Category: Universities

MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Tackle Nursing Shortage

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Train More Nurses Act to address the nursing shortage affecting communities across the nation. This bipartisan bill will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a review of nursing grant programs to find ways to increase faculty at nursing schools, especially those in underserved areas. It will also increase pathways for Licensed Practical Nurses to become Registered Nurses.
Nevada is experiencing a dire shortage of medical professionals. A recent analysis found that Nevada is one of the states with the least amount of nurses per capita. According to the University of Nevada Reno’s Nevada Health Workforce Research Center, it would take over 3,000 additional registered nurses for the state to catch up to the national average.
“As Nevada continues to face a shortage of nurses and doctors, it’s becoming more difficult for hardworking families to get the medical care they need,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to help increase the number of nurses in our state and improve Nevadans’ access to high-quality health care.”
“In the midst of a growing demand for medical treatments and services, health care providers across Maine continue to face a significant shortage of nurses. One challenge in growing the nursing workforce to meet this demand is the limited supply of nursing faculty available to increase student enrollment and train the next generation of nurses,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would identify strategies to close the faculty gap and expand our nursing workforce, ultimately improving access to care.”
“By investing in nursing education and creating clear pathways to employment, we can ensure that registered nurses are well-prepared to meet the demand, and that patients receive the high-quality care they deserve,” said Melodie Osborn, Chief Nursing Executive for Renown Health. “At Renown Health (Reno, NV), we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact of supporting nursing students through scholarships, apprenticeships, loan repayment, preceptorships, and advanced simulation education. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. We are so grateful to Senators Rosen and Collins for moving forward this bill to invest in nursing education, which is crucial to be able to have more qualified and compassionate nursing care for you and your family.”
Senator Rosen is working to address Nevada’s health care professional shortage and improve medical care access in the state. Senators Rosen and Collins’ bipartisan Maximizing Health Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act was signed into law in 2022 to allow community health centers to use federal funds to establish new mobile health care units to increase access to health care services in rural and underserved communities. Last year, Senator Rosen pushed for more medical residency slots to be awarded to Nevada to help tackle the physician shortage. She also helped introduce the bipartisan Medical Student Education Authorization Act to address the doctor shortage by expanding the Medical Student Education Program and introduced a package of bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the shortage of doctors and dentists in Nevada and across the country.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: California Teenager Sentenced to 48 Months for Nationwide Swatting Spree

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Alan W. Filion (18, Lancaster, CA) to four years in federal prison for making interstate threats to injure the person of another.

According to the plea agreement, from approximately August 2022 to January 2024, Filion made over 375 swatting and threat calls, including calls in which he claimed to have planted bombs in the targeted locations or threatened to detonate bombs and/or conduct mass shootings at those locations. Filion targeted religious institutions, high schools, colleges and universities, government officials, and numerous individuals across the United States.

Filion intended his calls to cause large-scale deployment of police and emergency services units to the targeted locations. During these calls, he provided information to law enforcement and emergency services agencies that he knew to be false, such as false names, false claims that he and others had placed explosives in particular locations, false claims that he and others possessed dangerous weapons, including firearms and explosives, and false claims that he and/or other individuals had committed, or intended to imminently commit, violent crimes.

In some instances, armed law enforcement officers approached and entered a targeted residence with their weapons drawn and detained individuals that occupied the residence. Filion claimed in a post on January 20, 2023, that when he swats someone he “usually get[s] the cops to drag the victim and their families out of the house cuff them and search the house for dead bodies.” Additionally, Filion’s calls caused law enforcement officers and dispatchers to respond, and to be unavailable in response to other emergencies.

Filion became a serial swatter for both profit and recreation. He claimed in a January 19, 2023, online post that his “first” swatting was like “2 to 3 years ago” and that “6-9 months ago [he] decided to turn it into a business. . . .” On several occasions, Filion placed posts on social-media channels advertising his services and swatting-for-a-fee structure.

On January 18, 2024, Filion was arrested in California on Florida state charges arising from a May 2023 threat he made to a religious institution in Sanford, Florida. In that threat, he claimed to have an illegally modified AR-15, a Glock 17 pistol, pipe bombs, and Molotov cocktails. He said that he was going to imminently “commit a mass shooting” and “kill everyone” he saw. He pleaded guilty in federal court to making that threat.

Filion also pleaded guilty to making three other threatening calls: an October 2022 call to a public high school in the Western District of Washington, in which he threatened to commit a mass shooting and claimed to have planted bombs throughout the school; a May 2023 call to a Historically Black College & University in the Northern District of Florida, in which he claimed to have placed bombs in the walls and ceilings of campus housing that would detonate in about an hour; and a July 2023 call to a local police department dispatch number in the Western District of Texas, in which he falsely identified himself as a senior federal law enforcement officer, provided the federal law-enforcement officer’s residential address to the dispatcher, claimed to have killed his (the federal officer’s) mother, and threatened to kill any responding police officers.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service. Valuable assistance was provided by the Seminole County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office; the Anacortes (Washington) Police Department; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; the California Department of Justice; the Los Angeles County (California) Sheriff’s Office; and the Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kara Wick, with valuable assistance from the State Attorney’s Office for Seminole County, Florida, 18^th Judicial Circuit; the Counterterrorism Section of the United States Department of Justice; and the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Western District of Washington, the Northern District of Florida, the Western District of Texas, and the District of Columbia.

MIL Security OSI –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Can artificial intelligence save the Great Barrier Reef?

Source: University of South Australia

13 February 2025

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Australian researchers are designing a global real-time monitoring system to help save the world’s coral reefs from further decline, primarily due to bleaching caused by global warming.

Coral reefs worldwide are dying at an alarming rate, with 75% of reefs experiencing bleaching-level heat stress in the past two years.

The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef (GBR), considered the jewel in the crown of coral reefs worldwide and one of Australia’s most significant ecological and tourism assets, has been decimated by severe bleaching events since 2016, exacerbated by ongoing crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and coastal development.

A collaborative project led by the University of South Australia (UniSA), with input from Queensland and Victorian researchers, is integrating remote sensing technologies with machine learning, artificial intelligence and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to monitor and hopefully stall the damage to the world’s most fragile marine ecosystems.

A multimodal platform will distil all research data relating to coral reefs, including underwater videos and photographs, satellite images, text files and time-sensor readings, onto a central dashboard for real-time global monitoring.

UniSA data analyst and lead researcher Dr Abdullahi Chowdhury says that a single centralised model will integrate all factors affecting coral reefs and provide environmental scientists with real-time predictions.

“At the moment we have separate models that analyse substantial data on reef health – including bleaching levels, disease incidence, juvenile coral density and reef fish abundance – but these data sets are not integrated, and they exist in silos,” Dr Chowdhury says.

“Consequently, it is challenging to see the ‘big picture’ of reef health or to conduct large scale, real-time analyses.”

The researchers say an integrated system will track bleaching severity and trends over time; monitor crown-of-thorns starfish populations and predation risks; detect disease outbreaks and juvenile coral levels; and assess reef fish abundance, diversity, length, and biomass.

“By centralising all this data in real time, we can generate predictive models that will help conservation efforts, enabling earlier intervention,” according to Central Queensland University PhD candidate Musfera Jahan, a GIS data expert.

“Our coral reefs are dying very fast due to climate change – not just in Australia but across the world – so we need to take serious action pretty quickly,” Ms Jahan says.

Coral reefs are often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea”. They make up just 1% of the world’s ocean area but they host 25% of all marine life.

The technology will bring together datasets from organisations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) and Australia’s CSIRO.

“The future of coral reef conservation lies at the intersection of technology and collaboration. This research provides a roadmap for harnessing these technologies to ensure the survival of coral reefs for generations to come,” the researchers say.

The study has been published in the journal Electronics.

A video accompanying this release is available: How can we save our coral reefs from dying?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au
Lead researcher: Dr Abdullahi Chowdhury E: abdullahi.chowdhury@unisa.edu.au

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MIL OSI News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: $150M for Climate Resiliency on SUNY & CUNY Campuses

Source: US State of New York

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $150 million in climate resiliency grants  to make New York State’s public college campuses greener, more resilient to severe weather and more energy efficient. Supported by funding from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, the State University of New York (SUNY) is receiving $100 million for clean energy projects, including the installation of a thermal energy network at SUNY Buffalo, and the City University of New York (CUNY) is receiving $50 million for solar, energy storage, and heat pump projects on three campuses as part of a comprehensive plan to reduce CUNY’s carbon footprint.

“New York’s higher education institutions play a significant role in leading by example to help advance a cleaner, greener future,” Governor Hochul said. “The $150 million in new investments from the Environmental Bond Act will allow SUNY and CUNY to take a significant step forward in electrifying campuses and integrating cleaner energy solutions to reduce pollution and help New York’s colleges become more energy efficient.”

SUNY projects funded by the Environmental Bond Act include:

Binghamton University: Binghamton University will install thermal energy networks and building heat pump technology on its campus. The funding will help implement construction of new high-efficiency networked water source heat pump systems in select buildings currently operating on approximately 20-year-old, lower-efficiency chillers. The new systems will effectively lower energy use by 45 percent, operating costs by $300,000, greenhouse gases by 1,100 metric tons (based on current grid emission factors), and other pollutants for the benefit of the campus and the larger community.

University at Buffalo: UB will construct the first of many energy hubs, all of which are needed to phase out fossil fuel-based systems and replace aging, lower efficiency systems with on-site electrical systems that lower greenhouse gas and other pollutants and improve operating efficiencies. This first high-efficiency energy hub will service a network of up to five buildings on UB’s South Campus.

SUNY Oswego: The campus will construct a geoexchange field system for a geothermal network to improve operating efficiencies, lower operating costs, and reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutants for the benefit of the campus and larger community. The project will result in an extensive underground utility infrastructure and central plant and building-level equipment conversions, which are required to continue converting the campus plant to sustainable measures.

Stony Brook University: The Environmental Bond Act investment will provide design and construction for multiple ground and rooftop solar voltaic (PV) arrays to improve community air quality and public health and decarbonize the Long Island electric grid. The resulting on-site renewable power generation will provide operational efficiencies, energy use reduction, greenhouse gas and pollutant reductions, as well as to provide additional capacity for any potential future campus growth.

CUNY projects funded by the Environmental Bond Act include:

City College of New York: Parking lot solar canopies on the south campus will be paired with battery storage, which will support flexible demand management and electric vehicle (EV) chargers will be added to help electrify campus transportation. Rooftop solar will also be deployed. Heat pumps will be installed to electrify heating and cooling for the library and other spaces in the North Academic Center, and also in the science building to heat building domestic hot water and pool water. Heat Pumps are three to four times more efficient than a boiler as they move existing heat, rather than creating heat through combustion.

Brooklyn College: Geothermal energy will be tapped as bore holes are drilled to provide ground source renewable heating and cooling for the adjacent West End Building, which houses student clubs, the film department, a testing center, and computer labs, and is a vital hub of student activity. Rooftop solar and EV charging stations will be installed at James Hall and West Quad, promoting EV adoption while supporting the college’s fleet electrification goals.

Hunter College: This project initiates the hydronic conversion transformation of North Hall energy systems away from inefficient steam and standalone window air conditioning. Energy efficient hot and chilled water from the central plant will replace an antiquated steam system. This step toward electrification will reduce baseload energy use and cut use of fossil fuels, ensuring a better-controlled, state-of-the-art, sustainable learning environment for students.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “With thanks to Governor Hochul, SUNY’s campuses are leading the way in advancing sustainability and addressing climate change. This Bond Act funding for four SUNY projects will help achieve New York State’s ambitious decarbonization goals and build a more sustainable future.”

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “By helping CUNY reduce the carbon footprint of our campuses, curb our consumption of fossil fuels and harness our capacity to aid sustainable energy production, Governor Hochul is enabling the University to promote prudent environmental stewardship. The Environmental Bond Act investments announced today will help CUNY play a key role in the development of a resilient, responsible, and resourceful New York.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Governor Hochul’s commitment in the State of the State to advance a greener future through decarbonization is bolstered with this new $150 million Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act investment for innovative clean energy projects at SUNY and CUNY campuses across the state. Through the State’s Environmental Bond Act investments, New York is supporting advanced thermal energy networks, EV charging infrastructure, and other technologies that reduce pollution, lower operating costs, and create far-reaching benefits for schools and their surrounding communities.”

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “As the state transitions to a clean energy economy, it is critical that the government not just pass laws, but that they also lead by example. That is exactly what Governor Hochul is doing by allocating Bond Act funds to decarbonize SUNY and CUNY campuses, including by building out thermal energy networks and investing in solar and EV charging infrastructure at some of the most polluting buildings the state owns. We applaud the Governor for reducing New York’s carbon footprint while also helping seed one of the most promising clean energy solutions we have for our large buildings and campuses.”

Building Decarbonization Coalition New York Director Lisa Dix said, “We applaud the Governor for this critical step forward in implementing the Decarbonization Leadership Program and the SUNY and CUNY campus decarbonization action plans to advance Thermal Energy Networks across our state. This funding and continued leadership is key to getting fifteen Thermal Energy Networks, shovel-ready projects by 2026. Thermal Energy Networks will advance new economic development, modernize our universities, create union jobs, help avoid costly grid upgrades, slash pollution in our communities and help achieve New York’s climate goals – all while building a thriving clean energy economy.”

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, the potential of the Environmental Bond Act is now becoming a reality. These projects will be built union with robust labor standards, including prevailing rate, labor peace, and Buy American. As I said in 2022, when the delegates to the New York State AFL-CIO convention voted overwhelmingly to support the Environmental Bond Act ballot referendum, working together, we will decarbonize while establishing a solid foundation for union careers.”

New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera said, “As New York looks to progress towards its climate goals, we must continue to fund clean energy initiatives that not only modernize our key institutions but also create thousands of good-paying careers for working class people. The investments from the Environmental Bond Act will help our SUNY and CUNY campuses operate in a greener and more environmentally friendly manner, generate more accessible pathways to the middle class for hardworking New Yorkers, and contribute to improving the experiences of everyone who attends and works at these colleges. We applaud Governor Hochul for supporting this investment and look forward to playing a role in pushing these climate adaptions forward.”

New York State continues to advance resiliency initiatives and investments that are helping to protect communities. Today’s announcement complements Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal to invest more than $1 billion to help fund a more sustainable and affordable future. This ambitious proposal is the single-largest climate investment in state history, generating thousands of jobs, slashing energy bills for households, and cutting harmful pollution.

The funding to SUNY and CUNY demonstrates the ways New York State’s continued commitment can be achieved, by deploying renewable energy, advancing clean transportation and building decarbonization, and exploring emerging technologies that can support decarbonization goals and economic development. The Executive Budget also includes $108 million for climate resiliency initiatives that support coastal resiliency and additional funding for Green Resiliency Grants and continues a record $400 million for Environmental Protection Fund programs that include measures to adapt and mitigate climate impacts. Progress also continues in administering the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which has allocated approximately $1.25 billion, or 25 percent, of Bond Act funds to date.

New York State’s Climate Agenda

New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025

MIL-OSI: Oportun Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Returned to GAAP profitability with net income of $9 million in fourth quarter

Adjusted EBITDA of $41 million, up 315% year-over-year

Quarterly annualized net charge-off rate of 11.7%, lowest since third quarter of 2022

Total quarterly operating expenses of $89 million, reduced 31% year-over-year

Raising full year 2025 expectations

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oportun Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: OPRT) (“Oportun”, or the “Company”) reported financial results today for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

“We finished the year stronger than anticipated and believe that we’ve turned the corner, well-poised to capitalize on our momentum and advance our strategic priorities into 2025 and beyond,” said Raul Vazquez, CEO of Oportun. “I’m pleased that we returned to GAAP profitability in the quarter by generating $9 million of net income, a $51 million year-over-year increase. Furthermore, fourth quarter Adjusted Net Income increased by $30 million year-over-year, while Adjusted EBITDA more than quadrupled, and we returned to originations growth at 19%. I am also pleased that we delivered quarterly GAAP and Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) of 10% and 25%, respectively, demonstrating good progress towards consistently delivering annual ROE in the 20% to 28% range. Our focus on cost discipline and improved credit performance is continuing to yield tangible results, laying the foundation to return to growth in 2025. We’re raising our expectations for full year 2025 Adjusted EPS to $1.10 to $1.30 per share, which implies 53 to 81% growth.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

Metric	GAAP				Adjusted¹
	4Q24	4Q23	FY24	FY23	4Q24	4Q23²	FY24	FY23²
Total revenue	$251	$263	$1,002	$1,057
Net income (loss)	$9	$(42)	($79)	($180)	$22	$(8.2)	$29	$(71)
Diluted EPS	$0.20	$(1.09)	($1.95)	$(4.88)	$0.49	$(0.21)	$0.72	$(1.93)
Adjusted EBITDA					$41	$9.9	$105	$19
_{Dollars in millions, except per share amounts.}
_{¹See the section entitled “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for an explanation of non-GAAP measures, and the table entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures.}
_{²Beginning 1Q24, we updated our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss). Prior periods presented here have been updated to reflect the prior period numbers on a comparable basis. See Appendix for non-GAAP reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.}

Fourth Quarter 2024

Aggregate Originations were $522 million, a 19% increase compared to $437 million in the prior-year quarter
Portfolio Yield was 34.2%, an increase of 155 basis points compared to the 32.7% in prior-year quarter
Owned Principal Balance at end-of-period was $2.7 billion, a decrease of 8% compared to $2.9 billion in the prior-year quarter
Annualized Net Charge-Off Rate of 11.7%, a decrease of 55 basis points compared to 12.3% in the prior-year quarter
30+ Day Delinquency Rate of 4.8%, a decrease of 113 basis points compared to 5.9% for the prior-year quarter

Full Year 2024

Aggregate Originations were $1,775 million, a 2% decrease compared to $1,813 million in the prior year
Portfolio Yield was 33.5%, an increase of 125 basis points compared to 32.2% in the prior year
Annualized Net Charge-Off Rate of 12.0%, a decrease of 18 basis points compared to 12.2% in the prior year

Financial and Operating Results

All figures are as of or for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, unless otherwise noted.

Operational Drivers

Originations – Aggregate Originations for the fourth quarter were $522 million, an increase of 19% as compared to $437 million in the prior-year quarter as the Company returned to year-over-year growth for the first time in ten quarters. Aggregate Originations for full year 2024 were $1,775 million, a decrease of 2% as compared to $1,813 million in 2023.

