chart, you don’t tour. Without that platform, you can’t build a legacy.

    Country radio and the Opry stage serve as gatekeepers of who counts. In 2015, a radio consultant infamously compared women artists to “tomatoes in the salad,” stating a few were fine, but they shouldn’t dominate. That same logic has long applied to queer artists; they can be tolerated at the edges but are rarely treated as essential.

    Genre labeling becomes another barrier. Brandi Carlile and Brandy Clark both openly identify as lesbians and have been embraced by country audiences and critics alike, but they are routinely categorized as Americana artists. That rebranding often functions as a fence that keeps artists close enough to celebrate, but far enough to exclude.

    Gina Venier is one of today’s many openly gay country artists.

    Reimagining the circle

    The Opry’s centennial celebrations are scheduled to continue through the end of 2025 with a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall and a final anniversary show in Nashville on Nov. 28. Perhaps openly queer artists will take the stage at those events. If they do, it won’t just be symbolic; it will be a long overdue acknowledgment of artists who have always been here, even if they weren’t always seen.

    Country music’s strength lies in how it braids together American traditions: gospel and blues, Black and white, rural and urban, old and new. It’s not a genre built on purity, but one that relies on the mix. That mix is what makes country music American – and what makes it endure.

    If the circle on the Opry stage is meant to stand for country music itself, then I hope it will be like the music: honest and able to grow. If “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” is more of a promise than just a closing number, the future of country music depends on who’s allowed in the circle to sing it next.

    Tanya Olson 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. Queer country: LGBTQ+ musicians are outside the spotlight as Grand Ole Opry turns 100 – https://theconversation.com/queer-country-lgbtq-musicians-are-outside-the-spotlight-as-grand-ole-opry-turns-100-251892

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Could a bold anti-poverty experiment from the 1960s inspire a new era in housing justice?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Michigan State University

    Model Cities staff in front of a Baltimore field office in 1971. Robert Breck Chapman Collection, Langsdale Library Special Collections, University of Baltimore, CC BY-NC-ND

    In cities across the U.S., the housing crisis has reached a breaking point. Rents are skyrocketing, homelessness is rising and working-class neighborhoods are threatened by displacement.

    These challenges might feel unprecedented. But they echo a moment more than half a century ago.

    In the 1950s and 1960s, housing and urban inequality were at the center of national politics. American cities were grappling with rapid urban decline, segregated and substandard housing, and the fallout of highway construction and urban renewal projects that displaced hundreds of thousands of disproportionately low-income and Black residents.

    The federal government decided to try to do something about it.

    President Lyndon B. Johnson launched one of the most ambitious experiments in urban policy: the Model Cities Program.

    As a scholar of housing justice and urban planning, I’ve studied how this short-lived initiative aimed to move beyond patchwork fixes to poverty and instead tackle its structural causes by empowering communities to shape their own futures.

    Building a great society

    The Model Cities Program emerged in 1966 as part of Johnson’s Great Society agenda, a sweeping effort to eliminate poverty, reduce racial injustice and expand social welfare programs in the United States.

    Earlier urban renewal programs had been roundly criticized for displacing communities of color. Much of this displacement occurred through federally funded highway and slum clearance projects that demolished entire neighborhoods and often left residents without decent options for new housing.

    So the Johnson administration sought a more holistic approach. The Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act established a federal framework for cities to coordinate housing, education, employment, health care and social services at the neighborhood level.

    New York City neighborhoods designated for revitalization with funding from the Model Cities Program.
    The City of New York, Community Development Program: A Progress Report, December 1968.

    To qualify for the program, cities had to apply for planning grants by submitting a detailed proposal that included an analysis of neighborhood conditions, long-term goals and strategies for addressing problems.

    Federal funds went directly to city governments, which then distributed them to local agencies and community organizations through contracts. These funds were relatively flexible but had to be tied to locally tailored plans. For example, Kansas City, Missouri, used Model Cities funding to support a loan program that expanded access to capital for local small businesses, helping them secure financing that might otherwise have been out of reach.

    Unlike previous programs, Model Cities emphasized what Johnson described as “comprehensive” and “concentrated” efforts. It wasn’t just about rebuilding streets or erecting public housing. It was about creating new ways for government to work in partnership with the people most affected by poverty and racism.

    A revolutionary approach to poverty

    What made Model Cities unique wasn’t just its scale but its philosophy. At the heart of the program was an insistence on “widespread citizen participation,” which required cities that received funding to include residents in the planning and oversight of local programs.

    The program also drew inspiration from civil rights leaders. One of its early architects, Whitney M. Young Jr., had called for a “Domestic Marshall Plan” – a reference to the federal government’s efforts to rebuild Europe after World War II – to redress centuries of racial inequality.

    Civil rights activist Whitney M. Young Jr. helped shape the vision of the Model Cities Program.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

    Young’s vision helped shape the Model Cities framework, which proposed targeted systemic investments in housing, health, education, employment and civic leadership in minority communities. In Atlanta, for example, the Model Cities Program helped fund neighborhood health clinics and job training programs. But the program also funded leadership councils that for the first time gave local low-income residents a direct voice in how city funds were spent.

    In other words, neighborhood residents weren’t just beneficiaries. They were planners, advisers and, in some cases, staffers.

    This commitment to community participation gave rise to a new kind of public servant – what sociologists Martin and Carolyn Needleman famously called “guerrillas in the bureaucracy.”

    A Model Cities staffer discusses the program to a group of students gathered at Denver’s Metropolitan Youth Education Center in 1970.
    Bill Wunsch/The Denver Post via Getty Images

    These were radical planners – often young, idealistic and deeply embedded in the neighborhoods they served. Many were recruited and hired through new Model Cities funding that allowed local governments to expand their staff with community workers aligned with the program’s goals.

    Working from within city agencies, these new planners used their positions to challenge top-down decision-making and push for community-driven planning.

    Their work was revolutionary not because they dismantled institutions but because they reimagined how institutions could function, prioritizing the voices of residents long excluded from power.

    Strengthening community ties

    In cities across the country, planners fought to redirect public resources toward locally defined priorities.

    A mobile dentist office in Baltimore.
    Robert Breck Chapman Collection, Langsdale Library Special Collections, University of Baltimore, CC BY-NC-ND

    In some cities, such as Tucson, the program funded education initiatives such as bilingual cultural programming and college scholarships for local students. In Baltimore, it funded mobile health services and youth sports programs.

