NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Announces New Grant Funding to Support Made in America Manufacturing

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new funding opportunity as part of its Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, the agency’s targeted effort to restore the U.S industrial base, bring back American jobs, and promote our nation’s economic dominance and national security.

    The Manufacturing in America Grant Initiative will provide three eligible applicants up to $1.1 million total to deliver training and technical assistance to support small manufacturers in the SBA’s Empower to Grow (E2G) Program – including those businesses in key industries such as timber, energy, aluminum, and steel. SBA’s E2G Program is designed to provide eligible U.S. small businesses with free business courses, hands-on training, and one-on-one consulting to support their growth, operations, hiring, regulatory compliance, and government contracting competitiveness. 

    “The SBA is investing in small manufacturers across the country – arming them with the training and tools to dominate critical industries and drive our industrial comeback,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “With this new grant, the agency will accelerate the return of American supply chains, production power, and economic independence. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are rebuilding the backbone of American industry – and with it, the jobs and communities that are at the heart of our nation.”

    To be eligible for this funding opportunity, an applicant must:

    • Be a for-profit or not-for-profit entity (including, but not limited to small businesses, other-than small businesses, trade and professional associations, and educational institutions).
    • Have been in existence continually for at least the past three years.
    • Have experience providing technical assistance, tools, or training, etc. relating to small manufacturing businesses on a regional or national basis; and
    • Demonstrate that it has the capacity to provide hands-on manufacturing-related training and technical assistance to small business concerns.

    The deadline to submit proposals electronically via Home | Grants.gov is May 12, no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT. To learn more about this grant opportunity, visit here.

    The SBA will host a webinar on the following date to inform the public about the grants. Registration is required through the provided link.

    For more questions about the Manufacturing grants and webinars, visit: Manufacturing Grants.

    Additional questions or requests for assistance should be submitted via email to e2g@sba.gov .

    # # #

    About the Empower to Grow Program
    The Empower to Grow program, formerly known as 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program, provides eligible U.S. small businesses with free business courses, tailored training, and one-on-one consulting to support their growth, operations, hiring, regulatory compliance, and government contracting competitiveness. The Empower to Grow program uplifts businesses to be procurement ready for federal, state, and local government contracts. For more questions about the Empower to Grow program, visit: Empower to Grow Program. 

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues National Cleaning and Sanitation Company for “No Poach” Agreements

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a lawsuit against Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. LTD., now doing business as Fortrex (PSSI), a national cleaning and sanitation company, for allegedly engaging in unlawful “no poach” agreements that restrict competition and harm workers’ rights. Filed in the San Diego Superior Court, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that PSSI’s use of illegal agreements – where businesses agree not to solicit or hire each other’s employees – violated California law, specifically the Unfair Competition Law. Through this lawsuit, the DOJ is seeking civil penalties, permanent injunctive relief that bars PSSI from using no-poach agreements, and restitution for employees that were harmed due to PSSI’s alleged unlawful conduct.

    “When companies like PSSI use unlawful business practices to limit employee opportunities, they deny workers the freedom to compete for better wages, benefits, and career advancement,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Workers deserve a labor market free from illegal restraints. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to support workers’ rights by holding accountable any business that undermines a fair labor market.”  

    PSSI is a national cleaning and sanitation company that contracts with dozens of meatpacking and food processing facilities in California and hundreds across the country. Nationally, PSSI employs over 17,000 workers across approximately 500 worksites. PSSI has had cleaning contracts with over 20 meatpacking and food processing companies in California, including well-known names such as Foster Farms, Harris Ranch, and Pilgrim’s Pride. 

    Central to the company’s alleged unlawful conduct is its use of prohibited no-poach provisions. This business practice, often hidden from employees, can have serious implications including artificially lowering employee compensation, reducing incentives for companies to improve working conditions, and limiting employee career growth. The DOJ’s investigation revealed that PSSI had implemented a no poach provision in 22 out of its 24 operative contracts in California, which impacted the rights of approximately 6,000 employees who worked pursuant to those contracts. Workers who are aware that they are subject to an unreasonable or overly restrictive noncompete agreement should report it immediately to the Attorney General’s office at oag.ca.gov/report.

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to defending workers’ rights, workplace safety, and California’s fair and competitive labor market. Through the Worker Rights and Fair Labor Section, the Civil Rights Enforcement Section, and the Antitrust Law Section, Attorney General Bonta enforces California’s laws to protect the welfare of California workers and legitimate businesses operating in California. This year, Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for conducting an illegal mass firing of federal probationary employees. In 2024, Attorney General Bonta took action by defending wages and overtime owed in the West Coast Drywall Lawsuit. In 2023, Attorney General Bonta took action to protect workers, launching an historic investigation into gender discrimination in the National Football League, joined 17 attorneys general in supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule limiting noncompete agreements, fought for the rights of transportation workers, and immigrant children. In November 2022, Attorney General Bonta joined 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing McDonald’s attempt to evade liability for past alleged efforts to stifle competition and undercut wages through the use of “no-poach” agreements. In October 2022, Attorney General Bonta filed an amicus brief in an effort to protect Californians from discrimination in the employment hiring process. 

    A copy of the lawsuit can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa appoints special advisor on investment promotion

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, April 30, 2025

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Director-General (DG) of the Department of Trade and Industry, Dr Alistair Ruiters, as Special Advisor: Investment Promotion.

    “Dr Ruiters will advise President Ramaphosa on South Africa’s continuing investment drive, which is a principal component of the 7th Administration’s focus on inclusive economic growth and job creation.

    “Government is implementing a broad range of economic reforms aimed at rendering South Africa more attractive and rewarding for domestic and international investors; advancing greater diversification of the economy, and broadening South Africa’s integration into continental and global supply chains,” the Presidency said in a statement.

    Ruiters, who is an accomplished business leader, also boasts experience in the public service.

    “He holds a D Philosophy degree from Oxford University and a BA Honours from the University of Cape Town, among other qualifications.

    “Dr Ruiters is a former Commissioner of the Competition Commission who, as an entrepreneur, established a number of businesses, and served as Chief Executive and Chairperson of diverse institutions and enterprises, including the National Empowerment Fund, Pebble Bed Modular Reactor and the Afarak Group,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA ready to welcome visitors for G20 summit

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    By Sandile Nene

    The eyes of the world are firmly focused on South Africa as President of the G20 and the host nation of the G20 Summit in November. 

    This gathering will see the country welcoming over 40 global heads of state to our shores. The G20 accounts for 85 percent of the global economy, 75 percent of international trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

    The summit will be held under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, which aligns with our vision of inclusive growth, where all individuals and nations benefit from economic progress.

    As the first African nation to host the G20, South Africa will highlight issues such as economic inequality, development, climate change, and fair-trade practices. The platform of the G20 will also help to further connect countries on the continent and beyond.  

    The G20 is centred on creating a secure foundation for global economic stability, which is a vital catalyst for economic development and in implementing far-reaching global commitments such as the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030).

    Our hosting of the G20 Summit is an opportunity to showcase all that South Africa offers to the world. This includes strengthening our brand as a tourism and business events destination. 

    The latest International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA) rankings affirmed South Africa, as the leading business events destination in Africa and the Middle East.  South Africa is renowned for its exceptional ability of hosting world-class, high-profile international events, such as the BRICS Summit. In 2023 we hosted the Netball World Cup, and in 2010 we become the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup. These and a myriad of other successful events have cemented our reputation of being able to host safe and successful global events. 

    We have also worked to make our country more accessible to international and continental visitors. South Africa has visa waivers for travellers from 132 countries for periods of between 30 and 90 days and our e-Visa system is available to travellers from 34 countries. The Department of Home Affairs also introduced an online e-Visa application system which has simplified the visa process for travellers from eligible countries.

    Speaking at the World Tradeshow 2024, the Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, emphasised that travellers to the country will be greeted by world class travel infrastructure with active international routes connecting 72 cities worldwide, serviced by 55 airlines, offering over 7,8million seats across over 52,000 flights scheduled for 2024. 

    The attention generated by the G20 is expected to attract visitors from around the world and will boost international tourism in the years to come. Over 200 meetings are expected to take place in South Africa which present opportunities for the country’s tourism, manufacturing, trade and other investment growth. The approximately 200 meetings will be spread across the different provinces of the country, and the tourism industry will see direct benefits with increased bookings for meeting venues and private tours. 

    The G20 Summit promises to have an economic ripple effect as local businesses will also receive a boost – contributing to sustaining jobs and growth in the tourism sector and other sectors. Furthermore, South Africa is an attractive destination for business services, and has sophisticated digital infrastructure, including mobile networks and high-speed broadband.

    Our hosting of the G20 will reinforce the country’s stature as an attractive and reliable destination for tourism related to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). This will boost not only business events sector but also the greater South African tourism sector. The South African MICE industry was valued at R121.8 billion in 2023, and it is projected to grow fourfold over the next eight years, reaching R477.9 billion by 2032.

    A number of successful G20 meetings have already been held, including the high profile first Foreign Ministers Meeting, and the first Finance and Central Bank Ministerial Meeting.  As part of efforts to showcase our nation to the world, G20 meetings are being hosted across the country. 

    Recently South Africa was crowned the friendliest country in the world according to a global study by international money transfer service Remitly. In its report Remitly said: “Residents are known for being warm and welcoming, making it easy for travellers and visitors to feel at ease around them.” 

    Let us therefore continue to live up to this reputation by welcoming visitors from around the world with our unique brand of home-grown hospitality. Let us show visitors all that our beautiful country has to offer, and make sure that every visitor leaves our shores with cherished memories and joyful hearts.

    *Sandile Nene is the Acting Deputy Director-General for Content Processing and Dissemination in the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Budget to be re-tabled on 21 May 2025

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to re-table the 2025 Budget Review on 21 May 2025.

    This after National Treasury announced that it has withdrawn the proposed 0.5% Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase which was to be implemented on 1 May 2025.

    Godongwana announced the date of the new budget review during a media briefing in Pretoria, on Wednesday.

    The Minister described the ensuing debate following the announcement of the budget tabled on 12 March 2025 as “rigorous, as is right in a healthy democracy”.

    “Today, there’s a clarity [that] VAT will remain at 15%. This decision was shaped not only by political debates but importantly, by the voices of South Africans. 

    “When people speak, we must also listen, and I’m encouraged by the passion shown. It reflects the seriousness with which we approach the hard choices needed to place our finances on a sustainable path, protect the vulnerable and accelerate growth,” he said.
    Godongwana said he was “pleased” that the budget will be balanced “without raising VAT while protecting vital services like education, health and social grants.”

    Three-pronged approach

    The Minister said going forward, National Treasury’s focus will be threefold starting with balancing the budget by managing costs better.

    “Raising other taxes besides VAT was not an option [as] it would harm growth, savings and jobs. Borrowing more would worsen our debt crisis. We already spend more than R1 billion servicing debt. We must do more with less, review government spending critically, root out waste, every cent of public money must be spent wisely.

    “The second issue, we must strengthen revenue collection. In the [March] budget, we made provisions for SARS [the South African Revenue Service] to collect more particularly for those who still owe SARS and to deal with illicit trading,” he said.
    The third area that Treasury will home in on is laying “strong foundations for economic growth”.

    “Job creation is the number one priority. We must remove barriers to investment, unlock private sector capital and expand opportunities for all South Africans. Through Operation Vulindlela, we have already seen what focused collaboration can achieve and we will now accelerate these reforms.

    “The challenges ahead are serious but not insurmountable. If we work together, stay focused and persevere, we can chart a better course for our economy and our people. That is my commitment to South Africans and that is what we aim to achieve when we table the new Budget on the 21st of May 2025,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Work underway to develop new fiscal framework

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, April 30, 2025

    National Treasury has assured South Africans that a revised budget will “adhere to all established technical processes and consultations, as set out in the Money Bills and Related Matters Act”.

    This after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the 2025 Budget Review will be re-tabled in Parliament on 21 May.

    “This includes formal consultations with the Financial and Fiscal Commission, thorough consultations with all political parties within the Government of National Unity as well as Cabinet approval before presentation to Parliament.

    “While the postponement of the budget’s passage is not ideal, the circumstances leading to this decision have highlighted the importance of meaningful engagement on fiscal matters.

    “This situation has provided a valuable opportunity for all stakeholders – citizens, Members of Parliament, labour organisations, and civil society – to thoroughly engage with the complex challenge of achieving fiscal sustainability, while promoting economic growth and protecting essential public services within very limited resources,” National Treasury said on Wednesday.

    In the interim before the budget is passed in Parliament, government services “continue to be funded under section 29 of the Public Finance Management Act”.

    “This allows spending of up to 45% of last year’s budget during the first four months, and up to 10% for each month after that.

    “While we wait for the 2025 Division of Revenue Act to be passed, funding for provinces and municipalities will continue under the 2024 Act, allowing transfers of up to 45% of their allocated funds,” Treasury said.

    New path

    Work is already underway to develop a new fiscal framework that Treasury emphasises will “maintain the trajectory toward debt stabilisation, a crucial element in strengthening our public finances”.

    The process for a new fiscal framework includes:

    • Revising economic assumptions using the latest available data.
    • Generating updated fiscal projects.
    • Recalculating revenue projections and tax implications.
    • Determining appropriate borrowing strategies.
    • Consolidating these elements into a coherent and sustainable fiscal framework.

    “The Ministry remains committed to transparent communication throughout this process and will provide further updates as they become available. 

    “We owe it to the hardworking citizens of South Africans to be open and transparent about how tax money is spent. 