Portfolio Yield – Portfolio Yield as of the end of fourth quarter was 34.2%, an increase of 155 basis points as compared to 32.7% in the prior-year quarter. Portfolio Yield for the full year 2024 was 33.5%, an increase of 125 basis points as compared to 32.2% in 2023.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Revenue – Total revenue for the fourth quarter of $251 million was a decrease of 4% as compared to $263 million in the prior-year quarter. The decrease was due to the November 12th sale of the Company’s credit card receivables portfolio and a decline in average daily principal balance in its personal loans portfolio. The decline in average daily principal balance was due to prior credit tightening actions, the revenue impact of which was partially offset by a 155 basis point increase in portfolio yield to 34.2%. Excluding the impact of the credit card receivables portfolio sale, the fourth quarter’s total revenue declined by only 2%.

Net revenue for the fourth quarter was $93 million, up 30% as compared to Net Revenue of $72 million in the prior-year quarter. Lower net charge-offs and non-cash fair value marks more than offset lower total revenue and higher interest expense. Excluding a one-time, non-cash write-off of $17 million of deferred financing fees relating to the Company’s November corporate debt refinancing, net revenue would have been up 53% year-over-year.

Operating Expenses and Adjusted Operating Expense¹ – For the fourth quarter, total operating expense was $89 million, a decrease of 31% as compared to $129 million in the prior-year quarter and below the $97.5 million the Company was targeting. The decrease is principally attributable to a combined set of cost reduction initiatives announced in 2023 and 2024. The fourth quarter 2024 figure includes approximately $6 million in one-time benefits, including those related to capitalization of previous accrued expenses associated with the Company’s debt refinancing, true-ups related to estimated costs of exiting the credit card product and other benefits management does not consider to be part of a normalized run rate. Without the benefit from these one-time items, operating expense would have been approximately $95 million, still below the $97.5 million target. Adjusted Operating Expense, which excludes stock-based compensation expense and certain non-recurring charges, decreased 17% year-over-year to $89 million.

Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Net Income (Loss)¹ – Net income was $9 million as compared to a net loss of $42 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase in net income was attributable to the increase in net revenue and a decrease in operating expenses as a result of cost reduction initiatives. Adjusted Net Income was $22 million, as compared to Adjusted Net Loss of $8.2 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase in Adjusted Net Income was attributable higher net revenue and the decrease in operating expense.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Adjusted EPS¹ – GAAP earnings per share, basic and diluted, were both $0.20, as compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $1.09 each in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.49 as compared to adjusted loss per share of $0.54 in the prior-year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ – Adjusted EBITDA was $41 million, up from $10 million in the prior-year quarter, driven by a significant reduction in operating expenses along with reduced charge-offs.

Full Year 2024 Financial Results

Revenue – Total revenue for the full year was $1.0 billion, a decrease of 5% as compared to total revenue of $1.1 billion in 2023. The decrease was due to decreased interest income attributable to a lower Average Daily Principal Balance including impact from the November sale of the credit card receivables portfolio and decreased non-interest income. Excluding the impact of the credit card receivables portfolio sale, full year total revenue declined by 4%.

Net revenue for the full year was $295 million, an increase of 5% compared to net revenue of $281 million in the prior year, primarily due to an improvement in net decrease in fair value, including reduced marks on asset backed notes and reduced charge-offs. This net revenue favorability was partially offset by an increase in interest expense, including a one-time, non-cash write-off of $17 million of deferred financing fees related to the Company’s debt financing in the fourth quarter, and the decline in total revenue.

Operating Expense and Adjusted Operating Expense¹ – For the full year, total operating expense was $410 million, a decrease of 23% as compared to $534 million in 2023, enabled by the cost reduction initiatives announced in 2023 and 2024. Adjusted Operating Expense, which excludes stock-based compensation expense and certain non-recurring charges, decreased 20% year-over-year to $381 million due to similar drivers.

Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Net Income (Loss)¹ – Net loss was $79 million, as compared to a net loss of $180 million in 2023. Adjusted Net Income increased to $29 million, as compared to Adjusted Net Loss of $71 million in 2023. The improvements in net loss and Adjusted Net income were attributable to reduced operating expenses coupled with higher net revenue, including reduced charge-offs.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Adjusted EPS¹ – GAAP net loss per share, basic and diluted, were both $1.95 for the full year 2024 as compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $4.88 each in 2023. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.72 in 2024 as compared to an adjusted net loss per share of $1.93 in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ – Adjusted EBITDA was $105 million, an increase of $86 million , or 463% as compared to $19 million in 2023, also driven by reduced operating expenses coupled with higher net revenue, including reduced charge-offs.

Credit and Operating Metrics

Net Charge-Off Rate – The Annualized Net Charge-Off Rate for the fourth quarter was 11.7%, a 55 basis points reduction from 12.3% in the prior-year quarter, and 12.0% for the full year 2024, an 18 basis points reduction from 12.2% in 2023. Dollar Net Charge-offs for the quarter were down 12% to $80 million, compared to $91 million for the prior-year quarter, and down 9% to $331 million for the full year 2024, compared to $364 million for 2023.

30+ Day Delinquency Rate – The Company’s 30+ Day Delinquency Rate was 4.8% at the end of 2024, a 113 basis points improvement compared to 5.9% at the end of 2023.

Operating Expense Ratio and Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio¹ – Operating Expense Ratio for the quarter was 13.1% as compared to 17.5% in the prior-year quarter, a 434 basis points improvement. Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio was 13.1% as compared to 14.5% in the prior-year quarter, a 141 basis points improvement. For the full year 2024, Operating Expense Ratio was 14.8% as compared to 17.9% for 2023, a 302 basis points improvement. For the full year 2024, Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio was 13.8% as compared to 16.0% for 2023, a 224 basis points improvement. The Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio excludes stock-based compensation expense and certain non-recurring charges, such as expenses related to the credit card portfolio sale. The improvement in Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio is primarily attributable to the Company’s focus on reducing operating expenses, partially offset by a decrease in Average Daily Principal Balance due to prior credit tightening actions.

Return on Equity (“ROE”) and Adjusted ROE¹ – ROE for the quarter was 10%, as compared to (39)% in the prior-year quarter. The increase was attributable to the increase in net income. Adjusted ROE for the quarter was 25%, as compared to (8)% in the prior-year quarter. ROE for the full year 2024 was (21)%, as compared to (38)% for 2023. Adjusted ROE for the full year 2024 was 8%, as compared to (15)% for 2023.

_{¹ Beginning 1Q24, we updated our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Adjusted Operating Expense. To align with these updated calculations we also updated Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Return on Equity. Prior periods presented here have been updated to reflect the prior period numbers on a comparable basis. See Appendix for non-GAAP reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure.}

Other Products

Secured personal loans – As of December 31, 2024, the Company had a secured personal loan receivables balance of $162 million, up 38% from $117 million at the end of 2023, and up 15% quarter-over-quarter. Available only in California as of the end of 2023, Oportun now also offers secured personal loans in Texas, Florida, Arizona, New Jersey and Illinois. During 2024, secured personal loan losses ran approximately 500 basis points lower compared to unsecured personal loans, with fourth quarter revenue per loan approximately 75% higher due to larger average loan sizes.

Funding and Liquidity

As of December 31, 2024, total cash was $215 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of $60 million and restricted cash of $155 million. Cost of Debt and Debt-to-Equity were 8.0% and 7.9x, respectively, for and at the end of the fourth quarter 2024 as compared to 7.1% and 7.2x, respectively, for and at the end of the prior-year quarter. Cost of Debt and Debt-to-Equity were 7.8% and 7.9x, respectively, for and at the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 6.0% and 7.2x, respectively, for and at the year ended December 31, 2023. These fourth quarter and full year 2024 Cost of Debt figures exclude a $17 million non-cash write-off of deferred financing costs relating to the repayment of the Company’s prior corporate financing facility as part of a November refinancing. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $227 million of undrawn capacity on its existing $766 million personal loan warehouse lines. The Company’s personal loan warehouse lines are committed through September 2027 and August 2028.

Financial Outlook for First Quarter and Full Year 2025

Oportun is providing the following guidance for 1Q 2025 and full year 2025 as follows:

	1Q 2025	Full Year 2025
Total Revenue	$225 – $230M	$945 – $970M
Annualized Net Charge-Off Rate	12.30% +/- 15 bps	11.5% +/- 50 bps
Adjusted EBITDA¹	$18 – $22M	$135 – $145M
Adjusted Net Income	—	$53 – $63M
Adjusted EPS	—	$1.10 – $1.30

_{¹ See the section entitled “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for an explanation of non-GAAP measures, including revised Adjusted EBITDA, and the table entitled “Reconciliation of Forward Looking Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures.}

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administration Officer Announces Retirement

On February 7, 2025, Mr. Jonathan Coblentz notified the Company that effective March 28, 2025, he plans to retire from his role as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Chief Administrative Officer (“CAO”) of the Company. Mr. Coblentz has served as the Company’s CFO since 2009.

Mr. Coblentz will continue in his CFO and CAO roles until March 28th to support a smooth transition to Casey Mueller, the Company’s Principal Accounting Officer and Global Controller, who, following Mr. Coblentz’s departure will serve as our interim CFO. The Company has retained an executive search firm to conduct a thorough search process to identify Mr. Coblentz’s successor, considering both internal and external candidates.

Mr. Mueller is 43 years old and has served as Global Controller since joining the Company in 2018 and assumed the role of Principal Accounting Officer in 2022. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Mueller held various leadership roles of increasing scope and responsibility within finance at OneMain Financial from 2013 to 2018. Mr. Mueller also previously served as Audit Manager at Deloitte LLP, a public accounting firm, which currently serves as the Company’s auditor. Mr. Mueller is a Certified Public Accountant and received a B.S. in Accounting and Master of Accountancy from Brigham Young University.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Oportun’s management will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2024 results at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT) today. A live webcast of the call will be accessible from the Investor Relations page of Oportun’s website at https://investor.oportun.com. The dial-in number for the conference call is 1-866-604-1698 (toll-free) or 1-201-389-0844 (international). Participants should call in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Both the call and webcast are open to the general public. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a webcast replay of the call will be available at https://investor.oportun.com for one year. A file that includes supplemental financial information and reconciliations of certain non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures, will be available on the Investor Relations page of Oportun’s website at https://investor.oportun.com following the conference call.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents information about the Company’s Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Operating Expense, Adjusted Operating Efficiency, Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio, and Adjusted ROE, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a supplement to the results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company believes these non-GAAP measures can be useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of its core business and provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results. Non-GAAP financial measures are provided in addition to, and not as a substitute for, and are not superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP measures the Company uses, as presented, may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of non-GAAP to GAAP measures can be found below.

About Oportun

Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT) is a mission-driven financial services company that puts its members’ financial goals within reach. With intelligent borrowing, savings, and budgeting capabilities, Oportun empowers members with the confidence to build a better financial future. Since inception, Oportun has provided more than $19.7 billion in responsible and affordable credit, saved its members more than $2.4 billion in interest and fees, and helped its members save an average of more than $1,800 annually. For more information, visit Oportun.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to future performance, results of operations and financial position; achievement of the Company’s strategic priorities and goals; expectations regarding the departure of the Company’s CFO and CAO and regarding its interim CFO; the Company’s expectations regarding macroeconomic conditions; the Company’s profitability and future growth opportunities; the effect of and trends in fair value mark-to-market adjustments on the Company’s loan portfolio and asset-backed notes; the Company’s first quarter and full year 2025 outlook; the Company’s expectations regarding Adjusted EPS in full year 2025; the Company’s expectations related to future profitability on an adjusted basis, and the plans and objectives of management for our future operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements can be generally identified by terms such as “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “target,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “predict,” “project,” “outlook,” “continue,” “due,” “may,” “believe,” “seek,” or “estimate” and similar expressions or the negative versions of these words or comparable words, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “likely” and “could.” These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, Oportun disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there is no assurance that the events or results suggested by the forward-looking statements will in fact occur, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause Oportun’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Oportun has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and projections about future events, financial trends and risks and uncertainties that it believes may affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks and uncertainties include those risks described in Oportun’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Oportun’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, and include, but are not limited to, Oportun’s ability to retain existing members and attract new members; Oportun’s ability to accurately predict demand for, and develop its financial products and services; the effectiveness of Oportun’s A.I. model; macroeconomic conditions, including fluctuating inflation and market interest rates; increases in loan non-payments, delinquencies and charge-offs; Oportun’s ability to increase market share and enter into new markets; Oportun’s ability to realize the benefits from acquisitions and integrate acquired technologies; the risk of security breaches or incidents affecting the Company’s information technology systems or those of the Company’s third-party vendors or service providers; Oportun’s ability to successfully offer loans in additional states; Oportun’s ability to compete successfully with other companies that are currently in, or may in the future enter, its industry; and changes in Oportun’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all.

Contacts

Investor Contact
Dorian Hare
(650) 590-4323
ir@oportun.com

Media Contact
Michael Azzano
Cosmo PR for Oportun
(415) 596-1978
michael@cosmo-pr.com

Oportun and the Oportun logo are registered trademarks of Oportun, Inc.

Oportun Financial Corporation
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except share and per share data, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenue
Interest income	$	233.5		$	242.2		$	925.5		$	963.5
Non-interest income		17.5			20.5			76.3			93.4
Total revenue		250.9			262.6			1,001.8			1,056.9
Less:
Interest expense		73.7			52.0			238.2			179.4
Net decrease in fair value		(83.9	)		(138.5	)		(468.4	)		(596.8	)
Net revenue		93.4			72.1			295.2			280.7

Operating expenses:
Technology and facilities		37.9			54.8			166.2			219.4
Sales and marketing		17.3			18.1			67.0			75.3
Personnel		19.7			25.1			87.2			121.8
Outsourcing and professional fees		8.1			11.2			36.8			45.4
General, administrative and other		6.4			20.2			53.2			72.4
Total operating expenses		89.5			129.4			410.4			534.3

Income (loss) before taxes		3.9			(57.3	)		(115.2	)		(253.7	)
Income tax benefit		(4.8	)		(15.5	)		(36.5	)		(73.7	)
Net income (loss)	$	8.7		$	(41.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(180.0	)

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share	$	0.20		$	(1.09	)	$	(1.95	)	$	(4.88	)
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares		43,550,693			38,485,406			40,356,025			36,875,950

Note: Numbers may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding.

Oportun Financial Corporation
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, unaudited)

	December 31,			December 31,
		2024			2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	60.0		$	91.2
Restricted cash		154.7			114.8
Loans receivable at fair value		2,778.5			2,962.4
Capitalized software and other intangibles		86.6			114.7
Right of use assets – operating		9.8			21.1
Other assets		137.6			107.7
Total assets	$	3,227.1		$	3,411.9

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Liabilities
Secured financing	$	535.5		$	290.0
Asset-backed notes at fair value		1,080.7			1,780.0
Asset-backed borrowings at amortized cost		984.3			581.5
Acquisition and corporate financing		203.8			258.7
Lease liabilities		18.2			28.4
Other liabilities		50.9			68.9
Total liabilities		2,873.3			3,007.5
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock		—			—
Common stock, additional paid-in capital		612.6			584.6
Accumulated deficit		(252.5	)		(173.8	)
Treasury stock		(6.3	)		(6.3	)
Total stockholders’ equity		353.8			404.4
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,227.1		$	3,411.9

Note: Numbers may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding.

Oportun Financial Corporation
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	8.7		$	(41.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(180.0	)
Adjustments for non-cash items		100.4			139.0			498.0			585.3
Proceeds from sale of loans in excess of originations of loans sold and held for sale		0.2			2.9			4.5			8.5
Changes in balances of operating assets and liabilities		(17.9	)		6.2			(30.3	)		(21.1	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		91.4			106.3			393.5			392.8

Cash flows from investing activities
Net loan principal repayments (loan originations)		(101.7	)		(91.8	)		(228.1	)		(257.5	)
Proceeds from loan sales originated as held for investment		51.7			1.3			54.5			4.1
Capitalization of system development costs		(6.1	)		(6.1	)		(19.2	)		(31.3	)
Other, net		(0.3	)		(0.2	)		(0.9	)		(1.4	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(56.4	)		(96.8	)		(193.7	)		(286.2	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings		691.2			429.4			1,736.7			945.5
Repayments		(740.1	)		(432.1	)		(1,927.7	)		(1,047.1	)
Net stock-based activities		—			(0.4	)		(0.3	)		(2.7	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(48.9	)		(3.1	)		(191.2	)		(104.4	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(13.9	)		6.4			8.6			2.2
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash beginning of period		228.5			199.6			206.0			203.8
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash end of period	$	214.6		$	206.0		$	214.6		$	206.0

Note: Numbers may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding.

Oportun Financial Corporation
CONSOLIDATED KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS
(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Key Financial and Operating Metrics		2024			2023			2024			2023
Aggregate Originations (Millions)	$	522.2		$	437.3		$	1,775.3		$	1,813.1
Portfolio Yield (%)		34.2	%		32.7	%		33.5	%		32.2	%
30+ Day Delinquency Rate (%)		4.8	%		5.9	%		4.8	%		5.9	%
Annualized Net Charge-Off Rate (%)		11.7	%		12.3	%		12.0	%		12.2	%

Other Metrics
Managed Principal Balance at End of Period (Millions)	$	2,973.5		$	3,182.1		$	2,973.5		$	3,182.1
Owned Principal Balance at End of Period (Millions)	$	2,678.2		$	2,904.7		$	2,678.2		$	2,904.7
Average Daily Principal Balance (Millions)	$	2,714.4		$	2,940.5		$	2,766.6		$	2,992.6

Note: Numbers may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding.

Oportun Financial Corporation
ABOUT NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited)

This press release dated February 12, 2025 contains non-GAAP financial measures. The following tables reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures in this press release to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The Company believes that the provision of these non-GAAP financial measures can provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of Oportun’s core business and useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results. However, non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, differ from GAAP measures with the same names, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar names that are used by other companies.

As previously announced on March 12, 2024, beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2024 the Company has updated it’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income for all periods. To align with these updated calculations the Company also updated Adjusted Operating Efficiency, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Return on Equity. Comparable prior period Non-GAAP financial measures are included in addition to the previously reported metrics.

Adjusted EBITDA
The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income, adjusted to eliminate the effect of certain items as described below. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure because it allows management, investors and its board of directors to evaluate and compare operating results, including return on capital and operating efficiencies, from period to period by making the adjustments described below. In addition, it provides a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of Oportun’s business, as it removes the effect of income taxes, certain non-cash items, variable charges and timing differences.

The Company believes it is useful to exclude the impact of income tax expense, as reported, because historically it has included irregular income tax items that do not reflect ongoing business operations.
The Company believes it is useful to exclude depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation expense because they are non-cash charges.
The Company believes it is useful to exclude the impact of interest expense associated with the Company’s corporate financing facilities, including the senior secured term loan and the residual financing facility, as it views this expense as related to its capital structure rather than its funding.
The Company excludes the impact of certain non-recurring charges, such as expenses associated with our workforce optimization, and other non-recurring charges because it does not believe that these items reflect ongoing business operations. Other non-recurring charges include litigation reserve, impairment charges, debt amendment and warrant amortization costs related to our corporate financing facilities.
The Company also excludes fair value mark-to-market adjustments on its loans receivable portfolio and asset-backed notes carried at fair value because these adjustments do not impact cash.