    In New York City, the program supported new kinds of housing projects called vest-pocket developments, which got their name from their smaller scale: midsize buildings or complexes built on vacant lots or underutilized land. New housing such as the Betances Houses in the South Bronx were designed to add density without major redevelopment taking place – a direct response to midcentury urban renewal projects, which had destroyed and displaced entire neighborhoods populated by the city’s poorest residents. Meanwhile, cities such as Seattle used the funds to renovate older apartment buildings instead of tearing them down, which helped preserve the character of local neighborhoods.

    The goal was to create affordable housing while keeping communities intact.

    An Atlanta neighborhood identified as a candidate for street paving and home rehabilitation as part of the Model Cities Program.
    Georgia State University Special Collections

    What went wrong?

    Despite its ambitious vision, Model Cities faced resistance almost from the start. The program was underfunded and politically fragile. While some officials had hoped for US$2 billion in annual funding, the actual allocation was closer to $500 million to $600 million, spread across more than 60 cities.

    Then the political winds shifted. Though designed during the optimism of the mid-1960s, the program started being implemented under President Richard Nixon in 1969. His administration pivoted away from “people programs” and toward capital investment and physical development. Requirements for resident participation were weakened, and local officials often maintained control over the process, effectively marginalizing the everyday citizens the program was meant to empower.

    In cities such as San Francisco and Chicago, residents clashed with bureaucrats over control, transparency and decision-making. In some places, participation was reduced to token advisory roles. In others, internal conflict and political pressure made sustained community governance nearly impossible.

    Critics, including Black community workers and civil rights activists, warned that the program risked becoming a new form of “neocolonialism,” one that used the language of empowerment while concentrating control in the hands of white elected officials and federal administrators.

    A legacy worth revisiting

    Although the program was phased out by 1974, its legacy lived on.

    In cities across the country, Model Cities trained a generation of Black and brown civic leaders in what community development leaders and policy advocates John A. Sasso and Priscilla Foley called “a little noticed revolution.” In their book of the same name, they describe how those involved in the program went on to serve in local government, start nonprofits and advocate for community development.

    It also left an imprint on later policies. Efforts such as participatory budgeting, community land trusts and neighborhood planning initiatives owe a debt to Model Cities’ insistence that residents should help shape the future of their communities. And even as some criticized the program for failing to meet its lofty goals, others saw its value in creating space for democratic experimentation.

    A housing meeting takes place at a local Model Cities field office in Baltimore in 1972.
    Robert Breck Chapman Collection, Langsdale Library Special Collections, University of Baltimore, CC BY-NC-ND

    Today’s housing crisis demands structural solutions to structural problems. The affordable housing crisis is deeply connected to other intersecting crises, such as climate change, environmental injustice and health disparities, creating compounding risks for the most vulnerable communities. Addressing these issues through a fragmented social safety net – whether through housing vouchers or narrowly targeted benefit programs – has proven ineffective.

    Today, as policymakers once again debate how to respond to deepening inequality and a lack of affordable housing, the lost promise of Model Cities offers vital lessons.

    Model Cities was far from perfect. But it offered a vision of how democratic, local planning could promote health, security and community.

    Deyanira Nevárez Martínez is a trustee of the Lansing School District Board of Education and is currently a candidate for the Lansing City Council Ward 2.

    – ref. Could a bold anti-poverty experiment from the 1960s inspire a new era in housing justice? – https://theconversation.com/could-a-bold-anti-poverty-experiment-from-the-1960s-inspire-a-new-era-in-housing-justice-253706

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Air traffic controller shortages in Newark and other airports partly reflect long, intense training − but university-based training programs are becoming part of the solution

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Melanie Dickman, Lecturer in Aviation Studies, The Ohio State University

    Air traffic controllers observe a plane taking off from San Francisco International Airport in 2017. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

    Air traffic controllers have been in the news a lot lately.

    A spate of airplane crashes and near misses have highlighted the ongoing shortage of air traffic workers, leading more Americans to question the safety of air travel.

    The shortage, as well as aging computer systems, have also led to massive flight disruptions at airports across the country, particularly at Newark Liberty International Airport. The staffing shortage is also likely at the center of an investigation of a deadly crash between a commercial plane and an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., in January 2025.

    One reason for the air traffic controller shortage relates to the demands of the job: The training to become a controller is extremely intense, and the Federal Aviation Administration wants only highly qualified personnel to fill those seats, which has made it difficult for what has been the sole training center in the U.S., located in Oklahoma City, to churn out enough qualified graduates each year.

    As scholars who study and teach tomorrow’s aviation professionals, we are working to be part of the solution. Our program at Ohio State University is applying to join over two dozen other schools in an effort to train air traffic controllers and help alleviate the shortage.

    Air traffic controller school

    Air traffic control training today – overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration – remains as intense as it’s ever been.

    In fact, about 30% of students fail to make it from their first day of training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City to the status of a certified professional air traffic controller. The academy currently trains the majority of the air traffic controllers in the U.S.

    Before someone is accepted into the training program, they must meet several qualifications. That includes being a U.S. citizen under the age of 31 and speaking English clearly enough to be understood over the radio. The low recruitment age is because controllers currently have a mandatory retirement age of 56 – with some exceptions – and the FAA wants them to work for at least 25 years in the job.

    They must also pass a medical exam and security investigation. And they must pass the air traffic controller specialists skills assessment battery, which measures an applicant’s spatial awareness and decision-making abilities.

    Candidates, additionally, must have three years of general work experience, or a combination of postsecondary education and work experience totaling at least three years.

    This alone is no easy feat. Fewer than 10% of applicants meet those initial requirements and are accepted into training.

    An air traffic controller monitors a runway in the tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
    AP Photo/Seth Wenig

    Intense training

    Once applicants meet the initial qualifications, they begin a strenuous training process.

    This begins with several weeks of classroom instruction and several months of simulator training. There are several types of simulators, and a student is assigned to a simulator based on the type of facility for which they will be hired – which depends on a trainee’s preference and where controllers are needed.

    There are two main types of air traffic facilities: control towers and radar. Anyone who has flown on a plane has likely seen a control tower near the runways, with 360 degrees of tall glass windows to monitor the skies nearby. Controllers there mainly look outside to direct aircraft but also use radar to monitor the airspace and assist aircraft in taking off and landing safely.

    Radar facilities, on the other hand, monitor aircraft solely through the use of information depicted on a screen. This includes aircraft flying just outside the vicinity of a major airport or when they’re at higher altitudes and crisscrossing the skies above the U.S. The controllers ensure they don’t fly too close to one another as they follow their flight paths between airports.

    If the candidates make it through the first stage, which takes about six months and extensive testing to meet standards, they will be sent to their respective facilities.