    “The budget that will be tabled on 21 May will aim to maintain these principles,” Treasury said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump’s Border Protection Nominee Commits to Sharing Public Information about Location in Custody “As Soon As Possible”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 30, 2025
    Asserts refusing detainees phone calls and their families information on their location will not be his policy
    Scott: “I will follow court orders…(and) commit to transparency and sharing (custody and location) information consistent with law and policy as quickly as possible.”
    Warren: “Targeting people who have never committed a crime, but who are now terrified that the United States government is going to remove them from their families without any legal help…is not only wrong, it is not making us safer.”
    Video of Exchange (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. — At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pushed Mr. Rodney Scott, nominee for Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to commit to following court orders, ensuring agents do not deny entry based on travelers’ political views, allowing detained individuals to make phone calls to their families and their lawyers, and publicly releasing information on where people in CBP custody are being held. 
    Senator Warren highlighted the Trump administration’s recent disturbing pattern of detaining people with no criminal record, refusing to let them speak with their families and lawyers, and then deporting them even after courts have said not to. Mr. Scott said he would “follow court orders.” 
    Senator Warren also pointed to a recent report of immigration officials searching a traveler’s phone and denying entry to the United States for criticizing the Trump administration. Mr. Scott agreed that, if confirmed, he would not allow politically motivated denials of entry based on criticism of the President. 
    Senator Warren pushed Mr. Scott to commit to letting the public know within hours, instead of the current policy of 48 hours, when someone is in CBP custody and where they are located. Mr. Scott refused to commit but said he would share public information about the location of people in CBP custody “as soon as possible.”
    “I am concerned that, while I appreciate that you are making commitments to do your best here, that we really are going to need continued oversight to make sure that this happens,” said Senator Warren. 
    “Targeting people who have never committed a crime, but who are now terrified that the United States government is going to remove them from their families without any legal help… is not making us safer,” Senator Warren concluded. 
    Transcript: “Hearing to Consider the Nomination of Rodney Scott, of Oklahoma, to be Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, vice Chris Magnus”Senate Finance CommitteeApril 30, 2025
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, Americans want to be safe, but in just 100 days, the Trump administration has started to round up people with no criminal record, move them so that even their families and lawyers have no idea where they are, and deport them even after a court has said not to. That is not making our nation safer.  
    Now, Mr. Scott, if confirmed as Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, you will decide whether to continue or to reverse these very troubling trends. 
    So, I want to understand what policies you would follow. Last month, ICE transported Kilmar Abrego Garcia and more than one hundred others to El Salvador after a court ordered they not be removed. Concerns have also been raised about whether CBP is deporting people in violation of court orders.
    So let me start there. Mr. Scott, will it be your policy as CBP Commissioner to deport people in violation of court orders?
    Mr. Rodney Scott, nominee for Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection: No, ma’am. I will follow court orders. 
    Senator Warren: That’s what I like to hear. So, let’s try another one. Last month, CBP reportedly searched the phone of a French scientist at a Houston airport, and reportedly found text messages criticizing President Trump’s research policies, and then denied him entry. 
    Mr. Scott, will it be your policy as CBP Commissioner to deny entry to travelers because they criticize Donald Trump? 
    Mr. Scott: In my experience, that does not happen. In my experience—
    Senator Warren: That’s not my question. My question is will it be your policy that if someone criticizes Donald Trump will be denied entry to the United States of America?
    Mr. Scott: No, and I don’t believe that happens today either.
    Senator Warren: Alright, but you will make sure that that is not the policy that CBP follows, is that right? 
    Mr. Scott: If confirmed, that’s correct. 
    Senator Warren: Alright, let’s do one more. Lawyers and loved ones are finding CBP to be a black box that detains people and refuses to tell anyone where they are for hours, sometimes for days. 
    For example, two U.S. citizen children and their immigrant mother were detained by CBP for three days without being able to communicate with legal counsel or anyone in their family. They reported feeling “kidnapped.” 
    Mr. Scott, you said you care about transparency. Will it be your policy for CBP agents to detain a family and prevent them from speaking with counsel or their families for days?
    Mr. Scott: That is not the policy of CBP. And if confirmed that would not be my policy.
    Senator Warren: Alright. And will you commit to letting the public know within hours, not days, when someone is in CBP custody and where they are located, the same way that ICE does?
    Mr. Scott: I have learned to not over commit to something that I can’t follow through on. I commit to transparency and sharing that information consistent with law and policy as quickly as possible, but CBP is slightly different. There’s an interdiction, there’s a processing, we don’t have detention facilities, so a lot of times they are taken somewhere else. 
    There are time delays and the generality of within hours—as soon as possible I will commit to, but I cannot commit to a specific timeline, because it changes in different parts of the country depending on where the individual is encountered. 
    Senator Warren: So, are you telling me that literally it can be days before CBP understands they’ve got someone and to let that person be able to call a family member so they’re not frantically wondering what happened to them?
    Mr. Scott: So, under the last administration and the chaos that was created the answer to your question was yes. People being arrested were so backed up that in many cases it was taking CBP officers and patrol agents days just to get to them to do basic processing. 
    Senator Warren: And in the meantime, none of them were permitted to make a phone call? 
    Mr. Scott: We didn’t know who they were. 
    Senator Warren: So you can’t let them make a phone call to just tell their family where they are or find a lawyer if that’s what they think they need? 
    Mr. Scott: I believe there were 15,000 of them in one day. There wasn’t time. It was about officer safety, it was about keeping people safe and keeping them safe. Because it’s not just 15,000 families. There were criminals mixed in there. There were gang members mixed in there. There were cartel members mixed in there. And all of the officers and agents when we create this chaos have to deal with all of that and keep people safe, so it gets delayed. 
    Today we don’t have that problem, because the Trump administration’s created policies that have deterred all that massive chaos on the border from crossing. So those calls will take place quicker because we actually have time to—
    Senator Warren: So, if the Trump administration has ended all the chaos, is there a reason that you cannot commit to let people be able to reach out to their families within hours of being detained by CBP?
    You said you got that chaos under control now?
    Mr. Scott: I will confirm that if confirmed as commissioner, my commitment to you is we will let them make that call as quickly as reasonably possible with the other factors that I just outlined for you.
    Senator Warren: Well, the questions I asked are really straightforward and I’m very worried about what’s happening now—denying people entry because they criticize Donald Trump. 
    I’m worried about the feeling that people have been disappeared, including mothers with children, for days on end. And I am concerned that, while I appreciate that you are making commitments to do your best here, that we really are going to need continued oversight to make sure that this happens.
    Targeting people who have never committed a crime, but who are now terrified that the United States government is going to remove them from their families without any legal help, take them off of our streets or out of our airports is not only wrong, it is not making us safer. 
    I apologize for going over, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Slams Bezos After Amazon Backtracks on Tariff Price Transparency, Questions Bezos’ Conversation With Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 30, 2025
    “These reports raise questions about the nature of your conversations with President Trump, and what promises or favors you may have received in exchange for your subservience to him.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) slammed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in a new letter, following reports that Amazon considered an initiative to illustrate the cost of President Trump’s tariffs to customers — only to reverse course after a private conversation between Bezos and Trump.
    “If Amazon had followed through on any plans to provide transparency on tariff costs, it could have provided important information for consumers, allowing them to find out for themselves some of the true costs of President Trump’s broad and chaotic tariff policies,” wrote Senator Warren.
    Amazon, one of the nation’s largest retailers, has a significant stake in the outcome of President Trump’s tariffs. According to a recent report, Amazon was planning to “show how much [President] Trump’s tariffs are adding to the price of each product” on at least one of its websites by displaying “how much of an item’s cost is derived from tariffs.” 
    On Tuesday morning, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke strongly against Amazon’s decision to show the price of tariffs, calling the move a “hostile and political act.” But before the company could put this plan into place, President Trump reportedly called Bezos and asked him to intervene. The price transparency initiative was then reversed.
    President Trump confirmed Bezos’s role in the decision not to provide transparency on tariff costs, saying that “Jeff Bezos was very nice. He was terrific… He solved the problem very quickly. Good guy.”
    “[Y]esterday’s activity appears to be another example of Big Tech working together with President Trump to seek special favors or support his policies in what can appear to be a quid pro quo,” wrote Senator Warren, highlighting the chaos, corruption, and economic damage that has accompanied Trump’s tariff rollout. She requested that Bezos provide information about the nature of his conversations with Trump and any potential secret deals between the two.
    Senator Warren previously pressed Apple CEO Tim Cook on his engagement with the Trump administration following its announcement of China tariffs, which resulted in massive tariff exemptions for Apple products.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer, Norton, Van Hollen Lead Bicameral Letter on Cuts to Medicaid in District of Columbia

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Amid reports that House Republicans plan to reduce the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) in the District of Columbia, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led 15 Members in sending a letter to leaders on the House Committee on Energy & Commerce decrying the proposed cuts to Medicaid in the District. The letter is signed by all Democrats in the National Capital Region, including Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Representatives Robert “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Donald Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), and April McClain Delaney (MD-06).

    In 2024, 264,332 people enrolled in Medicaid in the District, including 3 in every 7 children, 4 in every 5 nursing home residents, and 1 in every 2 working-age adults with disabilities. Many of these Americans risk losing coverage if D.C.’s FMAP is reduced. A lower FMAP would also force hospitals, clinics, and local health centers to close their doors, undermining care for everyone in the region. 

    “It is imperative that our constituents, and those who seek care within our jurisdictions, have reliable access to health care,” the Members wrote in their letter. “Cuts to Medicaid will have devastating impacts regionally and nationwide, decreasing the availability of providers and services, forcing millions of American families to lose coverage, and increasing wait times for patients in need. Moreover, cuts threaten our region’s health centers, hospitals, nursing homes, home and community-based care providers, and behavioral health providers.”

    “Such a change would be catastrophic, destabilizing the health care system of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region and beyond and impacting the hundreds of thousands of constituents who live, work, travel through, or receive care in D.C. each day,” the Members continued.

    “As a top children’s hospital and the region’s only Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center, we are deeply concerned that the proposed cuts to D.C. Medicaid will have unintended consequences and will put critical health care for children at risk,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, President and CEO of Children’s National Hospital. “These proposals would force us to immediately scale back the specialized care that hundreds of thousands of families from all 50 states and D.C. rely on each year, including the 55 percent of our patients who are covered by Medicaid.” 

    “Cutting DC’s Medicaid funding would decimate health care, emergency preparedness, and public safety in the city, impacting not only DC residents but those who work and visit the city,” said Jacqueline Bowens, President and CEO of DC Hospital Association. “Cuts would force reductions in services at hospitals and have a ripple effect on the city budget and essential public safety services, including police, fire, education, and substance abuse, mental health, and homeless services.”

    The full text of the letter is included below:

    Dear Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member Pallone, Chairman Carter, and Ranking Member DeGette:

    We write in strong opposition to the proposals contemplated in the FY25 Budget Resolution to cut Medicaid. It is imperative that our constituents, and those who seek care within our jurisdictions, have reliable access to health care. Cuts to Medicaid will have devastating impacts regionally and nationwide, decreasing the availability of providers and services, forcing millions of American families to lose coverage, and increasing wait times for patients in need. Moreover, cuts threaten our region’s health centers, hospitals, nursing homes, home and community-based care providers, and behavioral health providers. These indispensable providers serve low-income, military-connected, and disabled children and adults, and play a unique role in our nation’s capital.

    We write with particular concern regarding proposals to reduce the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for the District of Columbia. Such a change would be catastrophic, destabilizing the health care system of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region and beyond and impacting the hundreds of thousands of constituents who live, work, travel through, or receive care in D.C. each day. Notably, this includes Members of Congress and their staff, members of the administration, visiting dignitaries, and their families, as well as families across the country who rely on D.C.’s specialized care. We all depend on and expect our nation’s capital to have a quality, responsive health care system. Efforts to weaken that system through cuts to Medicaid undermine the stability and resilience our region requires and would have reverberating effects across the country.

    In 1997, a Republican Congress passed the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 (Revitalization Act), which established the current 70 percent D.C. FMAP and transferred certain functions and costs from the D.C. government to the federal government. Congress passed the Revitalization Act in part because it recognized that it imposes unique revenue limitations on D.C., which operates as a state, county, and city. Congress imposes three main revenue limitations on D.C.: D.C. cannot tax income earned in D.C. by nonresidents, depriving D.C. of more than $3 billion in revenue per year; D.C. cannot permit buildings to exceed certain height limitations; and D.C. cannot tax its sizable federal property.

    As it currently stands, other jurisdictions are entitled to a higher FMAP than D.C. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 set the FMAP for American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands permanently at 83% and set the FMAP for Puerto Rico at 76% through FY 2027. Five states (Mississippi, West Virginia, Alabama, New Mexico, and Kentucky) have FMAPs that are higher than D.C.

    Reducing D.C.’s FMAP would weaken care for all in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, regardless of insurance status. Medicaid supports nearly a quarter of D.C.’s population, including 3 in 7 children and 4 in 5 nursing home residents. For example, proposals to reduce D.C.’s FMAP from 70 percent to 50 percent would create a $1.1 billion annual hole in local funds and ultimately result in a total loss of $2.1 billion per year in program funds to local hospitals, universities, and providers. This equates to a 40 percent cut in funding directly impacting health care providers. Hospitals in the region project at least $232 million in uncompensated care due to D.C.’s FMAP reductions, with at least one medical system expecting to close altogether. Impacts would reverberate across fire and emergency services, police recruitment and retention, and behavioral health resources and threaten the ability of hospitals and other safety net providers to stay open. Community-based providers in Virginia and Maryland risk being overwhelmed, as demand rises from D.C. residents seeking timely care.

    Further, without corresponding funding or infrastructure support, it would be challenging for the rest of the region to shoulder the responsibility for regional emergency response. D.C.’s four Level I trauma centers, including those at Children’s National Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center, provide vital care for patients in major incidents or emergency situations, including those involving Members of Congress, federal employees, and visitors. Reducing D.C.’s FMAP would have a particularly disproportionate impact on the provision of trauma and specialty capacities, principally for burn and pediatric patients.

    Reductions to D.C.’s FMAP would adversely limit regional access to life-saving and specialized pediatric care. We note with particular alarm the potential impacts on Children’s National, which provides specialized care to patients from all 50 states, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina. 73% of hospital stays and emergency department visits at Children’s National are covered by Medicaid. Reductions in Medicaid funding would likely result in the hospital making significant cuts to primary care, behavioral health, and outpatient subspecialty services, with families having to travel further to obtain such care or going without it. Further, local federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) anticipate that a change to D.C.’s FMAP would result in a loss of coverage for more than 33,000 adult health center patients and a loss of $58 million in payments, leaving them unable to serve over 24,000 of their current patients.

    Reductions to D.C.’s FMAP would be catastrophic for our local providers and pose grave challenges to ensuring patients in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond receive necessary care. As you consider potential policy options through Budget Reconciliation, we urge you to strongly oppose all cuts to Medicaid and to protect the current FMAP for the District of Columbia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove, Lee Introduce Bipartisan Fresh Start Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D, CA-37) and Laurel Lee (R, FL-15) introduced the Fresh Start Act, a bipartisan bill to provide support for rehabilitated individuals to have access to employment, housing, and educational opportunities.

    “No one should be denied a job, housing, or education because of bureaucratic red tape,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Millions of Americans have arrest or conviction records that are eligible to be sealed or expunged, yet many are blocked by confusing, burdensome, and costly processes. I’m proud to cosponsor the bipartisan Fresh Start Act, which helps individuals who have been exonerated or who have paid their debts to society get a chance to contribute to their communities. This legislation will give states the resources they need to implement automatic record clearance systems that offer people a fresh start.”

    Approximately one-third of Americans have criminal records that can hinder their ability to secure employment, housing, or educational opportunities. While many of them qualify for record-sealing or expungement under state laws, the process is frequently complicated, time-consuming, and costly.

    The Fresh Start Act would allow states that have enacted automated record-sealing or expungement laws to apply for federal infrastructure grants to help streamline the process. This federal legislation builds on the momentum of Clean Slate policies enacted in 2018 by a diverse group of 12 states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia.

    “People who have worked to turn their lives around after a criminal conviction deserve the opportunity to move forward, not be held back by administrative barriers. Today, nearly one-third of Americans have a criminal record that can prevent them from getting a job, finding housing, or pursuing education—even when they qualify for record-sealing or expungement. The Fresh Start Act of 2025 modernizes and streamlines these processes for states, helping more individuals access the opportunities they’ve earned. I look forward to seeing my colleagues come together to pass this important legislation and ensure that everyone who deserves a second chance has the opportunity to build a better future,” said Congresswoman Laurel Lee.

    Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, said, “The Fresh Start Act recognizes what we’ve seen on the ground: Clean Slate has the power to change lives. This legislation is an essential component of modernizing state infrastructure, making sure federal support is spent on common-sense solutions that are serious about safety and benefit communities across the country. A fresh start should be more than a promise; it should be a reality. With the Fresh Start Act, it can be.”

    Jason Pye, Executive Director of the Due Process Institute, said, “The Fresh Start Act is a commonsense policy solution to help improve states’ record-sealing laws. The bill crucially allocates already existing funding to help with the implementation of proven recidivism reduction strategies that result in better economic outcomes and safer communities for us all. We urge members of Congress to join in cosponsoring and supporting this bipartisan legislation.”

    Akua Amaning, Director of Criminal Justice Reform, Center for American Progress said, “Everyone deserves the opportunity to unlock their full potential. Yet, for far too many people who have been impacted by America’s criminal legal system, a second chance can be hard to achieve with an arrest or conviction record. The Fresh Start Act will provide important resources to states that are working to remove unnecessary barriers to employment, housing, education, and other critical life resources due to having a record. In helping to create pathways to automatic record expungement at the state level, The Fresh Start Act will not only help individuals transform their lives, but will also improve economic security and public safety outcomes for all. We applaud the bipartisan support for this measure and urge Congress to swiftly pass the Fresh Start Act.”

    Patrick Plein, Director of CPAC’s Nolan Center for Justice, said, “Communities are safer when individuals returning from prison are given a fair chance to reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives. The Fresh Start Act recognizes that people are more than their past mistakes—they are hard working parents, employees, and neighbors with the potential to prosper. By removing barriers to opportunity, these bills strengthen families, boost our economy, and promote public safety.”

    “The Fresh Start Act is a common sense measure that will help give people who have fulfilled their justice system obligations a second chance,” said Nan Gibson, Executive Director of the JPMorganChase Policy Center. “The bill would make federal grants available to states to upgrade their justice system infrastructure so that states can implement Clean Slate legislation and strengthen their workforce.  Over the last six years, our firm has hired more than 21,000 people with a record whose history had no bearing on the requirements of their job, because we know implementing fair chance hiring practices is good for our business and the economy.  This measure will enable companies like ours to continue to connect individuals to meaningful career pathways, opening doors to opportunities that transform lives, lift up communities and strengthen the workforce.”

    Summary:

    • Amends 34 U.S.C. §40302 (National Criminal History Improvement Program, or NCHIP) to include funding for covered automatic expungement and record sealing laws.
    • Covered Expungement Law—The term “automatic” is defined as expungement or sealing that does not require any action on the part of the eligible individual. The term “covered expungement law” is defined as a law of a State that provides for the automatic expungement or sealing of a criminal record, subject to requirements imposed by the State.
    • Reporting Requirements—A State that receives a grant under the Fresh Start Act of 2025 is required to produce and send a report to the Attorney General, under the guidelines established by the Attorney General, that provides information on:
      • the number of individuals eligible for automatic expungement or sealing disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender;
      • the number of individuals whose records have been expunged or sealing disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender;
      • and the number of individuals who application for expungement or sealing are still pending disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender;
    • Inaccessibility of Data for Reporting—If data required for reporting are not available, the State is required to develop and report a plan to obtain as much of the data as possible no later than one (1) year after the first year the grant is awarded.
    • Publication—The Attorney General is required to publish and make publicly available a report containing data collected under the reporting requirements.

    Read the bill text here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: XploraDEX $XPL Token Now Live on MagneticX Exchange—Buy Now Before the Next Wave Hits

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The wait is over. The $XPL token, native to XploraDEX—the first AI-powered decentralized exchange on XRPL—is now officially trading on MagneticXc. And just hours after going live, investor demand is already surging.

    Purchase $XPL token on MagneticX

    After an explosive presale that saw over 86% of the token allocation claimed and a record-setting token distribution phase, $XPL is now fully unleashed on the open market. This marks a new era for XRPL traders and DeFi participants looking to capitalize on the future of smart, AI-powered trading.

    Why You Need to Act Now:

    • $XPL is trading live on MagneticXc, the fastest-growing DEX on XRPL.
    • Early holders have already begun staking and accessing the AI-powered dashboard.
    • First listings often see rapid price discovery—early entries typically yield the highest returns.
    • The next listings on more XRPL-based DEXs are rumored to follow soon.

    Buy $XPL on MagneticX Exchange

    The launch of $XPL on MagneticXc opens up real-time access to the heart of the XploraDEX ecosystem. And with the AI dashboard, staking pools, and governance activation going live in the coming days, the token’s utility is not just speculative—it’s functional and evolving.

    What $XPL Offers:

    • Access to smart trading tools powered by AI
    • High-yield staking opportunities
    • Protocol governance participation
    • Priority launchpad access for XRPL project launches
    • Real-time analytics for smarter portfolio management

    The XRP community has already started responding. Trading volume is ramping up, new wallet addresses are connecting, and social sentiment is turning bullish. On-chain indicators show a steady rise in demand as investors position ahead of platform milestones.