Adjusted Net Income
The Company defines Adjusted Net Income as net income adjusted to eliminate the effect of certain items as described below. The Company believes that Adjusted Net Income is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors, and the Company’s board of directors to evaluate and compare its operating results, including return on capital and operating efficiencies, from period to period, excluding the after-tax impact of non-cash, stock-based compensation expense and certain non-recurring charges.

The Company believes it is useful to exclude the impact of income tax expense (benefit), as reported, because historically it has included irregular income tax items that do not reflect ongoing business operations. The Company also includes the impact of normalized income tax expense by applying a normalized statutory tax rate.
The Company believes it is useful to exclude the impact of certain non-recurring charges, such as expenses associated with our workforce optimization, and other non-recurring charges because it does not believe that these items reflect its ongoing business operations. Other non-recurring charges include litigation reserve, impairment charges, debt amendment and warrant amortization costs related to our corporate financing facilities.
The Company believes it is useful to exclude stock-based compensation expense because it is a non-cash charge.
The Company also excludes the fair value mark-to-market adjustment on its asset-backed notes carried at fair value to align with the 2023 accounting policy decision to account for new debt financings at amortized cost.

Adjusted Operating Expense, Adjusted Operating Efficiency and Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio
The Company defines Adjusted Operating Expense as total operating expenses adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation expense and certain non-recurring charges, such as expenses associated with our workforce optimization, and other non-recurring charges. Other non-recurring charges include litigation reserve, impairment charges, and debt amendment costs related to our Corporate Financing facility. The Company defines Adjusted Operating Efficiency as Adjusted Operating Expense divided by total revenue. The Company defines Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio as Adjusted Operating Expense divided by Average Daily Principal Balance. The Company believes Adjusted Operating Expense is an important measure because it allows management, investors and Oportun’s board of directors to evaluate and compare its operating costs from period to period, excluding the impact of non-cash, stock-based compensation expense and certain non-recurring charges. The Company believes Adjusted Operating Efficiency and Adjusted Operating Expense Ratio are important measures because they allow management, investors and Oportun’s board of directors to evaluate how efficiently the Company is managing costs relative to revenue and Average Daily Principal Balance.

Adjusted Return on Equity
The Company defines Adjusted Return on Equity (“ROE”) as annualized Adjusted Net Income divided by average stockholders’ equity. Average stockholders’ equity is an average of the beginning and ending stockholders’ equity balance for each period. The Company believes Adjusted ROE is an important measure because it allows management, investors and its board of directors to evaluate the profitability of the business in relation to its stockholders’ equity and how efficiently it generates income from stockholders’ equity.

Adjusted EPS
The Company defines Adjusted EPS as Adjusted Net Income divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

Oportun Financial Corporation
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Adjusted EBITDA		2024			2023			2024			2023
Net income (Loss)	$	8.7		$	(41.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(180.0	)
Adjustments:
Income tax benefit		(4.8	)		(15.5	)		(36.5	)		(73.7	)
Interest on corporate financing		11.4			14.6			51.1			51.8
Depreciation and amortization		12.5			13.8			52.2			54.9
Stock-based compensation expense		2.8			4.8			13.1			18.0
Workforce optimization expenses		0.1			6.8			3.1			22.5
Other non-recurring charges ⁽¹⁾		14.2			10.8			31.0			15.5
Fair value mark-to-market adjustment		(4.0	)		16.4			69.3			109.5
Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾	$	41.0		$	9.9		$	104.5		$	18.6

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Adjusted Net Income		2024			2023			2024			2023
Net income (Loss)	$	8.7		$	(41.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(180.0	)
Adjustments:
Income tax benefit		(4.8	)		(15.5	)		(36.5	)		(73.7	)
Stock-based compensation expense		2.8			4.8			13.1			18.0
Workforce optimization expenses		0.1			6.8			3.1			22.5
Other non-recurring charges ⁽¹⁾		14.2			10.8			31.0			15.5
Net decrease in fair value of credit cards receivable		—			—			36.2			—
Mark-to-market adjustment on ABS notes		8.5			23.6			72.1			100.0
Adjusted income before taxes		29.5			(11.3	)		40.2			(97.7	)
Normalized income tax expense		8.0			(3.0	)		10.8			(26.4	)
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) ⁽³⁾	$	21.5		$	(8.2	)	$	29.3		$	(71.3	)

Stockholders’ equity	$	353.8		$	404.4		$	353.8		$	404.4
GAAP ROE		10.2	%	(39.2		)%	(20.8		)%	(37.8		)%
Adjusted ROE (%) ⁽⁴⁾		25.2	%	(7.7		)%		7.7	%	(15.0		)%

Note: Numbers may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding.
_{⁽¹⁾ Certain prior-period financial information has been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.}
_{⁽²⁾ Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA was updated in Q1 2024 to more closely align with management’s internal view of the performance of the business. The Q4 2023 and FY 2023 values for Adjusted EBITDA shown in the table above have been revised and presented on a comparable basis, prior to these revisions the values would have been $6.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively.}
_{⁽³⁾ Our calculation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) was updated in Q1 2024 to more closely align with management’s internal view of the performance of the business. The Q4 2023 and FY 2023 values for Adjusted Net Income (Loss) shown in the table above have been revised and presented on a comparable basis, prior to these revisions the values would have been $(20.6) million and $(124.1) million, respectively.}
_{⁽⁴⁾ Calculated as Adjusted Net Income (Loss) divided by average stockholders’ equity. ROE has been annualized. Due to the Adjusted Net Income (Loss) revisions in Q1 2024, the Q4 2023 and FY 2023 Adjusted ROE values would have been (19.3)% and (26.1)%, respectively.}

Oportun Financial Corporation
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Adjusted Operating Efficiency		2024			2023			2024			2023
Operating Efficiency		35.7	%		49.3	%		41.0	%		50.6	%
Total Revenue	$	250.9		$	262.6		$	1,001.8		$	1,056.9

Total Operating Expense	$	89.5		$	129.4		$	410.4		$	534.3
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense		(2.8	)		(4.8	)		(13.1	)		(18.0	)
Workforce optimization expenses		(0.1	)		(6.8	)		(3.1	)		(22.5	)
Other non-recurring charges ⁽¹⁾		2.6			(10.5	)		(12.9	)		(14.4	)
Total Adjusted Operating Expense	$	89.2		$	107.3		$	381.3		$	479.4

Adjusted Operating Efficiency⁽²⁾		35.5	%		40.9	%		38.1	%		45.4	%

Average Daily Principal Balance	$	2,714.4		$	2,940.5		$	2,766.6		$	2,992.6

OpEx Ratio		13.1	%		17.5	%		14.8	%		17.9	%
Adjusted OpEx Ratio		13.1	%		14.5	%		13.8	%		16.0	%

Oportun Financial Corporation
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions, except share and per share data, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,					Twelve Months Ended December 31,
GAAP Earnings (loss) per Share		2024		2023			2024			2023
Net income (loss)	$	8.7	$	(41.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(180.0	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	8.7	$	(41.8	)	$	(78.7	)	$	(180.0	)

Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		42,720,229		38,485,406			40,356,025			36,875,950
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—		—			—			—
Restricted stock units		830,464		—			—			—
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding		43,550,693		38,485,406			40,356,025			36,875,950

Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.20	$	(1.09	)	$	(1.95	)	$	(4.88	)
Diluted	$	0.20	$	(1.09	)	$	(1.95	)	$	(4.88	)

	Three Months Ended December 31,					Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Adjusted Earnings (loss) Per Share		2024		2023			2024			2023
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.20	$	(1.09	)	$	(1.95	)	$	(4.88	)

Adjusted Net Income	$	21.5	$	(8.2	)	$	29.3		$	(71.3	)

Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		42,720,229		38,485,406			40,356,025			36,875,950
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—		—			—			—
Restricted stock units		830,464		—			500,705			—
Diluted adjusted weighted-average common shares outstanding		43,550,693		38,485,406			40,856,730			36,875,950

Adjusted Earnings (loss) Per Share⁽¹⁾	$	0.49	$	(0.21	)	$	0.72		$	(1.93	)

Note: Numbers may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding.
_{⁽¹⁾ Our calculation of Adjusted Net Income (Loss) was updated in Q1 2024 to more closely align with management’s internal view of the performance of the business. The Q4 2023 and FY 2023 values for Adjusted EPS shown in the table above have been revised and presented on a comparable basis, prior to these revisions the values would have been $(0.54) and $(3.37), respectively.}

Oportun Financial Corporation
RECONCILIATION OF FORWARD LOOKING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(in millions, unaudited)

	1Q 2025								FY 2025
	Low				High				Low		High
Adjusted EBITDA
Net (loss)	$	(5.4	)	*	$	(2.2	)	*	$	23.2	$	33.4
Adjustments:
Income tax expense (benefit)		(1.3	)			(0.5	)			6.3		9.0
Interest on corporate financing		9.2				9.2				36.7		36.7
Depreciation and amortization		10.6				10.6				40.6		40.6
Stock-based compensation expense		3.5				3.5				15.0		15.0
Other non-recurring charges		1.4				1.4				5.8		5.8
Fair value mark-to-market adjustment	*				*					7.4		4.4
Adjusted EBITDA	$	18.0			$	22.0			$	135.0	$	145.0

*Due to the uncertainty in macroeconomic conditions and quarterly volatility in the fair value mark to market adjustment, we are unable to precisely forecast the fair value mark-to-market adjustments on our loan portfolio and asset-backed notes on a quarterly basis.

	FY 2025
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS	Low		High
Net income	$	23.2	$	33.4
Adjustments:
Income tax expense (benefit)		6.3		9.0
Stock-based compensation expense		15.0		15.0
Other non-recurring charges		5.8		5.8
Mark-to-market adjustment on ABS notes		22.3		22.3
Adjusted income before taxes	$	72.6	$	85.6
Normalized income tax expense		19.6		23.1
Adjusted Net Income	$	53.0	$	62.5

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding		48.2		48.2

Diluted earnings per share	$	0.48	$	0.69
Adjusted Earnings Per Share	$	1.10	$	1.30

Note: Numbers may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding.

The MIL Network –

February 13, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: The Paris summit marks a tipping point on AI’s safety and sustainability

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Robert Diab, Professor, Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University

United States Vice President JD Vance made headlines this week by refusing to sign a declaration at a global summit in Paris on artificial intelligence.

In his first appearance on the world stage, Vance made clear that the U.S. wouldn’t be playing ball. The Donald Trump administration believes that “excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off,” he said. “We’ll make every effort to encourage pro-growth AI policies.”

His remarks confirmed a widespread fear that Trump’s return to the White House will signal a sharp turn in tech policy. American tech companies and their billionaire owners will now be shielded from effective oversight.

But upon a closer look, events this week point to signs that just the opposite may be unfolding. A host of nations took notable steps towards address growing safety and environmental concerns about AI, indicating that a regulatory tipping point has been reached.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered the keynote address at the AI Action Summit in Paris, France.

Wide consensus

The two-day global summit in Paris, chaired by France and India, led to broad consensus. Some 60 countries signed on to a Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable AI. This included Canada, the European Commission, India and China.

Both the U.S. and the United Kingdom declined to sign on. But the prevailing winds are against them.

The meeting in Paris was the third global summit on AI, following meet-ups at Bletchley Park in the U.K. in 2023 and in Seoul, South Korea, in 2024. Each of them ended with similar declarations widely endorsed.

The Paris communiqué calls for an “inclusive approach” to AI, seeking to “narrow inequalities” in AI capabilities among countries. It encourages “avoiding market concentration” and affirms the need for openness and transparency in building and sharing technology and expertise.

The document is not binding. It does little more than tout principles, or affirm a collective sentiment among the parties. One of these — perhaps the most important — is to keep talking, meeting and working together on the common concerns that AI raises.

Environmental challenges

Meanwhile, a smaller group of countries at the Paris summit, along with 37 tech companies, agreed to form a Coalition for Sustainable AI — setting out a series of goals and deliverables.

While nothing is binding on the parties, the goals are notably specific. They include coming up with standards for measuring AI’s environmental impact and more effective ways for companies to report on the impact. Parties also aim to “optimize algorithms to reduce computational complexity and minimize data usage.”

Even if most of this turns out to be merely aspirational, it’s important that the coalition offers a platform for collaboration on these initiatives. At the very least, it signals a likelihood that sustainability will be at the forefront of debate about AI moving forward.

Read more:
AI is bad for the environment, and the problem is bigger than energy consumption

Signing the first international treaty on AI

A further notable event at the summit was that Canada signed the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. In recent months, 12 other countries had signed, including the U.S. (under former president Joe Biden), the U.K., Israel and the European Union.

The convention commits parties to pass domestic laws on AI that deal with privacy, bias and discrimination, safety, transparency and environmental sustainability.

The treaty has been criticized for containing no more than “broad affirmations” and imposing few clear obligations. But it does show that countries are committed to passing law to ensure that AI development unfolds within boundaries — and they’re eager to see more countries do the same.

If Canada were to ratify the treaty, Parliament would likely revive Bill C-27, which contained the AI and Data Act.

Read more:
The federal government’s proposed AI legislation misses the mark on protecting Canadians

The act aimed to do much of what Canada agrees to do under the convention: impose greater oversight of the development and use of AI. This includes transparency and disclosure requirements on AI companies, and stiff penalties for failure to comply.

What does this really mean?

While the U.S. signed the convention on AI and human rights, democracy and rule of law in the fall of 2024, it likely won’t be implemented by a Republican Congress. The same might happen in Canada under a Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre. He could also decide not to fulfil commitments made under other agreements about AI.

And if Poilievre comes to power by the time Canada hosts the next G7 meeting in June, he might decline to honour the Trudeau government’s commitment to make AI regulation a central focus of the meeting.

The Trump administration may have ushered in a period of more lax tech regulation in the U.S., and Silicon Valley is indeed a key player in tech — especially AI. But it’s a wide world, with many other important players in this space, including China, Europe and Canada.

The events in Paris have revealed a strong interest among nations around the globe to regulate AI, and specifically to foster ideas about inclusion and sustainability. If the Paris summit was any indication, the hope of sheltering AI from effective regulation won’t last long.

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

– ref. The Paris summit marks a tipping point on AI’s safety and sustainability – https://theconversation.com/the-paris-summit-marks-a-tipping-point-on-ais-safety-and-sustainability-249706

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Policies to Bolster Social Resilience in Context of More Frequent, Complex Crises among Topics Discussed, as Commission for Social Development Continues Session

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

During one of two round-table discussions held today by the Commission for Social Development, panelists emphasized the importance of governance, preparedness and investment in human capital to strengthen “social resilience” — the ability of individuals and societies to prevent, absorb, adapt and recover positively from crises.

The Commission — established in 1946 by the Economic and Social Council as one of its functional commissions — advises the United Nations on social development issues, and its sixty-third session will run through 14 February.

The first panel discussion, titled “Policies to bolster social resilience in the context of more frequent and complex crises”, featured presentations that together offered a comprehensive understanding of the multidimensional nature of resilience and the policy actions needed to reinforce it.

“The sixty-third session of the Commission for Social Development comes at a pivotal time as we reflect on the legacies of the World Summit for Social Development held three decades ago in Copenhagen,” said Moderator Angela Kawandami, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services of Zambia. While the principles of social inclusion, poverty eradication and equity remain as vital as possible, the global landscape has transformed significantly, presenting new and compounding challenges that demand urgent and innovative solutions today, she said, adding that crises — more frequent, interconnected and complex, spanning geopolitical, economic, health and environmental spheres — are testing the resilience of societies and institutions.

Meir Bing, Chief Executive Officer at the Open University of Israel, presented a case study of building resilience in minority populations in his country, where the number of minority students in higher education more than doubled in the last decade. He said that a year ago, he was General Director of the Ministry of Social Equality in charge of minorities. Of the 10 million people in his country, 2 million are religious and ethnical minority groups, including Muslim, Christian and Druze, he said, adding that many of them are young and face socioeconomic challenges.

He highlighted the three keys to building resilience in vulnerable populations: fostering trust between Government and social and business sectors; enhancing infrastructure and public services; and creating communities. Sharing how educational and other infrastructure and socioeconomic projects are expanded in the country’s local communities, he said that the percentage of students from minority groups in bachelor’s degree programmes increased from 10 per cent in 2010 to nearly 20 per cent in 2023.

Marek Kamiński, explorer and founder of the Kaminski Foundation, said that during his expeditions, he learned that physical strength isn’t enough, stating: “The real fight happens in the mind, with fear and doubt. We all need to ask, are we strong enough inside to face the challenges ahead?” Today’s world needs practical solutions to help people handle crises. That’s why he created LifePlan Academy, a programme that teaches mental resilience, stress management and how to adapt to challenges. It’s a practical tool that works in any country with any culture, he said, stressing: “With the right tools and support, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve their goals.”

Michael Woolcock, Lead Social Scientist in the Development Research Group at the World Bank, said that development policies are as effective as the shared legitimacy they enjoy. Development policies will struggle, where societal groups despise one another, where elite factions use lies and violence to secure power, where there is little coherence or trust between local and national authority, and where Governments reject international law and covenants to which they are a signatory. “So all these nice policies that we come up with — unless they can engage with these local contexts and imbue them with the legitimacy they need to do their difficult work — are probably going to struggle,” he said.

Obiageli Ezekwesili, President of Human Capital Africa, founder of the School of Politics Policy and Governance, and Senior Economic Adviser at the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative, said that “democracy is in crisis more than it had ever been”. The power of society to be resilient depends on how everyone feels cared for within society. Today’s democratic processes are exclusionary in many ways. That’s because the tiny fraction of people who exercise political leadership in many countries have become monopoly democrats. “We must fix politics,” she said, noting a strong correlation between the quality of politics and economic performance. “Let’s keep an eye on the United States of America,” she added.

Michael Woolcock, Lead Social Scientist, World Bank, served as moderator for the second panel, which focused on “Universal rights-based social protection systems that adapt to evolving risks and support social resilience”. “For our present purposes, we are going to recognize that social resilience refers to the capacity of individuals and societies to prevent, resist, absorb, adapt, respond and recover positively, efficiently and effectively when faced with a wide range of long-term prospects for sustainable development, peace and security, human rights and well-being for all,” he said before commencing the panel discussion.