    Once there, they again go to the classroom, learning the details of the airspace they will be working in. There are more assessments and chances to “wash out” and have to leave the program.

    Finally, the candidates are paired with an experienced controller who conducts on-the-job training to control real aircraft. This process may take an additional year or more. It depends on the complexity of the airspace and the amount of aircraft traffic at the site.

    Two control towers watch over Newark Liberty International Airport, where a shortage of air traffic controllers has led to blackouts and other problems lately.
    AP Photo/Seth Wenig

    Increasing the employment pipeline

    But no matter how good the training is, if there aren’t enough graduates, that’s a problem for managing the increasingly crowded skies.

    The FAA is currently facing a deficit of about 3,000 controllers and has unveiled a plan in May 2025 to increase hiring and boost retention. In addition, Congress is mulling spending billions of dollars to update the FAA’s aging systems and hire more air traffic controllers.

    Other plans include paying retention bonuses and allowing more controllers to work beyond the age of 56. That retirement age was put in place in the 1970s on the assumption that cognition for most people begins to decline around then, although research shows that age alone is not necessarily a predictor of cognitive abilities.

    But we believe that aviation programs and universities can play an important role fixing the shortage by providing FAA Academy-level training.

    Currently, 32 universities including the Florida Institute of Technology and Arizona State University partner with the FAA in its collegiate training initiative to provide basic air traffic control training, which gives graduates automatic entry into the FAA Academy and allows them to skip five weeks of coursework.

    The institution where we work, Ohio State University, is currently working on becoming the 33rd this summer and plans to offer an undergraduate major in aviation with specialization in air traffic control.

    This helps, but an enhanced version of this program, announced in October 2024, allows graduates of a select few of those universities to skip the FAA Academy altogether and go straight to a control tower or radar facility once they’ve passed all the extensive tests. These schools must match or exceed the level of rigor in their training with the FAA Academy itself.

    At the end of the program, students are required to pass an evaluation by an FAA-approved evaluator to ensure that the student graduating from the program meets the same standards as all FAA Academy graduates and is prepared to go to their assigned facility for further training. So far, five schools, such as the University of North Dakota, have joined this program and are currently training air traffic controllers. We intend to join this group in the near future.

    Allowing colleges and universities to start the training process while students are still in school should accelerate the pace at which new controllers enter the workforce, alleviate the shortage and make the skies over the U.S. as safe as they can be.

    Melanie Dickman is a member at large of the Air Traffic Controllers Association

    Brian Strzempkowski 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. Air traffic controller shortages in Newark and other airports partly reflect long, intense training − but university-based training programs are becoming part of the solution – https://theconversation.com/air-traffic-controller-shortages-in-newark-and-other-airports-partly-reflect-long-intense-training-but-university-based-training-programs-are-becoming-part-of-the-solution-249715

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Managing forests and other ecosystems under rising threats requires thinking across wide-ranging scenarios

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kyra Clark-Wolf, Research Scientist in Ecological Transformation, University of Colorado Boulder

    Thinking through scenarios allows land managers to prepare for many potential outcomes. Benjamin Slyngstad via USGS

    In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California, trees that have persisted through rain and shine for thousands of years are now facing multiple threats triggered by a changing climate.

    Scientists and park managers once thought giant sequoia forests nearly impervious to stressors like wildfire, drought and pests. Yet, even very large trees are proving vulnerable, particularly when those stressors are amplified by rising temperatures and increasing weather extremes.

    The rapid pace of climate change – combined with threats like the spread of invasive species and diseases – can affect ecosystems in ways that defy expectations based on past experiences. As a result, Western forests are transitioning to grasslands or shrublands after unprecedented wildfires. Woody plants are expanding into coastal wetlands. Coral reefs are being lost entirely.

    Nate Stephenson, from the U.S. Geological Survey, talks about the fire damage at Redwood Mountain Grove in the Kings Canyon National Park, Calif., in 2021.
    AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian

    To protect these places, which are valued for their natural beauty and the benefits they provide for recreation, clean water and wildlife, forest and land managers increasingly must anticipate risks they have never seen before. And they must prepare for what those risks will mean for stewardship as ecosystems rapidly transform.

    As ecologists and a climate scientist, we’re helping them figure out how to do that.

    Managing changing ecosystems

    Traditional management approaches focus on maintaining or restoring how ecosystems looked and functioned historically.

    However, that doesn’t always work when ecosystems are subjected to new and rapidly shifting conditions.

    Ecosystems have many moving parts – plants, animals, fungi and microbes; and the soil, air and water in which they live – that interact with one another in complex ways.

    When the climate changes, it’s like shifting the ground on which everything rests. The results can undermine the integrity of the system, leading to ecological changes that are hard to predict.

    To plan for an uncertain future, natural resource managers need to consider many different ways changes in climate and ecosystems could affect their landscapes. Essentially, what scenarios are possible?

    Preparing for multiple possibilities

    At Sequoia and Kings Canyon, park managers were aware that climate change posed some big risks to the iconic trees under their care. More than a decade ago, they undertook a major effort to explore different scenarios that could play out in the future.

    It’s a good thing they did, because some of the more extreme possibilities they imagined happened sooner than expected.

    In 2014, drought in California caused the giant sequoias’ foliage to die back, something never documented before. In 2017, sequoia trees began dying from insect damage. And, in 2020 and 2021, fires burned through sequoia groves, killing thousands of ancient trees.

    While these extreme events came as a surprise to many people, thinking through the possibilities ahead of time meant the park managers had already begun to take steps that proved beneficial. One example was prioritizing prescribed burns to remove undergrowth that could fuel hotter, more destructive fires.

    Insulating wraps protected the giant sequoia General Sherman from a fire in 2021.
    Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

    The key to effective planning is a thoughtful consideration of a suite of strategies that are likely to succeed in the face of many different changes in climates and ecosystems. That involves thinking through wide-ranging potential outcomes to see how different strategies might fare under each scenario – including preparing for catastrophic possibilities, even those considered unlikely.

    For example, prescribed burning may reduce risks from both catastrophic wildfire and drought by reducing the density of plant growth, whereas suppressing all fires could increase those risks in the long run.

    Strategies undertaken today have consequences for decades to come. Managers need to have confidence that they are making good investments when they put limited resources toward actions like forest thinning, invasive species control, buying seeds or replanting trees. Scenarios can help inform those investment choices.

    Constructing credible scenarios of ecological change to inform this type of planning requires considering the most important unknowns. Scenarios look not only at how the climate could change, but also how complex ecosystems could react and what surprises might lay beyond the horizon.