    Purchase $XPL token on MagneticX

    This Is the Moment

    If you missed the presale—this is your chance to get in before price discovery takes $XPL further into uncharted territory. The listing on MagneticXc is only the beginning of $XPL’s journey across the XRPL DeFi landscape.

    The window to be early has reopened—but only for a short while.

    Buy $XPL on MagneticX Now

    $XPL is live. Trading has begun. Be early—or be priced out.

    Join AI Revolution with XploraDex – Website | $XPL Token | X | Telegram

    Contact:
    Oliver Muller
    oliver@xploradex.io
    contact@xploradex.io

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/32827ea9-b455-4249-9cda-2839b3e09751

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Delayed publication of the Annual Report for 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, 30 April 2025

    Interoil Exploration and Production ASA (the “Company”) informs that the publication of its Annual Report for 2024 will be delayed. The process of finalising the Annual Report and completing the audit is ongoing, but the Company will not be able to publish the Annual Report by the 30 April deadline. The Company expects that the Annual Report will be published no later than 20 May 2025.

    Contact information: ir@interoil.no

    About Interoil

    Interoil Exploration and Production ASA is a Norwegian based exploration and production company – listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with focus on Latin America. The Company is operator and license holder of several production and exploration assets in Colombia and Argentina with headquarter in Oslo.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Addition of One Government Securities Distributor for Government of Canada Securities

    Source: Bank of Canada

    The Bank of Canada, on behalf of the Government of Canada, announces the addition of one new Government Securities Distributor (GSD) for Government of Canada marketable bonds and treasury bills.

    ATB Securities Inc.

    The list of Government Securities Distributors can be found on the Government securities auctions webpage on the Bank’s website.

    For further information, please contact:

    Director
    Financial Markets Department
    Bank of Canada
    343‑573‑4846

    Director
    Funds Management Division
    Department of Finance Canada
    343‑549‑3651

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST continues visit to UAE

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, continued her visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
     
    Miss Law met with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture of the UAE, HE Mubarak Al Nakhi, today (April 30, Abu Dhabi time). She highlighted Hong Kong’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international cultural exchanges, expressing strong interest in collaborations with the UAE, a key partner under the Belt and Road Initiative. Miss Law looked forward to establishing closer cultural links and was glad to have identified new opportunities for cooperation on performing arts with the country.
     
    Earlier, on April 29 (Dubai time), Miss Law met the Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation (the Foundation) and Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, HE Khalfan Belhoul. She was impressed by Dubai’s visionary initiatives, such as the Foundation’s projects in artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainability, as well as the government’s forward-thinking approach in shaping a sustainable and better future for the world. On the sports development front, discussions focused on integrating creativity, innovation, and technology into youth education, with both parties noted the shared aspirations of Hong Kong and Dubai. Miss Law highlighted the similarities in both regions’ sports landscapes, emphasising opportunities for collaboration.
     
    In that afternoon, Miss Law met with the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, HE Issam Kazim. The discussions underscored shared goals of enhancing tourism through innovative collaboration. Miss Law also noted how Hong Kong is actively promoting tailor-made, high-end travel packages to attract the Middle East tourists.
     
    Miss Law also paid a courtesy call on and attended a dinner hosted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the UAE, Mr Zhang Yiming last night (April 29, Abu Dhabi time). Ambassador Zhang highlighted Hong Kong’s unique strengths as a global hub for business, culture, and tourism. He also underlined the importance of and expressed optimism about the city’s promising future in engaging the Middle East. Miss Law remarked that through the visit, she gained a deeper understanding of the UAE’s proactive and ambitious vision, affirming that Hong Kong and the UAE share many parallels in their development strategies. She emphasised the importance of leveraging these synergies to foster stronger ties between the two regions and expressed her gratitude to the Embassy for its strong support to Hong Kong.
     
    While in the UAE, Miss Law visited a number of iconic historical and tourist attractions, taking herself in the country’s vibrant cultural and architectural marvels. These included the Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future in Dubai (April 29, Dubai time), as well as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the national and cultural landmark; the Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace; and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, in Abu Dhabi (April 30, Abu Dhabi time) to gain insights into their operations, tourism appeal and the possible collaboration of cultural exchanges.
     
    Miss Law will conclude her visit to the UAE and depart for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tonight (April 30, Abu Dhabi time).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kissimmee Real Estate Broker Sentenced For Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Orlando, FL – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Maria Del Carmen Montes (48, Kissimmee) to 33 months in federal prison for bank fraud. Montes pleaded guilty on January 4, 2024. 

    According to court documents, Montes, co-conspirator Carlos Ferrer, and others created and executed a mortgage fraud scheme targeting financial institutions. Montes assisted clients with purchasing homes and, after signing the real estate contract, referred her buyers to a loan officer at a mortgage company. In order to qualify her clients for mortgage loans for which they were unqualified, Montes transferred the personal identifying and financial information of her clients to Ferrer and directed Ferrer to create fictitious paystubs and W-2s showing false earnings and length of employment for her clients, knowing that her clients never worked for the companies on the fictitious employment documents. After Ferrer created the documents, Montes submitted the fictitious paystubs and W-2s to the financial institutions who relied on them when making underwriting decisions. 

    On August 13, 2024, Ferrer was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and ordered to serve three years of supervised release for his role in the case.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: System Solutions LLC Released AutoQuotes Integration for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GLASTONBURY, Conn., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — System Solutions LLC announced the release of a powerful new integration connecting Revalize AutoQuotes (AQ) with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central cloud ERP software. This integration enables commercial kitchen and foodservice, equipment and service (FES) dealers, consultants, and manufacturers to streamline their Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) process in AutoQuotes and then electronically move customers, orders and items into Business Central ERP software to manage fulfillment and all other business requirements.

    With the new integration, users can build detailed AutoQuotes Projects and Quotes, then seamlessly convert them into Business Central Sales Orders where users can manage customers, payments, purchase orders, receiving, shipping, inventory, project management, installations, and accounting without switching systems or manually re-entering data.

    “The integration of AutoQuotes with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central unlocks a new level of efficiency for the foodservice and equipment industry businesses. The entire operation can be managed from quoting through fulfillment using connected software” says Dave Durrenberger, Director of Sales, System Solutions LLC.

    The integration connects the AutoQuotes industry standard kitchen quoting software to the full power of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, accelerating the sales process, enhancing financial visibility, and minimizing fulfillment delays.

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is Microsoft’s cloud ERP software and manages: Customers, Vendors, Inventory, Sales, Purchasing, Warehouse, Shipping, Service, Projects, Manufacturing, Assembly, Accounting, and Financials. Business Central is designed so that small and medium sized businesses, single or multi-location, national or international, can run their entire business with one software.

    Revalize AutoQuotes (AQ) software is a trusted product in the FES industry. AutoQuotes can configure, price, and quote from nearly one million products, supplies, and accessories from more than eight hundred manufacturers including: product descriptions, pricing, spec sheets, warranty information, CAD, and Revit content.

    To learn more about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or the Revalize AutoQuotes (AQ) Integration, visit www.syssolutionsllc.com or contact us at +1 (860) 781-9986.

    About System Solutions LLC
    System Solutions LLC is a certified Microsoft Partner specializing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central solutions tailored to the retail, wholesale, and distribution markets. With industry experience in foodservice and commercial equipment sales, System Solutions delivers purpose-built tools and integrations to help businesses grow.

    Contact Information:
    System Solutions LLC
    80 Eastern Boulevard, Suite 2
    Glastonbury, CT 06033
    Phone: (860) 781-9986

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Press Briefing Transcript: Staff Level Agreement on the Fourth Review of the Sri Lanka’s Reform Program Supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    April 29, 2025

    PARTICIPANTS: 

    EVAN PAPAGEORGIOU, Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, IMF

    PAVIS DEVAHASADIN, Communications Officer, IMF

    MARTHA TESFAYE WOLDEMICHAEL, Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, IMF

    *  *  *  *  * 

    DEVAHASADIN: I welcome you to the press conference on Sri Lanka, the Staff-Level Agreement of the Fourth Review of the economic program support by the EFF.  Today we have here Mr. Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.  He’s joined by Martha Woldemichael, IMF Representative in Sri Lanka. 

    Again, this is on the record.  The transcript will be available later.  We have a lot of people here, so we’re just going to start with Mr. Evan giving the brief remarks and then we move on to the Q&A session.  All right, Evan, over to you on the remarks.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Pavis. Thank you also to Martha for being here.  And hello, everybody.  Good evening to those of you in Sri Lanka and good morning to the few folks here in Washington.  I thank you all for being here today.  I would have preferred to be with you in Colombo, but unfortunately this is not feasible this time.  We will have to talk through a screen. 

    By way of short introduction, as you heard, my name is Evan Papageorgiou.  I am the new Mission Chief for Sri Lanka for the IMF.  And some of you may know already that there has been a change in Mission Chief with this review, which is part of a routine rotation of people in the team.  I look forward to seeing some of you again.  I already had a chance to meet you a few weeks ago, or otherwise to meeting you all next time we’re in the country.  We had the opportunity to be in the country.  I led a team of economists visiting Colombo earlier this month, where we had productive discussions with the authorities.  These discussions continued here last week here in Washington, D.C., on the occasion of our Spring Meetings. 

    Okay.  So, as you may be aware, we have reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lankan authorities on key economic policies, marking an important milestone toward concluding the Fourth Review of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility. 

    The staff-level agreement is contingent on two conditions.  First, the implementation of prior actions relating to restoring electricity cost-recovery pricing and ensuring proper function of the automatic electricity price adjustment mechanism.  And second, the usual completion of financing assurances review by multilateral and bilateral partners.  After successful implementation of these conditions and approval from the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will unlock approximately USD $344 million in financing.  This funding will be crucial as the country navigates the recovery from economic challenges. 

    We are now halfway through the four-year EFF program, and I’m very pleased to stand before you today to share significant development regarding Sri Lanka’s economic journey.  The performance of the reform program has remained strong overall.  Economic growth is on the rebound.  We are seeing advancements in revenue mobilization, reserve accumulation is proceeding, and structural reforms continue, and some of them are well underway. 

    Very important to note also that debt restructuring is nearly complete and the government’s commitment to program objectives remains steadfast, and we got new assurances of this as recently as last week.  However, we must also acknowledge the significant downside risks posed by global trade policy uncertainty.  Should these risks materialize, we are prepared to work collaboratively with the authorities to assess their impact and formulate appropriate policy responses within the framework of the IMF-supported program.

    The country’s achievements under the ambitious reform agenda have been commendable.  The rebound in growth, for example, 5 percent year-on-year real growth in 2024, is a testament to the country’s resilience and determination and remarkable turnaround.  Furthermore, there has been significant improvement in the revenue performance, with revenue to the GDP climbing to 13.5 percent in 2024 from 8.2 percent in 2022.  Gross official reserves have also risen to $6.5 billion in end of March 2025, given the very good and strong FX purchases by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

    Now, as we move forward, it is essential that the government continues to prioritize sustained revenue mobilization efforts and prudent budget execution.  These measures are vital in preserving and continuing to build fiscal space and ensuring that there is room to respond to any shocks that may arise.  To that end, restoring cost-recovery electricity pricing is essential to minimize fiscal risks and enable appropriate electricity infrastructure and investments. 

    The tax exemption framework should be well designed to reduce fiscal costs and corruption risks while at the same time enabling necessary growth for the country.  Reforms to boost tax compliance are important to deliver revenue gains without resorting to additional tax measures. 

    We also recognize the critical responsibility of the government to protect the most vulnerable members of society during these uncertain times.  Improving the targeting adequacy of social safety nets will be a priority as they strive to provide support where it’s needed the most. 

    In conclusion, the sustained commitment of the government to the program objectives is commendable.  It ensures continuity and puts Sri Lanka on a path to continuing success and strong recovery.  We are determined to continue working with the authorities to safeguard their hard-won gains and pave the way forward towards robust and inclusive growth.  Thank you for your attention.  Martha and I look forward to your questions.  Thank you.  Pavis, back to you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. We now move on to the Q&A section. But before we begin, I would like to say that for those who just joined, this session is being recorded.  Therefore, the transcript will be posted later, and otherwise we move on to the Q&A, and I just want to remind you to keep your questions short because we have a full house so we can give opportunity to other participants as well and stay on topic.  We can also follow up with you afterwards.  But please be mindful that we are discussing the SLA – the Fourth Review, today. 

    May I call — actually I saw your hand was up earlier, and then you put it down.  May I call you for the first question from Economy Next?

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  Yes, my question is there has been some delay on the restructuring.  How concerned is the IMF on SOE restructuring?

    DEVAHASADIN: On the restructuring, debt restructuring, right?

    QUESTIONER: SOE.

    DEVAHASADIN: SOE.

    QUESTIONER: state-owned enterprise, yeah. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Okay. Anyone else on state-owned enterprise? And you can also just jump in.  I see some hands up, but I’m not sure if those participants are talking about — would like to talk about SOE, but otherwise we want to take questions on SOE first. 

    QUESTIONER: If I may add on the SOEs?  Just to add to that, specifically about Sri Lankan Airlines.  How concerned are you about Sri Lankan Airlines?  Because this is something that has been discussed for several years with a lot of other people as well as with the IMF.  Thank you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Okay. Thank you so much.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yes, thank you. These are good questions. So let me start in general to make some points. 

    So under the program there has been, in general, commitment by the government from the beginning of the program until now to strengthen the governance of SOEs, to get to the bottom of their outstanding debt and resolving legacy debt that they — that’s out there — and implementing those that’s relevant to implementing cost recovery pricing to ensure that they remain financially viable.  These are all very important conditions because they will reduce fiscal risks to the government, to the states, and avoid that they become a burden for public finances, ultimately taxpayers, and all Sri Lankans. 

    So, within those commitments, it’s important to highlight a few that, under the program, these include also containing risks from the guarantees issued to SOEs.  For example, the EFF program includes indicative targets, which are setting ceilings on total and foreign currency treasury guarantees for SOEs.  Another condition is to refrain from new FX borrowing by non-financial state-owned enterprises that already have limited FX revenue so that we don’t introduce more wrong-way risk into these entities.  And also, another one, obviously very important one, is making SOEs more transparent.  You may be aware that we have been advocating and mandating to publishing audited financial statements for the 52 largest SOEs in a timely manner, and that will help bring more light and greater scrutiny. 

    It is also important to ensure that consumers of services of these SOEs receive the best value for the price they pay.  And obviously, that relates to a wider range of SOEs, including also the electricity and the fuel sector.  And this is the same thing as you would expect from a private company.  In other words, you would want SOEs run in the most efficient manner purely on commercial basis and ensuring that they are dependable and, of course, that they are free of corruption.  That is greater big disclosure, good disclosure to that extent. 

    There was a question on Sri Lankan Airlines.  So, we understand that the authorities are underway in preparing a medium-term strategic plan to restore Sri Lankan Airlines’ operational viability and to resolve its legacy debt.  We know that the current budget, the 2025 budget, has set aside 20 billion rupees to pay off some of the debt of the airline.  And we are also aware that Sri Lankan Airlines has also hired a financial advisor to restructure its international bond.  So, these are all steps in the right direction.  But we think these need to pick up pace and take up a little bit faster pace so we can have a good resolution of all these outstanding issues.  So, in general with SOEs, we think there is a way forward, and we want to see more progress there. 

    Thank you.  That was a good question.  Pavis, back to you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. We have hands up.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you, Pavis, and thank you, Evan, for your presentation.  From News 1st here.  The conditions of the Fourth Review include implementing fire actions related to electricity cost-recovery pricing and ensuring that the automatic electricity price adjustment mechanism functions properly.  In your meetings with the government, do you see this realizing anytime soon?  Because according to the statement that was released earlier, it says that this condition is yet to be met.  Thank you. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you. Thank you, I don’t know if — should we take another question? Maybe related to electricity to bunch them up a little bit? 

    DEVAHASADIN: Yep. Anyone else on electricity just come in please.

    QUESTIONER: What we expected the timeline to complete the required by actions such as electricity pricing and financing assurance for Board approval?

    QUESTIONER: I have also question on electricity.  Now, the current problem seems to have been coming from, because of a price cut by the regulator, which the utility didn’t ask for.  So, is there any attempt to give technical assistance or something so that the way the regulator calculates the profits or how they deal with the price proposal of the utility is improved so that this kind of thing doesn’t happen again?

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you for the question. Let me first say that the issue of electricity is one where both the government and us see eye to eye, and there’s strong commitment in seeing these reforms take place because, as you know very well, electricity and dependability of electricity and the high price of electricity have been an issue for a very long time in Sri Lanka. So, government is committed to seeing, to taking the reforms and owning those reforms and making significant progress. 

    So yes, during the review mission discussions that we had in Colombo earlier in April, earlier this month, and here in Washington last week, we discussed many issues.  Our assessment is as early as back in February, when we went to the Board for our Third Review, our assessment of the time, and still is the same, is that the continuous structural benchmark on electricity cost recovery pricing is still not met.  And that means that the price of the tariff – it does not match, does not create enough of an ability for the utility, for the CEB, to be able to meet its costs, the generation costs, and transmission and distribution. 

    In addition to that, the automatic tariff adjustment mechanism based on the bulk supply transaction account, the BSTA, has not operated as we envisaged.  And the April tariff revision that was meant to take place in the second quarter of this year was not implemented.  So as a result of that, given the criticality of electricity cost recovery and under the program, we have proposed, IMF has proposed, the introduction of prior actions relating to restoring electricity cost-recovery pricing and ensuring proper function of the automatic electricity price adjustment mechanism, the BSTA, that I mentioned a few moments ago. 