Danilo Türk, President of Club de Madrid and former President of Slovenia, stressed the need to make sure that social development is guided in a way that promotes the full realization of human rights. “This means adopting an approach which anticipates and addresses the vulnerabilities of people,” he went on to stress. That must include the consequences of climate change and its effect on populations, especially those vulnerable to displacement. Innovations like digital cash transfers, mobile health services and data driven risk assessment can significantly improve service delivery, particularly for marginalized and remote populations. Social protection systems must consider the interests of vulnerable segments of societies, particularly women, youth, older people and persons with disabilities.

Angela Chomba Kawandami, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Zambia, said that social protection systems are central to addressing vulnerabilities, reducing poverty and mitigating the impacts of various risks such as climate change, pandemics and economic crises. “Social protection systems in Zambia are designed to address both short-term needs and long-term vulnerabilities,” she added. These systems include cash transfers, food assistance and social insurance schemes. “The goal is to ensure that individuals, especially those in our rural areas, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, have access to basic services and support mechanisms,” she emphasized. Zambia’s social protection programmes aim to reduce vulnerability by providing financial support to households living below the poverty line. Climate change is also included into Zambia’s protection system as the phenomenon poses an increasing threat with more frequent droughts and floods.

Héctor Ramón Cárdenas Molinas, Executive Director of the Technical Unit of the Social Cabinet of the President of Paraguay, said that extreme weather events cause major damage and loss. “Most of them are linked to climate events,” he said, noting their high economic and social impact. Exposure depends not only on geographic location but also on the development policies and adaptation measures taken to mitigate the risks of climate change. “It is absolutely essential that we integrate policies and strategies that promote sustainable and resilient development,” he said. Underscoring other initiatives in health, education and poverty eradication, he said Paraguay aims to ensure that services meet very high standards in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. “The main challenge remains financing,” he added.

Edgilson Tavares de Araújo, Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Brazil, said that Brazil’s social protection system is based on the principles of universality, equity and democracy. “Since 2023, we have seen a drop of 84 per cent in severe food insecurity, according to a 2024 UN survey,” he added. With the creation of a global alliance to fight hunger and poverty, Brazil hopes to continue to make progress. A strong State working with a healthy civil society must be resilient to truly transform society. “We are increasing our budgetary commitments and broadening our global alliance to combat hunger and poverty,” he went on to say. Brazil is committed to providing decent employment and “an economy of solidarity” which can help build social resilience. “Being protected means having someone to rely on,” he added.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Deep dive on deep-water reefs finds new marine species – Vic

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Marine researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have discovered a species of sea squirt that is thought to be new to science.

The sea squirt was found off Rakiura Stewart Island while the researchers were exploring marine communities that live on the area’s deep-water reefs.

“We were off Port Pegasus at the southern end of Rakiura and we could see all these really unusual ‘egg’ shapes on the seafloor. Closer inspection revealed they were large, 30 cm tall sea squirts that we haven’t found in any other part of Aotearoa,” said Professor James Bell, a marine biologist at the university.

Marine ecologist Mike Page, an emeritus scientist from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, confirmed the sea squirt is likely to be a new species that is yet to be named.

Sea squirts, also known as ascidians, play a key role in maintaining water quality. They are filter feeders—creatures that feed on nutrients in the water column.

“Unusually, sea squirts dominated the marine communities on the deep-water reefs that we explored off Stewart Island. We typically find sponges are the dominant player on deep-water reefs in other parts of the country,” said Professor Bell.

The new species of sea squirt was found at a depth of 115 metres.

“The water off Stewart Island was really clear down at this depth. This probably reflects the fact there are no major rivers draining into the sea and there are still large areas of native forest on the island.”

Video footage of the reefs shows many different species of sea squirt, varying in colour from bright white to pinks, blues, and yellows.

The footage was taken using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that can film in waters of more than 100 m deep.

“Finding this sea squirt is a reminder that we still have so much to learn about the rich diversity of life in the ocean. It’s also a reminder of the need to ensure we protect our marine environment and the unique species it supports,” said Professor Bell.

The ROV used by the researchers to collect video footage was purchased with funding from the George Mason Charitable Trust.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Japan’s Expertise in International Assistance: Leveraging Experiences Gained in Southeast Asia to Aid Ukraine -The Shared Future of Asia and Japan

Source: Japan Connect

Diplomacy / InternationalAsia & Pacific

In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. The Russian military has continuously been launching missiles and artillery attacks on civilian facilities, causing great damage to the lives of the Ukrainian people. Japan is offering various assistance through public and private endeavors to rebuild lives, drawing on experiences gained through providing aid to countries in Southeast Asia.

One such example is a water supply aid project. As part of the government’s gratuitous recovery assistance, Japan is sending mobile water purification systems and ready-to-assemble water supply tanks to Ukraine’s cities where water supply networks were destroyed.

As part of this initiative, Nihon Genryo Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of water treatment systems headquartered in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, delivered four Mobile Siphon Tanks, a mobile water purification system, to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the southern port city Odesa. The system, developed by Nihon Genryo, does not require filter replacements, which were necessary in previous water purification systems. The company also invited water supply technicians in Kyiv to Japan and conducted training on water purification technology.

Nihon Genryo has been deeply involved in Southeast Asia. In 1982, it delivered fully automatic dust scrapers to the Bangkhen Water Treatment Plant in Bangkok, Thailand, to help remove impurities and provide safe, treated water. It also delivered Mobile Siphon Tanks to cities in Laos and Vietnam as part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) and is training local staff on how to use them. In Laos, the company carried out emergency water supply operations during flood disasters in 2013 and 2020. In the Philippines, it provided drinking water to regions without access to a water supply by using river water. It also carried out emergency water supply operations at the request of the Japanese government in the wake of disasters such as Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and Super Typhoon Rai in 2021. In this way, the company gained extensive experience assisting the lives and lifestyles of people in Southeast Asia, which is now being leveraged to help Ukraine, halfway across the globe in Europe.

In addition to water supply assistance, Japan also has international experience in providing aid to people with disabilities. Since Russia’s invasion, over 300,000 Ukrainian troops and civilians have become disabled as a result of injuries. However, medical equipment is growing outdated due to a shortage of funds, and providing assistance is an urgent matter. Japan provided rehabilitation equipment and welfare vehicles to 11 facilities in Kyiv Oblast through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In December 2024, a commemorative ceremony was held in Kyiv. Ruslan Kravchenko, the governor of Kyiv Oblast, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We thank the Japanese government and its people for their extensive support. This will allow us to greatly improve the conditions for people with disabilities.”

Japan has also been committed to providing aid to people with disabilities in Southeast Asia. Gratuitous financial assistance was offered to Indonesia, for example, by providing mobile rehabilitation equipment in 1989 and taking part in a project to construct a vocational rehabilitation center for people with disabilities in 1995. In addition to dispatching Japanese specialists and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) to countries like Thailand and the Philippines, Japan also invites trainees from various countries to Japan through JICA initiatives to help raise rehabilitation standards for people with disabilities.

Removing landmines is another urgent issue that must be addressed in Ukraine. It is believed that the Russian military may have planted mines in an area of up to 150,000 square kilometers, which amounts to over a fourth of the country’s land. The Japanese government has been engaged in mine clearance efforts in Cambodia for many years. Drawing on this experience, it is offering comprehensive support to Ukraine by providing resources developed by Japanese companies, such as mine detectors, mine removers and systems using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify areas where mines have been planted, in addition to training on how to prevent injuries and offering aid to victims.

Japan is also working on assisting Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who survived mines but lost their limbs.

Instalimb, Inc. is a startup company headquartered in Tokyo that utilizes digital technology to create prosthetic legs. The company uses a special scanner to capture the shape of a patient’s leg and creates a 3D-printed prosthetic based on data designed by a prosthetist using software.

The CEO of the company, Yutaka Tokushima, said in an interview with the Japanese broadcasting network TBS Television, “One (of the merits) is that we can create prosthetics very quickly. Where it usually takes a month, we can do it in a day (at the quickest) and significantly lower the cost. Another merit is that one professional prosthetist can make many prosthetics.”

Prosthetic legs cost around 400,000 yen in Japan, but Tokushima says the company can reduce it to one-tenth of that amount.

Instalimb has its roots in the Philippines. After working at a computer-related company and as a designer of industrial products, Tokushima joined the JOCV program under JICA and was posted to the Philippines in 2012.

Later, with support from JICA and the Philippine government, he established a laboratory equipped with a 3D printer and laser cutter for industrial development. After he learned that many people in the Philippines needed prosthetic legs as a result of diabetes, he took on the challenge of developing high-performance yet affordable prosthetics. Over the course of four years, he developed a technology that specialized in creating prosthetic legs using 3D printing. These prosthetics are now available to people in the Philippines who cannot afford conventional ones.

As he works on creating prosthetics in Ukraine, Tokushima says, “Many people want to recover and rebuild their lives, but they can’t work because they don’t have access to prosthetic legs. So I want to give them hope, first and foremost. Our current mission is to provide prosthetics to each and every person who needs them as we aim for the ultimate goal of helping all the people of Ukraine regain their bright future.” A Japanese company, born in the Philippines, is now striving to help the wounded people of Ukraine.

Japan is offering aid to Ukraine in a diverse range of fields including infrastructure, education, agriculture, economy, machinery and culture—and much of this expertise comes from the experience Japan gained in Southeast Asia.

By Akio Yaita
Journalist. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Keio University. After completing his doctorate at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, he worked as a correspondent for the Sankei Shimbun in Beijing and as Taipei bureau chief. Author or co-author of many books.

*The stories and materials above are provided by JIJI.com or AFPBBNews. Feel free to feature these stories in your own media.

About “Japan Connect”
Bringing you the latest stories about Japan.
This new service is provided by AFPBB News, which AFP launched in 2007.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Wicker Appointed Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission for the 119th Congress

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
WASHINGTON — The Presiding Officer, on behalf of the Vice President, last week announced the appointment of U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., as chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, for the 119th Congress.
“I am honored to be named chairman of the Helsinki Commission. European security is always good for the United States. For nearly fifty years, the Helsinki Commission has protected human rights, advanced democracy, and increased economic cooperation across the globe,” said Senator Wicker. “Today’s challenges are no less urgent. I look forward to working on a bicameral, bipartisan basis to seek a just end to Russia’s war on Ukraine, a stronger NATO alliance, and an international order that serves our national interest.”
Senator Wicker assumes the chairmanship at a pivotal moment for transatlantic security. Russia is waging the largest land war in Europe since World War II, threatening not only Ukraine’s future and independence, but also the security and sovereignty of U.S. allies and partners in Europe. In the South Caucasus, Armenia and Azerbaijan have a generational opportunity to reach a durable peace agreement after decades of violence and upheaval. Meanwhile, the republic of Georgia’s democracy stands at a crossroads as the Georgian Dream party attempts to drag the country towards Russia and away from their chosen path of Euro-Atlantic integration. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader Western Balkans region must chart a way through the dangers of violent division and toward greater alignment and integration with Western institutions. At this historic juncture, the United States has an opportunity to pursue policies that promote regional stability and strengthen the rules-based international order so that it continues to safeguard American security and prosperity.
Senator Roger Wicker has served on the U.S. Helsinki Commission since 2009, where he has consistently championed democratic values, the rule of law, and peace and security in the OSCE region. He served as a Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) from 2017 to 2024. From November 2014 to July 2017, Senator Wicker chaired the OSCE PA Committee on Political Affairs and Security, where his work centered on sustaining constructive security dialogue among all participating states and ensuring compliance with international commitments.
Senator Wicker is currently the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and serves as a member of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Congressional Board of Visitors. He has also served as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Senator Wicker served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and then joined the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the Reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi, Senator Wicker received his B.A. and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. He is married to the former Gayle Long of Tupelo. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: New appointments to Agricultural Products Marketing Council
The council is a public agency that oversees agricultural marketing boards and commissions to ensure they are implementing governance best practices, provides policy advice to the minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, and administers legislation for the agricultural industry and government.

“This is an important board, whose membership includes people with excellent agricultural credentials and experience. It provides the government with advice to ensure our ag industry remains competitive and innovative, while attracting investment, creating jobs and putting food on the tables of Alberta families and families across the country and around the world.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Three appointees are returning for a second term, including the new council chair, John Buckley, and vice-chair, Henricus Bos. The new chair and vice-chair will assume their executive positions effective March 21, 2025. The third appointment for a second term is council member John Guelly.

Susan Novak continues to serve as the government’s representative.

“I am honoured to be appointed chair of the Marketing Council board. I’ve enjoyed the past three years on council, particularly helping amalgamate the former wheat and barley commissions and our continued focus on marketing board and commission bylaws. I look forward to working with my fellow council members, our boards and commissions and Minister Sigurdson to help ensure agriculture remains a strong and thriving sector in Alberta.”

John Buckley, chair of the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council

Three other members are either completing their terms or have decided to resign due to other priorities. They will be replaced by three new council members, who will infuse new ideas and perspectives into the council. They are:
- Ian Chitwood
- Susan Schafers
- David Moss
The new council members will start their first term on March 21, 2025.

The government appoints council members using an open and competitive application and members are chosen based on experience and credentials.

Quick facts
- The Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council is established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act. The council currently has seven members, including a Government of Alberta representative.
- Council members can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms (one term is three years) and are appointed by an order-in-council.
Related information – Biographies

John Buckley: John and his wife operate a cow-calf operation southwest of Cochrane. John has 40 years of experience in the livestock industry. John has been active in his community and industry and continues to be involved with a number of organizations and groups. His passion for rangelands, specifically grasslands, fuels his desire to operate in such a way that leaves the land in a better state than when he started operating on it, creating opportunity for future generations.

Henricus Bos: Hennie is a farmer, on-farm processor and industry leader. He has filled many leadership roles in the Alberta and Canadian dairy industry as director and chair of Alberta Milk, as well as commissioner at the Canadian Dairy Commission. Being involved provincially and nationally in the dairy industry, combined with Bles-Wold yogurt processing experience, Hennie knows the industry and supply management well. Hennie holds a bachelor of science in dairy science and has completed several governance and business courses.

John Guelly: John is a third-generation grain and oilseed farmer from north-central Alberta. He, his wife and two children have been farming for more than 30 years. John was a regional director for Alberta Canola from 2015-2021 (chair from 2019-2021), and has served on numerous other local, provincial, and national boards and committees in the agricultural industry. John graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in agricultural engineering and previously worked full-time in manufacturing, as well as consulting while operating the farm.

Ian Chitwood: Ian is a farmer and a professor who works with students to advance agriculture. Ian has extensive board experience with Alberta Canola, Agsafe Alberta and Verb Theatre. Ian has a PhD in business from Athabasca University, a MBA, a M.A., and a B.Comm from the University of Alberta.

Susan Schafers: Susan is a second-generation pullet and cattle farmer who is past chair for Egg Farmers of Alberta and current chair for Parkland County’s Agricultural Service Board. Susan has broad experience serving on local, provincial and national boards as well as various committees. She has strong governance training and experience in facilitation and consensus building. She holds a B.Sc. in agriculture and food business management from the University of Alberta.

David Moss: David is the director of business development (Animal Agriculture) for TELUS Agriculture. Previously, he was the general manager of the Canadian Cattle Association where he led the animal health file and worked closely with the Government of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on numerous files, including co-chairing the working group responsible for Canada regaining negligible-risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the World Organization for Animal Health. He was co-founder and vice-president of AgriClear LP, an enterprise level online agri-business marketplace joint venture with the TMX Group. He has also held executive roles at ITS Global and Livestock Identification Services. An entrepreneur by nature, David has been in the agriculture industry his entire career. He helped build ranch-to-retail alliances in the United States, Australia and South America and brings a focus on innovation, data technology, and international business knowledge and experience. David holds a master of arts in Leadership Studies from the University of Guelph, a bachelor of management from the University of Lethbridge, and a master’s certificate in project management from York University. He serves on numerous industry committees and is an active volunteer in his Okotoks community.

Susan Novak: Susan has a wealth of experience in leading policy, programs and people. She received her PhD in animal science from the University of Alberta and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Laval University. Susan started her career at Agriculture and Irrigation as the provincial horse specialist, and now is the executive director of the animal health and assurance branch. She also has a wealth of experience delivering agriculture research funding programming to support a competitive and sustainable agriculture industry in Alberta.

Frank Robinson: Frank has a PhD from the University of Guelph and has been a University of Alberta professor for 35 years. He has worked with broiler breeder chickens to improve reproductive fitness. He has taught introductory animal science classes to more than 1,000 students with a focus on experiential learning. Frank has served as vice-provost and dean of students at the University of Alberta. He has fulfilled leadership roles in several agricultural and academic boards and associations. He was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2006.