    Scientists at the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center are collaborating with managers in the Nebraska Sandhills to develop scenarios of future ecological change under different climate conditions, disturbance events like fires and extreme droughts, and land uses like grazing.
    Photos: T. Walz, M. Lavin, C. Helzer, O. Richmond, NPS (top to bottom)., CC BY

    Key ingredients for crafting ecological scenarios

    To provide some guidance to people tasked with managing these landscapes, we brought together a group of experts in ecology, climate science, and natural resource management from across universities and government agencies.

    We identified three key ingredients for constructing credible ecological scenarios:

    1. Embracing ecological uncertainty: Instead of banking on one “most likely” outcome for ecosystems in a changing climate, managers can better prepare by mapping out multiple possibilities. In Nebraska’s Sandhills, we are exploring how this mostly intact native prairie could transform, with outcomes as divergent as woodlands and open dunes.

    2. Thinking in trajectories: It’s helpful to consider not just the outcomes, but also the potential pathways for getting there. Will ecological changes unfold gradually or all at once? By envisioning different pathways through which ecosystems might respond to climate change and other stressors, natural resource managers can identify critical moments where specific actions, such as removing tree seedlings encroaching into grasslands, can steer ecosystems toward a more desirable future.

    3. Preparing for surprises: Planning for rare disasters or sudden species collapses helps managers respond nimbly when the unexpected strikes, such as a severe drought leading to widespread erosion. Being prepared for abrupt changes and having contingency plans can mean the difference between quickly helping an ecosystem recover and losing it entirely.

    Over the past decade, access to climate model projections through easy-to-use websites has revolutionized resource managers’ ability to explore different scenarios of how the local climate might change.

    What managers are missing today is similar access to ecological model projections and tools that can help them anticipate possible changes in ecosystems. To bridge this gap, we believe the scientific community should prioritize developing ecological projections and decision-support tools that can empower managers to plan for ecological uncertainty with greater confidence and foresight.

    Ecological scenarios don’t eliminate uncertainty, but they can help to navigate it more effectively by identifying strategic actions to manage forests and other ecosystems.

    Kyra Clark-Wolf receives funding from USGS, NSF, and National Park Service. She is affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder and the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center.

    Brian W. Miller receives funding from the U.S. Geological Survey North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

    Imtiaz Rangwala receives funding from USGS, USDA, NOAA, US Forest Service and National Park Service. He is affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, Western Water Assessment and Boundless In Motion.

    – ref. Managing forests and other ecosystems under rising threats requires thinking across wide-ranging scenarios – https://theconversation.com/managing-forests-and-other-ecosystems-under-rising-threats-requires-thinking-across-wide-ranging-scenarios-253842

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross

    Pope Leo XIV leaves the Augustinian General House in Rome after a visit on May 13, 2025. AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

    When Pope Leo XIV was elected pope, the assembled crowd reacted with joy but also with surprise: He was the first pope from the United States, and North America more broadly. Moreover, he was the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected to the papacy.

    Out of all 267 popes, only 51 have been members of religious orders. Pope Francis was elected in 2013 as the first member of the Jesuit order, the Society of Jesus; he was also the first member of any religious order to be chosen in over 150 years.

    As a specialist in medieval Christianity, I am familiar with the origins of many Catholic religious orders, and I was intrigued by the choice of a member of the Order of St. Augustine to follow a Jesuit as pope.

    So, who are the Augustinians?

    Early monks and concern for community

    In antiquity, some Christians chose to lead a more perfect religious life by leaving ordinary society and living together in groups, in the wilderness. They would be led by an older, more experienced person – an abbot. As monks, they followed a set of regulations and guidelines called a “monastic rule.”

    The earliest of these rules, composed about the year 400, is attributed to an influential theologian, later a bishop in North Africa, called St. Augustine of Hippo. The Rule of St. Augustine is a short text that offered monks a firm structure for their daily lives of work and prayer, as well as guidelines on how these rules could be implemented by the abbot in different situations. The rule is both firm and flexible.

    The first chapter stresses the importance of “common life”: It instructs monks to love God and one’s neighbor by living “together in oneness of mind and heart, mutually honoring God in yourselves, whose temples you have become.”

    This is the overriding principle that shapes all later instructions in Augustinian rule.

    For example, Chapter III deals with how the monks should behave when out in public. They should not go alone, but in a group, and not engage in scandalous behavior – specifically, staring at women.

    If one monk starts staring at a woman, one of the other monks with him should “admonish” him. If he does it again, his companion should tell the abbot first, before any other witnesses are notified, so that the monk can try to change his behavior on his own first, so as not to cause disruption in the community.

    Because of this clarity and flexibility, its concern for both the community and the individual members, many early religious communities in the early Middle Ages adopted the Rule of St. Augustine; formal papal approval was not required at this time.

    Mendicant friars in medieval Europe

    By the end of the 12th century, Western Europe had become much more urbanized.

    In response, a new form of religious life emerged: the mendicant friars. Unlike monks who withdrew from ordinary life, mendicants stressed a life of poverty, spent in travel from town to town to preach and help the poor. They would beg for alms along the way to provide for their own needs.

    The first mendicant orders, like the Franciscans and Dominicans, received papal approval in the early 13th century. Others were organized later.

    A few decades later, several hermits living in the Italian region of Tuscany decided to join together to form a new mendicant order. They chose to follow the Rule of St. Augustine under one superior general; Pope Innocent IV approved the new order as the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine in 1244. Later, in 1254, Pope Alexander IV included other groups of hermits in the order, known as the Grand Union.

    The new order grew and eventually expanded across Western Europe, becoming involved in preaching and other kinds of pastoral work in several countries.

    Early missionaries to modern times

    As European countries began to explore the New World, missionary priests took their place on ships sent from Catholic countries, like Spain and Portugal.

    Augustinians were among these early missionaries, quickly establishing themselves in Latin America, several countries in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia and Oceania, arriving in the Philippines in the 16th century.

    There, they not only ministered to the European crews and colonists, but they also evangelized – preached the Christian gospel – to the native inhabitants of the country.

    Augustinian missionaries started the process of setting up Catholic parishes and, eventually, new dioceses. In time, they founded and taught in seminaries to train native-born men who wanted to join their order.

    It wasn’t until the end of the 18th century that Augustinian friars arrived in the United States. Despite many struggles and setbacks in the 19th century, they established Villanova University in Pennsylvania and other ministries in New York and Massachusetts. Except for two 17th-century missionaries, Augustinian friars didn’t arrive in Canada until the 20th century, when they were sent from the German province of the order to escape financial pressure from the economic depression of the 1920s and political pressure from the Nazis.