    The implementation of these prior actions is an important milestone as a requisite, if you will, for the completion of the Fourth Review.  And in terms of the timing; there was a question — of course, we defer to the authorities and to the regulator, the PUCSL, on the exact timing for implementing these actions, these prior actions. But we urge them to do so as soon as possible so that the utility company, CEB, is not incurring financial losses on a forward-looking basis.  In other words, we should avoid, the authorities should avoid, a situation where debt is building up at the CEB, so that the utility company does not become again a significant contingent liability to the government and a burden to the taxpayer. so, it doesn’t become a fiscal drought. 

    I think this is well understood by the authorities.  It has been explained time and time again.  It’s a core pillar of the program that once it is resolved and properly held, it will help fiscal sustainability, and it will make electricity price generation more dependable.  And down the road this will allow for more stability, for more investment, and for the necessary steps to see electricity prices coming down. 

    Hopefully that answers your question, but I’m happy to follow up on anything else.  Thank you.  Pavis, back to you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan.

    QUESTIONER: I don’t think my question about whether you consider technical assistance to the regulator was answered.  I also have another question if you can answer. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Sure, sure. So yeah, thank you. There’s no technical assistance at the moment in terms of the electricity price generation or any other issues related to this.  In general, the energy policy and the policy for the energy sector, we think the pillars are — there should be a cost reflective energy pricing which is a building block of the program, and we think that within that there should be a greater stability, but it will allow for more reforms. 

    So now we know we understand that there are some proposed amendments to the Electricity Act that are underway, and these are expected to reflect the authority’s strategy to reform the electricity sector.  We understand also there is an intention to have unbundling of generation of transmission and distribution of power.  We obviously take note that there has been action and proposals for greater investment, including also for solar energy projects.  Again, we’re not advising exactly on these issues, but we look forward to seeing more. 

    Now, of course, on the strategy that should be supported by the key stakeholders.  I know that other multilateral, several development partners such as the World Bank and ADB are closely involved on electricity, and they are providing technical assistance to Sri Lanka. 

    So I think that goes to your point. Did you have another question as well? 

    QUESTIONER: Yes.  Regarding the — can you give us any idea about the timing of the review that might take place?  And also, when you said, policy responses that may be needed to meet the tariff problem, what kind of things were you thinking on?  Is it likely to jeopardize the targets and were you planning to give any waivers or what kind of policy responses?

    PAPAGEORGIOU: When you say tariffs do you mean not electricity tariffs, you mean export tariffs, right?

    QUESTIONER: No, no, sorry.  You said because of the tariff shock, from possible tariffs from the U.S. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yes, that’s right.

    DEVAHASADIN: U.S. tariffs.

    QUESTIONER: Yeah.  So then that Sri Lanka might have to do some policy responses.  What kind of policy responses were you thinking?  And also, it jeopardizes the targets in the IMF performance criteria, will they be kind of given waivers? 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you.

    DEVAHASADIN: Before you begin, I would like to read this question. How do you see the impact U.S. labor tariff on Sri Lanka’s ability to secure and sustain the SLA with global partners?

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yeah, great. Thank you; these are good questions. In terms of the timing, obviously things are still underway.  This is only a staff-level agreement, which means we have agreed on principle on many things of the underlying Fourth Review and conditions of the prior actions that I mentioned a few minutes ago.  I think there’s good momentum from the authorities’ and everybody else’s point of view in completing the review.  That takes a little while because we understand a lot of these issues are still being discussed and there is more work to be done, both from the authority side and from our side as well.  It’s a long process, as you probably know, in terms of us consulting and redrawing our numbers and our assumptions and having a great confidence in the direction of policy reforms and of the outlook and everything else.  I would say that it will take a little while, maybe a couple more months at least, in terms of finalizing the review.  So hopefully in two months’ time or so, by, let’s say, June, we should be able to have some more news for you on this front. 

    Now, on the issue of U.S. tariffs and how does it affect the country?  Obviously, as I mentioned, trade policy uncertainty is one of the issues that we have discussed quite extensively with the authorities on what could that mean for Sri Lanka’s economy and economic performance.  We know that, obviously, the authorities are committed to achieving program objectives and to see how the targets are being met.  They have also committed to addressing any sort of underperformance or deviation for program targets with remedial measures.  So, we think that we take this commitment very seriously, and we note their strong impetus for delivering on those. 

    Obviously, the global trade policy uncertainties, as I mentioned, is a significant risk.  All I can say at this point is that if these risks materialize, we will work with the authorities to assess the impact of those shocks, and we will support the country in formulating specific policy responses within the contours of the existing IMF program.  We have very frequent discussions with the authorities.  We were discussing, we were talking to them as recently as last Friday, as a few days ago.  We continue talking to them on a daily basis.  Martha talks to them on a constant basis.  And we continue conducting weekly monitoring meetings with the entire team, both here in Colombo as well, so that we can ensure that program performance remains on track. 

    This is all I can say for the moment, but it is very important to note also that the Sri Lankan authorities, the Sri Lankan government, have made great progress in establishing greater connection with bilateral trade partners, including the United States.  And we encourage more action and greater discussion in ensuring that there is a good outcome from these discussions and that the trade policy uncertainty gets resolved and there’s greater certainty. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you. I just got the five minutes remaining warning. I would like to open the floor to anyone who hasn’t asked any questions.  Please feel free to jump in.  Otherwise, I’ll go back to the hand.  Anyone else who hasn’t asked any question?  Well, all right, I see one hand up.

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you. We’ll come back to you.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  I just have a question.  It’s kind of a follow-up to Evan’s previous answer.  You talked about a very limited response that you can give talking about trade policy and the impact of the U.S. tariffs.  But you did say that Sri Lanka had expressed a sort of a commitment to work and work towards the targets it has agreed with the IMF.  But in the most recent weeks post those tariff announcements, targets, as much as you said that they have expressed a willingness to work within the framework – I think you said, within the contours of the agreement – has Sri Lanka expressed concerns about reaching those targets, particularly because these tariffs are believed broadly to have a potential impact on its export earnings?  Obviously, it’s foreign currency earnings and things like that.  So how much of a concern have you heard from the Sri Lankan authorities?  And what is the sort of leeway or the kind of flexibility that Sri Lanka would have within the agreement with the IMF?  I’m sure you have this with a lot of sort of your agreements, but, yeah, where Sri Lanka is concerned, how do you see it?  Thank you. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you. That’s a good question. It follows through a little bit from my previous answer, as you said.  I don’t know, given that we don’t have much time, let me go ahead and answer this and maybe we can give five more minutes, Pavis, to other people to ask questions as well. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Sounds good.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: So, first of all, every review, now we’re on the Fourth Review, of the program is an opportunity to assess the economic developments, to review program targets, and to determine the reform agenda and the reform measures that the authorities plan for the period ahead. It just happened that in this review we have a significant trade policy shock. So, in these discussions, we’ve had an understanding of what are the concerns and what is the kind of shock.  And by the way, this is something that we also, as Fund staff, are trying to implement, to understand, to comprehend, and to put into our outlook. 

    So obviously, the 44 percent tariff on Sri Lanka that was announced on April 2nd would have a significant impact, and the authorities understand this very well.  The impact obviously will be on the apparel and rubber industries.  Obviously, as you know very well, these account for a very large share of the country’s exports to the United States.  I believe it’s almost three-quarters, or over 70 percent.  And also, the real sector implications of these are very important because these two sectors, apparel and rubber, employ a lot of workers, in Sri Lanka. Just the apparel industry alone is over 300,000 workers or 320,000 workers.  So, the 90-day pause that was announced has allowed the authorities to engage constructively with the United States.  And we take, take very positive note on this. 

    Now, within, in general, as I mentioned, the global trade policy uncertainty for any small open economy and definitely for Sri Lanka poses significant downside risks.  For these discussions, we understand, obviously, the issues that arise and how they should be baked into the program.  If there is any substantial risk that may pan out either on the back of tariffs or some other disruption, we will work with the authorities to incorporate them to assess their impact and put them into policy responses. 

    At this point, it will be a little premature of me to talk about specific issues, but we’ve had a lot of discussions, and we think that the authorities are doing the best they can to address these issues.  It’s important to also mention that here that any time is a good time for implementing more reforms for discussing greater options towards having more trade policy responses.  And we believe that Sri Lanka should continue exploring also additional ways in making its exports more marketable and appealing to a wider range of counterparts. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. I’ll give the final question. We are running out of time, but I think we have enough time for one last question.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  It’s about the tax revenues.  According to the 2025 budget, much of the tax revenue is expected from vehicle imports, and we have — from the dealers that of the vehicles have been imported in the last two months, about 75 percent have been sold.  Of course, even though 25 percent may not have been sold, still the government has got revenue for those because they have been cleared through customs. That is no issue, but it would probably have implications for future demand.  So, the market is sort of not as vibrant, as there doesn’t seem to be a huge pent-up demand.  How concerned are you that this one single item in the budget, which is sort of going to underpin tax revenue, may not materialize this year?  Thank you.  Thank you.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: So obviously the authorities have made significant progress on creating greater opportunities for revenue and for collecting more. You may very well know that the situation was far worse in terms of tax revenue, as I mentioned in my earlier remarks, as early as couple of years ago. So obviously there is definitely progress. On this year’s discussion,

    I think there is a lot of the progress; has been a positive one.  There has been greater progress towards ensuring more revenue that could be collected from a range of measures.  You mentioned very accurately that the lifting of the import ban on motor vehicles is a very, very important. I would say the primary measure underpinning the revenue package.  We saw that, also in the budget, it is expected to yield 1.2 percent of GDP in 2025.  And that’s about 80 percent of the 1.5 percent of GDP in all tax revenue.  So obviously, as you mentioned, this is very important to get right and to continue with the momentum. 

    We note from the latest data that we have monitoring and we’re getting is that there is actually a good momentum on those motor vehicle imports.  So as my latest data — I was trying to find them — from what I remember, there has been quite a lot of good increase in the letters of credit.  I believe it’s around USD $350 million that were open.  These are letters of credit that are attached to importing vehicles.  So, we think that the associated revenue that will be incurred from those imports is starting to come on pace, and that’s a very important and encouraging sign.  So, we look forward to seeing more. 

    Of course, I mentioned a moment ago as well that if there are signs that — that there is underperformance of revenues or if there is a revenue shortfall, we have discussed with the authorities, and they are committed to implementing contingency revenue measures, and this will go a long way in ensuring fiscal sustainability and greater revenue.  Thank you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. Unfortunately, we’re at time. Before we close, Evan, do you have any parting words? 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: No, I thank you very much. I thank you all for being here. I look forward to continuing to engage with you, and Martha and I know that we have a great relationship with all of you and a frequent interaction.  We are happy to continue taking your questions.  We now are moving forward completing the Fourth Review in the next couple of months, so we will certainly communicate more as we get towards that goal.  We will also try to have another similar discussion and press conference at the end of that review if all goes well.  Let me just mention again that we are fully committed in supporting the economy and the Sri Lankan authorities, both in the current issues that they are facing and just more broadly on formulating the appropriate policy responses and the necessary form.  Thank you all very much for being here.  I wish I was in Colombo, but I look forward to seeing you again in the next few months.  Thank you. 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Week 6 of “Dirty Dems” campaign highlights failures of Bakersfield legislators

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    BAKERSFIELD, CA (April 29, 2025)—As part of the ongoing “Dirty Dems” campaign, Greenpeace USA, in collaboration with the California Working Families Party and Courage California, continues to hold California State legislators accountable for their damaging connections to the oil and gas industry and their failure to support critical climate, economic justice, and progressive priorities.

    This week, the spotlight falls on Bakersfield – and two legislators who have continuously received failing grades from every major environmental and progressive scorecard across the state. Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, who has accepted $54,000 from the oil and gas industry in just the last session alone, and Senator Melissa Hurtado, who has accepted $79,500 herself since 2018, have made a name for themselves through supporting corporate polluters instead of fighting for their communities. 

    Amy Moas, Ph.D., Greenpeace USA Senior Climate Campaigner, said: “Assemblymember Bains’s and Senator Hurtado’s behavior accepting dirty money, and then voting against policies that would have made their communities healthier and more resilient, is inexcusable. Bakersfield and its surrounding communities deserve elected leaders who are fighting for everyday, working families – not delaying protections that would keep people safe.”

    Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains – “Big Oil Bains” 

    Though Assemblymember Bains has only been in office for two full legislative sessions – and though she represents communities bearing the brunt of the toxic oil industry – she has repeatedly chosen not to protect the very people she was elected to represent. Assembly Member Bains was the only Democrat to choose corporate profits over protecting her constituents when she voted against a bill aimed at ensuring oil companies are not ripping off Californians in order to rake in historic profits (SBX1-2). During the same session, she also did the oil industry’s bidding by introducing a bill requiring an increase in toxic oil production in the state. 

    Some additional low points of Assembly Member Bains’ time in office include voting no on programs to lower air pollution and smog (AB 126) and skipping voting on a bill to monitor noxious pollutants in neighborhoods that have been linked to asthma and cancer (SB 674).  She also skipped a vote to mandate California speed up the plugging of the thousands of leaking idle wells throughout the state (AB 1866), as well as on a bill to incentivize the clean up of the low producing oil wells polluting the largest urban oil field in the country (AB 2716). Assembly Member Bains does not just vote down and skip votes on public health and environmental issues, however; she also skipped voting on a bill to improve the working conditions for janitorial labor in California (AB 2364). 

    Senator Melissa Hurtado

    Senator Hurtado’s contributions from Chevron, the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA), and one of California’s largest oil refiners, PBF Energy, show in her voting record. While it is common in the California Legislature for legislators to skip votes in order to avoid taking a stand on difficult bills, Senator Hurtado has one of the most up front and brazen records with her actual voting down numerous environmental justice and public health bills for the purpose of protecting the profits of her corporate donors. 

    Senator Hurtado’s time in office includes a series of low points. First, she voted no on one of the largest environmental justice priorities for more than a decade aimed at reducing pollution from oil drilling in neighborhoods (SB 1137), and voted no on multiple bills aimed at cleaning up toxic idle oil wells and ensuring taxpayers are not stuck with the bill (AB 1866 and AB 1167) – despite her district having more than 11,000 idle wells. Additionally, she voted against a bill to incentivize the cleanup of low producing wells in the largest urban oil field (AB 2716), and another to strengthen the enforcement measures for oil and gas regulations (AB 631). 

    Senator Hurtado has also pushed back against workers’ rights. She skipped voting on a number of other progressive priorities including a major labor priority bill in 2022 aimed at establishing a council to shape minimum wage and working conditions for fast food workers (AB 257), as well as a bill to end employment discrimination by outlawing forced arbitration agreements (AB 51). 

    Holding the Bakersfield Legislators Accountable

    Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains and Senator Melissa Hurtado are the eighth and ninth Dirty Dems to be named. They join a growing list of California’s elected officials who have repeatedly chosen to prioritize corporate donations over the well-being of their constituents. 

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand, Cotton, Nadler, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Protect Organ Donors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced legislation to protect the rights of living organ donors. The Living Donor Protection Act would ensure living donors do not face discrimination from insurance companies, codify Department of Labor (DOL) guidance that covers living donors under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the private and civil service, remove barriers to organ donation, and provide certainty to donors and recipients. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Don Bacon (R-NE) lead this legislation in the House of Representatives.

    Currently, there are roughly 8,000 New Yorkers on the national transplant waiting list, with approximately 7,000 waiting for a kidney.In NYS, the average wait time for a kidney transplant is about five to six years, and during that time, many patients become too sick to receive a transplant or die. Nearly 500 New Yorkers die each year waiting for an organ transplant. Receiving an organ from a living donor can shorten this wait time and ultimately allow the best chance for long-term success. Unfortunately, studies have found that up to one in four living donors report discrimination in the rates and provision of life insurance and disability insurance, and they can struggle to receive time off from work to complete their donation and recovery. Reducing barriers to living organ donation and educating potential donors on the protections provided to them under law will help to promote living organ donation and save the lives of those waiting for a transplant.

    “It’s a tragedy that so many people die while waiting for life-saving organ donations. We must do more to remove the barriers that keep Americans from donating,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Living Donor Protection Act would help ensure that the individuals who are willing to save someone’s life through an organ donation can do so without worrying that they’ll face insurance discrimination or that they could lose their job as they recover. I am proud to be introducing this bipartisan legislation and will keep fighting to finally get it passed.” 

    “Organ donors make an extraordinary sacrifice so someone else can have a new chance at life,” said Senator Cotton. “The Living Donor Protection Act would encourage more donors to step forward by protecting them from adverse consequences like denial of coverage and job loss.”

    “When an organ donor decides to donate one of their organs to someone else, they aren’t just saving someone’s life—they’re making one of the most selfless, difficult decisions anyone could ever make. The last thing they need in the midst of that challenging process is to be confronted by needless roadblocks or insurance discrimination,” said Representative Nadler. “These roadblocks can make it economically impossible for potential donors to make that choice and, simply put, they are costing lives. April is National Donate Life Month, and I’m proud to introduce the Living Donor Protection Act to bring awareness to this issue and knock down these needless barriers to lifesaving organ donation.”

    “Our state is fortunate to have Nebraska Medicine, which has a robust living donor kidney exchange program, performing more kidney chains which involves anonymous donors donating to someone without a compatible living donor, than almost any hospital nationwide. However, some living donors are discriminated against when it comes to rates and provision of life insurance and disability insurance,” said Representative Bacon. “They also don’t always receive adequate time to recover from the surgeries related to their selfless gift. This legislation will help open the doors to more living donors so we can save more lives.”

