Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile replies to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces
Category: Africa
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council set to launch latest round of business grants at support roadshow
Source: City of Wolverhampton
Grants will be offered between £3,000 and £100,000, at a maximum 50% intervention rate of total project costs the funding is for.
Funding will come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The latest grants will be launched at a free Business Support Roadshow – supported by Business Growth West Midlands – at Molineux Stadium (WV1 4QR) on Tuesday 8 April, between 10am and 12.30pm, where full details of grant eligibility, impact measures and the application processes will be shared along with details of some of the other new business support programmes.
The window for Expressions of Interest in the grants will open the same day and close on 30 April, 2025.
To book a place at the Business Support Roadshow, visit Wolverhampton Business Support Roadshow Tickets, Tue 8 Apr 2025 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “In Wolverhampton, we are utilising the UKSPF funds to support SMEs in maximising their offer and capitalising on opportunities being generated by investment in our city.
“The allocation of UKSPF funding over the past 12 months is helping to create more than 80 new jobs, safeguard a further 179, and underpin a projected average growth rate of over 14%.
“I would urge businesses to sign up for the event on 8 April to find out exactly what funding is available to them.
“Following the event there will also be support in place to help guide businesses through the process to access these grants.”
Wolverhampton business Barr and Grosvenor – manufacturers of calibrated weights and producers of specialised castings in iron, brass, bronze and other white metals – benefitted from the previous round of grants, securing £14,000 for a capital investment critical to securing a contract to renovate Blackfriars Bridge in London.
Dominic Grosvenor, Barr and Grosvenor Managing Director, said: “The advice and support from Ross Edgley at the council’s business growth team has been invaluable – it’s great to know that help is always close at hand. They not only helped me secure the grant but also introduced me to a number of other organisations that are able to support my business.”
The company lists an array of high profile conservation projects amongst its works, including the restoration of The Iron Bridge in Shropshire, the production of a new Shrine to St Chad in Lichfield Cathedral, the casting of bronze door locks for galleon lighting columns down The Mall for the Queen Mother’s funeral, door hinges for the Palace of Westminster and bronze handrails for Westminster Cathedral. The company also played a key role in the regeneration of the Springfield Brewery site in Wolverhampton.
Applications for the grants are on a competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, and distributed at the discretion of the council.
If you need help with your grant application or have a general query, you can get in touch by emailing business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk or calling the business support phone line on 01902 555572 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday or from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.
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MIL-OSI USA: The United States remained the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporter in 2024
Source: US Energy Information Administration
In-brief analysis
March 27, 2025
The United States exported 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024, remaining the world’s largest LNG exporter. LNG exports from Australia and Qatar—the world’s two next-largest LNG exporters—have remained relatively stable over the last five years (2020–24); their exports have ranged from 10.2 Bcf/d to 10.7 Bcf/d annually, according to data from Cedigaz. Russia and Malaysia have been the fourth- and fifth-largest LNG exporters globally since 2019. In 2024, LNG exports from Russia averaged 4.4 Bcf/d, and exports from Malaysia averaged 3.7 Bcf/d.
U.S. LNG exports remained essentially flat compared with 2023 mainly because of several unplanned outages at existing LNG export facilities, lower natural gas consumption in Europe, and very limited new LNG export capacity additions since 2022. In December 2024, Plaquemines LNG Phase 1 shipped its first export cargo, becoming the eighth U.S. LNG export facility in service. We estimate that utilization of LNG export capacity across the other seven U.S. LNG terminals operating in 2024 averaged 104% of nominal capacity and 86% of peak capacity, unchanged from the previous year. While Europe (including Türkiye) remained the primary destination for U.S. LNG exports in 2024, accounting for 53% (6.3 Bcf/d) of the total exports, the share of U.S. LNG exports to Asia increased from 26% (3.1 Bcf/d) in 2023 to 33% (4.0 Bcf/d) in 2024. U.S. LNG exports to other regions, including the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America, also increased last year and accounted for 14% (1.6 Bcf/d) of total exports, compared with 8% (0.9 Bcf/d) in 2023.
In 2024, U.S. natural gas exports to Europe decreased by 19% (1.5 Bcf/d), mostly to countries in the EU and the UK. U.S. LNG exports increased only to Türkiye and Greece in 2024—by 0.2 Bcf/d and 0.1 Bcf/d, respectively, compared with 2023. Türkiye imported more U.S. LNG compared with the prior year mainly to offset a decline in imports from other countries, such as Egypt and Russia. U.S. LNG exports to other EU countries and the UK decreased by 24% (1.7 Bcf/d) compared with 2023, primarily because of lower natural gas consumption and high storage inventories following the mild 2023–24 winter. At the same time, LNG import capacity in the EU and the UK expanded by more than 40% between 2021 and 2024 and will continue to grow in 2025 once new and expanded regasification facilities in Croatia, Cyprus, and Italy come online.
As in 2023, the Netherlands, France, and the UK imported the most U.S. LNG among countries in Europe, accounting for a combined 46% (2.9 Bcf/d) of the regional total. Since Germany started LNG imports in December 2022, U.S. LNG exports to Germany have grown and averaged 0.6 Bcf/d in both 2023 and 2024. However, in early 2025, Germany reduced its regasification capacity by terminating a charter for one of its floating storage and regasification units, citing high operational costs.
In 2024, countries in Asia imported 33% (4.0 Bcf/d) of total U.S. LNG exports. Among countries in Asia, Japan, South Korea, India, and China imported the most U.S. LNG—a combined 76% (3.0 Bcf/d). U.S. LNG imports increased the most in India—by 0.2 Bcf/d. Other countries in Asia imported 24% (1.0 Bcf/d) of U.S LNG.
In other regions, Egypt—a natural gas producer and LNG exporter—imported 0.3 Bcf/d of LNG from the United States, its first U.S. LNG imports since 2018. In recent years, Egypt’s domestic natural gas consumption, particularly in summer months, exceeded available supply and turned Egypt from an exporter to an importer of natural gas during several months of the year. In Brazil and Colombia, imports of U.S. LNG increased last year because drought reduced hydropower electricity generation and increased demand for generation from natural gas-fired power plants.
Principal contributor: Victoria Zaretskaya
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MIL-OSI USA: UConn Professor Examines the Health Risks of Life on the Road
Source: US State of Connecticut
They’re on our highways and our state roads.
We see them at rest stops and service plazas.
They move our economy. Literally.
They’re tractor-trailer trucks, and they’re a vital part of the U.S. economy, hauling 70% of consumer and industrial goods and logging about 200 billion miles annually in the United States.
Trucks, and the men and women who drive them, play an indispensable role in U.S. society.
But truck driving is a high-stress, high-risk profession.
Long-haul truck drivers work irregular hours under protracted and repeated stretches of continuous effort that can be exacerbated by road construction, traffic conditions, and changes in weather. For most, finding safe and suitable parking while on the road is a constant challenge.
Many drivers deal with elevated stress levels and fatigue, and they have limited opportunities for physical activity and limited access to fresh, healthy foods.
And moreover, life on the road is extremely isolating and lonely, with drivers often spending days or weeks away from home at a time, while coping with the constant pressure to log as many miles as they can, in order to earn as much money as possible, in an industry that has experienced significant consolidation in recent years.
The impact of those occupational conditions – especially the risks that long-haul truck drivers face of developing multiple adverse health conditions due to the conditions they face on-the-job – recently caught the attention of Merrill Singer, a professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology at UConn.
“I began to read the literature on long-haul truck drivers, and the multiplicity of diseases that their jobs put them at special risk for, and how the political economy of truck driving is organized and controlled has increased the pressure on truck drivers – over time, it’s made their life more stressful,” says Singer. “And I started to explore the concept of occupational syndemics and how it related to the kinds of jobs that put people at heightened vulnerability.”
A medical anthropologist who researches and explores the relationships between culture, health, and disease, Singer developed the public health concept of syndemics, which refers to the clustering of diseases in certain populations and the biological interaction of multiple comorbid diseases in populations.
“Syndemics involves two or more diseases interacting and some set of social conditions that interact with those diseases and make people vulnerable, which then makes these diseases more harmful,” Singer explains.
In recent years, Singer has been examining how syndemics can be used to assess the ways that living and working conditions can promote disease clustering and further the adverse interactions of comorbid diseases and other health factors.
He looked at other high-risk occupation populations – including gold and coal mineworkers in South Africa and commercial fishermen – before turning his syndemics lens to long-haul truck drivers. He published his syndemic analysis on the biosocial health of long-haul truck drivers in the February 2025 edition of the Journal of Transport & Health.
In his analysis, Singer notes studies that found that long-haul truck drivers frequently experienced elevated cortisol levels and are often subject to problems with sleep, including inadequate sleep, insomnia, and disrupted sleep linked to obstructive sleep apnea. Reduced sleep duration has been linked to fatigue, drowsiness, job performance lapses, slowed reaction time, and impaired driving ability.
Long-haul truck drivers are also more likely to be cigarette smokers, to engage in binge drinking, and to use other substances. They often struggle with mental health disorders or chronic stress.
Because of their working conditions, they typically eat while driving or dine at truck stops and fast-food outlets, factors that limit their available food choices. The occupation is highly sedentary as well – few rest stops offer any sort of exercise equipment, and opportunities for physical activity while on the road are infrequent.
More than half of long-haul truck drivers report living with one or more health problems, while 80% report at least one serious health condition, including obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Getting regular medical care to help treat these conditions is also a struggle, as there aren’t medical providers on the road and drivers always face pressure to cover more miles.
“A grave consequence of syndemics of the road,” Singer writes in his paper, “is family disruption and divorce, high turnover rate (employer hopping), a national shortage of drivers, a high and untreated disease burden, shortened lifespan, heightened rates of suicide, increased medical costs, and injurious and deadly highway crashes.”
The challenges faced by long-haul truck drivers only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workers in the transportation/logistics sector have one of the highest per-capita excess mortality rates due to the COVID-19 virus, Singer notes. He recommends multipronged and multilayered syndemic interventions to help address the structural factors that place economically crucial long-haul truck drivers in the U.S. at risk.
“In the case of [long-haul truck drivers],” he wrote, “this would involve advocacy for public policy changes, as part of state and federal infrastructure planning, that address an array of health, social, environmental, and economic challenges…[c]oupled with this kind of advocacy, there is a need for funding to support direct structured health interventions for drivers that simultaneously address multiple health issues in this population.”
In the current public health climate, where officials are closely monitoring the spread of bird flu into other mammals – including humans – policymakers and industry officials would be especially wise to consider the syndemics of the road, Singer says.
“Once an infectious agent transitions from whatever its original host was to mammals, it makes it much easier to make the next transition into other mammals, which it’s already started to do,” Singer says.
“If bird flu begins to spread directly human-to-human, it’s interaction with all of what else is going around, and in people with other preexisting conditions – diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, et cetera – has the potential for another massive pandemic.”