    Pope Francis meets with members of the Order of Augustinian Recollects at the Vatican on Oct. 20, 2016.
    L’Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP

    Today, there are some 2,800 Augustinian friars in almost 50 countries worldwide. They serve as pastors, teachers and bishops, and have founded schools, colleges and universities on almost every continent. They are also active in promoting social justice in many places – for example, in North America and Australasia, comprising Australia and parts of South Asia.

    Based on his years as a missionary and as provincial of the entire order worldwide, Leo XIV draws on the rich interpersonal tradition of the Order of St. Augustine. I believe his pontificate will be one marked by his experiential awareness of Catholicism as a genuinely global religion, and his deep concern for the suffering of the marginalized and those crushed by political and economic injustice.

    Joanne M. Pierce 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. Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians? – https://theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv-is-the-first-member-of-the-order-of-st-augustine-to-be-elected-pope-but-who-are-the-augustinians-257175

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Deni, Research Professor of Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Security Studies, US Army War College

    American soldiers join 3,000 troops from other NATO member countries in a four-week exercise in Hohenfels, Germany, in March 2025. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    The United States has long played a leadership role in NATO, the most successful military alliance in history.

    The U.S. and 11 other countries in North America and Europe founded NATO in 1949, following World War II. NATO has since grown its membership to include 32 countries in Europe and North America.

    But now, European leaders and politicians fear the United States has become a less reliable ally, posing major challenges for Europe and, by implication, NATO.

    This concern is not unfounded.

    President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken of a desire to seize Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member. He has declared that Canada, another NATO member, should become “the 51st state.” Trump has also sided with Russia at the United Nations and said that the European Union, the political and economic group uniting 27 European countries, was designed to “screw” the U.S.

    Still, Trump – as well as other senior U.S. government officials – has said that the U.S. remains committed to staying in and supporting NATO.

    For decades, both liberal and conservative American politicians have recognized that the U.S. strengthens its own military and economic interests by being a leader in NATO – and by keeping thousands of U.S. troops based in Europe to underwrite its commitment.

    President Donald Trump speaks at a NATO Summit in July 2018 during his first term.
    Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    Understanding NATO

    The U.S., Canada and 10 Western European countries formed NATO nearly 80 years ago as a way to help maintain peace and stability in Europe following World War II. NATO helped European and North American countries bind together and defend themselves against the threat once posed by the Soviet Union, a former communist empire that fell in 1991.

    NATO employs about 2,000 people at its headquarters in Brussels. It does not have its own military troops and relies on its 32 member countries to volunteer their own military forces to conduct operations and other tasks under NATO’s leadership.

    NATO does have its own military command structure, led by an American military officer, and including military officers from other countries. This team plans and executes all NATO military operations.

    In peacetime, military forces working with NATO conduct training exercises across Eastern Europe and other places to help reassure allies about the strength of the military coalition – and to deter potential aggressors, like Russia.

    NATO has a relatively small annual budget of around US$3.6 billion. The U.S. and Germany are the largest contributors to this budget, each responsible for funding 16% of NATO’s costs each year.

    Separate from NATO’s annual budget, in 2014, NATO members agreed that each participating country should spend the equivalent of 2% of its gross domestic product on their own national defense. Twenty two of NATO’s 31 members with military forces were expected that 2% threshold as of April 2025.

    Although NATO is chiefly a military alliance, it has roots in the mutual economic interests of both the U.S. and Europe.

    Europe is the United States’ most important economic partner. Roughly one-quarter of all U.S. trade is with Europe – more than the U.S. has with Canada, China or Mexico.

    Over 2.3 million American jobs are directly tied to producing exports that reach European countries that are part of NATO.

    NATO helps safeguard this mutual economic relationship between the U.S. and Europe. If Russia or another country tries to intimidate, dominate or even invade a European country, this could hurt the American economy. In this way, NATO can be seen as the insurance policy that underwrites the strength and vitality of the American economy.

    The heart of that insurance policy is Article 5, a mutual defense pledge that member countries agree to when they join NATO.

    Article 5 says that an armed attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against the entire alliance. If one NATO member is attacked, all other NATO members must help defend the country in question. NATO members have only invoked Article 5 once, following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., when the alliance deployed aircraft to monitor U.S. skies.

    A wavering commitment to Article 5

    Trump has questioned whether he would enforce Article 5 and help defend a NATO country if it is not paying the required 2% of its gross domestic product.

    NBC News also reported in April 2025 that the U.S. is likely going to cut 10,000 or more of the nearly 85,000 American troops stationed in Europe. The U.S. might also relinquish its top military leadership position within NATO, according to NBC.

    Many political analysts expect the U.S. to shift its national security focus away from Europe and toward threats posed by China – specifically, the threat of China invading or attacking Taiwan.

    At the same time, the Trump administration appears eager to reset relations with Russia. This is despite the Russian military’s atrocities committed against Ukrainian military forces and civilians in the war Russia began in 2022, and Russia’s intensifying hybrid war against Europeans in the form of covert spy attacks across Europe. This hybrid warfare allegedly includes Russia conducting cyberattacks and sabotage operations across Europe. It also involves Russia allegedly trying to plant incendiary devices on planes headed to North America, among other things.

    President Joe Biden speaks during a NATO summit in Washington in July 2024.
    Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

    A shifting role in Europe

    The available evidence indicates that the U.S. is backing away from its role in Europe. At best – from a European security perspective – the U.S. could still defend European allies with the potential threat of its nuclear weapon arsennal. The U.S. has significantly more nuclear weapons than any Western European country, but it is not clear that this is enough to deter Russia without the clear presence of large numbers of American troops in Europe, especially given that Moscow continues to perceive the U.S. as NATO’s most important and most powerful member.

    For this reason, significantly downsizing the number of U.S. troops in Europe, giving up key American military leadership positions in NATO, or backing away from the alliance in other ways appears exceptionally perilous. Such actions could increase Russian aggression across Europe, ultimately threatening not just European security bu America’s as well.

    Maintaining America’s leadership position in NATO and sustaining its troop levels in Europe helps reinforce the U.S. commitment to defending its most important allies. This is the best way to protect vital U.S. economic interests in Europe today and ensure Washington will have friends to call on in the future.

    John Deni 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. Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too – https://theconversation.com/europeans-are-concerned-that-the-us-will-withdraw-support-from-nato-they-are-right-to-worry-americans-should-too-253907

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mountain chickadee chatter: Scientists are decoding the songbird’s complex calls

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sofia Marie Haley, Ph.D. Student in Cognitive Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno

    Mountain chickadees are unusual in having more complex calls than songs. Vladimir Pravosudov

    I approach a flock of mountain chickadees feasting on pine nuts. A cacophony of sounds, coming from the many different bird species that rely on the Sierra Nevada’s diverse pine cone crop, fill the crisp mountain air.