    The Living Donor Protection Act would protect living organ donors and promote organ donation by: 

    1) Prohibiting life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage and from charging higher premiums for living organ donors; 

    2) Amending the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to specifically include living organ donation as a serious health condition for private and civil service employees; and 

    3) Directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to update its materials on live organ donation to reflect these new protections and encourage more individuals to consider donating an organ.

    The Living Donor Protection Act is cosponsored bySenators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

    The Living Donor Protection Act is endorsed by Alport Syndrome Foundation, American Association of Kidney Patients, American Council of Life Insurers, American Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, American Liver Foundation, American Nephrology Nurses Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Society of Transplantation, Dialysis Patient Citizens, Global Liver Institute, IGA Nephropathy Foundation, International Society of Glomerular Disease, Kidney Transplant Collaborative, National Kidney Foundation, the Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance (NKCA), North American Transplant Coordinators Organization, Northwest Kidney Centers, the PKD Foundation, the Rogosin Institute, Sanofi, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO), and Renal Physicians Association.

    “The selfless individuals who give the gift of life by donating a kidney should not face discrimination by life, long-term care, or disability insurers,” said LaVarne Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “This legislation would be a significant step in efforts to encourage more living donors and reduce the kidney transplant waiting list by providing the protections that living donors should receive for their lifesaving actions.”

    “The Living Donor Protection Act is a critical step forward in protecting those who make the selfless choice to save lives through organ donation,” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation and a transplant recipient. “By removing barriers and ensuring donors don’t face discrimination, we can help address the national organ shortage crisis and save more lives. I thank Senators Cotton and Gillibrand, and Representatives Bacon and Nadler, for their leadership, and I strongly urge Congress to pass this vital legislation this year.”

    “With nearly 9,300 people in the U.S. waiting for a liver transplant right now, the need for living donors is great. Approximately 25% of people on the liver transplant list will die waiting due to lack of available organs. The Living Donor Protection Act is critical to helping level the playing field for living organ donors, ensuring that they are not discriminated against in obtaining life, disability or long-term care insurance and have job protections for medical leave after donation. We are so grateful to Senators Cotton and Gillibrand and Representatives Bacon and Nadler for stepping up for living organ donors and patients throughout the country,” said Lorraine Stiehl, CEO, American Liver Foundation and caregiver to a transplant patient.

    “ASN commends the re-introduction of the Living Donor Protection Act, critical legislation which will remove barriers that discourage living donors from providing the life-saving gift of a kidney transplant,” said ASN President Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN. “Americans who are considering becoming living donors deserve more support than the current system provides for them, and ASN believes the Living Donor Protection Act is a critical step to achieve this goal.”

    “As a pioneer in transplantation since performing New York State’s first living donor kidney transplant in 1963, The Rogosin Institute believes that kidney transplantation is the ideal treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease,” said the Rogosin Institute. “We are proud to wholeheartedly endorse the Living Donor Protection Act removing barriers to donation such as insurance uncertainty and financial insecurity. Rogosin extends our thanks to the bipartisan members of Congress supporting this critical legislation. We thank Senators Gillibrand and Cotton and Congressmen Bacon and Nadler for championing the Living Donor Protection Act.”

    “As nonprofit dialysis providers, kidney transplant is an ideal outcome for many of our patients and legislation to protect and support living donors is critical to our patient-centered mission,” said Monica Massaro, Executive Director of NKCA.

    “Living organ donors save people’s lives and should be able to give the gift of life without fear of insurance discrimination or financial retribution, especially as they recover from surgery. The Living Donor Protection Act rightfully protects these selfless individuals from this,” said Maureen McBride, Ph.D., CEO of the United Network for Organ Sharing. “Thank you, Sens. Cotton and Gillibrand and Reps. Bacon and Nadler for your bipartisan leadership and for standing up for living organ donors.”

    “On behalf of the American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing a majority of the nation’s transplant professionals, our Society strongly applauds and endorses the re-introduction of the Living Donor Protection Act (LDPA),” said Dr. Jon Kobashigawa, President, American Society of Transplantation (AST). “AST is grateful for the ongoing and steadfast leadership of Senators Cotton, Gillibrand and Representatives Bacon and Nadler to protect transplant patients and strengthen living donation.  The LDPA is a patient-focused bill seeking to remove policy barriers that might otherwise prevent an individual from providing a lifesaving donor organ.  AST greatly appreciates this bipartisan, bicameral, and patient centric legislation. We look forward to working with you to advance the LDPA in this 119th Congress.”

    “Life insurers support helping more people access financial protection for themselves and their families,” said American Council of Life Insurers President and CEO David Chavern. “The Living Donor Protection Act lets organ donors access life, disability, or long-term care coverage while recognizing fair underwriting practices. It’s an important initiative that will protect those who save lives through organ donations.”

    “On behalf of all kidney patients, organ donors and American taxpayers, the American Association of Kidney Patients salutes U.S. Senators Tom Cotton and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representatives Don Bacon and Jerrold Nadler for introducing the bipartisan Living Donor Protection Act so that living organ donors will no longer face the Hobbesian choice of saving an innocent human life at the risk of losing insurance coverages that provide economic security and peace of mind to their families and loved ones. The time is now for America to transcend high-cost, high-mortality dialysis care as the default solution for people living with kidney failure and to encourage greater living organ donation and greater transplant opportunities for all Americans in need of a life-saving organ,” said Edward V. Hickey, III, President of the American Association of Kidney Patients.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MANNION SLAM RUMORED ‘DOGE’ CUTS TO DFAS ROME WORKFORCE, DEMAND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IMMEDIATELY REVERSE COURSE & PROTECT THE MOHAWK VALLEY WORKERS VITAL TO AMERICA’S MILITARY…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Nearly 100 Full-Time DFAS Rome Workers Have Already Left Amid ‘DOGE’ Chaos, And ‘DOGE’ Has Already Targeted Nearly 100 Probationary Workers To Be Fired, Which Is Currently Under Litigation  – In Total, This Would Slash DFAS Rome Workforce By Over 20%, With More Rumored Cuts Still On Horizon

    DFAS Rome’s Civilian Workforce Manages All Financial Services for Military Operations, Providing Defense Department And Our Troops With Mission-Critical Accounting Services, Logistical Support, And More

    Schumer, Gillibrand, Mannion: Protecting DFAS Rome Is Essential To Supporting Our Brave Warfighters And Their Families

    Amid ‘DOGE’ chaos and cuts impacting hundreds of workers at DFAS Rome, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congressman John Mannion urged the U.S. Department of Defense to preserve the civilian workforce at DFAS Rome, as they are vital to supporting the DOD and the brave men and women of our armed forces, including warfighters.

    Schumer said that, “’DOGE’ needs to get their hands off DFAS Rome. The world-class workers at DFAS Rome support America’s Armed Forces, and protecting the DFAS Rome workforce is vital to protecting our national security, our troops and the Mohawk Valley economy.”

    “‘DOGE’s shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later approach to DFAS Rome’s workforce will undermine their ability to effectively execute its vital mission in support of our Armed Forces and the DOD. DFAS in Rome is not only vital to the Department of Defense but also to the City of Rome and Mohawk Valley’s economy. This proposal would hurt every level of our Armed Forces, undermine America’s national security, and hurt the Mohawk Valley community,” said Senator Schumer. “I am all for cutting out inefficiency, but you use a scalpel, not a chainsaw. You don’t fire hardworking Americans, like those at DFAS, who have dedicated their careers to supporting our military servicemembers, families, and all DoD operations. The civilian workforce of DFAS Rome is not ‘government waste’ – they are what makes America great. That’s why I’m demanding the Department of Defense oppose and immediately reverse any plans to reduce DFAS Rome’s civilian workforce.”

    “DFAS employees in Rome and across the country provide mission-critical support to every level of our armed forces,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Firing these workers will jeopardize our national security, harm Rome’s economy, and make it more difficult for servicemembers, veterans, retirees, and military families to resolve payroll issues and get the health and retirement benefits they’ve earned. I’m urging the Department of Defense to immediately reverse its plans to cut DFAS employees, and I will stand steadfast in my commitment to protect these crucial workers.”

    Representative John W. Mannion said, “DFAS was created to bring consistency and accountability to the Department of Defense’s financial operations—critical principles it continues to uphold every day in service to our warfighters, their families, and American taxpayers. Workforce reductions at DFAS Rome undermine this mission and threaten jobs that are vital to the Mohawk Valley economy. These cuts are unnecessary and contradict our shared commitment to a responsive, effective, and fully supported Department of Defense.”

    DFAS / AFGE President Edward Abounader said, “For over 20 years Senator Schumer has been a staunch advocate for DFAS Rome and its employees, and we deeply appreciate his continued support alongside Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Mannion. With our workforce already down hundreds of employees and additional cuts on the horizon, it’s time for all of us to come together and fight to protect DFAS Rome before it’s too late. On behalf of the hard-working employees at DFAS Rome and DFAS locations across the country, I would like to thank our Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Mannion for standing up for the critical work we do to assist our Nations Warfighters through diligent fiscal oversight as the premier Government Working Capital Fund for the Department of Defense.”

    According to local representatives tied to DFAS Rome, ‘DOGE’ is actively attempting to cut around 100 full-time DFAS Rome workers because of their probationary status, but those workers are currently still on the jobs because of pending litigation. Since ‘DOGE’ has begun their plans to cut the federal workforce, 60 people at DFAS Rome have taken the ‘fork in the road’ offer for early retirement, while an approximately additional 40 have resigned since February amid fear of the impact ‘DOGE’ would have on their jobs. DFAS Rome is currently unable to replace any of this lost workforce because of the ongoing federal hiring freeze, and according to local representatives tied to DFAS Rome given the ongoing ‘DOGE’ chaos they expect to lose more workers to resignations and retirements.

    Even worse, there is also concerns of rumored even deeper cuts under consideration, as well as an attack on the DFAS union’s Master Collective Bargaining Agreement, which could put hundreds of additional workers at risk and create an existential threat to the future of DFAS Rome.

    The lawmakers in a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense explained these firings and inability to hire new workers would cripple a significant portion of DFAS Rome’s 1,100+ workforce, most of whom are civilians. DFAS Rome’s civilian workforce provides mission-critical financial services and logistical support to our Armed Forces and every element of DoD operations, from facilities sustainment and foreign military sales (FMS) to forward deployment. The lawmakers explained that DFAS Rome provides support services directly to servicemembers and their families, such as payroll, benefits enrollment, and reimbursement for travel related to deployment or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) for active duty servicemembers.

    The lawmakers added that the first round of cuts carried out by DOGE and DoD earlier this year has already set several of DFAS Rome’s operational cells responsible for providing these support functions—including the call center and travel section—on a trajectory towards mission failure. The impacts of these cuts will inevitably impose additional burdens and stress factors on our military servicemembers and their families that are otherwise avoidable, and will ultimately degrade readiness, recruitment, and retention among our Armed Forces.

    Schumer and Gillibrand have a long history of fighting to preserve jobs at Rome’s DFAS. Last year, the senators helped protect hundreds of DFAS employees in Rome from job displacement caused by automation and “rapid deployment” of bots. In 2020, the senators secured language in the FY2021 NDAA increasing Congressional oversight over DFAS personnel changes and adding additional protection for DFAS employees by requiring DoD to justify that proposed changes would yield significant cost savings before transitioning any functions that would result in the reduction or transfer of DFAS employees. In 2018, the senators went to bat for DFAS in the Senate, successfully ensuring that the Senate NDAA did not contain the 25% cut to agencies that employ civilian workers the House version did. In doing so, the Senators saved approximately 200 DFAS jobs. In 2017, after years of advocacy, the senators announced that a US Army pilot program jeopardizing over 1000 DFAS Rome jobs had concluded and there would be no changes or layoffs. Those advocacy efforts included FY2015 NDAA language requiring the Army Secretary to certify benefit prior to transferring functions away from DFAS, a personal call from Schumer to Army Secretary John McHugh, and a joint letter with Senator Gillibrand to Secretary McHugh.

    The Defense Finance and Accounting Service was created in 1991 to standardize and improve accounting and financial operations for DoD. They provide payroll services for DoD military and civilian personnel, retirees and other major contractors and vendors. DFAS operates as a separate and unique entity in DoD, to ensure transparency and accountability on behalf of DoD financing and accounting.

    Schumer, Gillibrand, and Mannion’s letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Hegseth can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Press Briefing Transcript: Staff Level Agreement on the Fourth Review of the Sri Lanka’s Reform Program Supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 29, 2025

    PARTICIPANTS: 

    EVAN PAPAGEORGIOU, Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, IMF

    PAVIS DEVAHASADIN, Communications Officer, IMF

    MARTHA TESFAYE WOLDEMICHAEL, Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, IMF

    *  *  *  *  * 

    DEVAHASADIN: I welcome you to the press conference on Sri Lanka, the Staff-Level Agreement of the Fourth Review of the economic program support by the EFF.  Today we have here Mr. Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.  He’s joined by Martha Woldemichael, IMF Representative in Sri Lanka. 

    Again, this is on the record.  The transcript will be available later.  We have a lot of people here, so we’re just going to start with Mr. Evan giving the brief remarks and then we move on to the Q&A session.  All right, Evan, over to you on the remarks.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Pavis. Thank you also to Martha for being here.  And hello, everybody.  Good evening to those of you in Sri Lanka and good morning to the few folks here in Washington.  I thank you all for being here today.  I would have preferred to be with you in Colombo, but unfortunately this is not feasible this time.  We will have to talk through a screen. 

    By way of short introduction, as you heard, my name is Evan Papageorgiou.  I am the new Mission Chief for Sri Lanka for the IMF.  And some of you may know already that there has been a change in Mission Chief with this review, which is part of a routine rotation of people in the team.  I look forward to seeing some of you again.  I already had a chance to meet you a few weeks ago, or otherwise to meeting you all next time we’re in the country.  We had the opportunity to be in the country.  I led a team of economists visiting Colombo earlier this month, where we had productive discussions with the authorities.  These discussions continued here last week here in Washington, D.C., on the occasion of our Spring Meetings. 

    Okay.  So, as you may be aware, we have reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lankan authorities on key economic policies, marking an important milestone toward concluding the Fourth Review of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility. 

    The staff-level agreement is contingent on two conditions.  First, the implementation of prior actions relating to restoring electricity cost-recovery pricing and ensuring proper function of the automatic electricity price adjustment mechanism.  And second, the usual completion of financing assurances review by multilateral and bilateral partners.  After successful implementation of these conditions and approval from the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will unlock approximately USD $344 million in financing.  This funding will be crucial as the country navigates the recovery from economic challenges. 

    We are now halfway through the four-year EFF program, and I’m very pleased to stand before you today to share significant development regarding Sri Lanka’s economic journey.  The performance of the reform program has remained strong overall.  Economic growth is on the rebound.  We are seeing advancements in revenue mobilization, reserve accumulation is proceeding, and structural reforms continue, and some of them are well underway. 

    Very important to note also that debt restructuring is nearly complete and the government’s commitment to program objectives remains steadfast, and we got new assurances of this as recently as last week.  However, we must also acknowledge the significant downside risks posed by global trade policy uncertainty.  Should these risks materialize, we are prepared to work collaboratively with the authorities to assess their impact and formulate appropriate policy responses within the framework of the IMF-supported program.

    The country’s achievements under the ambitious reform agenda have been commendable.  The rebound in growth, for example, 5 percent year-on-year real growth in 2024, is a testament to the country’s resilience and determination and remarkable turnaround.  Furthermore, there has been significant improvement in the revenue performance, with revenue to the GDP climbing to 13.5 percent in 2024 from 8.2 percent in 2022.  Gross official reserves have also risen to $6.5 billion in end of March 2025, given the very good and strong FX purchases by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

    Now, as we move forward, it is essential that the government continues to prioritize sustained revenue mobilization efforts and prudent budget execution.  These measures are vital in preserving and continuing to build fiscal space and ensuring that there is room to respond to any shocks that may arise.  To that end, restoring cost-recovery electricity pricing is essential to minimize fiscal risks and enable appropriate electricity infrastructure and investments. 

    The tax exemption framework should be well designed to reduce fiscal costs and corruption risks while at the same time enabling necessary growth for the country.  Reforms to boost tax compliance are important to deliver revenue gains without resorting to additional tax measures. 

    We also recognize the critical responsibility of the government to protect the most vulnerable members of society during these uncertain times.  Improving the targeting adequacy of social safety nets will be a priority as they strive to provide support where it’s needed the most. 

    In conclusion, the sustained commitment of the government to the program objectives is commendable.  It ensures continuity and puts Sri Lanka on a path to continuing success and strong recovery.  We are determined to continue working with the authorities to safeguard their hard-won gains and pave the way forward towards robust and inclusive growth.  Thank you for your attention.  Martha and I look forward to your questions.  Thank you.  Pavis, back to you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. We now move on to the Q&A section. But before we begin, I would like to say that for those who just joined, this session is being recorded.  Therefore, the transcript will be posted later, and otherwise we move on to the Q&A, and I just want to remind you to keep your questions short because we have a full house so we can give opportunity to other participants as well and stay on topic.  We can also follow up with you afterwards.  But please be mindful that we are discussing the SLA – the Fourth Review, today. 

    May I call — actually I saw your hand was up earlier, and then you put it down.  May I call you for the first question from Economy Next?