MIL OSI Canada News –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Opening Statement at Hearing on Advancing CCUS Technology, Proper Implementation of USE IT Act

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
[embedded content]
To watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement, click here or the image above.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, held a hearing on advancing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies, and examining the implementation of the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act or USE IT Act. The EPW Committee led efforts to get the USE IT Act signed into law in December 2020.
In her opening remarks, Chairman Capito spoke to the bipartisan support for CCUS technology and the need to continue efforts to advance these technologies, while emphasizing the importance of implementing the USE IT Act at a faster pace. Additionally, Chairman Capito highlighted the significance of timely project approval and Class VI well primacy for states, as well as the role of CCUS in ensuring a reliable electric grid.
Below is the opening statement of Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.
“I’m excited to start this year with a hearing on a bipartisan topic that Ranking Member Whitehouse and I have worked together on over the years to address, and I look forward to continuing bipartisan efforts to champion meaningful legislation on this issue with Ranking Member Whitehouse and the rest of the Committee. Certainly, [Senator Cramer] knows a lot about this at the same time in the great state of North Dakota. Innovative CCUS technologies will play a critical role in reducing emissions, particularly for facilities that face unique challenges because of their size, location, or industrial application.
“In my state of West Virginia, several CCUS efforts are underway. West Virginia University is currently exploring direct air capture technologies, and the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, which is located in Morgantown, is supporting a suite of CCUS research.
“West Virginia is also a partner in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub –known as ARCH2 – that includes project partners who are working to deploy CCUS technologies. Collectively, these projects position West Virginia to continue as a national energy leader, while also reducing our air emissions.
“But, we cannot realize the full benefits of these projects and emerging technologies like CCUS if there is not a permitting framework that will allow for the rapid and safe deployment of these projects. That’s why Ranking Member Whitehouse and I, working together with Senator Barrasso and former Senator Carper, moved forward to get the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act – or the USE IT Act – signed into law in December of 2020.
“This legislation was intended to ensure that carbon capture projects, at all types of facilities, can be permitted in a timely and efficient manner. Despite the progress made by the USE IT Act, there have been significant problems with its implementation that have held back the deployment and the development of CCUS.
“First, while the Council on Environmental Quality – or CEQ – released a report in 2021 and subsequent interagency guidance for the deployment of CCUS in 2022, as the USE IT Act required, the guidance failed to present a clear pathway to expedite permitting for these projects.
“Second, the law required at least two federal tasks forces be established to help identify challenges to and solutions for permitting these projects. The Department of Energy and CEQ missed the required 18-month deadline to establish these tasks forces.
“They were not chartered until April of 2024, more than twice as long as the Congress mandated in the USE IT Act. The delay in standing up these task forces has hindered our progress in supporting CCUS, but at least they are finally working on recommendations to improve the permitting process.
“After the USE IT Act, Congress and the EPW Committee worked in a bipartisan way to expedite carbon capture projects by including $25 million in the IIJA for the EPA to review and approve Class VI well applications.
“The IIJA also included $50 million to help our states obtain primacy for permitting such Class VI wells. This funding gave the EPA needed resources to clear its backlog of individual Class VI applications, and reduce the total number of applications that the EPA must review by granting states primacy.
“Despite receiving additional help and funding with the process, the Biden administration only approved two Class VI projects, and only granted primacy to two states, Louisiana, and after more than three and half years…my home state, really the last day of the Biden administration, received their permit for primacy on Class VI wells.
“I’m very excited that [West Virginia] got our primacy over that permitting process. I hope EPA Administrator Zeldin will prioritize reducing the current backlog of pending applications and support additional states that are seeking to obtain primacy.
“The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has found that over the next ten years, due to a rise in energy consumption and the early retirement of our existing fossil fuel generation, our country could face major electric reliability concerns.
“The deployment of CCUS can be a tool to not only maintain, but expand reliable electric generation capacity and ensure the reliability of our electric grid, while improving the environment and growing our economy. I believe that’s a win-win situation.
“I look forward to our discussion today on this important topic, so we can figure out how we can continue to work in a bipartisan manner to advance CCUS deployment.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Meet With the Illinois Community College Trustees Association

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
February 12, 2025
[WASHIGNTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday met with the board members, presidents, staff, and students from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) to discuss improving access to higher education for Illinoisans. During their meeting, the Senators discussed the importance of federal student funding, including the Pell Grant and TRIO programs, for disadvantaged students.
Durbin and Duckworth also pledged their commitment to diversity and protecting the Department of Education.
“From Decatur to Chicago, Illinois has some of the best community colleges in the country,” Duckworth said. “I enjoyed meeting with the presidents and trustees of so many Illinois community colleges. Senator Durbin and I will keep working to support our postsecondary schools at the federal level so that every Illinoisan—regardless of their income, race or zip-code—has access to higher education.”
“Community colleges provide accessible, well-rounded education to students in Illinois,” said Durbin. “Senator Duckworth and I met with community college leaders with the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, and we spoke about how we can work to ensure higher education remains within reach for all Illinoisans.”
Photos of the meeting are available here.
Universities represented at the meeting included:
Black Hawk College
Carl Sandburg College
City Colleges of Chicago
College of DuPage
College of Lake County
Danville Area Community College
Elgin Community College
Harper College
Heartland Community College
Highland Community College
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Community College Board Trustees Association
Illinois Central College
John A. Logan College
Joliet Junior College
Kaskaskia College
Kishwaukee College
Lewis & Clark Community College
Lincoln Land Community College
Malcom X College
Moraine Valley Community College
Morton College
Oakton College
Parkland College
Richland Community College
Rock Valley College
Sauk Valley Community College
Southeastern Illinois College
Spoon River College
Waubonsee Community College
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MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Centers in Coffee and Lowndes Counties to Close Permanently This Week; FEMA Representatives Relocating

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Disaster Recovery Centers in Coffee and Lowndes Counties to Close Permanently This Week; FEMA Representatives Relocating

Disaster Recovery Centers in Coffee and Lowndes Counties to Close Permanently This Week; FEMA Representatives Relocating

The Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Coffee and Lowndes counties are set to close permanently this week. FEMA representatives will relocate to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center (BRC) and Business Resource Assessment Center (BRAC) to continue assisting survivors for Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene. DRCs are currently open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Coffee County DRC – closing permanently at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14Coffee County Service Center 1115 West Baker Hwy.Douglas, GA 31533Coffee County BRC – FEMA representatives will be here starting 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15Satilla Regional Library200 S. Madison Ave.Douglas, GA 31533Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday; closed Sunday. Lowndes County DRC – closing permanently at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15Valdosta State University Foundation, Inc.901 N. Patterson St.Valdosta, GA 31601Lowndes County BRAC – FEMA representatives will be here starting 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18Lowndes County Civic Center, 2102 E. Hill Ave. Bldg. DValdosta, GA 31601Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm Sunday: ClosedThe Feb. 7 deadline for Georgia survivors of Tropical Storm Debby (Aug. 4–20) and Hurricane Helene (Sept. 24–Oct. 30) in the 63 counties designated for Individual Assistance to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has now passed. To check on the status of your application, go to DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call toll-free 800-621-3362. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. You can also contact the Georgia Call Center at 678-547-2861 for assistance with your application or visit an SBA BRC or BRAC.
jakia.randolph
Wed, 02/12/2025 – 13:17

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Richard R. Barker to Serve as Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Spokane, Washington – Following the recent resignation of the Honorable Vanessa R. Waldref, and by operation of the Vacancies Reform Act, Richard R. Barker is now serving as the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Acting United States Attorney Barker has over a decade of experience as a career prosecutor, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney since 2014. During his career, Barker has held the positions of First Assistant United States Attorney, Tribal Liaison, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Coordinator, Digital Asset Coordinator, and Public Affairs Officer. From 2014 – 2019, Barker served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the nation’s capital, where he served as a dedicated homicide prosecutor. In early 2019, Barker joined the Eastern District of Washington, serving as an Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) in the Spokane office.

Acting United States Attorney Barker has dedicated his career to serving victims of violent crime, while handling numerous homicide and violent crime cases. Late last year, Barker was lead counsel with AUSA Michael J. Ellis in the trial of Zachery Holt and Dezmonique Tenzsley for the double murder of two Tribal members and the attempted murder of a federal officer on the Colville Indian Reservation. In 2023, Barker successfully prosecuted Ronald Craig Ilg, who attempted to hire hitmen on the dark web to harm his wife and a former work colleague.

Throughout his career, Acting United States Attorney Barker also has handled several significant drug trafficking prosecutions. In 2023, Barker and AUSA Stephanie Van Marter prosecuted the “Fetty Bros” Drug Trafficking Organization, which was distributing hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills and other drugs into Eastern Washington and using extreme violence to insulate their organization. Barker later served as lead counsel in the removal of more than 161,000 fentanyl-laced pills and 80 pounds of methamphetamine from rural Washington. In his efforts to further address the fentanyl crisis, Barker worked closely with now former U.S. Attorney Waldref and the City of Spokane to create a Special U.S. Assistant Attorney position focused on prosecuting those responsible for illegal narcotics impacting the Spokane area.

As First Assistant United States Attorney, Barker has supervised the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s litigating units, which include the Criminal, Civil, and Appellate Divisions. As the Chief Deputy to the U.S. Attorney, Barker helped establish the District’s dedicated Appellate Division and worked closely with the Office’s administrative team to obtain additional DOJ resources for increasing public safety throughout Eastern Washington. Barker also played a pivotal role in opening the District’s Branch Office in Richland Washington, and he has been instrumental in the office’s efforts to increase resources for prosecuting cases on Native American Reservations. In early 2024, Barker played a key role in hiring the district’s first MMIP AUSA, who is fully dedicated to prosecuting cases of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People. For Barker’s dedication to working with Native American communities and improving public safety, he received a Department of Justice Director’s Award in 2024.

“I have loved serving as a federal prosecutor and working so closely with federal, state, local, and Tribal leaders to seek justice and protect our communities,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Barker. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington has an incredible team of attorneys and support staff, who are fully dedicated to protecting the citizens of Eastern Washington and our nation. It is truly inspiring to serve alongside such an excellent group of professionals, who have dedicated their careers to doing the right thing each and every day.”

Outgoing U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref stated, “Acting U.S. Attorney Barker is an exceptional leader, a gifted attorney, and a tireless advocate for justice. His unwavering dedication to protecting the communities of Eastern Washington is evident in everything he does. It has been an honor to work alongside him as my First Assistant, and I have no doubt that he will continue to serve with integrity, determination, and a deep commitment to upholding the law, as he takes on this new role as the chief law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Washington.”

Acting United States Attorney Barker graduated with highest honors from Brigham Young University Law School. After graduation, Barker clerked for the Honorable J. Clifford Wallace on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Honorable G. Murray Snow on the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Following his clerkships, Acting United States Attorney Barker worked in private practice for Davis Polk, LLP, in Washington D.C.

Outside the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Barker serves as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law, where he has taught courses in Trial Advocacy and Conflicts of Law. Barker also serves as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

MIL Security OSI –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Cultural Influence Across the Indian Ocean Region Stems from its rich Cultural, Intellectual and Knowledge Traditions: Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Source: Government of India

India’s Cultural Influence Across the Indian Ocean Region Stems from its rich Cultural, Intellectual and Knowledge Traditions: Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

From Ancient Trade Winds to Modern Maritime Security: ‘Monsoon’ Conference Explores India’s Expanding Indian Ocean Role

Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 9:42PM by PIB Delhi

In the backdrop of India’s growing maritime partnerships and security initiatives, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is organizing a two-day international conference in collaboration with the Advanced Study Institute of Asia ( ASIA) at SGT University titled ‘Monsoon: The Sphere of Cultural and Trade Influence’. ‘Project Mausam’, is an Indian transnational initiative under the Ministry of Culture. This conference, exploring historical and cultural connections among Indian Ocean nations through maritime interactions, will highlight India’s central role in shaping trade, traditions, and connectivity across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The inaugural session of the conference began today at IGNCA, New Delhi, and will continue until 13^th February 2025. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister Minister of Culture and Tourism, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, with a keynote address by Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and a welcome address by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA. Prof. Amogh Rai, Research Director, ASIA, SGT University, and Dr. Ajith Kumar, Director of Project Mausam, were also present during the inaugural session.

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while speaking at the inaugural session, highlighted the deep interlinkages between India and the region, emphasising that India’s cultural influence across the Indian Ocean Region stems from its rich cultural, intellectual, and knowledge traditions. He noted that this influence stemmed not only from commerce and trade but also from India’s intellectual prowess and golden prosperity. He remarked that the footprints of India’s cultural impact are visible among those who came as students, monks, or even as aggressors, carrying with them the essence of India’s cultural progress, fostering diversity and unity over thousands of years. He also spoke about the unique vision of ‘Project Mausam’ to showcase a Transnational Mixed Route of Natural and Cultural Heritage, stating, “The world realises that culture is the factor that unites us all.”

The initiative is particularly timely, as India and France recently concluded their Maritime Cooperation Dialogue in New Delhi, agreeing on joint measures to assess and counter threats to maritime security in the IOR. These threats include piracy, maritime terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, hybrid and cyber threats, and marine pollution. Oman will also be hosting the 8^th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference from February 16-17, focusing on ‘Voyages to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership’. Simultaneously, the Indian Navy’s 2025 capstone Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) is underway, showcasing India’s preparedness in the Indian Ocean.

‘Project Mausam’ not only emphasizes India’s historical maritime influence but also resonates with the nation’s evolving geopolitical strategy in the region. The conference will focus on key themes such as ancient navigational routes, port city networks, and coastal settlements. By integrating tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the project highlights India’s continued leadership in fostering connectivity and maritime partnerships, contributing to UNESCO’s maritime heritage studies.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe in his address emphasised the cultural foundations of India-Southeast Asia relations, calling for intellectual and emotional investment to integrate Southeast Asia into India’s popular consciousness. Noting that cultural bonds need revitalisation, he highlighted the monsoon as a symbol of enduring connections and urged moving beyond Eurocentric perspectives. He advocated deepening cultural engagement through the Act East policy to ‘Attract East’ by strengthening cultural, strategic, and economic ties. He also called for reinforcing Dharma-Dhamma relations, reviving shared epics, promoting collaborative art and craft, advancing educational and technological exchanges, addressing climate change, and building linguistic bridges.

Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi said that IGNCA’s area studies in South and Central Asia led to the development of Vrihattar Bharat to explore cultural routes and linkages, expanding beyond the initially identified 39 countries. He noted that over 70 countries share cultural heritage with India. Emphasising international cooperation, as reflected in the G20 summit’s motto, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, he highlighted that IGNCA’s efforts were ongoing, with the conference serving as a catalyst to expand these studies.

Prof. Amogh Rai expressed his views on the monsoon as both a physical and cultural force, highlighting its role as a cultural multiplier and the conference’s potential for further research. Dr. Ajith Kumar concluded the inaugural session by extending a formal vote of thanks and emphasising the cultural unity between India and Southeast Asian countries.

IGNCA’s international conference aims to foster deeper cultural diplomacy, with academic collaborations and heritage conservation paving the way for future policy dialogues. This dialogue aligns seamlessly with India’s evolving maritime strategies and international partnerships.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2102534) Visitor Counter : 16

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES offers a golden opportunity for Reel Makers and Professional Ad Filmmakers to shine as celebrites
Source: Government of India

WAVES offers a golden opportunity for Reel Makers and Professional Ad Filmmakers to shine as celebrites

Hurry up! Only two days left, don’t miss this chance to have your work recognized on a global stage, Submit your entry by February 15th

WAVES Awards of Excellence as part of the Create in India Challenge, attracts global submissions, uniting creators from over dozen countries & more than 52 Indian institutes like NIDs, IITs & SRFTI

Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:46PM by PIB Delhi

Do you have a vision that speaks through the lens and a story that unfolds in every frame? If creativity runs through your veins the WAVES Awards of Excellence presents a golden opportunity

The much-anticipated Student Showreels & Professional Ad Film Competition is officially open for submissions! Submit your entry by February 15th.

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with ASIFA India, a UNESCO-recognized global NGO promoting animation, is hosting WAVES Awards of Excellence as part of the Create in India Challenge. These awards celebrate exceptional achievements in Animation, Visual Effects, and Extended Reality (XR), reinforcing India’s creative leadership on the global stage.

About the awards

There are two competition categories: Student Showreels (No time restriction) and Professional Ad Films (limit 60 seconds). The submissions reflect themes of India’s socio-cultural landscape, and modern technology like:
- Wellness & Yoga
- Gaming for Social Impact
ASIFA India has witnessed an exceptional response with enthusiastic participation

ASIFA India has received an overwhelming response with 1238 submissions of finished works from various demographics: Students (75%), Professionals (25%), Women (35%) and Emerging Creators (50%). The participation of women and young creators underscores the challenge’s role in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and fresh perspectives in India’s AVGC sector.

Submissions have been promoted across various continents, resulting in over 60 global entries from 13 countries, such as Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Greece, Cyprus, Iran, Finland, the Philippines, Germany, Sri Lanka, Puerto Rico, China, and Mexico. Global Animated Film association Asifa (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) is promoting the competition globally via its 40 Chapters in various counties.

ASIFA also received submissions from more than 52 institutions in India and abroad. Leading global educational institutions like BAU Centro Universitario de Artes y Diseño de Barcelona, Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology at UTD, Tehran University of Art, Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Academy Of Art University, Academy of Design, Colombo, Kennesaw State University student have submitted their top entries to this prestigious festival.
Students from Prestigious Indian Institutions including all NID, IITs (IDC School of Design and DOD at various IIT’s), SRFTI, Symbiosis, Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art, Banasthali Vidyapith, Ajeenkya D Y Patil University, BIT Mesra, UID, Srishti Manipal have also submitted their best work.

Glimpses of Submissions of Waves Awards of Excellence

WAVES Winners Gain Global Opportunities

Winners will receive in-person support for portfolio review by experts, opportunity to interact with global jury from US, Greece & India. They will also receive networking opportunities by direct engagement with key stakeholders, including international studios, producers, and government officials for potential career opportunities. Animation studios and independent developers will receive guidance on funding, IP development, and business scalability.

ASIFA India organized series Meet ups across 15 Indian sub-chapters to inspire creators from various cities for their participation in the upcoming WAVES Awards of Excellence. In the session ‘Deep Dive into Excellence from Mentors’ eminent global Jury like Briana Yarhouse from USA & Dr. Anastasia Dimitra from Athens, Greece gave tips to participants.

Global Jury Members Briana Yarhouse, Dr.Anastasia Dimitra sharing their expertise during a Virtual Meet recently, joined by Deanna Morse(Member of Oscars), Celebrity Artist Dhimant Vyas, BN Vichar& Others..Session Moderated by Sanjay Khimesara, President, Asifa India & Vinita Bachani, Core Committee Member

For more information and to submit your work, visit the submission portal here:

https://www.asifaindia.com/waoe/

About ASIFA INDIA

ASIFA India is a non-profit organization established in 2000 with the goal of promoting the art, craft, and profession of VFX, Animation & Gaming in India. ASIFA India has been working tirelessly to create a platform for creators including- Animators, Vfx & Gaming artists, students, and professionals to network, learn, and showcase their work.

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Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha/Shatrunjay kumar

(Release ID: 2102429) Visitor Counter : 28

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-NIScPR hosts One-Day Workshop on International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Empowering Girls in STEM

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 12 FEB 2025 6:01PM by PIB Delhi

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) successfully organized a one-day workshop on the first decadal anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Themed “Empowering Girls for Participation in STEM: Fostering Awareness for Inclusive Education,” the event aimed to inspire and encourage young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Aligning with UNESCO’s theme, “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science,” the workshop was held at the CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi. The workshop brought together 56 undergraduate female students from four renowned women’s colleges of the University of Delhi, Gargi College, Kalindi College, Lady Irwin College, Deshbandhu College and Miranda House, alongside esteemed academicians, researchers, and policymakers. It provided a valuable platform for mentorship, resources, and critical insights into government initiatives, scholarships, and funding opportunities available for women in STEM.

In the welcome address Prof. Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR emphasized the importance of gender equality in STEM and the need to create an enabling environment for women to excel in scientific careers. She reflected on the challenges faced by women in transitioning from academia to professional roles, underscoring the significance of gender sensitization and breaking stereotypes. Dr. GeethaVaniRayasam, Head, CSIR-Human Resource Development Group, delivered an insightful talk on CSIR’s various initiatives to support women in science. The session was further enriched by esteemed speakers discussing challenges and opportunities in STEM for young women. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Mini Thomas, Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Former Director, NIT Trichy, who served as the Chief Guest. She encouraged young women to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields and urged institutions to create more opportunities for women scientists.