    The strong “chick-a-dee” call sticks out among the bird vocalizations. The chickadees are communicating to each other about food sources – and my approach.

    Mountain chickadees are a member of the family Paridae, which is known for its complex vocal communication systems and cognitive abilities. Along with my advisers, behavioral ecologists Vladimir Pravosudov and Carrie Branch, I’m studying mountain chickadees at our study site in Sagehen Experimental Forest, outside of Truckee, California, for my doctoral research. I am focusing on how these birds convey a variety of information with their calls.

    The chilly autumn air on top of the mountain reminds me that it will soon be winter. It is time for the mountain chickadees to leave the socially monogamous partnerships they had while raising their chicks to form larger flocks. Forming social groups is not always simple; young chickadees are joining new flocks, and social dynamics need to be established before the winter storms arrive.

    I can hear them working this out vocally. There’s an unusual variety of complex calls, with melodic “gargle calls” at the forefront, coming from individuals announcing their dominance over other flock members.

    Examining and decoding bird calls is becoming an increasingly popular field of study, as scientists like me are discovering that many birds – including mountain chickadees – follow systematic rules to share important information, stringing together syllables like words in a sentence.

    Sofia Haley describes how she records chickadee vocalizations in the forest.

    Songs vs. calls

    For social animals, communication is a crucial part of everyday life. Communication can come in the form of visual, chemical, tactile, electrical or vocal signals.

    Birds are highly vocal, often relying on vocal communication to effectively interact with their environments and flock members. Temperate songbirds, including cardinals, bluebirds, wrens and blackbirds, have two main categories of vocalizations: songs and calls.

    Songs are vocalizations that are used primarily in the spring, during breeding season. Males in temperate regions sing to attract females and defend territories.

    Calls are basically any vocalization that is not a song. This category includes a limitless variety of vocalizations that communicate all sorts of essential information.

    Most songbird species have complex songs and fairly simple calls. This is why vocalizations sound most melodic during the spring, when birds are attracting mates and breeding.

    Members of the Pravosudov lab catch and release resident chickadees to attach identifying bands that allow the researchers to track individual birds.
    Sofia Haley

    However, chickadees are unusual in that they sing very simple songs relative to the complexity of their calls. Research suggests this is largely due to their social structure and complex environments. Living in flocks for the majority of the year means they need an elaborate communication system year-round. This is in contrast to many other songbird species that are more solitary during the nonbreeding season.

    Scientists know quite a lot about birdsong: It is highly organized and composed of multiple units that are strung together into “phrases,” like how musical notes are strung together in a song.

    Some species manipulate their song to sound more impressive, by incorporating new elements or performing impressive acoustic feats through note modification – imagine a trill or an impressive high note.

    Some songbirds must learn their songs from their parents and other adult males during a sensitive period in the first several months of their lives. It’s similar to how human children must learn how to speak from adults during a similar early sensitive period.

    In contrast, we know relatively little about the structure and organization of complex calls. Scientists have often regarded calls as unexciting and simple compared with birdsong. However, calls are arguably the most important type of vocalization, at least for highly social bird species.

    Translating mountain chickadee calls

    A focal microphone allows researchers to record the call of one bird at a time.
    Sofia Haley

    I spend my days out at our field site in the beautiful Sierra Nevada, following and recording chickadees as they communicate with each other. I have taken numerous focal recordings, where I stand in the forest with a directional microphone, identifying vocalizations and behaviors in real time.

    I also have hundreds of hours of recordings taken by automated recording devices called AudioMoths. These allow me to record vocalizations in the absence of people.

    The extensive vocal repertoire of mountain chickadees has yet to be fully documented. There are five basic categories of call types:

    • Contact calls: communicate identity, sort of like a name, and location.
    • “Chick-a-dee” calls: coordinate flock movement and communicate a variety of complex information about the environment, from food availability to predator presence and type.
    • Alarm calls: alert others of the presence of a predator.
    • Begging calls: used by chicks or females to elicit feeding behavior from males.
    • Gargle calls: advertise dominance over other individuals in a flock, primarily used by males.

    “Chick-a-dee” calls contain several elements resembling the basic elements of human grammar. Essentially, the various sounds a chickadee utters mean different things, similar to words in human languages. And the way that a chickadee combines these sounds changes the meaning. Word order matters, just like grammar matters in human language. If a chickadee were to phrase its calls in the wrong note order, the call would no longer convey the same meaning, even if composed of the same elements.

    The “chick-a-dee” call of the mountain chickadee contains six elements, known as notes or syllables, that can be combined in hundreds of unique combinations to say many different things. These elements are labeled A, A/B, B, C, D and Dh.

    Although scientists don’t fully know the meaning of each note in different contexts, it is generally believed that A notes typically contain identifying information about how important the topic seems to the caller, while A/B and B notes tend to further inform the listener of the topic of conversation. C notes contain information about the subject of the call, often a food source, and D notes convey information about the excitement and urgency of the message, including level of threat of a spotted predator or size of a food source. The D notes basically function like exclamation points at the end of a sentence, while the other notes convey more specific information.

    Mountain chickadees can use their “chick-a-dee” calls to convey hundreds of different phrases that are relevant to navigating their habitats and social environments. As a hypothetical example, a mountain chickadee call might have the following syntax: A-A-A/B-B-D-D, which could roughly translate to something like, “Listen to me carefully (A-A): there is a predator (A/B) close by (B) and a medium threat level (DD).”

    If the note order switched to D-A-B-D-A/B-A, the sentence would look more like: “Noteworthy listen close by noteworthy predator listen to me.” Although all the same elements are there, this sentence is now much more difficult to comprehend. Notes that are out of order can confuse chickadees, preventing them from grasping the correct meaning of the call.

    This “translation” is an example based on what we have learned from playback experiments, but the exact meaning will depend on the specific population and surrounding environment.

    Analyzing the ‘chick-a-dee’ calls

    Back in the lab, I parse through the endless hours of recordings using a deep-learning algorithm that I have modified to identify the specific calls of our chickadee population.

    A spectrogram visualizes a chickadee call, with frequency on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis.
    Sofia Haley

    I then use Raven Pro software, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to visually inspect and analyze these calls on a spectrogram: a visual representation of sound, with frequency on the vertical axis, and time on the horizontal axis. This visualization allows me to study the structure of calls in great detail.