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  Yes, my question is there has been some delay on the restructuring.  How concerned is the IMF on SOE restructuring?

    DEVAHASADIN: On the restructuring, debt restructuring, right?

    QUESTIONER: SOE.

    DEVAHASADIN: SOE.

    QUESTIONER: state-owned enterprise, yeah. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Okay. Anyone else on state-owned enterprise? And you can also just jump in.  I see some hands up, but I’m not sure if those participants are talking about — would like to talk about SOE, but otherwise we want to take questions on SOE first. 

    QUESTIONER: If I may add on the SOEs?  Just to add to that, specifically about Sri Lankan Airlines.  How concerned are you about Sri Lankan Airlines?  Because this is something that has been discussed for several years with a lot of other people as well as with the IMF.  Thank you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Okay. Thank you so much.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yes, thank you. These are good questions. So let me start in general to make some points. 

    So under the program there has been, in general, commitment by the government from the beginning of the program until now to strengthen the governance of SOEs, to get to the bottom of their outstanding debt and resolving legacy debt that they — that’s out there — and implementing those that’s relevant to implementing cost recovery pricing to ensure that they remain financially viable.  These are all very important conditions because they will reduce fiscal risks to the government, to the states, and avoid that they become a burden for public finances, ultimately taxpayers, and all Sri Lankans. 

    So, within those commitments, it’s important to highlight a few that, under the program, these include also containing risks from the guarantees issued to SOEs.  For example, the EFF program includes indicative targets, which are setting ceilings on total and foreign currency treasury guarantees for SOEs.  Another condition is to refrain from new FX borrowing by non-financial state-owned enterprises that already have limited FX revenue so that we don’t introduce more wrong-way risk into these entities.  And also, another one, obviously very important one, is making SOEs more transparent.  You may be aware that we have been advocating and mandating to publishing audited financial statements for the 52 largest SOEs in a timely manner, and that will help bring more light and greater scrutiny. 

    It is also important to ensure that consumers of services of these SOEs receive the best value for the price they pay.  And obviously, that relates to a wider range of SOEs, including also the electricity and the fuel sector.  And this is the same thing as you would expect from a private company.  In other words, you would want SOEs run in the most efficient manner purely on commercial basis and ensuring that they are dependable and, of course, that they are free of corruption.  That is greater big disclosure, good disclosure to that extent. 

    There was a question on Sri Lankan Airlines.  So, we understand that the authorities are underway in preparing a medium-term strategic plan to restore Sri Lankan Airlines’ operational viability and to resolve its legacy debt.  We know that the current budget, the 2025 budget, has set aside 20 billion rupees to pay off some of the debt of the airline.  And we are also aware that Sri Lankan Airlines has also hired a financial advisor to restructure its international bond.  So, these are all steps in the right direction.  But we think these need to pick up pace and take up a little bit faster pace so we can have a good resolution of all these outstanding issues.  So, in general with SOEs, we think there is a way forward, and we want to see more progress there. 

    Thank you.  That was a good question.  Pavis, back to you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. We have hands up.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you, Pavis, and thank you, Evan, for your presentation.  From News 1st here.  The conditions of the Fourth Review include implementing fire actions related to electricity cost-recovery pricing and ensuring that the automatic electricity price adjustment mechanism functions properly.  In your meetings with the government, do you see this realizing anytime soon?  Because according to the statement that was released earlier, it says that this condition is yet to be met.  Thank you. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you. Thank you, I don’t know if — should we take another question? Maybe related to electricity to bunch them up a little bit? 

    DEVAHASADIN: Yep. Anyone else on electricity just come in please.

    QUESTIONER: What we expected the timeline to complete the required by actions such as electricity pricing and financing assurance for Board approval?

    QUESTIONER: I have also question on electricity.  Now, the current problem seems to have been coming from, because of a price cut by the regulator, which the utility didn’t ask for.  So, is there any attempt to give technical assistance or something so that the way the regulator calculates the profits or how they deal with the price proposal of the utility is improved so that this kind of thing doesn’t happen again?

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you for the question. Let me first say that the issue of electricity is one where both the government and us see eye to eye, and there’s strong commitment in seeing these reforms take place because, as you know very well, electricity and dependability of electricity and the high price of electricity have been an issue for a very long time in Sri Lanka. So, government is committed to seeing, to taking the reforms and owning those reforms and making significant progress. 

    So yes, during the review mission discussions that we had in Colombo earlier in April, earlier this month, and here in Washington last week, we discussed many issues.  Our assessment is as early as back in February, when we went to the Board for our Third Review, our assessment of the time, and still is the same, is that the continuous structural benchmark on electricity cost recovery pricing is still not met.  And that means that the price of the tariff – it does not match, does not create enough of an ability for the utility, for the CEB, to be able to meet its costs, the generation costs, and transmission and distribution. 

    In addition to that, the automatic tariff adjustment mechanism based on the bulk supply transaction account, the BSTA, has not operated as we envisaged.  And the April tariff revision that was meant to take place in the second quarter of this year was not implemented.  So as a result of that, given the criticality of electricity cost recovery and under the program, we have proposed, IMF has proposed, the introduction of prior actions relating to restoring electricity cost-recovery pricing and ensuring proper function of the automatic electricity price adjustment mechanism, the BSTA, that I mentioned a few moments ago. 

    The implementation of these prior actions is an important milestone as a requisite, if you will, for the completion of the Fourth Review.  And in terms of the timing; there was a question — of course, we defer to the authorities and to the regulator, the PUCSL, on the exact timing for implementing these actions, these prior actions. But we urge them to do so as soon as possible so that the utility company, CEB, is not incurring financial losses on a forward-looking basis.  In other words, we should avoid, the authorities should avoid, a situation where debt is building up at the CEB, so that the utility company does not become again a significant contingent liability to the government and a burden to the taxpayer. so, it doesn’t become a fiscal drought. 

    I think this is well understood by the authorities.  It has been explained time and time again.  It’s a core pillar of the program that once it is resolved and properly held, it will help fiscal sustainability, and it will make electricity price generation more dependable.  And down the road this will allow for more stability, for more investment, and for the necessary steps to see electricity prices coming down. 

    Hopefully that answers your question, but I’m happy to follow up on anything else.  Thank you.  Pavis, back to you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan.

    QUESTIONER: I don’t think my question about whether you consider technical assistance to the regulator was answered.  I also have another question if you can answer. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Sure, sure. So yeah, thank you. There’s no technical assistance at the moment in terms of the electricity price generation or any other issues related to this.  In general, the energy policy and the policy for the energy sector, we think the pillars are — there should be a cost reflective energy pricing which is a building block of the program, and we think that within that there should be a greater stability, but it will allow for more reforms. 

    So now we know we understand that there are some proposed amendments to the Electricity Act that are underway, and these are expected to reflect the authority’s strategy to reform the electricity sector.  We understand also there is an intention to have unbundling of generation of transmission and distribution of power.  We obviously take note that there has been action and proposals for greater investment, including also for solar energy projects.  Again, we’re not advising exactly on these issues, but we look forward to seeing more. 

    Now, of course, on the strategy that should be supported by the key stakeholders.  I know that other multilateral, several development partners such as the World Bank and ADB are closely involved on electricity, and they are providing technical assistance to Sri Lanka. 

    So I think that goes to your point. Did you have another question as well? 

    QUESTIONER: Yes.  Regarding the — can you give us any idea about the timing of the review that might take place?  And also, when you said, policy responses that may be needed to meet the tariff problem, what kind of things were you thinking on?  Is it likely to jeopardize the targets and were you planning to give any waivers or what kind of policy responses?

    PAPAGEORGIOU: When you say tariffs do you mean not electricity tariffs, you mean export tariffs, right?

    QUESTIONER: No, no, sorry.  You said because of the tariff shock, from possible tariffs from the U.S. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yes, that’s right.

    DEVAHASADIN: U.S. tariffs.

    QUESTIONER: Yeah.  So then that Sri Lanka might have to do some policy responses.  What kind of policy responses were you thinking?  And also, it jeopardizes the targets in the IMF performance criteria, will they be kind of given waivers? 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you.

    DEVAHASADIN: Before you begin, I would like to read this question. How do you see the impact U.S. labor tariff on Sri Lanka’s ability to secure and sustain the SLA with global partners?

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Yeah, great. Thank you; these are good questions. In terms of the timing, obviously things are still underway.  This is only a staff-level agreement, which means we have agreed on principle on many things of the underlying Fourth Review and conditions of the prior actions that I mentioned a few minutes ago.  I think there’s good momentum from the authorities’ and everybody else’s point of view in completing the review.  That takes a little while because we understand a lot of these issues are still being discussed and there is more work to be done, both from the authority side and from our side as well.  It’s a long process, as you probably know, in terms of us consulting and redrawing our numbers and our assumptions and having a great confidence in the direction of policy reforms and of the outlook and everything else.  I would say that it will take a little while, maybe a couple more months at least, in terms of finalizing the review.  So hopefully in two months’ time or so, by, let’s say, June, we should be able to have some more news for you on this front. 

    Now, on the issue of U.S. tariffs and how does it affect the country?  Obviously, as I mentioned, trade policy uncertainty is one of the issues that we have discussed quite extensively with the authorities on what could that mean for Sri Lanka’s economy and economic performance.  We know that, obviously, the authorities are committed to achieving program objectives and to see how the targets are being met.  They have also committed to addressing any sort of underperformance or deviation for program targets with remedial measures.  So, we think that we take this commitment very seriously, and we note their strong impetus for delivering on those. 

    Obviously, the global trade policy uncertainties, as I mentioned, is a significant risk.  All I can say at this point is that if these risks materialize, we will work with the authorities to assess the impact of those shocks, and we will support the country in formulating specific policy responses within the contours of the existing IMF program.  We have very frequent discussions with the authorities.  We were discussing, we were talking to them as recently as last Friday, as a few days ago.  We continue talking to them on a daily basis.  Martha talks to them on a constant basis.  And we continue conducting weekly monitoring meetings with the entire team, both here in Colombo as well, so that we can ensure that program performance remains on track. 

    This is all I can say for the moment, but it is very important to note also that the Sri Lankan authorities, the Sri Lankan government, have made great progress in establishing greater connection with bilateral trade partners, including the United States.  And we encourage more action and greater discussion in ensuring that there is a good outcome from these discussions and that the trade policy uncertainty gets resolved and there’s greater certainty. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you. I just got the five minutes remaining warning. I would like to open the floor to anyone who hasn’t asked any questions.  Please feel free to jump in.  Otherwise, I’ll go back to the hand.  Anyone else who hasn’t asked any question?  Well, all right, I see one hand up.

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you. We’ll come back to you.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  I just have a question.  It’s kind of a follow-up to Evan’s previous answer.  You talked about a very limited response that you can give talking about trade policy and the impact of the U.S. tariffs.  But you did say that Sri Lanka had expressed a sort of a commitment to work and work towards the targets it has agreed with the IMF.  But in the most recent weeks post those tariff announcements, targets, as much as you said that they have expressed a willingness to work within the framework – I think you said, within the contours of the agreement – has Sri Lanka expressed concerns about reaching those targets, particularly because these tariffs are believed broadly to have a potential impact on its export earnings?  Obviously, it’s foreign currency earnings and things like that.  So how much of a concern have you heard from the Sri Lankan authorities?  And what is the sort of leeway or the kind of flexibility that Sri Lanka would have within the agreement with the IMF?  I’m sure you have this with a lot of sort of your agreements, but, yeah, where Sri Lanka is concerned, how do you see it?  Thank you. 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: Thank you. That’s a good question. It follows through a little bit from my previous answer, as you said.  I don’t know, given that we don’t have much time, let me go ahead and answer this and maybe we can give five more minutes, Pavis, to other people to ask questions as well. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Sounds good.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: So, first of all, every review, now we’re on the Fourth Review, of the program is an opportunity to assess the economic developments, to review program targets, and to determine the reform agenda and the reform measures that the authorities plan for the period ahead. It just happened that in this review we have a significant trade policy shock. So, in these discussions, we’ve had an understanding of what are the concerns and what is the kind of shock.  And by the way, this is something that we also, as Fund staff, are trying to implement, to understand, to comprehend, and to put into our outlook. 

    So obviously, the 44 percent tariff on Sri Lanka that was announced on April 2nd would have a significant impact, and the authorities understand this very well.  The impact obviously will be on the apparel and rubber industries.  Obviously, as you know very well, these account for a very large share of the country’s exports to the United States.  I believe it’s almost three-quarters, or over 70 percent.  And also, the real sector implications of these are very important because these two sectors, apparel and rubber, employ a lot of workers, in Sri Lanka. Just the apparel industry alone is over 300,000 workers or 320,000 workers.  So, the 90-day pause that was announced has allowed the authorities to engage constructively with the United States.  And we take, take very positive note on this. 

    Now, within, in general, as I mentioned, the global trade policy uncertainty for any small open economy and definitely for Sri Lanka poses significant downside risks.  For these discussions, we understand, obviously, the issues that arise and how they should be baked into the program.  If there is any substantial risk that may pan out either on the back of tariffs or some other disruption, we will work with the authorities to incorporate them to assess their impact and put them into policy responses. 

    At this point, it will be a little premature of me to talk about specific issues, but we’ve had a lot of discussions, and we think that the authorities are doing the best they can to address these issues.  It’s important to also mention that here that any time is a good time for implementing more reforms for discussing greater options towards having more trade policy responses.  And we believe that Sri Lanka should continue exploring also additional ways in making its exports more marketable and appealing to a wider range of counterparts. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. I’ll give the final question. We are running out of time, but I think we have enough time for one last question.

    QUESTIONER: Thank you.  It’s about the tax revenues.  According to the 2025 budget, much of the tax revenue is expected from vehicle imports, and we have — from the dealers that of the vehicles have been imported in the last two months, about 75 percent have been sold.  Of course, even though 25 percent may not have been sold, still the government has got revenue for those because they have been cleared through customs. That is no issue, but it would probably have implications for future demand.  So, the market is sort of not as vibrant, as there doesn’t seem to be a huge pent-up demand.  How concerned are you that this one single item in the budget, which is sort of going to underpin tax revenue, may not materialize this year?  Thank you.  Thank you.

    PAPAGEORGIOU: So obviously the authorities have made significant progress on creating greater opportunities for revenue and for collecting more. You may very well know that the situation was far worse in terms of tax revenue, as I mentioned in my earlier remarks, as early as couple of years ago. So obviously there is definitely progress. On this year’s discussion,

    I think there is a lot of the progress; has been a positive one.  There has been greater progress towards ensuring more revenue that could be collected from a range of measures.  You mentioned very accurately that the lifting of the import ban on motor vehicles is a very, very important. I would say the primary measure underpinning the revenue package.  We saw that, also in the budget, it is expected to yield 1.2 percent of GDP in 2025.  And that’s about 80 percent of the 1.5 percent of GDP in all tax revenue.  So obviously, as you mentioned, this is very important to get right and to continue with the momentum. 

    We note from the latest data that we have monitoring and we’re getting is that there is actually a good momentum on those motor vehicle imports.  So as my latest data — I was trying to find them — from what I remember, there has been quite a lot of good increase in the letters of credit.  I believe it’s around USD $350 million that were open.  These are letters of credit that are attached to importing vehicles.  So, we think that the associated revenue that will be incurred from those imports is starting to come on pace, and that’s a very important and encouraging sign.  So, we look forward to seeing more. 

    Of course, I mentioned a moment ago as well that if there are signs that — that there is underperformance of revenues or if there is a revenue shortfall, we have discussed with the authorities, and they are committed to implementing contingency revenue measures, and this will go a long way in ensuring fiscal sustainability and greater revenue.  Thank you. 

    DEVAHASADIN: Thank you, Evan. Unfortunately, we’re at time. Before we close, Evan, do you have any parting words? 

    PAPAGEORGIOU: No, I thank you very much. I thank you all for being here. I look forward to continuing to engage with you, and Martha and I know that we have a great relationship with all of you and a frequent interaction.  We are happy to continue taking your questions.  We now are moving forward completing the Fourth Review in the next couple of months, so we will certainly communicate more as we get towards that goal.  We will also try to have another similar discussion and press conference at the end of that review if all goes well.  Let me just mention again that we are fully committed in supporting the economy and the Sri Lankan authorities, both in the current issues that they are facing and just more broadly on formulating the appropriate policy responses and the necessary form.  Thank you all very much for being here.  I wish I was in Colombo, but I look forward to seeing you again in the next few months.  Thank you. 

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/30/tr-042925-press-briefing-sla-4th-rev-sri-lankas-reform-program-supported-by-eff-arrangement

    MIL OSI

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh Takes Charge as Director General & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs(IICA), bringing Over 30 Years of Expertise in Finance, Law, and Governance

    Source: Government of India

    Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh Takes Charge as Director General & CEO of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs(IICA), bringing Over 30 Years of Expertise in Finance, Law, and Governance

    Shri Singh has served in key positions in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs including IEPFA, IBBI, and other important institutions

    Posted On: 30 APR 2025 7:51PM by PIB Delhi

     Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, a distinguished officer of the Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS), 1992 batch, has assumed charge as the new Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), which is a think tank under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Shri Singh brings with him a wealth of experience in Finance, Corporate law, Insolvency, Corporate Social Responsibility, ESG Reporting, Public Policy, E-Governance, and Capacity Building.

     

    He has previously served in various key roles including Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, CEO of the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), and as Member of the Governing Body of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).  He was also Government nominee to the Central Council of the Indian Institute of Company Secretaries and Indian Institute of Chartered Accountants of India from 2019 -2021. Notably, he also held the position of DG & CEO of IICA during 2017–18, when he led a remarkable turnaround of the institute, making it financially self-sustaining.