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MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/NIGERIA – Father John Ubaechu, kidnapped on Sunday 23 March, has been released
Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – Nigerian priest John Ubaechu, kidnapped on Sunday, March 23, has been released (see Fides, 24/3/2025). This was announced yesterday, March 26, by the Archdiocese of Owerri in a statement signed by the Chancellor and Secretary of the Archdiocese, Father Patrick C. Mbarah. ” I am directed to inform you that our priest, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu who was kidnapped on Sunday, 23 March, 2025 has been released. He regained his freedom from his abductors today, 26 March, 2025,” the statement reads.”We thank God for his infinite mercy and for answering our prayers. We appreciate your fraternal solidarity and prayers. To God be the Glory,” the statement concludes.Father John Ubaechu, parish priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe, was kidnapped on Sunday evening, March 23, on Ejemekwuru Road in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, southern Nigeria, while on his way to the annual priestly retreat. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 27/03/2025)
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MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN – Escalation in South Sudan: Christian churches appeal for a peaceful solution
Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Juba (Agenzia Fides) – The situation in South Sudan is escalating: Yesterday, March 26, Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest, further escalating the renewed clashes between him and President Salva Kiir (see Fides, 5/3/2025).According to his party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), Machar, his wife, and two bodyguards are being held at home on suspicion of involvement in the recent clashes between the army and the White Army militia in Nasir, Upper Nile State.On the day of Machar’s arrest, artillery fire had been fired in the area around the capital, Juba. The high tensions of recent days have prompted several embassies in Juba to ask their citizens to leave South Sudan (the US Embassy has reduced its staff to the bare minimum), while calls are multiplying for a peaceful solution to the crisis that threatens to plunge the country back into civil war.”This is not the time for senseless wars; instead, politicians must foster an atmosphere of unity and engage in peace dialogues to address the challenges faced by the public,” said the Bishop of Wau, Matthew Remijio Adam Gbitiku.The Council of Evangelical Churches of South Sudan (CEOFSS) is calling for ” an impartial investigation into the root causes of these conflicts. If anyone is found guilty should be taken to court for justice.”The CEOFSS also expresses “concern about the presence of foreign forces in South Sudan and encourage the resolution of security concerns through diplomatic engagement, ensuring that national sovereignty and stability are upheld.” In addition to the political disputes between the two “strongmen” who have been competing for power since the country’s independence (2011), South Sudan is torn by communal and tribal conflicts that contribute to the country’s insecurity. In this context, the CEOFSS points out that “intercommunal violence remains a pressing problem, including cattle thefts in the states of Warrap and Jonglei, and clashes between farmers and herders in parts of Equatoria.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 27/3/2025)
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MIL-OSI: CURRENC’s SEAMLESS AI Lab Unveils “AI Staff for Hire” Platform
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SINGAPORE, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) (“CURRENC” or the “Company”), a fintech pioneer empowering financial institutions worldwide with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced the launch of “AI Staff for Hire,” an AI solution developed by the Company’s SEAMLESS AI Lab, offering pre-built, AI-powered Agents tailored to specific business scenarios. With AI-driven automation poised to reshape industries globally, this innovative product positions CURRENC at the forefront of a rapidly expanding market for AI-powered workforce solutions.
Designed to meet the needs of enterprises across the finance industry, “AI Staff for Hire” automates critical functions such as customer support, debt collection, KYC, compliance, and HR management, empowering businesses to expand their operations without expanding their workforce. Platform users can select from a range of specialized AI Agents for specific tasks, including Internal Trainers, General Managers, KYC Officers, and Customer-Facing Sales Representatives. This flexibility, combined with cost-effective pricing models, allows businesses to scale operations, streamline workflows, and enhance service quality, while also benefiting from 24/7, multi-lingual support to improve global competitiveness.
Equipped with advanced material digestion, system integration, and key information extraction functionalities, “AI Staff for Hire” Agents provide real-time insights into customer interactions, boosting engagement and enabling more effective lead generation and marketing strategies. They can also improve data accuracy, generate detailed reports, and monitor for critical issues, offering businesses proactive relationship management tools. Internally, CURRENC’s AI Agents can be customized to train staff in customer service, operations, compliance, finance, and IT, and deliver comprehensive reporting, performance scoring and improvement suggestions.
“‘AI Staff for Hire’ represents a major step forward in CURRENC’s mission to transform global financial services with AI,” said Alex Kong, Founder and Executive Chairman of CURRENC. “Our innovative, cost-effective AI Agents integrate seamlessly into business environments worldwide, enabling enterprises of all sizes and budgets to quickly and efficiently scale their operations while adapting to the demands of the digital economy. Building on the success of our SEAMLESS AI Call Centre Solutions, “AI Staff for Hire” will expand the boundaries of AI application across banking, insurance, human resources, and other sectors. As the market for AI-powered solutions grows, CURRENC remains committed to propelling AI development that will redefine the future of the global financial industry.”
“AI Staff for Hire” is a key element in CURRENC’s comprehensive AI offering. Other key functions of our AI offering include app development, AI call centre capabilities, AI HR modules, and trading platforms specifically designed for smaller or newly established financial institutions such as eWallets, and banks. With CURRENC’s AI-powered tools, these organizations, often operating in regions with limited technological support, can rapidly launch sophisticated financial services without incurring heavy capex. As its AI offerings gain traction, CURRENC anticipates onboarding new clients in markets such as Oman, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, India, and South America, bridging the digital divide and empowering local fintech ecosystems. Moreover, as CURRENC recruits new clients, there is a great opportunity for cross selling CURRENC’s digital remittance services and global airtime transfer services to the new clients, which could generate significant business synergy between the AI offerings and CURRENC’s existing businesses.
The future of work is rapidly shifting toward AI Agents and digital clones. McKinsey analysts predict that AI-driven staff could handle up to 70% of white-collar tasks by 2030. Entrepreneurs and small enterprises may evolve into “One-Person Unicorn Companies,” leveraging AI staff to manage entire operations. As the AI-powered agents market is estimated to exceed $4.71 billion in value by 2030, according to MarketsandMarkets, businesses adopting AI workforce solutions today will gain critical competitive advantages.
About CURRENC Group Inc.
CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) is a fintech pioneer dedicated to transforming global financial services through artificial intelligence (AI). The Company empowers financial institutions worldwide with comprehensive AI solutions, including SEAMLESS AI Call Centre and other AI-powered Agents designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost customer satisfaction for banks, insurance, telecommunications companies, government agencies and other financial institutions. The Company’s digital remittance platform also enables e-wallets, remittance companies, and corporations to provide real-time, 24/7 global payment services, advancing financial access across underserved communities.Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.Investor & Media Contact
CURRENC Group Investor Relations
Email: investors@currencgroup.com -
MIL-OSI Global: Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis: a nation on the brink of authoritarianism
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Carlos Eduardo Machado Sangreman Proença, enseignant-chercheur, Universidade de Aveiro (Portugal)
Guinea-Bissau faces a deep political crisis. For several years, the small west African nation has endured growing tensions between political institutions and there’s now a strong climate of uncertainty.
Guinea-Bissau’s general elections had been scheduled for November 2024, but President Umaro Sissoco Embaló postponed them citing political instability, logistical challenges and disputes over presidential term limits. He has since announced 30 November 2025 as the new date for elections.
Embaló has been president of Guinea Bissau since 27 February 2020. The opposition and the Supreme Court argue that his presidency should have ended on 27 February 2025. Embaló however insists his mandate should end on 4 September 2025. The dispute over Embaló’s five-year term stems from different interpretations of his inauguration date. He argues his official term began later, in November 2020 – when legal challenges to his election were resolved.
The opposition now regard Embaló as an illegitimate president. Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) representatives were also recently threatened with expulsion from the country when they came to assess the political situation.
These developments highlight an unprecedented crisis. They raise concerns about Guinea-Bissau’s democratic future, given the political uncertainty.
I’m an expert on Guinea-Bissau’s politics and have carried out research on the state of the country’s democracy. In this article, I examine the country’s current political crisis.
Weakening institutions
Nearly 50 years after independence, Guinea-Bissau is a fragile state, struggling to meet its people’s needs. Weak institutions, a self-serving political and economic elite, and a lack of basic public services have fuelled instability.
The army, led by veterans, has staged three coups, and the country’s 1998-1999 civil war caused significant destruction.
Despite this, civil society remains vibrant. It fills gaps left by the state. It plays a vital role in education, human rights, women’s rights, and environmental protection. It also supports vulnerable groups, including child beggars (talibés).
Since taking office, Embaló has been weakening democratic institutions and consolidating power.
His recent dissolution of parliament in December 2023, without scheduling timely elections, violated constitutional norms. He also directly appoints and dismisses governments, while the Supreme Court lacks the quorum needed to function. As a result, the legislative, executive and judicial branches all fall under the president’s direct control.
The parliament’s permanent commission, made up of elected members, is the only institution still operating within constitutional limits. However, the president’s dissolution of parliament has blocked legislative sessions.
This broader trend of power consolidation started with João Mário Vaz, who led the country between 23 June 2014 and 27 February 2020. Guinea Bissau has, for the past decade, been slipping into authoritarianism under different leaders.
Growing authoritarianism
Since Embaló won the 2019 presidential election, political, economic and social instability has persisted. This has severely affected human rights in the country.
One of the major drivers of the current crisis was Embaló’s dissolution of the National Assembly in 2023.
The assembly was being controlled by the opposition. This followed 2023 legislative elections in which a coalition led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) won. Its leader, Domingos Simões Pereira, became speaker of parliament. A government appointed by the winning coalition was then sworn in.
In December 2023, a brief clash between two paramilitary groups – the national guard and the presidential battalion – became a pretext to dissolve the National Assembly. The president then appointed a prime minister and formed a government himself.
Losing external support
Embaló has taken every step to stay in power. He will eventually hold a presidential election but, I believe, only when the opposition is too weak to unite behind a candidate. He is also distancing himself from Ecowas, which urges elections within constitutional deadlines.
Embaló is, however, not alone in his efforts for control. His 2020 provisional inauguration in a hotel in the capital in 2020 was attended by politicians and business figures. He continues to receive backing, as shown by ongoing consultations and public statements from political and civil actors.
Still, his domestic support appears to be shrinking. He may consolidate his authoritarian rule as long as the military stays in its barracks and elections are delayed.
Guinea-Bissau faces two possible paths. It could transition into a liberal democracy if presidential and legislative elections restore functioning institutions. Alternatively, it could slip into dictatorship marked by unchecked presidential power, repression of opposition, and lawlessness, including armed groups and drug trafficking.
In a region already struggling with Islamist insurgencies and instability, Guinea-Bissau’s trajectory matters. The international community, particularly in Africa, must not ignore this crisis. Pressure on Embaló to allow a democratic transition is crucial for the country’s stability.
Carlos Eduardo Machado Sangreman Proença is a permanent member and director of a university research centre in Lisbon. He has been receiving funds from the Portuguese government for several years for research projects in Guinea-Bissau.
– ref. Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis: a nation on the brink of authoritarianism – https://theconversation.com/guinea-bissaus-political-crisis-a-nation-on-the-brink-of-authoritarianism-252317
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MIL-OSI: BIO-key Trims 2024 Net Loss 49% to $4.3M, Reflecting Higher Gross Margin and Lower Operating Costs, Offsetting 11% Revenue Decrease Due to Business Transition; Hosts Investor Call Today at 10am ET
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
HOLMDEL, N.J., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BIO-key® International, Inc. (Nasdaq: BKYI), an innovative provider of workforce and customer Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions featuring passwordless, phoneless and token-less Identity-Bound Biometric (IBB) authentication, announced results for its fourth quarter (Q4’24) and year ended December 31, 2024 (2024). BIO-key’s 2023 results, which were restated and filed with the Company’s 2023 Form 10-K, are reflected in this release for comparison purposes. BIO-key will host an investor call today, Thursday, March 27th at 10:00am ET (details below).