    Studying spectrograms can get me only so far. The next step is to experimentally test different “chick-a-dee” calls out in the wild. Using audio editing software, I manipulate the syntax of calls to either follow grammatical rules or violate them. Then, I broadcast these manipulated recordings out in the forest and observe how our chickadees react to grammatically incorrect calls, which would sound like gibberish to them.

    Audio editing software allows researchers to mix up the order of a chickadee’s call in order to see how birds react to the garbled message.
    Sofia Haley

    My hope is that this combination of experimental testing of calls and careful visual analysis will provide a step toward understanding the subtle complexities of chickadee communication. I’m trying to home in on the meaning of different syllables and syntax, the grammatical rules.

    Back in the forest with my directional microphone, watching the chickadees flit about, I hear different versions of the “chick-a-dee” calls. Some feature more D notes, which would indicate a higher level of excitement. Others feature more A, B or C notes, communicating more specific, identifying information. I am also surrounded by melodic gargle calls, harsh scolding calls and barely audible soft calls.

    Next time you find yourself out in the forest, stop and listen to the chickadees as they talk to each other. Maybe you’ll be able to hear the variation in their calls and know that they are talking about different things − and that grammar matters.

    Sofia Marie Haley 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. Mountain chickadee chatter: Scientists are decoding the songbird’s complex calls – https://theconversation.com/mountain-chickadee-chatter-scientists-are-decoding-the-songbirds-complex-calls-247091

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark mine water heat scheme goes live in Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Landmark mine water heat scheme goes live in Wales

    Wales’ first commercial mine water heat scheme goes live in Ammanford to provide low-carbon heat to a nearby industrial site.

    Heat exchangers being installed into the treatment lagoons.

    Previously untapped heat from a mine water treatment scheme in Wales is now being harnessed to provide low-carbon heating for a nearby business.

    Reducing carbon emissions from traditional fossil fuel heating remains a significant challenge in the fight against climate change.

    Wales, with its industrial heritage and coal mining past, has recognised the potential of mine water heat, through its Heat Strategy for Wales, as a viable option to support a just transition to renewables.

    As part of this commitment, the Mining Remediation Authority identified an opportunity for low-carbon heat recovery at our Lindsay treatment scheme near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, as part of our work to map areas of Wales most suited for mine water heat schemes, which was commissioned by the Welsh Government.

    Landmark mine water heat scheme goes live in Wales

    We operate more than 80 treatment schemes across Great Britain and at Lindsay we pump and treat an average of 25 litres of mine water per second – nearly enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool every day.

    This process removes approximately 28 kilograms of iron each day, preventing it from entering local watercourses, protecting the Ffrwd Brook, which flows into the River Loughor, safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and contributing to cleaner, healthier rivers in the region.

    Now, for the first time in Wales, the heat from mine water is being harnessed to provide secure, low-carbon heating at an industrial site.

    The mine water is naturally warm due to geothermal energy from the earth’s crust and heat retained from its time circulating through underground rock layers and former coal mines.

    Working in collaboration with local business Thermal Earth Ltd, the renewable heat project secured funding through Innovate UK’s New Innovators in Net Zero Industry, South West Wales initiative.

    Constructed in just two weeks, the innovative project utilises heat exchangers submerged in one of the settlement ponds at the Lindsay scheme to recover heat from mine water, which is then transferred to a nearby industrial unit to supply low-carbon heating and hot water, and is predicted to save 17.5 tonnes of CO2 per year.

    How the Lindsay scheme cleans water and also provides heat

    Andrew Simpson, head of Innovation, By-Products and Services at the Mining Remediation Authority, said:

    It’s been incredibly rewarding to see this forward-thinking project, transforming part of our mining legacy into a source of clean, renewable heat.

    It’s a powerful example of how innovation, collaboration and technical expertise can work together to deliver real-world solutions to the climate challenge.

    This scheme demonstrates how Wales’ industrial heritage can be repurposed to support a low-carbon future.

    By unlocking the potential of mine water heat, we’re not only reducing emissions but also creating a blueprint for sustainable energy that can be replicated across the country.

    We hope this success inspires others to explore the untapped potential of mine water heat as a reliable, renewable energy source.

    Nick Salini, managing director of Thermal Earth Ltd, said:

    Completion of this demonstration project marks a monumental step forward in sustainable energy innovation.

    By harnessing the untapped thermal energy from mine water, we’re not only pioneering the first commercial use of heat from a mine water treatment scheme in Wales but also redefining what’s possible for renewable heating.

    Thermal Earth’s heat pump system

    Since establishing Thermal Earth in 2006, Mr Salini has been a strong advocate for sustainable heating solutions. Growing up in Ammanford, a town with a long mining history, he recognised the potential of abandoned mine water as a heat source.

    By completing this demonstration system, Thermal Earth has successfully converted its facility away from liquefied petroleum gas, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and showcasing the possibilities of innovative renewable solutions.

    Mr Salini added:

    This project wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration of the team at the Mining Remediation Authority and Innovate UK, who shared our ambition to turn the Lindsay site into a sustainable asset. Together, we have proven that innovation can thrive with collaboration.

    We hope this project is just the beginning. This model can be scaled and replicated to provide local communities with heat networks offering low-cost heating for residents and businesses, with the potential to create jobs within the green economy.

    Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:

    This innovative project is a perfect example of how Wales is turning its industrial heritage into sustainable solutions. By harnessing heat from former mine workings, we’re not just reducing carbon emissions but creating new economic opportunities in our communities.

    The mine water maps, commissioned by the Welsh Government, recognised the significant role mine water heat can play in our journey to net zero. This scheme demonstrates what’s possible and creates a model that could be replicated across Great Britain, utilising local expertise and supply chains.

    This is exactly the kind of collaborative approach that will help us build a more sustainable, prosperous Wales for future generations.

    Heat exchangers being installed into the treatment lagoons.

    The Lindsay scheme has been successfully treating mine water since 2003 and the pioneering the concept of adding heat recovery features to treatment sites is part of our wider geothermal energy research.

    This new development follows the success of the privately-funded project at Lanchester Wines warehouses, which has been successfully using mine water to provide low-carbon space heating since 2018, and the Gateshead scheme, the UK’s first large-scale mine water heat network, which began providing heat to homes and businesses in March 2023.

    The Thermal Earth scheme serves as a powerful operational demonstrator, showcasing another innovative way to access mine water heat and inspiring confidence in future projects across Wales and Great Britain.

    It is hoped that the data from the scheme will help build investor confidence and encourage other organisations to explore this technology, furthering knowledge-sharing within the sector.