    He was Member Secretary of the Insolvency Law Committee (ILC) from 2018 to 2021.He played an important role in implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and subsequent amendments to the code up including amendment Act on Pre-packaged insolvency resolution, thereby making the Code more responsive to the needs of the economy. He also made significant contribution in establishment and strengtheningof many new institutions in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs such as NCLT, NCLAT, IEPFA and IBBI.

     He possesses core competency in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and played a pivotal role in assisting the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in launching the National CSR Awards Scheme, which aims to benchmark best CSR practices across the country. He also served as the Member & Convener of the High-Level Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, contributing significantly to the finalization and submission of the committee’s report in 2019. Furthermore, he played a critical role in overhauling the CSR Rules, 2014, including revamping reporting formats and development of transparent systems for CSR disclosures, enhancing ease of doing business and minimising discretion.

    A thought leader in sustainable corporate governance, Shri Singh chaired the Committee on Business Responsibility Reporting (BRR) and submitted a comprehensive report in August 2020. This landmark work laid the foundation for SEBI’s mandate on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) for the top 1000 listed companies on a voluntary basis from FY 2021–22.

    Shri Singh holds academic degrees from prestigious institutions including JNU (MA &M.Phil in Sociology), FMS Delhi (MBA in Finance), and Delhi University (LLB and BA Hons in History). His international stint as Capacity Development Advisor with UNDP Afghanistan adds a global dimension to his profile.

    His return to IICA signals a promising new chapter for the institute as it continues to serve as a think tank, policy laboratory, and capacity development hub under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Shri Singh’s visionary leadership is expected to further IICA’s mission of promoting responsible corporate governance, sustainability, and innovation in India’s dynamic business environment.

    ******

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WAVES 2025 Transforming India into a Global M&E Powerhouse

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 30 APR 2025 6:43PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    Get ready for a landmark celebration of creativity, technology, and storytelling as WAVES 2025 — the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit — takes center stage in Mumbai from May 1st to 4th. Hosted by the Government of India, this first-of-its-kind global event brings the spotlight to India’s vibrant Media & Entertainment sector, transforming the Jio World Convention Centre into a dynamic hub of imagination, innovation, and opportunity.

    With over 100,000 registrations, including 1,100+ international participants, WAVES 2025 is where filmmakers, tech pioneers, creators, investors, and industry leaders come together to shape the future of entertainment. From the legendary voices of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to the tech leadership of Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, the summit unites visionaries across sectors in a powerful showcase of talent and ambition.

    This is more than a summit — it’s a movement to position India as a global creative and digital powerhouse. With exciting highlights like the Create in India Challenge, cutting-edge exhibitions, startup pitches, cultural performances, and high-level dialogues, WAVES 2025 marks a bold step into the future—where culture meets code, and tradition meets transformation.

    Create in India Challenge Season 1

    The Create in India Challenge (CIC) is a strategic initiative aimed at empowering India’s content creators. By providing a platform for innovation and creative expression, CIC seeks to strengthen India’s creators’ economy, enhance soft power, and position emerging talent for global recognition. The initiative supports monetization of skills and contributes to the growth of the media and entertainment industry.

    CIC brings an exciting lineup of 32 unique challenges across creative, tech and cultural fields. Launched on August 22, 2024, it attracted massive participation from across India and around the world! The challenges have attracted entries from over 60 countries, reflecting the global appeal and reach of this pioneering initiative. From this exceptional pool of talent, 750 finalists will be given the opportunity to showcase their creative skills and outcomes at Creatosphere, a specially curated platform featuring innovation across animation, comics, AI, XR, gaming, music, and more, as part of WAVES 2025. The winners of these challenges will be conferred the prestigious ‘WAVES Creator Awards’ in a grand red carpet ceremony on Day 2 of the event.

    1. WAVES Promo Video Challenge: A unique contest designed to discover powerful and inspiring audiovisual content that captures and showcases the spirit and ambition of the WAVES 2025, through a video.

    Total Registrations

    164

    Finalists

    3
    1. Truth Tell Hackathon: Tech innovators, data experts, and media professionals were called to develop AI solutions that tackle misinformation and promote credible journalism.

    Total Registrations

    5650

    International Registrations

    186

    Finalists

    5
    1. Community Radio Content Challenge: This exciting competition aims to celebrate and showcase the creativity, innovation, and impact of community radio stations across India.

    Total Registrations

    246

    International Registrations

    14
    1. WAVES Hackathon Ad spend Optimizer: Participants worked on using data science, machine learning, and statistical modeling to create solutions that help advertisers make smarter, data-driven decisions. The goal was to maximize ROI and support marketing objectives.

    Total Registrations

    115

    International Registrations

    1
    1. Make The World Wear Khadi: Aims to blend India’s rich textile heritage with global fashion trends, offering an exciting challenge to advertising professionals and freelancers.

    Total Registrations

    770

    Finalists

    5
    1. Wah Ustad: It aims to nurture exceptional talent in Hindustani, Carnatic, and soulful Sufi music while preserving and promoting India’s rich musical legacy.

    Total Registrations

    300

    International Registrations

    3
    1. Battle Of the Bands: Designed to push the limits of creativity and music, while promoting a sense of community, innovation and growth within the industry

    Total Registrations

    200
    1. Symphony Of India: The event featured a diverse range of musical performances across various genres, celebrating the broad tastes of music lovers.

    Total Registrations

    212
    1. Theme Music Competition: Songwriters, singers, performers and music creators were invited to create and share a piece of music that resembles Indian classical music or a fusion of classical and contemporary music instruments and styles.

    Total Registrations

    212

    Runner-ups

    4

    Winner

    1
    1. Resonate EDM Challenge: Aims to spotlight and celebrate global talent in production of Electronic Dance Music (EDM), fostering collaboration, innovation, and creativity in music production and live performance. This initiative aligns with the “Create in India” mission, showcasing India as a hub for global creativity and entertainment.

    Total Registrations

    394

    International Registrations

    10

    Finalists

    10
    1. India A Bird’s Eye View: Passionate drone pilots and filmmakers were invited to capture the breathtaking beauty and diversity of India in a 2-3 minute video, showcasing the country from the unique perspective of aerial drone cinematography.

    Total Registrations

    1324

    Finalists

    5
    1. Anti-Piracy Challenge: This competition focuses on encouraging and supporting innovative solutions created by local companies in fingerprinting and watermarking technologies.

    Total Registrations

    1600

    Finalists

    7
    1. Comics Creator Championship: Comic Making Competition for amateur and professional artists.

    Total Registrations

    1560

    Finalists – Professional Category

    5

    Finalists – Amateur Category

    5
    1. WAVES Anime and Manga Challenge: An innovative initiative aimed at harnessing the growing interest in manga and anime in India.

    Total Registrations

    2400

    International Registrations

    7

    Runner-Ups

    3 (5 Different Categories)

    Winners

    7 (5 Different Categories)
    1. Animation Filmmakers Competition: Aimed at uncovering and empowering India’s storytellers in the field of animation.

    Total Registrations

    1290

    International Registrations

    19

    Finalists

    42
    1. Game Jam: An exciting opportunity for India’s game developers to showcase their creativity and innovation.

    Total Registrations

    5569

    Finalists

    10
    1. Esports Tournament: The eFootball and World Cricket Championship (WCC) competitions are held in batches, each offering thrilling matchups, with the champions being crowned at WAVES.

    Total Registrations

    35008

    Finalists (All Phases)

    10
    1. City Quest: Shades of Bharat: An educational game to celebrate Bharat’s urban development.

    Total Registrations

    2594

    International Registrations

    15
    1. XR Creator Hackathon: Challenge that invites developers from across India to push the boundaries of augmented and virtual reality.

    Total Registrations

    2205

    Winners (All Themes)

    5
    1. Innovate2educate Handheld Device Challenge: Academia, designers, engineers, and innovators were invited to develop a prototype of an educational handheld device that makes learning math, solving puzzles, and boosting cognitive skills fun and interactive.

    Total Registrations

    1826

    International Registrations

    513

    Finalists

    10
    1. AI Avatar Creator Challenge: The challenge focused on creating AI avatars: personalized, interactive digital personas that engage with users like human influencers in virtual spaces.

    Total Registrations

    1324

    International Registrations

    100
    1. WAVES Awards Of Excellence: A prestigious competition recognizing outstanding showreels and AdFilms in animation, VFX, gaming, and related fields, celebrating creativity and innovation.

    Total Registrations

    1331

    International Registrations

    63
    1. Bharat Tech Triumph Program: A contest to identify and empower the top gaming and interactive entertainment innovators.

    Total Registrations

    1078

    International Registrations

    12

    Winners

    20

     

    1. WAVES VFX Competition: Participants were tasked with creating a visual effects sequence or short film featuring a superhero with extraordinary powers, but using them in the context of everyday, mundane life.

    Total Registrations

    1367

    Finalists

    14
    1. WAVES Comic Chronicles: This competition invited comic submissions on any chosen theme, requiring a minimum of 60 panels, with each image or scene representing a single panel.

    Total Registrations

    1145

    International Registrations

    62

    Finalists

    50 (Both in General and Student Track)

     

    1. WAVES Explorer: Invited participants on a captivating journey to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and creativity. Participants created YouTube videos (up to 1 minute) or vlogs (up to 7 minutes) highlighting their favorite aspects of India.

    Total Registrations

    6932

    International Registrations

    30

     

    1. Reel Making Competition: Participants were invited to create engaging reels on themes such as food, travel, fashion, dance, music, gaming, yoga & wellness and tech.

    Total Registrations

    7812

    International Registrations

    55
    1. Young Filmmakers Challenge: The competition aimed to foster innovation, storytelling skills, and digital literacy among young participants through a concise 60-second film format.

    Total Registrations

    905

    International Registrations

    2

     

    1. Film Poster Making Competition: A unique opportunity to create innovative and visually compelling reimagined film posters to celebrate and promote the rich film poster heritage of India.

    Total Registrations

    543

    International Registrations

    29

    Finalists

    50

    Winners

    3
    1. Trailer Making Competition: Filmmakers, both seasoned and emerging, were invited to craft compelling trailers using Netflix content, offering a chance to reimagine iconic scenes or highlight fresh perspectives.

    Total Registrations

    3500

    International Registrations

    36

    Finalists

    20
    1. Unreal Cinematics Challenge: The Unreal Cinematics Challenge by TVAGA provided a platform for artists, animators, and content creators to showcase their storytelling and technical skills using Unreal Engine.

    Total Registrations

    700

    International Registrations

    1
    1. WAVES Cosplay Championship: A grand celebration of pop culture, creativity, and craftsmanship, bringing together participants showcasing their talents on the final day. It highlights genres such as Indian history, manga, anime, comics and games.

    Total Registrations

    513

    International Registrations

    3

    Finalists

     29

     

    Conclusion

    As WAVES 2025 nears its grand finale, thousands of participants from across the globe will come together to showcase their creativity, innovation, and talent. With a diverse range of challenges and an unparalleled platform for collaboration, WAVES is set to make a lasting impact on the future of India’s media and entertainment landscape.

    References

    https://cic.wavesindia.org/cic-dashboard/

    https://wavesindia.org/challenges-2025

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2122688

    Kindly find the pdf file

    ****

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Kamna Lakaria/ Priya Nagar

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Announces Launch of Connecticut’s e-Apprenticeship System

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (CROMWELL, CT) – In commemoration of National Apprenticeship Day, Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo today participated in the monthly meeting of the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council, where they announced the upcoming launch of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s new e-Apprenticeship system.

    Going live on May 1, 2025, the e-Apprenticeship system will bring online the agency’s Registered Apprenticeship Training Program through the e-license system that is already in use by multiple Connecticut state agencies. The system will allow sponsor employers to register new apprentices, update information on their registered apprentices, and pay program fees, all over the internet. Additionally, registered apprentices will be able to use the system to track their progress.

    The Registered Apprenticeship Training Program connects employers to registered apprentices, who can receive on-the-job training and classroom instruction, master a trade, and earn while they learn. Thousands of businesses across Connecticut have participated in the program, helping them increase their workforce recruitment and proficiency. Depending on the trade, registered apprenticeship programs may last anywhere between one and four years. Upon completion, registered apprentices receive an industry recognized, portable credential that certifies completion of the program, distinguishes the apprentice as a master of their craft, and makes the apprentice eligible to take any state occupational licensing exams.

    Currently, there are more than 7,000 registered apprentices working for approximately 1,800 employers within more than 50 industries in Connecticut.

    “Registered apprenticeships are a great way for employers to train and build their workforce, and for workers to receive on-the-job training and master a trade that will benefit them throughout their careers,” Governor Lamont said. “Many businesses have job openings that need to be filled by workers trained with certain sets of skills, and filling those positions through registered apprenticeships is a great way for a company to build that talent and really invest in their workforce. Bringing this program online with the e-Apprenticeship system will make it even easier for businesses and workers to participate.”

    “Registered apprenticeships are tried and true training for skilled tradespeople like electricians and welders, and they are a great career pathway for other occupations,” Commissioner Bartolomeo said. “Over the past several years, employers in industries including childcare, education, health, and cosmetology have participated in apprenticeships to train their next generation workforce. Thanks to support from Governor Lamont, Connecticut’s Registered Apprenticeship program continues to expand and help employers meet their hiring needs.”

    “As demand for highly skilled workers increases, pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship strategies have proven very successful in meeting both employer and industry need in training, acquiring, and retaining employees,” Todd Berch, director of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Training, said. “Registered apprenticeships are rigorous and quite distinct from internships or corporate training programs. They must meet high standards of mastery, and registered apprentices put in thousands of hours before completing the program.”

    Today’s council meeting was held in Cromwell at Jessica’s Color Room Salon, the first business in the state to offer a cosmetology apprenticeship through the program. The salon’s registered apprentice completed 2,000 training hours over the course of 15 months and is now licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as a hairdresser.

    “The Office of Apprenticeship Training helped me identify exactly what we needed to do to prepare and train our registered apprentice,” Jessica Dudley, owner of the salon, said. “It was a good solution to have someone on the job who was also building skills. It also helped me start looking at issues like succession planning and how to expand my business.”

    Businesses that want to participate in the program and workers who are interested in becoming a registered apprentice should visit the Office of Apprenticeship Training program’s website at portal.ct.gov/dol/divisions/apprenticeships.

    The new e-Apprenticeship system can also be accessed through that website when it launches on May 1.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 18th Street Gang Member Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Two Murders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Recorded Victim Being Stabbed More than 100 Times and Sent the Video to Other Gang Members as a Warning Not to Cooperate with Law Enforcement

    Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Yanki Misael Cruz-Mateo, a member of the 18th Street gang, a transnational criminal organization, was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 45 years’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy in connection with his participation in two murders: the October 25, 2017 murder of 20-year-old Jonathan Figueroa in Saugerties, New York, and the February 2, 2018 murder of 20-year-old Oscar Antonio Blanco-Hernandez in Queens.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

    “Cruz-Mateo committed two horrific murders and boasted about the carnage in video and text messages to instill fear, exact retribution, and promote gang violence,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “The lengthy sentence imposed today delivers a powerful message that senseless violence carries serious consequences. My Office will continue our tireless efforts to investigate and prosecute violence carried out by the 18th Street and other transnational criminal organizations.  It is my sincere hope that the justice meted out today provides a measure of comfort and closure for the victims’ loved ones.”

    Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the Kingston Police Department, and the New York City Police Department for their assistance on the case.

    “Yanki Misael Cruz-Mateo, an 18th Street gang member, lured two victims to their brutal murders as retribution for perceived disloyalty and affiliation with rival organizations,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “His actions mirror the gang’s depravity and its lawless prioritization of social status over human life.  May today’s sentencing offer a semblance of justice for the victims’ families and highlight the FBI’s continued determination to eradicate all brutal gang violence plaguing our communities.

    Today’s sentence is the latest achievement in a series of prosecutions by this Office and our law enforcement partners of the leaders, members, and associates of 18th Street.  According to court filings and proceedings, 18th Street is a transnational criminal organization and violent street gang with members and associates residing throughout New York State, including Queens and Long Island, elsewhere throughout the United States, including Houston, Texas, and Central America. Members of 18th Street regularly engage in murder, attempted murder, assault, extortion, illegal drug and firearms trafficking, false identification document production, witness tampering, and money laundering.

    October 25, 2017 Murder of Jonathan Figueroa

    As set forth in court filings, including the government’s sentencing memorandum, in the late evening hours of October 24, 2017, Cruz-Mateo lured and travelled with Figueroa from Queens to Kingston, New York. Upon their arrival in Kingston, they were met by Israel Mediola Flores and other 18th Street members and associates who, into the early morning hours the following day, brought Figueroa to Turkey Point State Forest, brutally stabbed him to death and buried him in a makeshift grave.  Cruz-Mateo ordered the murder to be video-recorded and captured multiple 18th Street members and associates repeatedly stabbing Figueroa, slashing his throat and severing his ear.  In the video, Cruz-Mateo stated that Figueroa was being murdered for “being a rat.” Cruz-Mateo then sent the video to other 18th Street members as a warning.  Figueroa’s body was discovered in February 2018 by the FBI, along with state and local law enforcement authorities, in a five-foot deep grave in Turkey Point State Forest.  The victim had sustained more than 100 stab wounds.