BIO-key CEO, Mike DePasquale commented, “From a strategic standpoint, we substantially strengthened our business in 2024, growing our high-margin software license fee revenue by 20% while exiting our low margin services relationship with Swivel Secure to focus on BIO-key solutions such as PortalGuard IAM and our Identity-Bound Biometrics. This transition away from Swivel Secure licensed solutions resulted in an 11% decline in 2024 revenue, but enabled us to substantially improve overall profitability despite lower revenue.
“We also reduced operating expenses by 6% in 2024 and reduced cash used in operations by 23% to $2.91M in 2024 from $3.79M in 2023. With this transition behind us, we are in a much stronger position to grow and convert top-line revenue into bottom-line contribution.”
Recent Highlights
Mr. DePasquale, continued, “Moving forward, we are seeing very encouraging order demand for our solutions in national defense, financial services and education applications and particular strength in EMEA countries. We are seeing growing interest in our unique capabilities in passwordless, phoneless and tokenless authentication solutions which are best positioned to meet the most pressing security and usability challenges. Our biometric solutions are gaining solid traction in international markets across government, financial services and civil defense applications.
“For example, in Q4’24 we secured a $910K contract with a long-time financial services client to implement our biometric identification technology across its branches. The customer has already enrolled fingerprint biometrics for over 25M end-users and is now upgrading to BIO-key’s “fingerprint-only,” one-to-many identification system. Our solution is expected to trim approximately 30 seconds from each customer interaction, resulting in both an improved customer experience and substantial long-term savings.
“Our longstanding relationship with one of the world’s most esteemed defense ministries saw expanded deployment of our biometric solutions in 2024, a trend we expect to continue in 2025 and beyond. We currently provide authentication and digital security services for over 80,000 ministry personnel and believe that deployment could double or triple in coming years. To date, the ministry has generated $3.3M in total hardware and license revenue, and we are now working under a new long term procurement agreement initiated in Q3 2024.
“This past January, we forged a partnership with the National Bank of Egypt, which is integrating BIO-key’s PortalGuard IAM platform and an industry-leading Identity Governance solution. This project, led by our partner, Raya Information Technology, leverages PortalGuard’s advanced IAM, MFA, and SSO capabilities to secure the digital identities of the bank’s 30,000 employees, and we believe there is potential down the road for this solution to be utilized with its customers.
“BIO-key has also built an established and growing presence in education across over 100 institutions serving over 4M end users. In January, three additional colleges and universities migrated to PortalGuard IDaaS and the Wyoming Department of Education deployed PortalGuard IDaaS, adding a total of over 50,000 IDaaS end users. Building on this momentum, after an extensive RFP and review process, we executed a strategic partnership and Joint Purchase Agreement (JPA) with California’s Education Technology Joint Powers Authority (Ed Tech JPA). The agreement makes PortalGuard an approved IAM solution for the alliance’s 195 K-12 schools and districts, collectively serving over 2.6M students, uniquely positioning our offerings to comply solve Ed Tech JPA member IAM requirements, including compliance with emerging restrictions on the use of personal mobile devices in schools.
“In an effort to seed future market opportunities, in December we announced a strategic collaboration with Fiber Food Systems to explore IAM use cases across the food industry. As part of this agreement, we also acquired shares of Boumarang, Inc. from Fiber in exchange for BIO-key stock. Boumarang is a pioneering force in sustainable, AI-driven, hydrogen-powered, long-range drone technology, a developing market with a clear need for a state-of-the-art IAM solutions. The equity exchange strengthened our balance sheet and paved the way to a strategic collaboration with Guinn Partners to integrate our biometric technology with Guinn’s expertise in IoT and autonomous systems, targeting applications across aerospace, defense, healthcare, logistics and smart cities. These initiatives will take time to develop, but we believe that each of them has the potential to create attractive new commercial opportunities for BIO-key.
“We are off to a strong start in 2025 and believe we are well positioned to deliver improved top- and bottom-line performance. However, given the timing of large customer orders, our financial performance has the potential to fluctuate significantly on a quarter-to-quarter basis. Given increasing interest in our biometric solutions, growing adoption of passwordless, phoneless and tokenless IAM solutions, and the transition we executed in 2024 to a focus on higher-margin BIO-key solutions, we are very optimistic regarding our prospects this year. We remain focused on reducing costs to lower our breakeven level as we continue to explore new markets and strategic partnerships that could advance our path to sustained profitability and positive operating cash flow.”
Financial Results
Please note that the audit our FY2024 financial statements has not been completed by our independent registered public accounting firm as of the date of this press release and are therefore subject to change.2024 revenues decreased approximately 11% to $6.9M from $7.8M in 2023, largely due to BIO-key’s exit from a Swivel Secure Limited (SSL) distribution agreement and transition to selling BIO-key branded solutions in the EMEA region. The impact of this strategic decision contributed to more high-margin software license fee revenue and a reduction in services revenue from third-party products which carry a much lower gross margin. As a result, 2024 license fee revenue increased 20% to $5.2M in 2024 vs. $4.3M in 2023; service fees declined 50% to $1.1M in 2024 from $2.2 million in 2023; and hardware revenue declined 47% to $0.6M in 2024 from $1.2M in 2023.
In Q4’24 license fee revenue increased 77% to $1.0M; services revenue decreased 28% to $0.3M and hardware revenue declined 88% to $0.1M, also reflecting the impacts of the strategic transition from SSL products and services toward BIO-key solutions.
Gross profit grew to $5.6M in 2024 from $1.4M in 2023, due to a $3.6M hardware reserve taken in 2023 and the impact of growth in higher-margin license sales and a reduction in lower-margin services and hardware revenue. Exiting the SSL agreement contributed to lower costs to support deployments, including software license fees included in sales of Swivel Secure offerings vs. BIO-key’s internally developed software solutions. This resulted in gross profit increasing to $1.2M in Q4’24 vs. negative $95,496 in Q4’23, which included a $1.1M hardware reserve. Both Q4’24 and 2024 gross profit benefited from the sale of $213,005 of fully reserved hardware inventory.
BIO-key reduced its operating expenses by $606,409 to $9.7M in 2024 from $10.3M in 2023, due to a reduction of SG&A costs by $722,563, partially offset by a $116,154 increase in research, development and engineering expense to support new product development. Proactive cost reductions included lower headquarters expenses, sales personnel costs, and marketing show expenses, partially offset by an increase in professional services, principally related to financing activities. BIO-key’s Q4’24 operating expenses were flat year-over-year at $2.6M.
Reflecting greater gross profit and lower operating expenses, BIO-key’s 2024 net loss improved to $4.3M, or ($2.10) per share, from a net loss of $8.7M, or ($15.21) per share, in 2023. Similarly, BIO-key’s Q4’24 net loss improved to $1.6M, or ($0.53) per share, vs. $2.4M, or ($3.99) per share, in Q4’23. 2023 Results included hardware reserves of $3.6M and $1.086M in 2023 and Q4’23, respectively. 2024 results included a positive hardware reserve adjustment of $213,005 in Q4 for the sale of hardware that was previously reserved.
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2024, BIO-key had $1.9M of current assets, including $438,000 of cash and cash equivalents, $0.8M of net accounts receivable and due from factor, and $378,000 of inventory. This compares to current assets of $2.6M at December 31, 2023, including approximately $511,000 of cash and cash equivalents, $1.3M of net accounts receivable and due from factor, and $446,000 of inventory.Conference Call Details
Date / Time: Thursday, March 27th at 10 a.m. ET Call Dial In #: 1-877-418-5460 U.S. or 1-412-717-9594 Int’l Live Webcast / Replay: Webcast & Replay Link – Available for 3 months. Audio Replay: 1-877-344-7529 U.S. or 1-412-317-0088 Int’l; code 6114035 About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.BIO-key.com)
BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software securing access for over forty million users. BIO-key allows customers to choose the right authentication factors for diverse use cases, including phoneless, tokenless, and passwordless biometric options. Its hosted or on-premise PortalGuard IAM solution provides cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, convenient, and secure access to computers, information, applications, and high-value transactions.
BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The words “estimate,” “project,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, our history of losses and limited revenue; our ability to raise additional capital to satisfy working capital needs; our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to protect our intellectual property; changes in business conditions; changes in our sales strategy and product development plans; changes in the marketplace; continued services of our executive management team; security breaches; competition in the biometric technology industry; market acceptance of biometric products generally and our products under development; our ability to convert sales opportunities to customer contracts; our ability to expand into Asia and other foreign markets; our ability to migrate Swivel Secure customers to BIO-key and Portal Guard offerings; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; delays in the development of products, the commercial, reputational and regulatory risks to our business that may arise as a consequence of the restatement of our financial statements, including any consequences of non-compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq periodic reporting requirements; our temporary loss of the use of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 to register securities in the future;, any disruption to our business that may occur on a longer-term basis should we be unable to continue to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, and statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing as well as other factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.Engage with BIO-key
Investor Contacts
William Jones, David Collins
Catalyst IR
BKYI@catalyst-ir.com or 212-924-9800BIO-key International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited)Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues Services $ 344,444 $ 478,005 $ 1,108,506 $ 2,218,885 License fees 1,023,701 577,669 5,189,370 4,342,010 Hardware 94,133 769,427 631,695 1,194,010 Total revenues 1,462,278 1,825,101 6,929,571 7,754,905 Costs and other expenses Cost of services 73,317 221,940 396,274 861,936 Cost of license fees 146,122 152,000 589,505 1,174,919 Cost of hardware 255,927 460,157 516,611 700,231 Cost of hardware – reserve (213,005 ) 1,086,500 (213,005 ) 3,586,500 Total costs and other expenses 262,361 1,920,597 1,289,385 6,323,586 Gross profit 1,199,917 (95,496 ) 5,640,186 1,431,319 Operating Expenses Selling, general and administrative 1,815,155 2,040,438 7,140,147 7,862,710 Research, development and engineering 812,072 587,900 2,511,080 2,394,926 Total Operating Expenses 2,627,227 2,628,338 9,651,227 10,257,636 Operating loss (1,427,310 ) (2,723,834 ) (4,011,041 ) (8,826,317 ) Other income (expense) Interest income 57 5,589 110 11,533 Gain from sale of asset 20,000 20,000 Loss on foreign currency transactions (13,004 ) (24,000 ) (13,004 ) (39,000 ) Loan fee amortization (60,000 ) – (124,000 ) – Change in fair value of convertible note – 131,497 – 396,203 Interest expense (66,932 ) (58,890 ) (175,755 ) (218,270 ) Total other income (expense), net (139,879 ) 74,196 (312,649 ) 170,466 Loss before provision for income tax (1,567,189 ) (2,649,638 ) (4,323,690 ) (8,655,851 ) Provision for (income tax) tax benefit – 276,825 – 134,014 Net loss $ (1,567,189 ) $ (2,372,813 ) $ (4,323,690 ) $ (8,521,837 ) Comprehensive loss: Net loss $ (1,567,189 ) $ (2,372,813 ) $ (4,323,690 ) $ (8,521,837 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) – Foreign currency translation adjustment (25,409 ) 138,029 26,469 265,423 Comprehensive loss $ (1,592,598 ) $ (2,234,784 ) $ (4,297,221 ) $ (8,256,414 ) Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share* $ (0.53 ) $ (3.99 ) $ (2.10 ) $ (15.21 ) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding* Basic and diluted 3,032,240 560,278 2,059,884 560,278 *Periods reflect impact of BIO-key’s 1-for-18 reverse stock split effective December 21, 2023. Please note that the audit our FY2024 financial statements has not been completed by our independent registered public accounting firm as of the date of this press release and are therefore subject to change. BIO-key International, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSDecember 31, 2024 2023 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 437,604 $ 511,400 Accounts receivable, net 718,229 1,201,526 Due from factor 74,170 99,320 Inventory, net of reserve 378,307 445,740 Prepaid expenses and other 278,648 364,171 Total current assets 1,886,958 2,622,157 Equipment and leasehold improvements, net 140,198 220,177 Capitalized contract costs, net 409,426 229,806 Deposits and other assets 7,976 – Operating lease right-of-use assets 73,372 36,905 Other assets 5,000,000 – Intangible assets, net 1,097,630 1,407,990 Total non-current assets 6,728,602 1,894,878 TOTAL ASSETS $ 8,615,560 $ 4,517,035 LIABILITIES Accounts payable $ 818,187 $ 1,316,014 Accrued liabilities 1,278,732 1,305,848 Note payable 1,525,977 – Government loan – BBVA Bank, current portion 132,731 138,730 Deferred revenue – current 773,267 414,968 Operating lease liabilities, current portion 24,642 37,829 Total current liabilities 4,553,536 3,213,389 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 196,237 28,296 Deferred tax liability 22,998 22,998 Government loan – BBVA Bank, net of current portion 44,762 188,787 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 48,994 – Total non-current liabilities 312,991 240,081 TOTAL LIABILITIES 4,866,527 3,453,470 Commitments STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Common stock — authorized, 170,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding; 3,715,483 and 1,032,777 of $.0001 par value at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 372 103 Additional paid-in capital 133,030,271 126,047,851 Accumulated other comprehensive loss 49,290 22,821 Accumulated deficit (129,330,900 ) (125,007,210 ) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 3,749,033 1,063,565 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 8,615,560 $ 4,517,035 All BIO-key shares issued and outstanding for all periods reflect BIO-key’s 1-for-18 reverse stock split, which was effective December 21, 2023. Please note that the audit our FY2024 financial statements has not been completed by our independent registered public accounting firm as of the date of this press release and are therefore subject to change. BIO-key International, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended December 31, 2024 2023 CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ (4,323,690 ) $ (8,521,837 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used for operating activities: Depreciation 93,026 75,136 Amortization of intangible assets and write-off 304,983 354,558 Interest payable on Note 164,589 – Loss on foreign currency 13,004 39,000 Reserve for inventory (213,005 ) 3,586,500 Allowance for doubtful account (372,532 ) 750,000 Amortization of debt discount 124,000 – Amortization of capitalized contract costs 175,900 171,291 Share based and warrant compensation for employees and consultants 225,245 226,725 Stock based fees to directors 18,006 39,007 Bad debt expense 100,000 100,000 Change in fair value of convertible note – (396,203 ) Deferred income tax benefit – (134,014 ) Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets 79,521 – Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 855,829 (428,742 ) Due from factor 25,150 (49,820 ) Capitalized contract costs (355,520 ) (118,028 ) Deposits (7,976 ) – Right of use asset (115,988 ) 160,449 Inventory 280,438 402,129 Prepaid expenses and other 85,523 (21,465 ) Accounts payable (502,987 ) 57,725 Income tax payable – (121,764 ) Accrued liabilities (27,116 ) 275,561 Deferred revenue 526,240 (71,288 ) Operating lease liabilities (66,712 ) (168,376 ) Net cash used for operating activities (2,914,072 ) (3,793,456 ) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (13,047 ) (1,000 ) Net cash used for investing activities (13,047 ) (1,000 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from public offerings 4,296,260 Repayment of convertible notes (2,200,000 ) Proceeds from the exercise of warrants 1,908,099 320 Costs incurred for issuance of common stock (172,350 ) (561,367 ) Proceeds from issuance of note payable 2,000,000 – Repayment of note payable (762,611 ) – Repayment of government loan (150,024 ) (119,251 ) Proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan 3,740 17,478 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities 2,826,854 1,433,440 Effect of exchange rate changes 26,469 236,894 NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (73,796 ) (2,124,122 ) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 511,400 2,635,522 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR $ 437,604 $ 511,400 All BIO-key shares issued and outstanding for all periods reflect BIO-key’s 1-for-18 reverse stock split, which was effective December 21, 2023. Please note that the audit our FY2024 financial statements has not been completed by our independent registered public accounting firm as of the date of this press release and are therefore subject to change. -
MIL-OSI: TransUnion Study Finds U.S. Data Breach Severity Reaches New High
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CHICAGO, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Despite the volume of U.S. data breaches declining in 2024 from highs reached a year prior, data breach severity reached levels never seen since TransUnion’s measurement began in 2020. These findings were revealed as part of the newly-released TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU) H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report.
In 2024, the number of primary data breaches dipped to 2,577 from 2,842 the year prior, while third-party data breaches fell precipitously to 515 from 2,731 in 2023. However, the severity of those data breaches increased by 34% from one year earlier, with the primary US Breach Risk Score (BRS)1 rising from 4.1 to 5.6 and third party rising from 4.2 to 5.2. Breach Risk Score is measured on a 1–10 scale, where 1 represents the least severe and 10 most.
A primary data breach represents a direct attack on an organization. A third-party data breach, also known as a supply-chain attack, value-chain attack, or backdoor breach, is when an attacker accesses an entity’s network via third-party vendors or suppliers — payroll processing or medical billing, for instance.
The study found that the 2024 U.S. data breaches targeted more high-quality credentials, and consumers reported being targeted by data harvesting scams in every channel, including email, text, phone and online. Exposed identity data enables cybercriminals to power automated, identity-based attacks on organizations and individuals more readily.
“The reversal of the multi-year U.S. data breach growth is certainly a step in the right direction. However, the significant jump in data breach severity is a cause for concern,” said Steve Yin, global head of fraud at TransUnion. “Breach severity is a leading indicator of future fraud. This year’s growth in severity means organizations must be even more diligent moving forward and work even harder to defend against the oncoming identity fraud attacks such as those in account creations, social engineering scams, and account takeovers.”
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1 The BRS is based on the quantity and severity of the particular identity credentials the affected entity determined to have been exposed.While U.S. Data Breach Volume Ticked Down in 2024, Data Breach Severity Reached Record Levels 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Volume Primary data Breaches 1,248 1,841 1,834 2,842 2,577 Third-party data breaches 689 567 1,757 2,731 515 Average Breach Risk Score Primary data Breaches 3.9 4.0 4.0 4.1 5.6 Third-party data breaches 2.8 3.1 3.4 4.2 5.2 Source: TransUnion TruEmpower™ These data breaches played a key role in significant financial losses faced by consumers due to fraud. Among consumers TransUnion surveyed in 18 countries and regions in November and December 2024, 29% said they lost money due to online, email, phone or text message fraud in the last year. The newly-released TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report found that the median amount those consumers said they lost due to fraud in the past year was $1,747.
Communities and Video Gaming Among Top Industries Targeted by Suspected Digital Fraud Globally
Communities, which include venues such as online dating and forums, had the highest rate of suspected digital fraud2 attempts globally in 2024. Nearly 12% of all attempted communities transactions were suspected to be digital fraud last year. This is closely followed by video gaming (11%), with gaming (including online betting, poker, etc.) at 8% and retail (8%) rounding out the top four.The logistics industry, which has seen growth in shipping fraud (often perpetrated by organized crime rings), saw the greatest suspected digital fraud volume growth globally in 2024, up more than 100% over 2023. That being said, the fraud rate remains at a relatively modest 3%. Gaming also saw a significant year-over-year (YoY) volume change, up 20%. Telecommunications (-79%), insurance (-29%) and video gaming (-23%) saw the greatest decreases in suspected digital fraud volume YoY.
“Digital fraud on community platforms is by no means a new phenomenon. However, in 2024, it appears that fraudsters targeted these areas with a renewed vigor,” said Richard Tsai, senior director of global fraud solutions at TransUnion. “Cybercriminals, taking advantage of the trust inherent on community-based platforms, targeted members with a wide range of scammer solicitations, the most reported type of digital fraud in communities.”
For transactions where the consumer or fraudster was located in the U.S., gaming continues to see the highest suspected digital fraud rate. About 14% of attempted transactions were suspected to be digital fraud, roughly the same as 2023. This marks the fifth consecutive year since TransUnion began research on this metric five years ago, where 13% or more of attempted gaming transactions in the U.S. were suspected to be digital fraud.
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2 The rate or percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts reflects those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation — compared to all transactions assessed. The country and regional analyses examined transactions in which the consumer or suspected fraudster was located in a select country or region when conducting a transaction. Global statistics represents every country worldwide and not just the select countries and regions.Communities Saw the Highest Suspected Digital Fraud Rates in 2024 Globally, While Logistics Saw the Greatest Volume Increase Industry Suspected digital fraud attempt rate 2024 Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from 2023 to 2024 Communities (online dating, forums, etc.) 11.6% +9% Video gaming 10.8% -23% Gaming (online sports betting, poker, etc.) 7.8% +20% Retail 7.6% -45% Financial services 4.9% +3% Telecommunications 3.0% -79% Logistics 2.6% +101% Insurance 2.0% -29% Government 1.7% +6% Travel & leisure 0.9% -38% Source: TransUnion TruValidate™ As part of the same aforementioned consumer survey, 11% of U.S. respondents indicated that they were targeted by online, email, phone call or text messaging fraud from August to December 2024 and fell victim to it. Four in 10 respondents (41%) indicated that they were aware of being targeted, but did not fall victim. Among those able to identify being targeted, the most commonly reported fraud scheme in the U.S. was smishing. Smishing is a type of phishing that uses text messages to mislead people into giving away personal information. The term combines “SMS” and “phishing”.
“While cybercriminals will attack at any time using any channel, they appear to focus on channels most popular in the regions they are targeting,” said Yin. “Text messaging remains incredibly popular in the U.S. and, among many demographic groups, is a far more ubiquitous way to communicate with mobile devices than phone calls. As such, it would stand to reason that smishing would be such a common fraud tactic among fraudsters targeting this region.”
In contrast, nearly half of respondents (48%) indicated that they were not targeted by these types of fraud at all. This raises questions as to whether these respondents were in fact targeted, yet simply unaware.
India and South Africa Saw the Greatest Percentage of Respondents Falling Victim to Digital Fraud in H2 2024 Country Targeted and fell victim Targeted but didn’t fall victim Not targeted Most reported fraud scheme India 13% 41% 46% Identity theft South Africa 13% 55% 31% Phishing Dominican Republic 12% 24% 64% Vishing Kenya 11% 71% 19% Smishing Mexico 11% 31% 58% Stolen credit card Namibia 11% 52% 37% Vishing Philippines 11% 63% 26% Phishing Puerto Rico 11% 25% 63% Stolen credit card United States 11% 41% 48% Smishing Brazil 10% 30% 60% Vishing Rwanda 10% 57% 33% Money mule Spain 10% 25% 65% Phishing Canada 9% 47% 44% Phishing Chile 9% 30% 61% Vishing Colombia 9% 33% 58% Vishing Zambia 9% 70% 21% Smishing Hong Kong 6% 45% 48% Phishing United Kingdom 6% 44% 50% Phishing Source: TransUnion consumer survey TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud and data breaches based on intelligence from TransUnion TruValidate and TruEmpower respectively.