    For media enquiries contact the community response team

    Email communityresponse@miningremediation.gov.uk

    Telephone 0800 288 4211

    For emergency media enquiries (out of hours) call: 0800 288 4242.
    Only urgent media calls will be attended to.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 27 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Have a splashing summer! Tettenhall Pool and East Park water play reopen for fun

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The popular pool and water splash play facilities reopened to visitors over the weekend after water safety checks were carried out.

    The attractions traditionally reopen during the late May Bank Holiday weekend and are available for splashing throughout the summer months before closing again in September.

    The council looks after Tettenhall Pool, and over the years it has attracted many visitors from across the city and proven to be extremely popular during the school holidays.

    Anyone looking forward to visiting the pool is being encouraged to enjoy the water safely and to be considerate to local residents and other users.

    The water splash play at East Park was opened in 2023 following work carried out by City of Wolverhampton Council in partnership with contractors Wicksteed.

    It is just one of the attractions at the play area, which also includes treetop towers, roundabouts, seesaws, wetpour tunnels, firefighters pole, rockers, springers and bucket and rope swings.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We’ve been busy making sure these fantastic attractions are safe for residents to enjoy from the traditional Spring Bank Holiday reopening.

    “The weather has been unusually good recently and although the forecast looks a little more unsettled over the coming days, we’re hoping for some more warm days to come so children and families can make the most of splashing.

    “It’s wonderful that we have 2 great water play facilities in the city and I’d like to remind people of the importance of wearing suitable clothes and shoes while enjoying the city’s water attractions – and do bring hats and sunscreen on sunny days.

    “Please also be considerate to local residents when you visit the pool or the water splash play and take your litter away with you. Remember, if you’re bringing your dog, please make sure they are kept under control, on a lead and out of the water.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: 15 suspected gang members indicted for drug trafficking scheme

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HOUSTON — A 29-count indictment was unsealed May 22 following the arrest of nine individuals for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking scheme that delivered illicit narcotics using a taco truck and the U.S. mail.

    The investigation that led to the indictments was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Houston and the Houston Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General.

    Houston residents James Michael Brewer aka ‘Creeper’, 33, Jonathan Alvarado aka ‘Joker’, 28, Alexis Delgado aka ‘Chino’, 28, Hector Luis Lopez aka ‘Capulito’, 23, Kylie Rae Alvarado, 24, Ruby Mata, 31, Victor Norris Ellison, 35, Mexi Dyan Garcia aka ‘Mexi’, 31, and Jesus Gomez-Rodriguez aka ‘Jr.’, 33, made their initial appearances in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas May 22 when the indictment was unsealed.

    Also charged are Enzo Xavier Dominguez aka ‘Smiley’, 32, William Alexander Lazo aka ‘Miclo’, 21, and Alfredo Gomez aka ‘Fredo’, 26. They are currently in custody and expected to make their initial appearances in the near future.

    Three other individuals who were allegedly involved in the scheme are considered fugitives and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests — Mexican national Jose Francisco Garcia-Martinez aka ‘Paco’, 29, Guatemalan national Marcos Rene Simaj-Guch aka Taco Man, 41, and Jose Eduardo Morales aka ‘Primo’, 22.

    “For years, the transnational criminal organization allegedly operated by these gang members has brazenly flooded our local communities with deadly narcotics,” said ICE HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Working in conjunction with the Houston Police Department and our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces partners, we were able to expose and dismantle their drug trafficking scheme, eliminating a significant contributor to violent crime in the area and saving an untold number of Houstonians from becoming addicted.”

    “As alleged, this drug trafficking organization imported methamphetamine directly from Mexico and used the U.S. mail, a taco truck, and homes in different Houston neighborhoods to distribute and sell methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Several of the defendants are also alleged to have used firearms in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking and illegally possessed firearms despite having previously been convicted of felonies. The Criminal Division, along with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to work tirelessly to combat the scourge of drug trafficking in communities.”

    The indictment, returned under seal May 14, alleges all were members of a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, Xanax, psylocibin mushrooms, and marijuana. They are alleged to have used several drug houses and a food truck to store illegal drugs and conduct drug transactions. In one notable instance in June 2023, authorities seized 29 kilograms of methamphetamine that one defendant was attempting to transport into the United States, according to the charges.

    With the exception of Simaj-Guch who faces up to 40 years, the rest could receive up to life, upon conviction. Brewer, Alvarado, Lopez, Gomez and Ellison are further charged with firearms offenses which carry up to another 15 years.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Rodriguez is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorneys Ralph Paradiso and Amanda Kotula of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, transnational gangs and illegal firearms in Southeast Texas follow us on X @HSIHouston.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Power in Unity: How Worker Representatives Are Driving Change at Samsung’s Chennai Factory

    Source: Samsung

    (from L-R) Vadivelan, Senthil Kumar, Prakash, Sathish A, Chitra K, Ravichandran, and Suresh P
     
    At Samsung’s Chennai factory, leadership isn’t confined to titles or offices—it lives on the shop floor. It’s reflected in everyday actions by members of the Samsung Employee Welfare Federation (SEWF), who are quietly powering meaningful change through dialogue, support, and teamwork.
     
    Sathish A, Suresh P, Chitra K, Prakash, Vadivelan, Senthil Kumar, Ravichandran, and S Karmegam form the core of SEWF. Their behind-the-scenes efforts have been instrumental in bridging communication between workers and management, especially during periods of operational change.
     
    Through consistent engagement and honest feedback, these representatives played a key role in driving recent wage increases—an outcome that reflects not just performance, but a shared commitment to fairness and collaboration.
     
    “Being on the committee changed my perspective,” shared Senthil Kumar. “It’s not just about raising concerns—it’s about solving problems together. That mindset has strengthened our whole team.”
     
    On the floor, they defuse tensions, amplify quieter voices, and ensure no one is left unheard. Their steady presence builds trust, boosts morale, and helps create a workplace where people feel valued.
     
    “We may not make speeches, but we show up for each other,” said Vadivelan. “When things improve for everyone, it feels like a collective win.”
     
    For Chitra K, the youngest member, it’s about helping others grow. “When someone who’s always been silent finally shares an idea—you know they feel safe. That’s when change starts.”
     
    SEWF is more than a committee—it’s a catalyst for a positive, people-first culture. Its members are trained to listen, mediate, and ensure communication flows across the factory floor.
     
    “Sometimes, people just need to know they’re not alone,” said Ravichandran. “I try to be that person.”
     
    As Samsung continues to foster a culture of care and collaboration, the work of these quiet leaders reminds us that true leadership doesn’t always stand in the spotlight. More often, it stands right beside you—listening, guiding, and lifting others forward.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 28, 2025
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