The second session featured Dr. Monika Kulshrestha, Chief Scientist, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, who emphasized the importance of maintaining good health while striving for lifelong learning and professional growth. This was followed by an expert lecture by Dr. AmbikaBehl, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, titled “Highway Engineering Field: A Man’s World” She shared her journey from laboratory research to fieldwork, addressing gender biases and societal expectations. She emphasized the need for women to step out of their comfort zones, recognize their strengths, and navigate professional challenges with confidence. Dr. Kanika Malik, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR and Delhi branch convenor of the Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA), delivered an IWSA related talk. The interactive segment of the workshop included a group discussion based on pre-filled questionnaires, allowing students to express their aspirations and challenges in STEM education. Mrs. SandhyaWakdikar, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, delivered a talk on “Opportunities for Undergraduate Girls in STEM” and provided valuable information on government schemes, funding opportunities, and resources available to support women in STEM careers.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. SandhyaWakdikar, followed by the National Anthem. CSIR-NIScPR reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gender gap in STEM and fostering an inclusive scientific community for future generations. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering young women in STEM, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources to thrive in scientific careers.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2102402) Visitor Counter : 29

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Phil Scott Announces Departure of Tax Commissioner Craig Bolio, Appoints Bill Shouldice as Tax Commissioner

Source: US State of Vermont

Montpelier, Vt – Governor Phil Scott today announced Commissioner Craig Bolio will be leaving his role leading the Department of Taxes at the end of the week and has named Bill Shouldice as the new commissioner of the Department of Taxes.

Bolio joined the Tax Department in 2011 and was appointed commissioner in 2019. During his time at the Department of Taxes, Bolio prioritized improving accessibility and outcomes for Vermonters when interfacing with the Department.

“Craig has been an effective leader at the Department of Taxes and a valuable member of my team,” said Governor Phil Scott. “As commissioner, he has helped us navigate through many challenges we’ve faced as a state. I’m appreciative of his service to the Tax Department and wish him well.”

“My 14 years with the Vermont Department of Taxes has been an immensely rewarding and fulfilling experience. I’ve had the luxury of being able to serve in a number of different roles at Tax, and it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the last five as Commissioner,” said Commissioner Bolio. “I thank Governor Scott for his trust in me and our Department to help Vermonters navigate the frequently complicated, sometimes scary, but ultimately necessary world of taxes. I know the team at Tax will continue to thrive as they move forward.”

Bill Shouldice IV, a lifelong Vermonter, will serve as the next commissioner of the Department of Taxes. Shouldice most recently served as President and CEO of The Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Prior to that, Shouldice served as the president and CEO of The Vermont Country Store. He also served as secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development under Governor Howard Dean. Shouldice’s first job was working at his mother’s business, The Country Store, which was located for many years on Main Street in Montpelier before closing its doors in the early 2000s.

“Bill has a strong background in leadership both in the private sector and in government as well,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I believe his experience will be an asset to the Tax Department as we continue our efforts to make Vermont more affordable.”

“It is an honor to serve the great state of Vermont. I am fortunate to take over a department that has been well run by dedicated employees. That allows me, my team and the rest of Governor Scott’s cabinet to focus on what matters most to Vermonters: a stable and predictable state that is affordable for this and future generations,” said Shouldice.

Shouldice earned his Bachelor of Science in political science from Merrimack College. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. His appointment is effective February 18, 2025.

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MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: A new report card shows inequality in Australia isn’t as bad as in the US – but we’re headed in the wrong direction
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Allen, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University

Shutterstock

It’s hard to remember a time the United States seemed as tense and divided as it does today. That should serve as a stark reminder of just how important it is to monitor the health of our own nation.

Today, our new report card on Australia’s progress will be launched in Canberra. It assesses progress on 80 economic, social and environmental targets and models a range of policy shifts that could boost progress.

We find that progress on more than half of these targets has either stagnated or is going backwards. And growing inequalities threaten the wellbeing of many Australians.

Our report comes on the heels of America’s own State of the Nation report, which puts the US near the bottom of global rankings on inequality, violence, trust and polarisation.

The situation in Australia is not yet as dire. However, our results signal a need to start thinking long-term and take bold action on inequality to avoid a similar fate.

Not an A+ student overall

Our report draws on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to select a broad and balanced set of 80 economic, social and environmental indicators.

Each of our indicators can be grouped under one of these 17 goals and includes a 2030 target. We use this target to evaluate progress and allocate “traffic lights” that tell us about the direction in which the country is moving.

We also benchmark Australia against peer nations from the OECD, including the US.

The overall outlook for Australia is mixed. We aren’t completely on track to meet any of the 17 SDGs. And on some indicators, Australia is actually going backwards, away from the target.

Many areas of concern centre on increasing inequality. These include:
- a 30% decline in the share of wealth held by the bottom 40% of Australians since 2004
- almost 20% of Australians living in financial stress
- over 40% of lower-income renter households living in housing stress
- household debt levels now exceed Australia’s annual gross domestic product (GDP).
There are also some broader economic concerns. Australia’s level of investment in innovation is nearly 40% below OECD averages. Economic complexity – which measures the sophistication and diversity of what our economy produces – has fallen behind Honduras, Armenia and Uganda.

And there’s been a rapid decline in education outcomes for students from lower socio-economic groups.

Shining in some areas

On the other hand, Australia is on track and actually leading our peers in life expectancy, road fatalities, tertiary education, water efficiency and government debt.

We’re also above average on closing gender gaps in both income and political representation. Australia also has very low homicide rates and high feelings of safety and trust compared to our peers.

Australia has made some progress on gender equality.
Andrii Zastrozhnov/Shutterstock

In some key areas, Australia is actually trending rapidly towards SDG targets.

The gender gap in superannuation, for example, has fallen from 53% in 2014 to 21% in 2021.

The share of renewable electricity in our national energy grid has climbed to 35% and greenhouse gas emissions are steadily falling.

And rates of unemployment, underemployment and youth unemployment have all declined to within or closer to SDG target levels of below 5-6%.

How does the US compare?

America’s State of the Nation report, which tracks progress on a range of similar measures to our report, paints a bleak picture.

There are only four measures where the US performs in the top 20% of high-income countries – economic output, productivity, years of education and long-term unemployment.

Compared to Australia, the US outperforms us on average per-capita income, investments in research and development and knowledge-based capital, economic complexity, household debt and broadband connection speeds.

But despite their apparent economic success, mental health and life satisfaction have deteriorated. Social connections are fraying with increased social isolation, polarisation and eroding trust.

Tragically, suicide rates, fatal overdoses and shootings have increased.

Far worse on some measures

In areas where Australia is also trending backwards, things in the US are often far worse.

Income and wealth inequality, for example, are much higher in the US. The top 1% of Americans hold around 35% of wealth – compared to 24% for the top 1% of Australians.

US welfare payments are almost 90% below the poverty line and the poverty rate is 30% higher than in Australia. Yet US government debt as a share of GDP is almost double that of Australia.

This stark contrast suggests America’s approach to pursuing material prosperity is undermining social wellbeing, with rising inequalities fuelling social tensions and polarisation.

Bold action needed

For the first time, our new report models two future scenarios for Australia, exploring policies that reverse negative trends and accelerate progress towards SDG targets by 2050.

Our modelling shows that with increased policy ambition, Australia can halve poverty and reduce income inequality by a third. We can also boost health, education and productivity, improve biodiversity, and deliver net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

To do it, we’d need to increase public investment by around 7% a year over 10 years in key areas such as education and health, disaster resilience, sustainable food, energy and urban systems and the natural environment.

Our modelling shows that with these measures, Australia could achieve 90% of our Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2050.

Without them, our future prosperity is projected to stagnate and decline by 2050, reaching just 55% progress towards our targets and with GDP around A$300 billion lower than our more ambitious scenario.

There’s a famous aphorism that in the long run, economic productivity is almost everything. The social fissures in the US despite a strong economy would suggest otherwise.

Australia should take note and take action to ensure the long-term sustainable prosperity of our nation.

Cameron Allen receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

John Thwaites is Chair of Monash Sustainable Development Institute and Climateworks Centre which receive funding for research, education and action projects from the Commonwealth and state governments as well as from philanthropy and industry. He is a former Deputy Premier of Victoria (1999 – 2007)

– ref. A new report card shows inequality in Australia isn’t as bad as in the US – but we’re headed in the wrong direction – https://theconversation.com/a-new-report-card-shows-inequality-in-australia-isnt-as-bad-as-in-the-us-but-were-headed-in-the-wrong-direction-249579
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ‘Multiple red flags’: ASIC’s court case against Star executives shows the risks of complacency

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Sheedy, Professor – Risk governance, culture, remuneration, Macquarie University

This week the corporate regulator is taking on executives and directors of Star Entertainment in the Federal Court, in a landmark case for Australian corporate governance.

ASIC will allege that despite multiple red flags that should have prompted internal investigation, directors at Star sat on their hands while accepting the considerable perks of the office.

Historically, ASIC has not been willing to go after apparently lax directors and executives and there are questions about its effectiveness as a regulator. Will this time be different?

What is Star accused of?

The case against Star Entertainment, like so many others, boils down to “acting with reasonable care and diligence” in respect of risk management. Did Star’s board and executives sufficiently focus on the well-known risks of money-laundering and criminal association in the operation of its casinos in Sydney and Queensland?

ASIC will seek to show that they did not. It is suing several former directors and executives, including the former chief executive, in a case expected to last six weeks. The defendants deny they breached their duties.

Warnings were ‘ignored’

In the first days of hearings, ASIC told the court the board had been given evidence of money-laundering risks from high-rollers with ties to criminal organisations, but that those warnings were ignored.

The court was told the board and executives were “incurious and complacent” about alleged criminal activity and money-laundering, with wads of cash delivered in a blue Esky and in paper bags to a private gambling room.

If the allegations are proven, it won’t be just the shareholders who have suffered. Anti-money-laundering laws exist because criminals need to clean their ill-gotten gains, or make them appear legitimate. While not alleged in this instance, in general, money-laundering enables crimes such as scams, fraud, child exploitation and drug/sex trafficking. There are many victims throughout society.

The issues at Star were uncovered by journalists in 2021. This was the catalyst for the NSW Independent Casino Commission to set up a review by Adam Bell SC. On August 31 2022, Bell handed down his findings into The Star casino’s suitability to hold a casino licence in NSW in a 946-page report.

Two months later, the NSW commission announced it had suspended Star’s licence indefinitely, fined the casino $100 million, and appointed an independent manager.

Share price tanked

Since 2021, the share price for Star Entertainment Group has collapsed from $3.76 to 13 cents today, wiping billions in market value.

It is true that Star Entertainment has been hurt by factors other than the financial allegations identified by Bell. But the collapse in revenue suggests the casino operator’s business model was inherently reliant on money-laundering. Strip that out, and what remains is a business that will likely not survive without a white knight.

To what extent can the directors be blamed for these failures? Based on the defences used during the Bell inquiry, they may claim they were not involved in the complex, day-to-day management of operations. Executives failed to inform them of risk-management issues. But are these adequate excuses?

According to the Australian Institute of Company Directors, of which the Star Entertainment directors were all alumni, directors must “apply an enquiring mind […] test information put before them by management and proactively consider what other information they require”. Bear in mind the handsome remuneration received by the directors to perform their oversight duties. The former chairman, John O’Neill, received a total of $484,500 in financial year 2021.

For this sort of money, shareholders might reasonably expect some tough questions would be asked, especially given the red flags that came to light. The internal audit team or external independent advisers could have been charged with further investigating issues of concern.

Putting directors on notice

Unfortunately, the scandal at Star Entertainment is not an isolated case of risk-governance failure. A royal commission found the directors of Crown Casino also failed properly to manage the risks of money-laundering.

The financial crime regulator, Austrac, has identified similar failures at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac and Adelaide’s Sky City casino. Turning to cyber risk, it is clear that firms such as Medibank and Latitude Financial have failed to protect sensitive customer data.

While most of the above listed companies have been fined by regulators, the consequences for individual directors have been limited or non-existent. And herein lies the problem – lack of accountability breeds inattention, indolence and recklessness.

Where is the incentive for directors to ask those tough questions of the executive, to rock the boat on a nice cosy board? The reputation of ASIC as an ineffective corporate regulator has not served either shareholders or the Australian public well.

That is why the outcome of this case is so important. A win would put directors on notice that risk governance is a serious matter and they need to do more to earn their substantial fees.

Elizabeth Sheedy is on the advisory board of the Financial Integrity Hub and was previously on the board of the Australian Compliance Institute. In the past she has received research funding from financial institutions that have been accused of money-laundering, and from the Australian Compliance Institute.

– ref. ‘Multiple red flags’: ASIC’s court case against Star executives shows the risks of complacency – https://theconversation.com/multiple-red-flags-asics-court-case-against-star-executives-shows-the-risks-of-complacency-249599

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Stan’s Invisible Boys carries the tradition of real, gritty Aussie teen drama, while smashing it into something new

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Damien O’Meara, Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University

Stan

Stan’s new series Invisible Boys follows four young gay men as they understand and explore their identities while living in Geraldton, a regional town in Western Australia.

Charlie Roth (Joseph Zada), Zeke Calogero (Aydan Clafiore), Kade “Hammer” Hammersmith (Zach Blampied) and Matt Jones (Joe Klocek) represent four very different young men. Yet they share the experience of feeling invisible because of their sexuality.

An adaptation of Holden Sheppard’s novel of the same name, the story challenges linear narratives of progress and typical ideals of queer life. It also shows how such mentalities can lead gay and bisexual men growing up in regional Australia to feel invisible, as they often don’t fit the neat narratives associated with “progress”.

Invisible Boys is an example of what my colleague Whitney Monaghan and I have termed a queer storyworld, which centres LGBTQIA+ stories, communities and issues in complex and nuanced ways.

Read more:
We studied two decades of queer representation on Australian TV, and found some interesting trends

Aussie teen drama is gritty and real

Australian teen drama found international success in the 1990s. Series such as Heartbreak High (1994–99) and Sweat (1996) included underrepresented stories of cultural diversity and diverse sexuality, and were promoted with reference to their “gritty” themes.

The terms “gritty” and “real” have become key markers of the Aussie teen drama. Journalist Grace Back notes how Heartbreak High’s appeal lay in its characters having to “grapple with gritty issues”.

Similarly, Janine Kelly from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation describes More Than This (2022) as a “real, gritty and powerful series [that] reflects the diversity of the suburban Australian public-school environment.”

The trailer for Invisible Boys features a review describing the show as “powerful, topical and all too real”, placing it alongside the bold teen dramas that have come before.

But I’d argue no previous teen drama has been quite as truthful in its representation of some young gay and bisexual men’s experiences.

Sexual desire in the gay teen narrative

Invisible Boys is set in 2017, against the backdrop of the highly visible and divisive same-sex marriage survey.

The show examines how gay teen sex manifests in environments that often aren’t very visible. In the first five minutes, we see 17-year-old Charlie attempting to have sex at a beat – a public space where gay men seek anonymous sexual intimacy.

Later, an inciting incident occurs when Charlie uses an app to arrange a sexual encounter with an older married man in his home, before being caught by his wife.

Joseph Zada plays Charlie, a young gay man living in Geraldton.
Stan

Invisible Boys examines how the sexual desires of gay and bisexual men do not hibernate in the face of oppression.

Research shows some older gay adolescents (under 18) seek out and have positive experiences of sex with older men. That these experiences exist means they should have a place in teen dramas, to examine and drive important conversations.

Queer as Folk (1999–2000) faced criticism for its underage sex storyline from the broader public and the LGBTQIA+ community alike, wherein the series opens with 15-year-old Nathan (Charlie Hunnam) seeking and finding a sexual partner on the gay scene in Manchester.

However, this story was based in something real: the oppressive Section 28 laws in England that made it illegal for gay and bisexual men under 18 to explore their sexuality. This drove them to spaces where they could remain anonymous.

Invisible Boys tackles the reality of gay and bisexual life in a regional town. Other teen series in other markets, such as Heartstopper (2022–), present a somewhat normative view of queer teen life under banners of “love is love”. And while this story is true for some, it has been told.

Invisible Boys gives audiences something that will challenge their worldview.
Stan

Challenging gay respectability politics

Respectability politics is the view that “marginalised groups must demonstrate that they adhere to normative values before they will be accepted or granted rights by dominant groups”. We see this in the dominance of homonormative representation in Australian TV, which sees heterosexual norms being applied to LGBTQIA+ people – as well as in its exclusion of gay sex.

Invisible Boys challenges the dominance of gay respectability politics in the teen drama genre.

While older Australian series such as Dance Academy (2010–13) (admittedly aimed at younger teen audiences) explored queer sexuality through chaste kisses and teen angst, primetime series such as Please Like Me (2013–16) and In Our Blood (2022) made headway by telling complex, intimate stories of gay men.

Similarly, the horny gay teen isn’t hidden away in Invisible Boys – nor are his choices always comfortable.

A sign for streamers and Australian TV

Streaming services have often struggled to nail Australia’s television sensibility. Netflix’s Tidelands (2018) was criticised for not quite capturing what made Australian series appealing, while Stan’s Eden (2021) was met with similar critiques.

More recently, Prime Video’s Deadloch (2023–) and the Netflix reboot of Heartbreak High (2022–24) have signalled a shift to something more suited to local viewers.

Yet the creators of Heartbreak High made certain decisions that stood out to local viewers, such as not including school uniforms (likely to appeal to a global audience). Invisible Boys does not dilute the specificity of regional Aussie experiences.

The series challenges the way gay adolescence is often understood by broader communities.
Stan

In the tradition of iconic teen dramas from 1970s and 1990s, such as Class of ‘74 (1974–75), the original Heartbreak High (1994–99), and Sweat (1996), the series is willing to go there by tackling the inconvenient truths of teenage life.

As someone who grew up gay in regional Australia, it feels like an authentic representation of my own experience. There’s something universal about Charlie, Zeke, Kade and Matt’s stories of not fitting in, and of being invisible to be safe.

Most striking is the way the series captures the complicated mix of joy and fear – the clash of opportunity and consequence – that accompanies becoming visibly gay in these environments.

Invisible Boys is streaming on Stan.

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

– ref. Stan’s Invisible Boys carries the tradition of real, gritty Aussie teen drama, while smashing it into something new – https://theconversation.com/stans-invisible-boys-carries-the-tradition-of-real-gritty-aussie-teen-drama-while-smashing-it-into-something-new-248126

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Nocturnal basking and deep diving may not be enough to keep crocodiles cool in a warming world

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kaitlin Barham, Wildlife ecology researcher, The University of Queensland

Australia Zoo

Crocodiles are hardy creatures, capable of adjusting their behaviour to cope with the heat of the tropics. But there’s a limit to their endurance.

Our new research shows the average body temperature of estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles in Far North Queensland has risen steadily over the past 15 years. The peaks align with heatwaves during El Niño events.