Specific country and regional data in the report include the United States, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.
About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.
http://www.transunion.com/business
Contact Dave Blumberg
TransUnionE-mail david.blumberg@transunion.com Telephone 312-972-6646 -
MIL-Evening Report: Researcher warns over West Papuan deforestation impact on traditional noken weaving
Asia Pacific Report
A West Papuan doctoral candidate has warned that indigenous noken-weaving practices back in her homeland are under threat with the world’s biggest deforestation project.
About 60 people turned up for the opening of her “Noken/Men: String Bags of the Muyu Tribe of Southern West Papua” exhibition by Veronika T Kanem at Auckland University today and were treated to traditional songs and dances by a group of West Papuan students from Auckland and Hamilton.
The three-month exhibition focuses on the noken — known as “men” — of the Muyu tribe from southern West Papua and their weaving cultural practices.
It is based on Kanem’s research, which explores the socio-cultural significance of the noken/men among the Muyu people, her father’s tribe.
“Indigenous communities in southern Papua are facing the world’s biggest deforestation project underway in West Papua as Indonesia looks to establish 2 million hectares of sugarcane and palm oil plantations in the Papua region,” she said.
West Papua has the third-largest intact rainforest on earth and indigenous communities are being forced off their land by this project and by military.
The ancient traditions of noken-weaving are under threat.
Natural fibres, tree bark
Noken — called bilum in neighbouring Papua New Guinea — are finely woven or knotted string bags made from various natural fibres of plants and tree bark.“Noken contains social and cultural significance for West Papuans because this string bag is often used in cultural ceremonies, bride wealth payments, child initiation into adulthood, and gifts,” Kanem said.
West Papua student dancers performed traditional songs and dances at the noken exhibition. Image: APR “This string bag has different names depending on the region, language and dialect of local tribes. For the Muyu — my father’s tribe — in Southern West Papua, they call it ‘men’.
In West Papua, noken symbolises a woman’s womb or a source of life because this string bag is often used to load tubers, garden harvests, piglets, and babies.
Noken string bag as a fashion item. Image: APR “My research examines the Muyu people’s connection to their land, forest, and noken weaving,” said Kanem.
“Muyu women harvest the genemo (Gnetum gnemon) tree’s inner fibres to make noken, and gift-giving noken is a way to establish and maintain relationships from the Muyu to their family members, relatives and outsiders.
“Drawing on the Melanesian and Indigenous research approaches, this research formed noken weaving as a methodology, a research method, and a metaphor based on the Muyu tribe’s knowledge and ways of doing things.”
Hosting pride
Welcoming the guests, Associate Professor Gordon Nanau, head of Pacific Studies, congratulated Kanem on the exhibition and said the university was proud to be hosting such excellent Melanesian research.Part of the scores of noken on display at the exhibition. Image: APR Professor Yvonne Underhill-Sem, Kanem’s primary supervisor, was also among the many speakers, including Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai of Lagi Maama, and Daren Kamali of Creative New
The exhibition provides insights into the refined artistry, craft and making of noken/men string bags, personal stories, and their functions.
An 11 minute documentary on the weaving process and examples of noken from Waropko, Upkim, Merauke, Asmat, Wamena, Nabire and Paniai was also screened, and a booklet is expected to be launched soon.
The crowd at the noken exhibition at Auckland University today. Image: APR -
MIL-OSI Africa: Congo’s Hydrocarbons Minister Endorses Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2026, Eyes 500,000 bpd Production Target
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 27, 2025/APO Group/ —
H.E. Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, has endorsed the continuation of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) through 2026, emphasizing its role in supporting the country’s ambitious production targets. During a Fireside Chat with Daisy Portella at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum 2025, Minister Itoua said, “Considering Congo’s objective to reach 500,000 barrels per day in the next three years, I want CEIF to be held annually for the next three years.”
Minister Itoua also announced plans to revise the 2016 Hydrocarbons Code to make it more attractive and modern. Minister Itoua announced that the revision is part of the ministry’s strategy to enhance oil production by developing marginal fields. “We are working on revisiting the 2016 Hydrocarbons Code to modernize it and make it more attractive,” he stated.
Discussing marginal fields, he outlined opportunities for local companies. “Marginal fields provide immediate cash flow. They require only minimal additional investment and are within the reach of national companies. “With the African Petroleum Producers Organization countries, we are considering this approach. Once we master this, we can move on to exploration.” He encouraged local players’ participation, adding, “We want to see national companies become true industrial players. There are opportunities for national oil companies to partner and grow.”
Minister Itoua shared the same objective for the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), stating, “SNPC holds some marginal fields, such as Konkuala. I want to see SNPC become the Perenco of Congo. I intend to propose new offshore marginal fields to SNPC.”
As part of this strategy, Minister Itoua plans to launch a new licensing round soon to attract investment in deepwater, marginal fields, and gas assets. “There may be a session soon to launch the new licensing round with Energy Capital & Power. We want to give access to deepwater acreage, some marginal fields, and a special bid round focused on gas,” he stated.
The Minister also emphasized the growing importance of gas in the country’s energy strategy. “We have accelerated the adoption of a gas code and we intend to create the Office Congolais du Gaz to serve as a local intermediary for stakeholders in the gas value chain,” he said. “We are ready to discuss and support any gas project.”
Minister Itoua sees gas as a transition fuel that will enable Congo to achieve energy security while highlighting the continued need for fossil fuels. “Studies show that until 2040, the global energy mix will still require 40% fossil energy,” he noted. “Africa is working for the world, and gas is now recognized as the ideal transition fuel.”
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MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President Paul Mashatile replies to oral questions in the NCOP
Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)
Deputy President Paul Mashatile replies to oral questions in the NCOP
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MIL-OSI Africa: Appointment of Dr. Khalid Khalafalla as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, March 27, 2025/APO Group/ —
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), the private sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Dr. Khalid Khalafalla as Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 19 March 2025.
Dr. Khalafalla brings extensive experience from his career within the IsDB Group. Since December 2024, he has been serving as CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).
The Chairman of ICD’s Board of Directors, congratulated Dr. Khalafalla on his appointment and expressed the Board’s full confidence and support as he takes on this important responsibility.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Conflict and rising food prices drive Congolese into one of the world’s worst food crises according to new IPC data
Source: World Food Programme
Photo: WFP/Michael Castofas. In Bulengo camp, displaced families face a dire and uncertain future as M23 authorities instruct them to dismantle their makeshift shelters. Goma, DRC.
2.5m more people have been pushed into acute food insecurity, as UN agencies grapple with increasing needsKINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced that new data from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis reveals the highest number ever recorded of acutely food insecure populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
An alarming 28 million people in DRC are now facing acute hunger (IPC Phase 3 and above) – a number that has grown by 2.5 million since the most recent outbreak of violence in December; included in this group are 3.9 million people who are experiencing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4).
Over the past six months, a worsening food crisis has been gripping the people of DRC, where conflict, economic instability and surging food prices have put millions at risk.
Internally displaced people escaping violence remain among the most vulnerable, bearing the brunt of the worsening food crisis. According to the latest analysis, more than two million displaced people are experiencing acute hunger, with an alarming 738,000 in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4).
“The humanitarian situation in the DRC is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Families who were already struggling to feed themselves are now facing an even harsher reality,” said Eric Perdison, WFP’s Regional Director for Southern Africa and ad interim WFP DRC Country Director. “We have resumed operations in parts of North and South Kivu, and we are committed to do more to support those at risk, but we urgently need more resources.”
A DEADLY COMBINATION OF CONFLICT, ECONOMIC TURMOIL AND HIGH PRICES
The situation is particularly dire in the conflict-affected eastern provinces of DRC, where families have lost access to their livestock and livelihoods. More than ten million people are facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above), including 2.3 million in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4) in the eastern part of the country.
In North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, violence has uprooted tens of thousands of people, cutting them off from food supplies and humanitarian assistance. Armed clashes continue to disrupt food production, and trade routes, while humanitarian access remains limited, as security risks hinder the ability to deliver essential assistance.
The sharp depreciation of the Congolese franc, shuttered banks, and lost incomes have made it increasingly difficult for families to afford even the staples. At the same time, inflation and disrupted supply chains have contributed to a rise in food prices. Basic foods such as maize flour, palm oil, and cassava flour are seeing price increases of up to 37 percent compared to pre-crisis levels (December 2024).
WFP AND FAO RAMPING UP TO MEET NEEDS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
WFP and FAO are working together to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance while strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities.
To-date this year, 464,000 people have received WFP food, cash for food, and nutrition treatment in accessible areas of eastern DRC; WFP has managed to reach 237,000 people in Bunia alone.
Beyond emergency food assistance in eastern DRC, FAO and WFP have invested in resilience activities in North and South Kivu provinces to build skills and capacity amongst communities to improve their long-term food security.
“The current situation is dire for the population, as harvests are lost, food prices soar, millions of people face acute food insecurity and are increasingly vulnerable,” said Athman Mravili, FAO Representative ad interim. “FAO needs more resources to provide emergency assistance to support sustainable livelihoods for displaced populations. We are aiming to assist 1.6 million people in North and South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika provinces with emergency food production support.”
In 2025, WFP plans to reach 6.4 million people in DRC with food and nutrition assistance while also investing in long-term solutions. US$ 399 million is urgently needed to sustain operations and meet growing humanitarian needs over the next six months.
WFP and FAO call on the international community to step up funding and humanitarian access to prevent a full-scale catastrophe. Without urgent support, hunger levels will continue to rise, pushing the most vulnerable into further destitution.
Note to Editor
Key Figures:
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More information about the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scales
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About WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @WFPDRC on Instagram, WFP DRC on Facebook
About FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. It aims to transform agrifood systems, making them more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @FAOnews, @FAOAfrica and @FAORDCongo.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Launch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration: Baroness Chapman’s speech
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
SpeechLaunch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration: Baroness Chapman’s speech
Baroness Chapman gave a speech at the launch of a new Global Compact on Nutrition Integration on the eve of the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris.
Welcome everyone. Thank you to our co-hosts – the Government of Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Bank, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and thank you to the Government of France for bringing us together.
It is great to see such a diverse group of people gathered here – from Gavi and the Green Climate Fund, to private sector investors, philanthropy, and civil society networks, to countries deeply affected by malnutrition, including members of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement.
I know that for some of you this is your life’s work. And as the UK’s Minister for International Development, and for Latin America and Caribbean, it is a pleasure to welcome you all on the eve of the fourth Nutrition for Growth Summit, and to share a few reflections before we hear from you.
Thanks in no small part to many of you – the work we have done together over many decades has shown that we can make a difference. Lives changed and lives saved.
This agenda can serve as an example of how coming together, being more than the sum of our parts, can help us maximise our impact.
Now, before going into more detail about our collective work on nutrition, I want to address something head on. I know many of you will have seen our announcement about our ODA budget in recent weeks – as the UK responds to the world as it is now – less stable, more insecure.
It was a decision we neither relish, nor take lightly. But I hope my presence here, the work of our dedicated experts, and our continued efforts on this important agenda, demonstrates the UK will never turn its back on the world – or on international development. Far from it.
How we work has to change, but I promise, what we all care about is not. The task for all of us now is to make sure we secure the reforms we need to meet the challenges and opportunities of our times.
That includes making the case for development anew. And thinking afresh about the kind of genuine, respectful, modern partnerships we pursue, and the commitment, energy and expertise we bring to forums like this – not just how much public money we have to spend.
And as we work through the difficult choices before us now, my focus is on making sure this new reality gives even greater impetus to modernising the UK’s approach to international development. That is already underway. And it is how we maximise the impact of every pound of public money we are able to put in – and our collective impact.
So let me talk about our impact.
Over a decade after the world came together in the UK for the first of these important summits, the UK has helped to improve the nutrition of over 50 million women and children – from Nigeria, to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and beyond.
That spans everything from getting micronutrient supplements, specialist support, and therapeutic foods to treat malnutrition in women and children, to helping farmers grow more nutritious foods like vegetables and legumes, to improve the diets of their families and communities.
I talked a moment ago about the importance of working in partnership – we need to learn from our successes. Partnerships like the Child Nutrition Fund. Alongside UNICEF, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Gates Foundation, we are aiming to prevent, detect, and treat malnutrition for 70 million women and 230 million children in 23 countries, from Afghanistan, to DRC, Malawi, Madagascar, Somalia, and South Sudan.
At the end of last year, a new partnership with the World Food Programme, World Health Organisation, and UNICEF got underway – focused on preventing the most horrible and deadliest form of malnutrition, child wasting.
It’s a dreadful and shameful phrase to even say – and we must keep our minds on that, as we stand here together in these wonderful surroundings, to reaffirm all our commitments and initiatives.
Commitments like those we made at the last summit in Tokyo 4 years ago, on integrating nutrition across everything we do, from climate to health – such as developing nutritious crops that help us address a lack of key nutrients. So that the 2 billion people who don’t get the nutrition they need can have a healthier life.
It means working with Gavi, the Government of Ethiopia, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to reach vulnerable mothers and children with life-saving immunisation and nutrition.
And, when it comes to nutrition, we all know what is at stake in every country in the world. Combating malnutrition is vital for a healthy population and healthy economies – malnutrition translates into a loss of 10% of GDP for countries most affected. It’s a good investment – every pound, euro or dollar we invest pays for itself 23 times over.
We know how to make our work even more effective. Invest in science. Go for solutions supported by the evidence. Put nutrition at the heart of everything we do – from health, to water, hygiene, and sanitation, food systems, social protection, and our wider resilience.
So, this evening, it’s fantastic we have all come together to launch the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration.
Tomorrow, we convene a new coalition of signatories. And I am looking forward to hearing from some of you this evening, about your commitment to this vital cause.
As we learn from each other, challenge each other, push each other to do more, and keep going – not just at summits like this where we all get together. That is how we maximise the impact we can achieve.
So, thank you all once again for being here.
Updates to this page
Published 27 March 2025 -
MIL-OSI Global: A ‘Google maps for the sea’, sails and alternative fuels: the technologies steering shipping towards lower emissions – podcast
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation
Ships transport around 80% of the world’s cargo. From your food, to your car to your phone, chances are it got to you by sea. The vast majority of the world’s container ships burn fossil fuels, which is why 3% of global emissions come from shipping – slightly more than the 2.5% of emissions from aviation.
The race is on to reduce these emissions, and quickly, to meet the Paris agreement targets. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we find out what technologies are available to shipping companies to reduce their carbon emissions – from sails, to alternative fuels or simply taking a better route.
“ We live in a world of information. The biggest challenge is knowing how to use it,” says Daniel Precioso, a data scientist at IE University in Madrid, Spain. He’s part of a team of researchers that developed a platform called Green Navigation, what he calls a “Google maps for the sea”. Pulling together publicly available data on wind, waves and ocean currents, it can suggest new routes to ship captains to optimise their journey from A to B and reduce carbon emissions.
Precioso presented the project in November 2024 in Dubai at the Prototypes for Humanity exhibition organised by Dubai Future Solutions as a showcase for young researchers designing solutions for global challenges.
Pressure mounting
Route optimisation software like Green Navigation is seen as a transition between the status quo and a future where ships will move to using alternative, greener fuels.
The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) has a target for zero emissions from shipping by 2050 and a strive target of 30% reductions by 2030 relative to 2008 levels.
In early April, IMO member states will meet to discuss a proposal to introduce a flat rate tax on carbon emitted by commercial shipping. If adopted, shipping companies would have to pay a levy, the price of which is still being worked out, for every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. The money would sit in a fund run by the IMO, which would be used to help developing countries reduce maritime emissions.
The proposal is supported by 47 countries, and it’s being pushed particularly by island nations most at risk from climate change, and flag states, those countries such as the Bahamas, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, where a lot of international ships are registered.
What’s the alternative?
If the flat tax is adopted it would add an extra financial incentive for ships to reduce their emissions and potentially move to greener alternative fuels. But Alice Larkin, professor of climate science and energy policy at the University of Manchester in the UK, says unfortunately it’s not currently cost efficient to switch away from fossil fuels.
The challenge is that when you’re moving away from something which was naturally the cheapest, easiest fuel to come by and to burn, then inevitably if all you’re doing is literally swapping the fuel for a different fuel that is much cleaner, then that is going to be more expensive, at least in the short term.
A number of alternative fuels are being explored, such as green hydrogen, biodiesel, biomethane and green ammonia. But Larkin says no alternative fuel is currently emerging as a frontrunner, making it difficult for shipping companies to know what to invest in and creating inertia in the transition to greener fuels.
She stresses the need to reduce emissions in the shorter term to help keep the world below 1.5 degrees of warming. Options include strategies like route optimisation, sail, or wind-assist technologies, or for ships to travel at a slower speed. Larkin and her colleagues modelled the potential impact from these technologies and found combinations of these technologies could reduce a ship’s emissions by up to a third.
Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear conversations with Daniel Precisio and Alice Larkin.
This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware and Mend Mariwany. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.
Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.
Daniel Precioso Garcelán own shares of Canonical Green, the company who develops Green Navigation. The company received funding from the city of Valencia, Spain for development and marketing. Alice Larkin has received research funding from EPSRC, INNOVATE UK funding, International Chamber of Shipping Funding and University of Manchester Alumni Funding. She is a fellow of the Institute of Physics and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
– ref. A ‘Google maps for the sea’, sails and alternative fuels: the technologies steering shipping towards lower emissions – podcast – https://theconversation.com/a-google-maps-for-the-sea-sails-and-alternative-fuels-the-technologies-steering-shipping-towards-lower-emissions-podcast-253088
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MIL-OSI NGOs: Egypt: More than 30,000 demand release of student Oqba Hashad after nearly six years of arbitrary detention
Source: Amnesty International –
The Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Oqba Hashad, an Egyptian student who has been held in prolonged pre-trial detention for nearly six years solely as punishment for his brother’s human rights activism, Amnesty International said today. This demand is amplified by a significant surge in global support, evidenced by the nearly 33,000 petition signatures gathered by Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign demanding his freedom.
Since his arbitrary arrest on 20 May 2019, the Egyptian authorities have subjected Oqba Hashad to a catalogue of human rights violations, including enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment including beatings, electric shocks, and denial of adequate healthcare. The authorities have failed to provide Oqba Hashad with a functional prosthetic leg – his right leg was amputated above the knee following a childhood accident. While the prison administration began procedures to provide him with a prosthetic leg in February 2025, over a year after his family’s request, he has yet to receive it. They have also refused to grant him specialized medical care, including access to antiseptics and sterilization tools needed for his stump.
“Oqba Hashad has been the victim of a cruel and blatant miscarriage of justice. He should never have been detained in the first place let alone been forced to spend nearly six years unjustly behind bars. It’s high time for the Egyptian authorities to heed the calls from tens of thousands of people worldwide demanding his release, by putting an end to his agonizing ordeal and releasing him immediately and unconditionally,” said Souleimene Benghazi, Amnesty International’s Egypt Campaigner.
Oqba Hashad has been the victim of a cruel and blatant miscarriage of justice.
Souleimene Benghazi, Amnesty International’s Egypt Campaigner
The Egyptian authorities have continued to indefinitely detain Oqba Hashad without trial, beyond the two-year legal limit for pre-trial detention, through the abusive practice of “rotation”. On 20 February 2024, a judge ordered his release, but instead, security forces subjected him to enforced disappearance from 22 February to 2 March 2024, before he was detained in a new case on similar charges of joining and financing a terrorist group.
“The fact that Oqba Hashad was charged with fresh bogus charges instead of being released after the pre-trial detention limit is outrageous. This blatant manipulation of the legal system highlights the authorities’ contempt for international law. It also underscores the urgent need for the international community to press the Egyptian authorities to end this grave injustice once and for all,” said Souleimene Benghazi.
Oqba Hashad’s prolonged and inhumane detention have taken a significant toll on his physical and mental health. The lack of a prosthetic leg has led to severe back pain and significantly impedes his mobility. Relatives have reported to Amnesty International a dramatic decline in his mental well-being.
Background:
Oqba Hashad’s case featured in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights annual global campaign which aims to raise awareness and demand justice for individuals whose human rights are under threat. A petition calling for Oqba Hashad’s release has garnered nearly 33,000 signatures, demonstrating the widespread concern for his plight.
During his detention Oqba Hashad was interrogated multiple times about activities of his brother, Amr Hashad, a human rights activist who left Egypt in 2019. Security forces had arrested Amr Hashad in 2014 in connection with his activism with the student union at Assiut University. He was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of “joining a terrorist organization, attempting to overthrow the government and inciting protests.” Amr Hashad has continued to document human rights violations in Egypt while in exile.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: UNMISS calls for immediate recommitment to peace at pivotal moment for South Sudan
Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping
Following reports tonight of the detention of First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, calls on all Parties to exercise restraint and uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement.“Tonight, the country’s leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward towards peace, recovery and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom.“Unilateral amendments by Parties to that agreement that jeopardize the hard-won gains of the past seven years risk returning the country back into a state of war. This will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire region.”UNMISS again urges the Parties to immediately cease hostilities and engage in constructive dialogue that puts the best interests of their people at the forefront of this pivotal moment for the world’s newest nation. –Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson at unmiss-spokesperson@un.org
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MIL-OSI: Web3MEXC Announces CORN (CORN) Listing with Massive 149,000 USDT Prize Pool
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the listing of CORN (CORN) on both spot and futures markets, scheduled for March 28, 2025 (UTC). The listing on MEXC will be accompanied by an exciting Airdrop+ rewards event totaling 149,000 USDT.
CORN represents a next-generation blockchain solution built on Arbitrum Orbit, offering unprecedented scalability and efficiency for Bitcoin-centric applications. The project introduces groundbreaking features including Bitcorn (BTCN) as its gas token, the popCORN System for long-term incentives, and LayerZero technology for seamless cross-chain asset transfers. By supporting Stylus, CORN enables developers to create smart contracts using multiple programming languages, pushing the boundaries of blockchain innovation.
To celebrate the CORN listing, MEXC will launch an extraordinary Airdrop+ event with a massive 149,000 USDT prize pool. The event, which will run from March 27 to April 6, 2025, will offer multiple opportunities to participate:
Benefit 1: Deposit and share 80,000 USDT in Futures bonus (New user exclusive)
Benefit 2: Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
Benefit 3: Invite new users and share 19,000 USDT in Futures (For all users)MEXC has established itself as an industry leader by consistently providing users with early access to promising Web3 projects. In 2024, MEXC introduced 2,376 new tokens, with 1,716 of those being initial listings. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC leads the industry with the highest number of spot listings at 461 and the fastest listing speed. Additionally, the exchange consistently adds new tokens in bi-weekly cycles, showcasing its exceptional ability to quickly capture market trends.