We tagged and tracked 203 crocodiles in the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York Peninsula, to find out how they respond to rising temperatures. We know from our previous research that crocodiles can change their behaviour to quickly cool down, and might do this by diving deeper, seeking shade or hauling themselves out onto the riverbank at night.

We found hot crocodiles displayed more of these cooling behaviours, but this was not always enough to keep their body temperature under control. Crocodile diving performance decreased at body temperatures above 31–33°C. This could compromise other behaviours necessary for feeding, fleeing or reproducing.

Crocodile researchers gathered around a trap site by the Wenlock River, Queensland.
Australia Zoo

How do crocs keep cool?

Crocodiles, like other reptiles, are “ectotherms”. This means their bodies heat up or cool down depending on the temperature of the surrounding environment.

They can’t control or adjust their own internal thermostat like birds or mammals. Instead, they regulate their body temperature by moving to a more comfortable place.

On hot nights the water stays warm, but the air cools down. So crocodiles will move onto the river bank at night to cool off. We call this “nocturnal basking”.

During the day, they might dive down really deep where it’s a bit cooler. Or they might lie on the bank in the shade with their mouth gaping wide, or sit in a cool freshwater creek.

Last year, we published research using data from thumb-sized temperature loggers implanted under the crocodile’s skin. By tracking when their body temperatures rose or fell rapidly, we were able to record “active cooling” and “active warming” periods during the day and night.

Active warming tended to occur on winter afternoons, and was likely achieved through basking in the sun on riverbanks and sand flats.

Active cooling was more common on hot summer nights. We think the crocodiles were either taking advantage of cool night air through nocturnal basking, or spending time in shady spots along the river.

But there’s a limit to how much warming crocodiles can take. Previous research has shown crocodiles have shorter dives at body temperatures above 32-33°C. This can reduce their ability to hunt for food or seek shelter.

How will crocs cope with climate change?

In our new research, we wanted to find out if crocodiles can reduce their exposure to high temperatures through active cooling behaviour.

With the help of Australia Zoo’s croc team, we tagged and tracked 203 wild estuarine crocodiles in the Wenlock and Ducie rivers of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, between 2008 and 2023.

During this time, the average air temperature in Far North Queensland rose by 0.08–0.30°C. Top temperatures peaked during El Niño events (2010 and 2016), whereas minimum temperatures peaked during La Niña events (2020–23).

We collected data on crocodile body temperature, daily distance travelled and diving behaviour. Then we compared it to local air temperatures.

We found body temperatures increased alongside rising air temperatures and peaked during El Niños such as the summer of 2015–16.

Almost all crocodiles spent time cooling during heatwaves. The hottest crocodiles switched almost exclusively to cooling behaviours, rather than warming behaviours. But in many cases their body temperatures still exceeded 32–34°C and their diving performance suffered.

Even when summer air temperatures rocketed to 40°C, crocodiles were able to limit their body temperature to 34°C. This feat demonstrates impressive resilience to heat.

Crocodile researchers on the Wenlock River, Queensland.
Australia Zoo

What’s next for Queensland’s crocs?

While most estuarine crocodiles in Queensland are found in the north of the state, the occasional vagrant makes its way south below its natural range into more populated areas.

This includes the crocodile spotted around Inskip Point near K’gari (Fraser Island) on the Sunshine Coast just last week.

The crocodile population has grown since hunting was banned in 1974. So it is reasonable to wonder about the possibility of a southern expansion as warming continues. But there is currently no evidence to suggest Queensland’s crocodile population is moving south, or that this will become a concern in the near future with a warming climate.

Our new research shows crocodiles in the tropics are responding to higher temperatures. However, very little is known about how crocodiles in the southern, cooler part of their range behave in response to these conditions. This information could help to more effectively manage crocodiles and protect the general public.

Crocodiles are remarkably resilient predators that have evolved to survive in tropical conditions. Our research suggests they have the capacity to buffer themselves against the worst of the heat our current climate throws at them, without leaving their local river system.

But the trajectory of future climate change, coupled with the new findings, suggests crocodiles might struggle in a warmer world.

Kaitlin Barham receives funding from the Australian Research Council. The Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment – Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation & the Ecological Society of Australia funded travel to the field site for this research. She is affiliated with The University of Queensland.

Craig E. Franklin receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Wildlife Warriors. He is affiliated with The University of Queensland.

Ross Dwyer has been funded by grants from the Australian Research Council and the Queensland government for crocodile research in wild and captive environments. He is affiliated with The University of the Sunshine Coast.

– ref. Nocturnal basking and deep diving may not be enough to keep crocodiles cool in a warming world – https://theconversation.com/nocturnal-basking-and-deep-diving-may-not-be-enough-to-keep-crocodiles-cool-in-a-warming-world-248655

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Removing babies is still harming First Nations families, almost two decades after the apology to Stolen Generations
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Burrow, PhD candidate, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia

Belinda Howell/Getty Images

Today marks 17 years since the apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples for the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families between the mid-1800s and 1970s.

Yet, communities and researchers are concerned that child protection systems are creating “another stolen generation” and a “crisis in infant removals”.

Statistics tell us Indigenous children are 11 times more likely to be removed by child protection systems than non-Indigenous children. Indigenous babies aged under one are at greatest risk.

But beyond the data, what do parents tell us about this experience?

Our recent study reviewed all the studies available about child protection processes in the perinatal period (during pregnancy and the year following birth) in Australia and across the world.

We looked at parents’ experiences across the board, with a special interest in whether First Nations families had been included in existing research.

What we already knew

Whistleblowers, including a former Aboriginal family support officer, have reported distressing child protection processes, including the removal of babies immediately following delivery.

Families that interact with child protection systems often already face multiple and complex forms of adversity. This can include poverty, homelessness, racism, intergenerational trauma, family violence, disability, mental illness, substance use and incarceration.

The perinatal period offers a unique window for early intervention and family support to reduce the risk of removal.

This could involve greater help accessing suitable housing and addressing family violence, and enhancing access to health care that is culturally safe and trauma-informed, before and after birth.

What we found

Our systematic review examined 24 studies about child protection services becoming involved with families during pregnancy and the first year after birth. This included research from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Sweden.

We looked at what parents told researchers about their experiences and found striking similarities, regardless of where they lived.

Globally, there were comparatively few studies including First Nations families. But both Indigenous and non-Indigenous parents reported punitive processes that had an enduring impact on the health and wellbeing of the parent and family.

They also agreed that early, transparent, compassionate and culturally appropriate support was required to address their needs. These included legal support to understand court processes, as well as being able to access health care without fear it could lead to removal.

Four themes emerged from these lived experiences. Here, we’ve included the voices of Aboriginal mothers who participated in a 2023 Australian study to illustrate the importance of these issues to Indigenous families.

1. A lack of support before and after removal

Parents often found the birth of their babies life-changing. However many believed child protection services didn’t adequately understand their experience or inform and support them at this time.

Mothers felt confused and overwhelmed, experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and enduring grief following the removal of their babies.

Bridget*, an Aboriginal mother, told researchers:

There is no support… I think they should help towards improving family and helping family before taking a child away. It should be the absolute last option.

Mothers were left confused and grieving after removals.
Solstock/Getty Images

2. Devastating impact on relationships and wellbeing

Mothers often felt isolated and described negative interactions not only with child protection workers but also partners and families.

Fear of removal also prevented mothers from seeking antenatal care or professional support services, further compromising health and wellbeing.

Stacey said:

You have to do what they want; they control everything… who you hang out with, what you do […] There is no fixing the family… What they say goes or they take your kids.

3. Feeling powerless in the system

Many mothers had been in care themselves. They felt unfairly punished, because it was assumed they would not be capable parents due to past and present trauma.

First-time parents felt especially powerless to prove their parenting capacity.

Stacey said removing a baby from a first-time mum causes

a lot of stress and impact on everyone involved… It’s causing a lot of pain… give us the chance to be with our child to build that bond first.

Parents described surveillance framed as support, a lack of professional transparency, and often unexpected and acutely painful removals.

4. Harmful judgements and stereotypes

Insufficient support for poverty and homelessness before removal made it impossible to meet child protection requirements.

A mother who was homeless at the time her baby was removed said:

We had got secure accommodation with family. […] We weren’t doing any drugs; we were on the methadone… we had a caseworker…

They led us to believe we’re keeping her… [then] they handed me a piece of paper and said, “We’re taking your baby”. I was in shock… I felt like I was ambushed.

Parents with complex health issues also felt judged according to negative stereotypes and traditional, white, middle-class standards.

Some parents lost welfare entitlements and housing because babies had been removed, compounding their difficulties.

Some mothers felt ambushed by the process.
New Africa/Shutterstock

Where to from here?

In Australia, current Indigenous-led research and the work of Aboriginal state, territory, and national children’s commissioners is critical to guiding the development of support for families to stay together and thrive.

Parents and researchers are united about the immediate need for child protection systems to:
- provide early and sustained family-centred support during pregnancy and beyond
- address families’ practical and material needs, including poverty and homelessness
- train professionals to reduce power imbalances and build trusted relationships
- offer trauma-informed and culturally matched support services
- provide immediate and ongoing mental health support if babies are removed.
Renna (a co-author on this article and also a proud Walbunja woman from the Yuin Nation, academic and social worker) reflects on the removal of her baby not long before the apology.

Eighteen years later, I know we will never feel whole, left with empty arms, a life stolen, the shadow festers and grows.

Special thanks to our review co-authors Melissa O’Donnell, Lisa Wood, Colleen Fisher and Renée Usher, our expert advisory group, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and the original participants and researchers whose primary studies made our review and this article possible.

*Names have been changed for privacy.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 13YARN is a free and confidential 24/7 national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. Call 13 92 76.

Sam Burrow receives a PhD scholarship from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.

Renna Gayde is affiliated with SAFeST start coalition, a stream of the Replanting the Birthing Trees Project.

– ref. Removing babies is still harming First Nations families, almost two decades after the apology to Stolen Generations – https://theconversation.com/removing-babies-is-still-harming-first-nations-families-almost-two-decades-after-the-apology-to-stolen-generations-249353
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How Valentine’s Day was transformed by the Industrial Revolution and ‘manufactured intimacy’

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christopher Ferguson, Associate Professor of History, Auburn University

A popular Victorian-era Valentine Day’s card. Valentine Card by Jonathan King,1860-1880, London Museum., CC BY

When we think of Valentine’s Day, chubby Cupids, hearts and roses generally come to mind, not industrial processes like mass production and the division of labor. Yet the latter were essential to the holiday’s history.

As a historian researching material culture and emotions, I’m aware of the important role the exchange of manufactured greeting cards played in the 19th-century version of Valentine’s Day.

At the beginning of that century, Britons produced most of their valentines by hand. By the 1850s, however, manufactured cards had replaced those previously made by individuals at home. By the 1860s, more than 1 million cards were in circulation in London alone.

The British journalist and playwright Andrew Halliday was fascinated by these cards, especially one popular card that featured a lady and gentleman walking arm-in-arm up a pathway toward a church.

Halliday recalled watching in fascination as “the windows of small booksellers and stationers” filled with “highly-coloured” valentines, and contemplating “how and where” they “originated.” “Who draws the pictures?” he wondered. “Who writes the poetry?”

In 1864 he decided to find out.

Manufactured intimacy

Today Halliday is most often remembered for his writing on London beggars in a groundbreaking 1864 social survey, “London Labour and the London Poor.” However, throughout the 1860s he was a regular contributor to Charles Dickens’ popular journal “All the Year Round,” in which he entertained readers with essays addressing various facets of ordinary British daily existence, including family relations, travel, public services and popular entertainments.

In one essay for that journal – “Cupid’s Manufactory,” which was later reprinted in 1866 in the collection “Everyday Papers” – Halliday led his readers on a guided tour of one of London’s foremost card manufacturers.

Inside the premises of “Cupid and Co.,” they followed a “valentine step by step” from a “plain sheet of paper” to “that neat white box in which it is packed, with others of its kind, to be sent out to the trade.”

Touring ‘Cupid’s Manufactory’

“Cupid and Co.” was most likely the firm of Joseph Mansell, a lace-paper and stationary company that manufactured large numbers of valentines between the 1840s and 1860s – and also just happened to occupy the same address as “Mr. Cupid’s” in London’s Red Lion Square.

The processes Halliday described, however, were common to many British card manufacturers in the 1860s, and exemplified many industrial practices first introduced during the late 18th century, including the subdivision of tasks and the employment of women and child laborers.

Halliday moved through the rooms of “Cupid’s Manufactory,” describing the variety of processes by which various styles of cards were made for a range of different people and price points.

He noted how the card with the lady and gentleman on the path to the church began as a simple stamped card, in black and white – identical to one preserved today in the collections of the London Museum – priced at one penny.

A portion of these cards, however, then went on to a room where a group of young women were arranged along a bench, each with a different color of “liquid water-colour at her elbow.” Using stencils, one painted the “pale brown” pathway, then handed it to the woman next to her, who painted the “gentleman’s blue coat,” who then handed it to the next, who painted the “salmon-coloured church,” and so forth. It was much like a similar group of female workers depicted making valentines in the “Illustrated London News” in the 1870s.

These colored cards, Halliday noted, would be sold for “sixpence to half-a-crown.” A portion of these, however, were then sent on to another room, where another group of young women glued on feathers, lace-paper, bits of silk or velvet, or even gold leaf, creating even more ornate cards sometimes sold for 5 shillings and above.

All told, Halliday witnessed “about sixty hands” – mostly young women, but also “men and boys,” who worked 10 hours a day in every season of the year, making cards for Valentine’s Day.

Yet, it was on the top floor of the business that Halliday encountered the people who arguably fascinated him the most: the six artists who designed all the cards, and the poets who provided their text – most of whom actually worked offsite.

Here were the men responsible for manufacturing the actual sentiments the cards conveyed – and in the mid-19th century these encompassed a far wider range of emotions than the cards produced by Hallmark and others in the 21st century.

A spectrum of ‘manufactured emotions’

Many Victorians mailed cards not only to those with whom they were in love, but also to those they disliked or wished to mock or abuse. A whole subgenre of cards existed to belittle the members of certain trades, like tailors or draper’s assistants, or people who dressed out of fashion.

A Valentine’s Day card produced sometime between 1860 and 1880.
© The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA

Cards were specifically designed for discouraging suitors and for poking fun of the old or the unattractive. While some of these cards likely were exchanged as jokes between friends, the consensus among scholars is that many were absolutely intended to be sent as cruel insults.

Furthermore, unlike in the present day, in the 19th century those who received a Valentine were expected to send one in return, which meant there were also cards to discourage future attentions, recommend patience, express thanks, proclaim mutual admiration, or affirm love’s effusions.

Halliday noted the poet employed by “Cupid’s” had recently finished the text for a mean-spirited comic valentine featuring a gentleman admiring himself in a mirror:

Looking at thyself within the glass,
You appear lost in admiration;
You deceive yourself, and think, alas!
You are a wonder of creation.

This same author, however, had earlier completed the opposite kind of text for the card Halliday had previously highlighted, featuring the “lady and gentleman churchward-bound”:

“The path before me gladly would I trace,
With one who’s dearest to my constant heart,
To yonder church, the holy sacred place,
Where I my vows of Love would fain impart;
And in sweet wedlock’s bonds unite with thee,
Oh, then, how blest my life would ever be!”

These were very different texts by the very same man. And Halliday assured his readers “Cupid’s laureate” had authored many others in every imaginable style and sentiment, all year long, for “twopence a line.”

Halliday showed how a stranger was manufacturing expressions of emotions for the use of other strangers who paid money for them. In fact, he assured his readers that in the lead up to Valentine’s Day “Cupid’s” was “turning out two hundred and fifty pounds’ worth of valentines a week,” and that his business was “yearly on the increase.”

Halliday found this dynamic – the process of mass producing cards for profit to help people express their authentic emotions – both fascinating and bizarre. It was a practice he thought seemed like it ought to be “beneath the dignity of the age.”

And yet it thrived among the earnest Victorians, and it thrives still. Indeed, it remains a core feature of the modern holiday of Valentine’s Day.

This year, like in so many others, I will stand at a display of greeting cards, with many other strangers, as we all try to find that one card designed by someone else, mass-produced for profit, that will convey our sincere personal feelings for our friends and loved ones.

Christopher Ferguson 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. How Valentine’s Day was transformed by the Industrial Revolution and ‘manufactured intimacy’ – https://theconversation.com/how-valentines-day-was-transformed-by-the-industrial-revolution-and-manufactured-intimacy-247441

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces Additional Team Members

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Governor Stein Announces Additional Team Members

Governor Stein Announces Additional Team Members
lsaito
Wed, 02/12/2025 – 13:38

Raleigh, NC

Today, Governor Stein announces additional staff as he continues to grow his team committed to building a safer, stronger North Carolina.

Adam Chandler, Policy Director

Adam Chandler is a native of Burlington, North Carolina, and a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served most recently as Associate Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Attorney General. Adam previously practiced at the Department as an appellate attorney, specializing in antitrust law, and served as a speechwriter for two attorneys general. He graduated from Yale Law School; the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar; and Duke University.

Kindl Detar, Senior Policy Advisor

Kindl Detar previously served as a Special Deputy Attorney General and the Director of the Public Protection Section at the North Carolina Department of Justice. Prior to her state government service, she worked at Foundation For The Carolinas and Robinson Bradshaw. Kindl is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. A native of Concord, she resides in Charlotte with her husband and three children.

Sadie Weiner, Senior Advisor

Sadie Weiner has worked in state and federal government and campaigns for almost two decades. She served in the Office of Governor Roy Cooper first as Communications Director and most recently as Director of External Affairs. Previously, Weiner was the Communications Director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), supporting campaigns across the country and picking up two Senate seats. She was also the Communications Director for U.S. Senator Kay Hagan in both her Senate office and her re-election campaign. Weiner lives in Raleigh with her husband and two children.

Awo Eni, Digital Director

Awo Eni returns to North Carolina after working on Cheri Beasley’s campaign for Senate in 2022 as the Deputy Digital Director. She most recently served as Director of Digital Content on Senator Sherrod Brown’s campaign for re-election in Ohio. Awo is a proud British-born Nigerian-American immigrant who calls Texas home. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas.

Liz Doherty, Policy Advisor

Liz Doherty joins the Stein Administration as a policy advisor in the Governor’s office. Prior to this role, she served as a policy advisor to Governor Roy Cooper and held various campaign roles, including as Governor Cooper’s communications director in 2020. She also serves as a board member on the NC Council for Women and completed a Master’s of Public Policy from the Duke University Sanford School in 2023.