Looking ahead, MEXC will continue to enhance its platform by providing advantages such as low fees, deep liquidity, a wide selection of trending tokens, and daily airdrops, enabling traders to access high-potential projects early, receive generous rewards, and enjoy an optimal trading experience.
For full event details and participation rules, visit the event page.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜Telegram｜How to Sign Up on MEXCRisk Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article about cryptocurrencies does not represent MEXC’s official stance or investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully evaluate market fluctuations, project fundamentals, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.Contact:
Lucia Hu
PR Manager
lucia.hu@mexc.comDisclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/921c2e2c-14be-4fdf-87db-e3998190701a
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MIL-OSI Africa: Concern over sexual harassment at Free State higher education institution
Source: South Africa News Agency
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, which is currently conducting oversight visits at post-school education institutions, has expressed concern at allegations of lecturers harassing or having inappropriate relations with students.
The committee visited the Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College’s Bloemfontein campus on Tuesday where it expressed concern over the institution’s handling of sexual misconduct cases.
Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie emphasised the need for the college to accept where they have gone wrong, pointing out that cases of sexual misconduct should not take over 90 days to resolve.
“It is worrying that there are people who are accused of sexual misconduct but are still in the employ of the college. And this is a triple jeopardy to students who have suffered sexual harassment and who now have to see these people every day on the premises, as lecturers,” said Letsie.
While commending the college’s infrastructure, including lecture rooms, which speaks to proper maintenance and care of government infrastructure, the committee also raised concern that the infrastructure is being underutilised, as the college has a low student population on its campuses.
“There must be deliberate efforts to market this place. All that is needed is rigorous marketing to make the TVET college more attractive to students,” the chairperson said.
The committee also urged the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to fast track the accreditation of student accommodation, especially in Qwaqwa where Motheo has a campus.
Motheo TVET College also faces staffing challenges, citing a moratorium on filling vacancies as a critical barrier to their operational efficiency, with two vacant deputy principal posts and three unfilled campus manager positions.
The committee called on the Department of Higher Education and Training to urgently address this matter.
Despite these concerns, the committee commended the college’s innovative textbook retrieval system, which saved over R1 million in 2024, saying it could serve as a model for other institutions.
Meanwhile, a scheduled meeting with the Central University of Technology (CUT) was postponed on Tuesday, with the committee expressing concern over IT failures, staff shortages, and a lack of a properly recognised Student Representative Council.
On Wednesday, the committee visited Goldfields TVET College and the Free State Community Education and Training College.
The committee is also scheduled to visit Maluti TVET College on Thursday and Flavius Mareka TVET College on Friday when it concludes its visit to the Free State. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy President to respond to oral questions in the NCOP
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will answer oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament this afternoon.
As the Chairperson of the Water Task Team, the Deputy President will update Members of Parliament on government’s plans to deliver quality water services to communities across all provinces particularly the North West, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal.
“He will also apprise the NCOP on progress achieved in facilitating the settlement of outstanding land claims, particularly those that have been kept on hold following the Land Access Movement of South Africa judgments,” the Presidency said ahead of Thursday’s session.
On government efforts to contribute towards finding lasting peace and stability in Africa, the Deputy President will brief members on South Africa’s strategy in supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in its efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability and ultimately, create an enabling environment for sustainable development and prosperity.
According to the Presidency, Deputy President Mashatile will also present a range of government initiatives to provide sustainable quality water to communities through infrastructure investments, among other measures.
The Deputy President will also be speaking as the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform.
He is also expected to reiterate the State’s commitment to finalising all outstanding land claims through a backlog strategy developed by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights to accelerate the settlement of old-order claims.
The session in Cape Town will get underway 2pm. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: GCIS hosts 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy activities
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, March 27, 2025
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), in partnership with the Apartheid Museum and Gibela Rail Consortium, is today and tomorrow hosting activities to commemorate South Africa’s 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy.
“This initiative by GCIS and various partners forms part of a year-long campaign launched in 2024, extending into 2025, to commemorate South Africa’s remarkable journey of democracy and freedom. The 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy campaign seeks to foster collective ownership of this milestone among all South Africans and sectors of society,” it said.
This as it hosts a youth dialogue under the theme: “Youth and Economy” in partnership with the Apartheid Museum to solicit the views of young people from the Southern region of Gauteng on how they can participate in economic opportunities.
Thursday’s dialogue is being held at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
In addition, a tour is set to be held at the Kwa Thema Business Park on Friday.
“To promote the artisanship and the social responsibility initiatives of the Gibela Rail Consortium in Ekhurhuleni, a tour of the Gibela rail facilities and interaction with various artisans will conclude with a visit to a social investment project showcasing advancements in rail manufacturing and public transport.
“The programme also aims to promote social cohesion, national identity and inclusivity, reflecting South Africa’s rich and diverse culture. It highlights the progress achieved since 1994 while acknowledging the challenges of the fourth decade of democracy,” it said. –SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: SA-EU relations flourishing
Source: South Africa News Agency
By Nomonde Mnukwa
South Africa’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994 signalled not only the end of the brutal system of apartheid, but also a change in the country’s international image.
The country’s struggle for liberation and reconciliation has shaped its identity and global standing. South Africa has positioned itself as a champion of international solidarity.
South Africa’s unique approach to global issues has found expression in the concept of Ubuntu. These concepts inform our approach to diplomacy and shape our vision of a better world for all.
This philosophy translates into an approach to international relations that respects all nations, peoples, and cultures. It recognises that it is in our national interest to promote and support the positive development of others.
As we celebrate our over 30 years of freedom and democracy, South Africa’s global repositioning can be seen with the strong strategic partnership with the European Union that is premised on values such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Immediately after his release from prison thirty-five years ago, President Nelson Mandela, our first democratic President, travelled to the European Parliament to receive the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. This honorary award is the highest tribute given by the European Union (EU) to individuals who contributed to the fight for human rights.
During this visit, the former president, who is affectionately known as Madiba addressed the European Parliament and thanked the European countries for their contribution towards our fight for freedom. He also called on them to support us as we set about rebuilding the country and reversing the legacy of apartheid, which continues to be felt up to this day.
This visit marked the beginning of official relations between South Africa and the EU in pursuit of our national interests, especially to tackle pressing challenges we inherited under apartheid. In 1999 for instance, we became the first African country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU known as the South Africa-European Union (EU) Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA).
In 2007 we further deepened our relations through the adoption of the South Africa – EU Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan. The plan is essentially a roadmap for cooperation in various key areas such as trade, climate change, science and technology as well as regional and global issues.
The TDCA agreement has helped our country to integrate into the global economy and it established a Political Dialogue between South Africa and the EU at the Ministerial level. This high-level dialogue advances the EU-South Africa strategic partnership across key areas such as trade, energy, peace and security and multilateralism.
We are pleased that as we celebrate 30 years of democracy and thirty-five years since Madiba’s release and visit to the EU Parliament, our relationship with the EU continues to flourish and is mutually beneficial. South Africa remains the EU’s key trade partner on the African Continent, and the EU as a bloc is South Africa’s largest trading partner.
Total trade between South Africa and EU has increased by 44 percent over the past five years; recording an increase from R586 billion in 2019 to R846 billion in 2023. The EU accounts for 41 percent of total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country and over 2,000 EU companies operate in South Africa, supporting more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.
To further discuss shared priorities and foster stronger ties between South Africa and EU, in February this year, we successfully hosted the 16th Ministerial Political Dialogue. The Dialogue was co-chaired by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola and Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.
During this dialogue, both parties reiterated their commitment to multilateralism, rules-based international order, and the centrality of the United Nations Charter. They agreed on the need to make the UN Security Council more representative, inclusive, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable. They further discussed issues of trade and investment, along with greater mutual cooperation and reinforced bilateral relations between South Africa and the EU.
The dialogue also served as preparatory meeting for the EU-South Africa Summit which was held in South Africa on 13 March 2025. Our national priorities of reducing poverty, unemployment and inequality underpin our work at the SA-EU Summit. In line with commitments in the National Development Plan we engage with our EU counterparts to further grow our economy and develop our society.
The summit was also an opportunity to set new priorities for the Strategic Partnership, including in trade and investment, and to reinforce the shared values underpinning the partnership. During the summit, the EU announced a 4.7-billion-euro investment package to support mutually beneficial investment projects. The investment package covers areas such as critical raw mineral processing, green hydrogen, renewable energy, transport and digital infrastructure, local vaccine and pharmaceutical production, and resources for skills development.
The two parties further agreed to launch negotiations towards a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership to support the development of cleaner value chains for raw materials and local beneficiation, renewable and low carbon energy, and clean technology. Both parties committed to work together to address existing challenges in trade in animal and plant products. South Africa committed to find a solution to facilitate the imports of poultry from disease-free areas in the European Union into South Africa.
The Summit was also an opportunity for South Africa to influence international policies that could have an impact on our own economy. Both parties agreed to support a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace on conflicts around the globe including Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Palestine. This includes a need to reform the UN Security Council.
Furthermore, the European Union expressed support for South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025, and our hosting of the G20 Summit at the end of the year. The EU also pledged to strengthen the G20 Compact with Africa.
Government welcomes the visit by the EU leaders to the country and we are confident that the agreements signed will not only accelerate economic growth but will help South Africa eradicate the triple challenge of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
*Nomonde Mnukwa is the Acting Director General of the GCIS
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MIL-OSI Africa: Limpopo communities to get paid for electronic waste
Source: South Africa News Agency
Limpopo residents will be able to dispose of their electronic waste at a recycling facility and get paid for it.
This as government launched the E-Waste Recycling Pilot Project initiative in Limpopo on Wednesday which will allow residents to dispose of their electronic waste at a recycling facility and get paid for it by the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) who are part of the project.
“The increasing number of electronic devices being used without a proper system for disposal has led to the accumulation of waste that harms our environment and contaminates water and soil. Today’s launch of the E-Waste Recycling Pilot Project is our response to this growing crisis,” Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, said at the launch of the pilot project in the Thulamela Local Municipality on Wednesday.
Three PROs will participate in Thulamela Local Municipality as part of the initiative.
“The PROs will set-up and welcome community members as they bring their e-waste. The e-waste will then be weighed, the weight recorded, and the person’s details recorded.
“An incentive will be paid out via cellphone based on a Rand/ kilogram where a minimum ranging from R1,00/ kilogram can be paid based on the weight of the item and the type of item. Payments will be done in the form of EFT and MTN MoMo,” the Deputy Minister said.
In addition to this, a participation voucher will be given that ranges from R30 to R50 depending on the number of items dropped off.
There will also be “spin-a-wheel” competition which offers a chance to win an extra voucher ranging from R0-100. The vouchers will be redeemable at Shoprite/ Checkers.
The PROs will be working with local collectors based in Limpopo and the Vhembe District specifically.
The collection of large items will be possible locally for communities close to the event venue. Arrangements can be made with the local collectors to do other collections after the event only.
The initiative was launched in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Thulamela Local Municipality, Vhembe District Municipality, Industry and the PROs.
“The goal of this pilot project is to test and implement a sustainable system for recycling of e-waste in Thulamela Local Municipality. Through this collaboration, we aim to not only manage and dispose of e-waste responsibly but also raise awareness among communities about the importance of recycling and the dangers of improper e-waste disposal.