Rania Hassan, Policy Analyst

Rania Hassan is a policy analyst in the Office of Governor Josh Stein. She previously worked as policy assistant and analyst in the Office of Governor Roy Cooper. She graduated from NC State University with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Environmental Policy and Justice.

Madhu Vulimiri, Senior Advisor for Health & Families Policy

Madhu Vulimiri joins the Governor’s Office from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, where she served as the Deputy Director for the Division of Child and Family Well-Being overseeing nutrition programs that support children and families. Prior to that, she led cross-agency priority initiatives at NCDHHS, including in the COVID-19 response, in chief of staff and senior strategy roles to the Chief Deputy Secretary of NCDHHS and at NC Medicaid. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she was a Morehead-Cain Scholar, and her Master of Public Policy from Duke University, where she was a Margolis Scholar in Health Policy and Management.

Elena Ashburn, Senior Advisor for Education Policy

Elena Ashburn joins the policy team after serving as an area superintendent in the Wake County Public School System, where she led 17,000 students in 23 schools. She began her career in education as a Teach For America teacher and later served as a middle and high school principal. Elena earned a doctorate in educational leadership from UNC Chapel Hill and was named the North Carolina Wells Fargo Principal of the Year in 2021.

Jonathan Moch, Senior Advisor for Climate & Energy Policy

Jonathan Moch was most recently Science and Technology Policy Advisor for the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Office of Global Change in the U.S. Department of State, where he designed, negotiated, and implemented international climate and energy initiatives and agreements. Prior to the State Department, he was an interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellow with joint appointments in Harvard’s engineering, public health, and government schools. Jonathan holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences with a secondary field in Science, Technology and Society, a master’s in Environmental Science and Engineering from Harvard University, and an undergraduate degree from Princeton University.

P.J. Connelly, Director of the Governor’s Eastern North Carolina Office

P.J. Connelly will serve as the Director of the Governor’s Eastern North Carolina Office. He served in this role for former Governor Roy Cooper from 2022 to 2024. Prior to that, Connelly served North Carolina’s rural communities through the Governor’s Hometown Strong Initiative. He also served as Assistant Director of Boards and Commissions in the Office of the Governor from 2017 to 2019. Connelly is from New Bern, North Carolina.

Feb 12, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Prominent Civil Rights Attorney James Walker Jr., to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Prominent Civil Rights Attorney James Walker Jr., to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker

Prominent Civil Rights Attorney James Walker Jr., to be Featured on N.C. Highway Historical Marker
jejohnson6
Wed, 02/12/2025 – 14:08

James Robert Walker Jr., a prominent civil rights attorney from northeastern North Carolina, soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker.

The marker commemorating Walker will be dedicated during a ceremony at the New Ahoskie Missionary Baptist Church (410 West Hayes St., Ahoskie, N.C.) on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. The marker will be installed at the intersection of U.S. 13 and N.C. 42 in Ahoskie.

Born in 1924 as the first of eight children, Walker grew up in Ahoskie, in a family of educators with advanced degrees and the grandson of a preacher. He served in World War II and earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina College, now North Carolina Central University, after being honorably discharged from the United States Army.

Walker later became the first of two Black graduates from any program at UNC-Chapel Hill, having graduated from its law school in 1952. He returned to his native northeastern North Carolina and became a grassroots civil rights attorney, namely waging battles in the realm of voting rights across a six-county area (Halifax, Northampton, Warren, Bertie, Hertford, Gates).

Walker was the principal organizer and president of the Eastern Council on Community Affairs. This group advocated for Black representation in local and state governing bodies, including town councils and state legislatures. It also opposed bills for school separation or segregation.

Walker became the first Black member of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the school’s debating and literacy society, and the oldest student organization on the campus. The state’s NAACP also recognized him with its Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in civil rights. In 1961, he was the keynote speaker for the National Lawyers Guild in Detroit, Michigan, and in 1978, was named Lawyer of the Year by the same organization.

Walker died in 1997.

For more information about the historical markers, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2024/07/10/james-walker-jr-1924-1997-96, or call (919) 814-6625.

The Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the N.C. departments of Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Feb 12, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Do parties win elections because of their leaders, or in spite of them? History shows it’s a bit of both

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pandanus Petter, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University

The upcoming federal election will see the incumbent Labor prime minister, Anthony Albanese, face off against Liberal opposition leader, Peter Dutton. We’ll likely see a strong focus on the personal qualities and performance of the two leaders.

We tend to think a popular leader can win an election for their party while an unpopular one can lose it. Much of the commentary on the Coalition’s 2022 election loss, for example, centred on the widespread dislike of Scott Morrison.

But how much do party leaders actually affect their party’s vote share, and ultimately, the outcome of an election? We looked at 40 years of opinion polling to find out.

Our research

Opinion polls in Australia have been conducted since the 1940s, but it was not until the 1980s that they began to regularly ask questions about leader satisfaction and voting intention. In recent decades, the proliferation of polls has seen a greater consistency in question wording and protocols.

We have been analysing the polling data on government popularity and responsiveness in Australia. This enables us to track and compare leaders over an extended period.

We’ve crunched the numbers on voter intention and leader satisfaction from September 1985 until December 2024.

We can cross-reference these statistics to show which prime ministers and opposition leaders were a net benefit to their party (more popular than their party overall) and which were a net drag (less popular than their party).

Prime ministers: who helped and who hindered?

By this measure, the prime minister who provided the most electoral benefit to their party was Kevin Rudd between 2007 and 2010.

Rudd achieved some of the highest levels of voter satisfaction recorded since the early Bob Hawke years, averaging 60% satisfaction, a 14-point net benefit for his party.

His popularity declined considerably just before his replacement by Julia Gillard in 2010, and never fully recovered when he became prime minister again in 2013.

John Howard ranks second, with Morrison and Albanese (so far) sharing third place in terms of satisfaction. However, there’s a larger difference between Albanese’s personal popularity and his party’s vote intention.

Morrison’s tenure in office was skewed by the COVID pandemic, which saw a “rally around the flag” effect, seeing a spike in voters’ trust in government.

Paul Keating comes at the bottom of the list. His personal popularity trailed his party’s by eight percentage points on average, with an upset victory in 1993 not enough to win over the public to defeat a resurgent Howard in 1996.

Similiarly, Tony Abbott, although party leader when the Coalition returned to power after the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years, was consistently less popular than his party – by seven points in opposition and four as prime minister.

What about opposition leaders?

Among opposition leaders, Rudd again tops the list. He was more popular than Labor overall in the year prior to winning the election in December 2007, peaking at 65.5% satisfaction.

Mark Latham comes in second, perhaps surprisingly. This is due, at least in part, to the unpopularity of the Coalition government at the time.

The opposition leader who represents the greatest drag on their party was Andrew Peacock in the late 1980s, in what was his second incarnation as Liberal leader.

Overall, prime ministers have a greater impact on their party’s fortunes than opposition leaders. This is expected as incumbency has advantages, with prime ministers usually given more opportunity for media attention, greater recognition with the public, and hopefully a record of achievements in government to point to.

Prime ministers register a net gain to their party of about four percentage points, compared with minus three points for opposition leaders.

Labor leaders show a net gain to their party of two points, compared to minus four points for their Liberal counterparts.

The personalisation of politics

Since at least the 1970s, political leaders have attracted increasing attention in democratic elections around the world.

This trend has not been restricted to countries with presidential systems, such as the United States. It’s also playing out in parliamentary systems such as Australia’s and the United Kingdom’s. This is despite the fact voters elect local members to parliament, rather than voting for the prime minister directly.

Read more:
Strong political leaders are electoral gold – but the trick is in them knowing when to stand down

This profound shift in democratic politics has been based on several social changes.

First, the rise of television, and more recently social media, has provided the visual images that direct voters’ attention towards the leader.

While television’s heyday has passed – in both the 2019 and 2022 elections, the Australian Election Study surveys show more people followed the election on the internet than on television – visual images of the leaders dominate the media, both traditional and social.

Second, party de-alignment has seen voters moving away from their traditional party loyalties, with the personalities of the leaders filling this gap.

In the 1960s, around one in ten voters said they did not identify with a party, compared with one in four in the 2022 election.

Third, the unprecedented expansion in university education has produced critical voters who are more volatile in their voting than any groups in the past.

One factor that can sway their vote is policies, but another is the leader they find most competent.

What does this mean for the next election?

For Australian voters, leaders matter, rightly or wrongly, for evaluating the performance of a government and choosing which party to vote for.

As we close in on an election in 2025, voters will be looking to Albanese and Dutton. In the chart below, we can see that while on average Dutton has been only marginally beneficial for his party compared with Albanese, this gap has narrowed in the latter half of 2024.

Although Albanese started at a historically very strong position, it appears his popularity began to decline in May 2023. The defeat of the Voice to Parliament Referendum in November sped up the decline.

Dutton received a short-term boost after the result, after which his popularity declined and then has steadily built over time. Current projections indicate the next election will likely be close-run.

It also appears the two current leaders, whatever their other merits, have fallen short of the levels reached by the most popular prime ministers and opposition leaders of the past.

Albanese’s early popularity has waned, while the Coalition and Dutton’s fortunes rise in step with one another.

This reflects a return to a normal vote share for the party after their loss in 2022. While it may prove problematic for the government, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a meteoric increase in Dutton’s personal popularity.

Pandanus Petter is employed at the Australian National University with funding from The Australian Research Council.

Ian McAllister receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

– ref. Do parties win elections because of their leaders, or in spite of them? History shows it’s a bit of both – https://theconversation.com/do-parties-win-elections-because-of-their-leaders-or-in-spite-of-them-history-shows-its-a-bit-of-both-248868

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Hate speech on X surged for at least 8 months after Elon Musk takeover – new research

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Jensen, Associate professor, Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra, University of Canberra

Kemarrravv13/Shutterstock

Hate speech on X was consistently 50% higher for at least eight months after tech billionaire Elon Musk bought the social media platform, new research has found.

The research looked at the prevalence of overt hate speech including a wide range of racist, homophobic and transphobic slurs.

The study, published today in PLOS ONE, was conducted by a team of researchers led by Daniel Hickney from the University of California, Berkeley.

It clearly demonstrates how a platform initially invented to help friends and family stay in touch has now metamorphosed into a place where hate speech is prolific. This is especially concerning given hate speech online has been linked to violent hate crimes offline.

A long list of promises

On October 27 2022, Musk officially purchased X (then known as Twitter) for US$44 billion and became its CEO. His takeover was accompanied by promises to reduce hate speech on the platform and tackle bots and other inauthentic accounts.

But after he bought X, Musk made several changes to the platform to reduce content moderation. For example, in November 2022 he fired much of the company’s full time workforce. He also fired outsourced content moderators who tracked abuse on X, despite research showing social medial platforms with high levels of content moderation contain less hate speech.

The following month, Musk also disbanded the platform’s Trust and Safety Council – a volunteer advisory group of independent human rights leaders and academics formed in 2016 to fight hate speech and other problems on the platform.

Previous research has shown hate speech increased on X immediately after Musk took over. So too did the prevalence of most types of bots.

This new study is the first to show that this wasn’t an anomaly.

Hate speech including homophobic, racist and transphobic slurs was significantly higher on X after Elon Musk bought the platform. The black lines represent standard errors.
Hickey et al., 2025 / PLOS One

More than 4 million posts

The study examined 4.7 million English language posts on X from the beginning of 2022 through to June 9 2023. This period includes the ten months before Musk bought X and the eight months afterwards.

The study measured overt hate speech, the meaning of which was clear to anyone who saw it – speech attacking identity groups or using toxic language. It did not measure covert types of hate speech, such as coded language used by some extremist groups to spread hate but plausibly deny doing so.

As well as measuring the amount of hate speech on X, the study also measured how much other users engaged with this material by liking it.

The researchers’ access to X data was cut off during the study due to a policy change by the platform, replacing free access to approved academic researchers with payment options which are generally unaffordable. This significantly hampered their ability to collect sample posts. But they don’t mention whether it affected their results.

A clear increase in hate

The study found “a clear increase” in the average number of posts containing hate speech following Musk’s purchase of X. Specifically, the volume of posts containing hate speech was “consistently” 50% higher after Musk took over X compared to beforehand – a jump from an estimated average of 2,179 to 3,246 posts containing hate speech per week.

Transphobic slurs saw the highest increase, rising from an average of roughly 115 posts per week before Musk’s acquisition to an average of 418 afterwards.

The level of user engagement with posts containing hate speech also increased under Musk’s watch. For example, the weekly rate at which hate speech content was liked by users jumped by 70%.

The researchers say these results suggest either hate speech wasn’t taken down, hateful users became more active, the platform’s algorithm unintentionally promoted hate speech to users who like such content – or a combination of these possibilities.

The study also detected no decrease in the activity of inauthentic accounts on X. In fact, it found a “potential increase” in the number of bot accounts partly based on a large upswing in posts promoting cryptocurrency, which are typically associated with bots.

An important data-driving deep dive

There were a number of limitations to the study. For example, it only measured hate speech posts in English, which accounts for only 31% of posts on the platform.

Even so, the study is an important, data-driven deep dive into the state of X. It shows it is a platform where hate speech is prolific. It also shows Musk has failed to fulfil his earlier promises to address problems on X such as hate speech and bot activity.

As Musk himself said at the White House earlier this week: “Some of the things I say will be incorrect and should be corrected”.

Michael Jensen receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Bayer, and the Australian Department of Defence Science and Technology Group.

– ref. Hate speech on X surged for at least 8 months after Elon Musk takeover – new research – https://theconversation.com/hate-speech-on-x-surged-for-at-least-8-months-after-elon-musk-takeover-new-research-249603

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: 3.5 kilometres underwater, scientists found a staggeringly energetic particle from outer space

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Barnes, Lecturer in Physics, Western Sydney University

An artist’s impression of a high-energy particle travelling through the KM3NeT neutrino telescope. KM3NeT

Three and a half kilometres beneath the Mediterranean Sea, around 80km off the coast of Sicily, lies half of a very unusual telescope called KM3NeT.

The enormous device is still under construction, but today the telescope’s scientific team announced they have already detected a particle from outer space with a staggering amount of energy.

In fact, as the team report in Nature, they found the most energetic neutrino anyone has ever seen – and it represents a tremendous leap forward in exploring the uncharted waters of the extreme universe.

To explain why it’s such a remarkable discovery, we need to understand what KM3NeT is, what it’s looking for, and what it saw.

What is KM3NeT?

KM3NeT is a gigantic deep sea telescope being built by an international collaboration of more than 300 scientists and engineers from 21 countries.

At the site off Sicily, and another off the coast of Provence in France, KM3NeT will be made up of more than 6,000 light detectors hanging in the pitch-black depths. When the telescope is complete, it will cover about a cubic kilometre of sea.

The KM3NeT telescope will eventually have more than 6,000 detectors like this one floating in the depths of the Mediterranean watching for tell-tale flashed of blue light.
N Busser / CNRS

Down deep, KM3NeT is shielded from ordinary sources of light, such as the Sun. It is also shielded from other particles like electrons and protons, which are absorbed by the water long before they reach the detectors. So what does it see?

What is KM3NeT looking for?

Of all the particles that physicists have discovered, only the elusive neutrino can reach all the way down to KM3NeT.

The neutrino is an elementary particle with no electric charge and only a very tiny mass. It interacts with matter so weakly that it can pass through kilometres of ocean – and even thousands of kilometres of Earth itself – to reach the detector. That’s why KM3NeT is at the bottom of the sea: to see neutrinos, and only neutrinos.

But won’t the neutrinos pass through the detector, too? Yes, almost all of them.

When a high-energy particle passes through KM3NeT, the detectors register the tell-tale blue flashes and allow scientists to figure out how fast the particle was going and where it came from.
KM3NeT

But very rarely, a neutrino will crash right into a water molecule. When it does, it can pack an enormous punch.

The energy of the neutrino can create many more particles. As these particles blast through the water, they create a bluish glow. That’s what KM3NeT detectors see.

By analysing this bluish light, and by timing each flash, scientists can reconstruct the original energy of the neutrino, and the direction from which it came. (Either that, or they’ve just clocked one of those deep-sea glowing fish travelling at nearly the speed of light.)

The most energetic neutrino ever detected

On February 13 2023, KM3NeT detected a neutrino travelling so fast it had 30 times more energy than any previously detected.

The amount of energy is 220 petaelectronvolts, but that doesn’t mean much to a non-particle physicist. It’s hard to imagine, but let’s try.

The neutrino had 100 trillion times more energy than a typical particle at the centre of the Sun. It’s a trillion times more energy than medical X-rays, and ten billion times more than the most dangerous radioactive particles. Earth’s biggest particle accelerators can’t produce a particle with even one ten thousandth of this energy.

Short story: it’s a lot of energy for one particle.

Making neutrinos in space

Neutrinos interact with matter very weakly, so how could a single neutrino have been given so much energy? What sort of cosmic event could create such a particle?

That’s the exciting part: we don’t know.

We know there are colossal explosions in the universe, such as supernovas: when a star exhausts its fuel and collapses. And there are gamma ray bursts, which are even more energetic explosions of supermassive stars, or collisions of neutron stars. These create extremely energetic neutrinos.

But there are other candidates. Supermassive black holes at the centre of galaxies have millions to billions of times as much mass as the Sun.

As matter is swallowed by these black holes, it is accelerated to extreme speeds, and becomes wrapped around intense magnetic fields. The particles that aren’t swallowed can be shot out at extreme speeds. These “active galactic nuclei” are another way that the universe could create extreme neutrinos.

Third, the neutrinos could be created more locally (cosmically speaking). Explosions and active galactic nuclei also create cosmic rays: extremely energetic protons and electrons.

These could stream across the universe towards us, before colliding with a particle of light along the way. That collision can create an energetic neutrino.

How can we find the source?

Here’s where the Australian connection comes in. KM3NeT tells us this neutrino came from a particular spot in the southern sky.

If it came from an extreme explosion or an active galactic nucleus, we might hope to spot the source with other telescopes. In particular, both supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei can be spotted using radio waves.

Australia has the biggest radio telescopes in the southern hemisphere. The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) has mapped a lot of the southern sky, and found many supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei.

My colleagues and I at Western Sydney University are using ASKAP to follow up on KM3NeT detections like this one. For this particular neutrino, there are no obvious candidates in the radio sky that it came from.

However, KM3NeT doesn’t provide a very accurate position, so we can’t be completely sure. We’ll keep looking.

KM3NeT is still under construction, and ASKAP continues to survey the sky. Our window on the extreme universe is just opening up.

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

– ref. 3.5 kilometres underwater, scientists found a staggeringly energetic particle from outer space – https://theconversation.com/3-5-kilometres-underwater-scientists-found-a-staggeringly-energetic-particle-from-outer-space-249590

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025

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