“The success of this project relies heavily on the participation of the local community. By providing households with easy access to collection or drop off points, recycling facilities and offering guidance on how to properly separate and dispose of their old electronic devices, we aim to change the way residents think about their waste.
“The wheelie bins provided by the department will serve as dedicated receptacles for collecting e-waste, ensuring that it is separated from general household waste and directed to specialized recycling channels. This process will prevent toxic substances from leaching into the soil and water, protecting both our environment and our health,” Swarts said.
Managing e-waste
According to the Deputy Minister, South Africa generates over 360 000 tons of e-waste annually, and 10% of this is properly managed.
The rest ends up in landfills, or worse, is illegally dumped, posing serious risks to the ecosystems.
“Our waste laws do not allow the disposal of e-waste to landfills. This is done with the intention of diverting this waste stream from landfill for recycling purposes.
“As part of our efforts to address this growing E-waste problem, South Africa has implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for the Electrical and Electronic Equipment sector since November 2021 which compels the producers of electronic products to take-back and ensure proper recycling thereof,” she said.
As part of the National Waste Management Strategy 2020, South Africa has committed to reducing waste sent to landfills, increasing recycling rates, and promoting a circular economy.
“The EPR regulations, which place responsibility for end-of-life products on producers, are key to this vision. By encouraging industry involvement in waste management, we are ensuring that those who create waste are also part of the solution.
“In the coming months, we will monitor the progress of this pilot project to ensure that it meets its objectives. This includes tracking the volume of e-waste collected, the effectiveness of the community awareness campaigns, and the number of local jobs created through the project.
“Our goal is to ensure that this pilot project becomes a success story and a model that can be replicated across other municipalities in Limpopo and beyond,” Swarts said. –SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: SA-Ghana strengthen tourism partnerships
Source: South Africa News Agency
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has embarked on a special outreach programme to Ghana to strengthen tourism partnerships and promote cultural exchange between the two nations.
As part of the outreach programme, taking place from 26 – 28 March, de Lille will engage the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts of Ghana, Abla-Dzifa Gomashie as well as the South Africa-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, tourism trade, key media and tourism stakeholders to showcase South Africa as an attractive leisure and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destination.
The easing of visa regulations between the two countries in November 2023 was a progressive step that contributed to unlocking significant tourism potential.
It also marked a new chapter in strengthening tourism and trade, creating a seamless journey for both South Africans and Ghanaians to experience the beauty and diversity Ghana and South Africa have to offer. This development also opened doors for increased business, leisure and cultural exchange.
“Ghana and the broader African continent are incredibly important markets for South Africa’s tourism sector.
“This visit reaffirms our dedication to deepening partnerships and unlocking growth opportunities through meaningful collaboration. Ghana has emerged as a standout performer, recording an exceptional 149.0% increase in tourist arrivals to South Africa in 2024 when compared to 2023.
“The number of Ghanaian visitors surged to 36 656, largely due to the introduction of a visa waiver in November 2023 coupled with the consistent marketing by South African Tourism, allowing citizens of both countries to travel to each other’s country visa-free for up to 90 days within a year,” the Minister said.
Her visit holds added significance as it takes place in a year when South Africa proudly hosts the G20 Summit – a momentous occasion that highlights South Africa’s growing influence on the global stage and its commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships across the African continent.
“We recognise the immense potential of intra-African travel to drive economic development, cultural exchange, and shared prosperity. It is for this reason that we are conducting this outreach mission to strengthen relations and partnerships with our counterparts in Ghana,” de Lille said.
The outreach programme will also enable senior officials from both countries to engage further on tourism bilateral issues and enhance relations. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Cabinet welcomes new investments
Source: South Africa News Agency
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Cabinet has expressed confidence in the resilience of the economy, as the country continues to forge partnerships to build key sectors and attract new investments.
These investments include Google South Africa’s R2.5 billion cloud project, the R93.5 billion Global Gateway Investment Package by the European Union (EU) as well as the Private Sector Participation in Rail and Port Freight Logistics Projects.
“Cabinet welcomed the launch of Google South Africa’s R2.5 billion cloud region in Johannesburg, which integrates South Africa into Google Cloud’s global network. This project is Google’s first in Africa and marks a significant investment in South Africa’s technology infrastructure.
“Cabinet calls on all sectors to accelerate our country’s path towards sustainable inclusive economic growth and job creation through increased investment and by reinforcing the many positives about our country,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.
The EU also announced a R93.5 billion Global Gateway Investment Package to support strategic investment projects in clean and just energy transition, digital and physical connectivity infrastructure, and the local pharmaceutical industry.
“Cabinet welcomed the strengthening of the Strategic Partnership between South Africa and the EU at the 8th South Africa – EU Summit held on 13 March 2025 in South Africa. The EU reiterated its support for South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the importance of the G20 as a global forum for international economic cooperation,” the Minister said.
The launch of the Request for Information on Private Sector Participation in Rail and Port Freight Logistics Projects was also welcomed, as it is part of the critical reforms to improve South Africa’s logistics sector and thus improving economic growth through improved exports.
“The Roadmap for Freight Logistics System in South Africa promotes the greater competition in rail and port terminal operations, which will attract private investment but strategic infrastructure such as rail lines and ports remain in public ownership,” Ntshavheni said.
She was addressing members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Cabinet welcomes strengthened ties between SA and Japan
Source: South Africa News Agency
Cabinet has expressed its support for the strengthened relationship between South Africa and Japan following Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s working visit to Japan earlier this month.
The visit, held from 17 to 19 March 2025, aimed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
“Engagements were also held with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to explore areas of economic collaboration, the Association for African Economic Development in Japan to discuss trade and investment opportunities, and the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security to highlight investment opportunities in the mining sector,” said the Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
She was addressing the media during at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
SAnews reported that Deputy President Mashatile successfully concluded his working visit to Japan last week.
The two nations commemorated 115 years of strong diplomatic relations, with 2025 marking a significant milestone as both countries chair key multilateral organisations.
South Africa currently holds the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), while Japan will lead the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9) Summit in August this year.
During the working visit, Mashatile met with Japanese government officials, including a courtesy call to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
The country’s second-in-command also met with the Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship League to strengthen bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation between South Africa and Japan.
During these engagements, the Deputy President highlighted South Africa’s favourable business environment, skilled workforce, and strategic location, making it an attractive destination for Japanese investment.
The Deputy President expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support of South Africa’s Presidency of the G20, stating that he looks forward to collaborating with Japan to ensure the TICAD-9 Summit is successful. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Cabinet welcomes additional capacity to power grid
Source: South Africa News Agency
Cabinet has welcomed the addition of 800 megawatts of new generation capacity to the national grid after Eskom successfully brought Kusile Power Station’s final generation unit online.
“This will help stabilise the grid and strengthen our nation’s future energy security,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.
This achievement marked a crucial step toward completing one of South Africa’s largest infrastructure projects.
“The Kusile Power Station is the first power station in Africa to implement Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD) technology, ensuring compliance with air quality standards and aligning with global best practices to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions,” Ntshavheni said.
This as Eskom announced that Unit 6 of the Mpumalanga based power station was added to the grid on Sunday, 23 March.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has approved the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) for implementation.
“The SAREM seeks to leverage the rising demand for renewable energy and storage technologies to promote industrialisation and localisation,” the Minister said.
The masterplan focuses on solar and wind energy, lithium-ion, battery and vanadium-based battery storage technologies and is designed to be a living document.
“Cabinet directed that additional work be done on the masterplan to incentivise investors to fund renewable energy supplier development, include the development of green hydrogen fuel in order to meet the international obligation of 5% blended fuel in aviation and maritime sectors by 2030,” she said.
READ | Kusile’s Unit 6 to boost grid capacity
Briefing member of the media following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, the Minister said Cabinet committed to drive structural reforms, and to implement economic growth focused programmes in order to create conducive environment for job creation.
This as Cabinet welcomed the increase in employment by 12 000 jobs to 10.64 million in the formal non-agricultural sector during the fourth quarter of 2024.
“The Stats SA’s Quarterly Employment Statistics reflected employment gains in the trade, business services, transport and the electricity sector. Despite the modest improvement, full-time employment remains lower than it was a year ago,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025: Heirs Energies eyes Regional Opportunities amid Strong Congolese Energy Outlook
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, March 27, 2025/APO Group/ —
Nigerian independent oil and gas company Heirs Energies is seeking growth opportunities in West and Central Africa. The company’s CEO Osayande Igiehon announced during the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 that the company is interested in entering Congo, given the country’s oil and gas potential and growth-oriented development strategy.
Heirs Energies is the operator of OML 17 in Nigeria, where it has managed to double oil production from 25,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 50,000 bpd since it acquired the asset from Shell in 2021. In Congo, the company aims to replicate this success, strengthening its upstream portfolio and contributing to Congo’s production goals.
“Our mission is to build an integrated energy business across Africa that uniquely addresses Africa’s energy problems. We want to grow our business across the value chain, expanding across Africa by replicating the success we have seen in Nigeria. We are keen to come to Congo. What makes [the country] so attractive to us is that Congo wants to grow. We are a growth-oriented company and that is why we are here,” Igiehon stated.
As one of sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest oil producers, the Republic of Congo has a goal to increase crude output to 500,000 bpd. Concurrently, the country targets three million tons per annum LNG capacity following the start of LNG production in 2024. Achieving these goals will require substantial levels of investment and efforts are already underway to strengthen the business environment for foreign investment.
“When we look at the Republic of Congo, it is clear that there are vast, untapped resources. There is a huge potential of untapped oil reserves but there is also hydroelectric potential. By tapping into that potential, the Republic of Congo can be a main contributor to the energy transition,” stated Olajide Ayeronwi, CEO, FirstBank DRC.
To achieve production goals, the Republic of Congo is preparing to launch an international licensing round while incentivizing new investment across mature assets, aiming to maximize output at producing blocks. These efforts are expected to facilitate greater investment upstream.
“The Republic of Congo is undertaking big reforms to attract investors. These include regulatory reforms, with a Hydrocarbon Code introduced. Companies have access to tax benefits and there is systematic advertising of various types of contracts. There is clarity regarding the authorization of participation interests and greater transparency, with the existence of an oil and gas cadaster since 2018,” stated Daoudou Mohammad, Director of Tax and Legal at CLG – Legal Partner of CEIF 2025.
These reforms are a critical step towards encouraging spending across the oil and gas value chain. Olivier Dubois, Group President, OLEA Group, explained that “Exploration and production are capital-heavy with big risks that require strong technical expertise. It is important to put in place mechanisms to address the risk associated with the oil sector.”
Hicham Fadili, Director General, Crédit du Congo, echoed these remarks, stating that the country has been highly successful in putting the mechanisms in place to attract upstream investment. However, he added that the country needs to go beyond the upstream in terms of investment.
“The emphasis should be put on establishing ecosystems in the energy sector. We need to attract various types of investors. Countries across the region are mostly oil and gas producers but there is a need for joint operations to create a real energy platform in Central Africa. Logistics is also important,” he said.
As the Republic of Congo strives for increased production, strengthening the logistics industry becomes increasingly important. Mohamed Diop, Deputy Managing Director for Africa, AGL, said that, “Logistics is an important pillar. We need to invest but also to train the local Congolese youth, ensuring we have a win-win partnership that benefits the youth. We need to diversify our investments in equipment but also strengthen partnerships with future African champions.”