    Co-defendants Walter Fernando Alfaro Pineda, Israel Mediola Flores, and Jose Douglas Castellano pleaded guilty to Figueroa’s murder. Mediola Flores was sentenced to 425 months in prison; Pineda and Castellano are awaiting sentencing.

    February 2, 2018 Murder of Oscar Antonio Blanco-Hernandez

    On February 2, 2018, several gang members killed Blanco-Hernandez because they believed he was a member of the rival MS-13 gang.  Co-defendant Jose Chacon had met Blanco-Hernandez weeks earlier through their mutual employer, a New Jersey-based house painting company.  On the morning of the murder, co-defendant Carolina Cruz and Chacon picked up Blanco-Hernandez at his home in New Jersey under the guise of going to smoke marijuana as friends.  Cruz and Chacon drove Blanco-Hernandez to Queens where they met 18th Street gang members, including Cruz-Mateo and co-defendant Yoni Sierra, who entered the rear passenger seat of Cruz’s car on opposite sides, sandwiching Blanco-Hernandez between them.  Cruz drove Chacon, Cruz-Mateo, Sierra, and their victim about 1.6 miles away to a quiet residential neighborhood.  Cruz-Mateo, Sierra, and Blanco-Hernandez got out of the car and started walking eastbound, while Cruz and Chacon stayed behind with the car.  After walking for a few minutes, Cruz-Mateo drew a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun and shot Blanco-Hernandez in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Blanco-Hernandez’s body was discovered on a residential street in the Jamaica Hills section of Queens.  He sustained three gunshot wounds: two gunshots to the torso and one to the head.

    Sierra, Chacon, and Cruz also pleaded guilty to Blanco-Hernandez’s murder.  Chacon was sentenced to 269 months in prison; Sierra to 204 months in prison; and Cruz to 150 months in prison.

    This case is part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.  OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax, Erin Reid, Margaret Schierberl, Adam Amir, and Rebecca Urquiola are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Tareva Torres and Samuel Ronchetti.

    The Defendant:

    YANKI MISAEL CRUZ-MATEO (also known as “Yenki Misael Cruz Mateo,” “Yankee Mateo,” “Doggy,” and “Wino”)
    Age: 25
    Jamaica, Queens

    Co-Defendants Previously Convicted:

    ERIC CHAVEZ (also known as “Lunatico”)
    Age: 25
    Jamaica, New York

    WALTER FERNANDO ALFARO PINEDA (also known as “Clever”)
    Age: 45
    Houston, Texas

    ISRAEL MEDIOLA FLORES (also known as “Chapito” and “Sinaloa”)
    Age: 29
    Kingston, New York

    YONI ALEXANDER SIERRA (also known as “Arca,” “Arc Angel” and “Wasson”)
    Age: 26
    Jamaica, Queens

    JOSE JIMENEZ CHACON (also known as “Little One”)
    Age: 26
    New Brunswick, New Jersey

    CAROLINA CRUZ (also known as “La Fiera”)
    Age: 31
    Elizabeth, New Jersey

    JOSE DOUGLAS CASTELLANO (also known as “Chino”)
    Age: 26
    Brooklyn, New York

    JUNIOR ZELAYA-CANALES (also known as “Terco”)
    Age: 28
    Jamaica, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-139 (S-7) (LDH)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Georgia Church Bookkeeper Sentenced to Prison for Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Florida Woman Stole $173,500 from Church’s Peanut Butter and Jesus Charitable Program

    ALBANY, Ga. – A Florida woman who served as the bookkeeper for an Alapaha, Georgia, church was sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay back $173,500 in restitution for falsely applying for and then stealing federal loan money designated for use by the church and the church’s Peanut Butter and Jesus (PB&J) charitable organization, which provides food and hope for the community.

    Judith Alane Chavis, 58, of Sorrento, Florida, was sentenced to serve 21 months in prison per count to run concurrently to be followed by three years of supervised release and $173,500 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on April 29, 2025. Chavis previously pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud in relation to a disaster benefit and ten counts of money laundering on Oct. 30, 2024. There is no parole in the federal system.

    “Individuals who use places of worship and charitable organizations for their fraud and theft will be rooted out and face consequences for their criminal actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “I want to express my gratitude to our FBI partners for their ongoing efforts to combat fraud and ensure accountability for these crimes.”

    “Chavis betrayed the confidence the church had placed in her by misappropriating funds intended to support its mission,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “We hope that this federal prison sentence offers some measure of closure to the church and its congregation and serves as a warning to others who might exploit the trust of faith-based or charitable institutions for personal enrichment.”

    According to court documents, Chavis was a volunteer bookkeeper for both the Glory Church of Alapaha and its charity, the Peanut Butter and Jesus Outreach (PB&J), from 2018 until August 2022. Chavis was authorized to write checks; the Church’s and PB&J’s bank statements were only sent to her. Between August 2020 and March 2022, Chavis applied for and was granted $163,500 of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) on behalf of the Church and PB&J without the Church’s or PB&J’s authorization or knowledge and using the Church’s letterhead. Chavis also falsely designated herself as treasurer in the request for funds, signing the letter herself. On March 7, 2022, Chavis submitted a signed certification stating members of the Church’s finance committee approved the second modification of the loan. No such approval occurred. In June 2021, Chavis submitted requests for targeted advances on behalf of the Church without the Church’s authorization or knowledge. The SBA granted the requests and deposited $15,000 in the Church’s account. Chavis transferred almost all of the EIDL and advance funds from the Church’s and PB&J’s accounts, totaling $173,500, to her personal checking account using the Church’s and PB&J’s checks that she made out to herself and signed without the Church’s or PB&J’s authorization or knowledge. She used the money for personal expenses including travel and large purchases.

    FBI Atlanta’s Valdosta Resident Agency investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch Hostetler prosecuted the case for the Government.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The legal limits of Trump’s crackdown on sanctuary cities like Philadelphia

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jennifer J. Lee, Associate Professor of Law, Temple University

    Immigrant rights advocates call on Philadelphia officials to strengthen the city’s sanctuary policies at a rally on Dec. 10, 2024. Manuel Vasquez/Juntos, CC BY-NC-SA

    President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 28, 2025, that demands the U.S. attorney general, in coordination with the secretary of Homeland Security, publish a list of cities and states that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws, with the purpose of protecting Americans from “criminal aliens.”

    Philadelphia will likely end up on the list.

    Philadelphia is what’s known as a sanctuary city. While the term has no fixed definition, it usually refers to a city that has declared its refusal to cooperate – or even works at odds – with federal immigration enforcement.

    As a law professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, where I supervise students who represent low-wage immigrant workers, I know that sanctuary policies can slow the federal immigration enforcement system.

    But the bottom line is that federal immigration officers – usually U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – can still carry out deportations in a sanctuary city.

    Further, there is no question that localities such as Philadelphia can legally decide not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Cities, like states, have constitutional protections against being forced to administer or enforce federal programs. The Trump administration cannot force any state or local official to assist in enforcing federal immigration law.

    What remains to be seen is what, if any, action the administration will take against those jurisdictions that end up on their list of sanctuary cities.

    Philly’s sanctuary policies

    My work has involved researching sanctuary policies as well as how often ICE relies on local law enforcement to help identify and turn over immigrants.

    Philadelphia’s various sanctuary policies break that connection and leave ICE to its own devices. They also signal to immigrants that the city is not in the business of federal immigration enforcement. Research shows this helps immigrants feel safer to access public benefits and services such as getting care at a community health center or calling the police without fear of immigration consequences.

    Protestors participate in an ‘Abolish ICE’ march through downtown Philadelphia in 2018.
    Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Philadelphia’s most notable sanctuary policy, an executive order signed by then-Mayor Jim Kenney in January 2016, is its refusal to have its jails honor ICE detainers or requests for release dates. An ICE detainer is a voluntary request asking local officials to hold an immigrant, who is otherwise going to be released, for an additional 48 hours so ICE can pick them up.

    Failing to honor ICE detainers disrupts the deportation pipeline and makes ICE’s job more difficult.

    Another key Philadelphia sanctuary policy dates back to 2009 and was signed by then-Mayor Michael Nutter. It makes clear that city officials do not police immigration. Not only are all city workers – including police, firefighters and behavioral health workers – prohibited from asking about immigration status in most situations, but police are specifically directed not to stop, arrest or detain a person “solely because of perceived immigration status.”

    Yet there is no way to enforce these sanctuary policies. Under these laws, city officials who violate them do not face consequences. Compliance relies on a commitment from officials who believe that following these policies is the right thing to do.

    Philadelphia has also acted in other ways to break the link between the city and immigration enforcement.

    Since 2017, Philadelphia jails have had a protocol that discourages ICE from interviewing immigrants held in jail. Prior to providing ICE with access to such individuals, the jails must first send a consent form to an immigrant to inform them of their right to decline an ICE interview.

    In 2018, Philadelphia ended ICE’s access to the city’s preliminary arraignment reporting system used by the Philadelphia Police Department and district attorney’s office. The city said it terminated its database-sharing contract with ICE given the “unacceptable” way the agency used the system, which “could result in immigration enforcement action against Philadelphians who haven’t been arrested, accused of, or convicted of any crime.”

    While these policies cannot protect Philadelphia residents who have been arrested by ICE, the lack of help of local officials will make it more difficult for the administration to deliver on its promise to deport a record number of immigrants.

    ICE raided a car wash and arrested seven people in Philadelphia on Jan. 28, 2025.
    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via Getty Images

    Sanctuary campuses and churches

    Apart from the city itself, other public and private institutions within Philadelphia have created sanctuary spaces.

    In June 2021, the School Board of Philadelphia adopted a sanctuary resolution as part of an effort to create welcoming schools for immigrant children. In January 2025, the Philadelphia School District reaffirmed its commitment.

    Under the first Trump presidency, religious institutions, such as the Germantown Mennonite Church in Northwest Philly and the Tabernacle United Church in West Philly, provided sanctuary inside their churches to immigrants who had received final orders of deportation from ICE.

    The University of Pennsylvania declared itself a sanctuary campus in 2016 but is currently shying away from that label while faculty, staff and students demand that the university clarify its policies on immigration enforcement.

    Since 2011, ICE has had a “sensitive locations” memo that disfavors but does not entirely prohibit immigration enforcement in places of worship, as well as hospitals and schools. The Biden administration strengthened the “sensitive locations” memo in 2021. Trump rescinded the memo during his first month in office.

    Activists want Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker to commit to defending Philadelphia’s sanctuary policies.
    AP Photo/Matt Rourke

    Retaliation against sanctuary cities

    From the viewpoint of the Trump administration, state and local officials who defy the enforcement of immigration law are engaged in “a lawless insurrection” that creates public safety and national security risks.

    Despite the administration’s strong rhetoric about the “criminal alien,” 46% of people currently held in immigration detention have no criminal record, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. Many others have minor offenses, including traffic violations.

    The executive order vows to terminate federal grants and pursue all enforcement measures to bring such jurisdictions “into compliance with the laws of the United States.”

    Such terminations may not be legal.

    On April 24, 2025, a federal judge enjoined language in an earlier executive order directing the government to take action against sanctuary cities to ensure that they do not receive access to federal funds.

    Past instances to pull federal funding from Philadelphia because of its sanctuary city status have also failed. The first Trump administration was unsuccessful at terminating a US$1 million federal grant to Philadelphia after the city sued and won in federal court in 2017.

    The executive order also makes legally questionable claims that state and local officials who follow their sanctuary policies are engaging in criminal activity, such as the obstruction of justice, unlawful harboring or activities that violate federal RICO law. Regardless, the administration may still choose to pursue high-profile prosecutions of state and local officials.

    The federal government’s efforts to punish sanctuary cities will undoubtedly be mired in legal challenges across the country. Yet Philadelphia officials must still decide in this moment whether to stand strong with the city’s current sanctuary policies. City Council member Rue Landau has been outspoken about maintaining Philadelphia’s sanctuary status to ensure that public resources will never be used to support federal deportation efforts. But Mayor Cherelle Parker has not committed to strengthening or even ensuring the city’s sanctuary protections.

    According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the same day Trump signed the executive order, Parker reiterated that Philadelphia still operates under its 2016 sanctuary policy. However, she did not use the term “sanctuary city,” the Inquirer noted, and she “said she would not comment in more detail until Trump makes concrete moves that affect Philadelphia.”

    This is an updated version of a story originally published on December 18, 2024.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

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

    – ref. The legal limits of Trump’s crackdown on sanctuary cities like Philadelphia – https://theconversation.com/the-legal-limits-of-trumps-crackdown-on-sanctuary-cities-like-philadelphia-255580

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Apr 30, 2025 Martz Gold Line Strike Over After Workers Win and Ratify Strong Contract Deal

    Source: US Amalgamated Transit Union

    Forestville, MD– After a strong and united 6-day strike, Local 689 Martz Gold Line workers won a strong contract after an agreement reached between the Union and the company was ratified today.

    On Tuesday, the parties met to continue negotiations with a mediator at the request of the company, and as a result of the day-long session a deal was reached. The new contract improves working conditions, wages, and benefits. Major components include a COLA clause for Year 2 and Year 3 of the contract.

    “Throughout the negotiations and strike, Martz workers stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity and together they won a strong contract,” said Local 689 President Raymond Jackson. “Once again, workers have proven that workers bonded together and speaking with one voice are undefeatable.”

    “We thank Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul Wiedefeld and Maryland Senior Director of Labor Relations Dyana Forester for their support, as well as the other elected officials and allies who have supported these workers on the strike line.”

    Last Thursday, April 24, the Martz Gold Line workers walked off the job over unfair labor practices committed by the company during contract negotiations and the company’s refusal to bargain in good faith.

    “When we fight, we win! All of the ATU spread across America and Canada are proud of what Martz Gold line workers accomplished,” said International President John Costa. “On the picket lines last week, I saw firsthand their strength, unity, and solidarity. United, the workers stood up to the company and through the strength on the strike line, forced the company to the bargaining table and won a strong contract. These workers demonstrated the strength of collective action and its impact on working people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Gems Launchpad expands its Gems Protect offering, introducing the first Credit Refund option on original investments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    After launching Gems Protect last month to provide insurance-like service for investors, the expanded offering with the ‘Credit Refund’ feature enables members to have the option to recoup the full value of their original investments in launchpad private sales if they so choose.

    LIMASSOL, Cyprus, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gems Launchpad, a community-driven launchpad built around the Gems ecosystem’s exclusive investor network, extends its Gems Protect program with the introduction of an exclusive ‘Credit Refund’ feature. This option provides the launchpad’s Premium members with the flexibility to exchange tokens purchased in its token private sales and receive a credit refund. The credit refund allows these members to redirect their funds to other launchpad projects, enhancing investor satisfaction while ensuring funds remain within the Gems ecosystem.

    Gems Protect, the ecosystem’s financial safeguard program, unveils its second feature, Credit Refund, set to officially launch on April 30. This feature will allow members who invested in select Gems Launchpad Pro project private sales/presales to exchange those tokens for credit points worth the equivalent of the original presale purchase price. The feature is unveiled following the program’s successful initial risk-mitigation feature, Miner Safeguard, which allows investors to offset 75 percent of any potential financial Miner losses.

    Initially, the Credit Refund option will be available only to Gems Premium Members who hold 30,000 or more $GEMS tokens. This initial access is a way to express our gratitude and appreciation to our most dedicated supporters and community members. A few days later, the Credit Refund option will become available to all Premium members.

    Providing investors unprecedented risk-mitigation and financial protection, both Gems Protect features highlight and align with Gems’ commitment to empowering users across the digital asset landscape. Equipping investors with safeguards while supporting ecosystem stability, Gems, an all-in-one crypto ecosystem, continues to develop a future where users can trade, invest, learn and earn in a single comfortable, integrated financial hub.

    The Credit Refund credits from returned tokens, which will only expire after a year, can be used to invest in other projects on Gems Launchpad Pro, including select upcoming private sales.

    Members who use the Credit Refund option must log into the Gems Launchpad platform and connect the same wallet used for the original purchase. The platform will automatically detect the number of tokens purchased and the purchase value, with the maximum credit being calculated based on the amount of tokens purchased during the launchpad’s private sale. This means that if a member bought more tokens later, the credit will only apply to the token amount purchased in the private sale via the launchpad.

    “Insurance in crypto is almost unheard of, and a full credit option covering one’s investments is unthinkable, yet that’s what Gems is doing,” says Isaac Joshua, CEO of Gems Launchpad. “Gems Protect offers users peace of mind by delivering the ultimate investment safeguard. With the extended version of this program, we’re giving back to the community by providing members the freedom to invest responsibly, confidently, and securely, and offering an additional layer of protection through a service unheard-of in crypto to date.”

    About Gems:
    Gems is a burgeoning financial hub and all-in-one crypto ecosystem designed to empower users across the digital asset landscape. From trading and project launches, to education and rewards, Gems unifies a suite of platforms—including Gems Launchpad, Gems Trade, and more—into a seamless experience for traders, investors, leaders, and innovators. At the heart of the ecosystem is the $GEMS token, which fuels utility, governance, and growth across all its offerings. With strategic expansions, Gems is building a future where users can trade, invest, learn and earn in one integrated financial hub. For more information, visit: https://gems.vip/

    About Gems Launchpad:
    Gems Launchpad is a distinguished crypto launchpad with the mission of unearthing genuine “gems” in the Web3 landscape through rigorous due diligence. The platform aims to bring together a robust ecosystem for blockchain projects by focusing on launching innovative ventures, expanding communities, penetrating new markets, and leveraging its international network of investors, known as Leaders, to partake in the early stages of groundbreaking projects. Gems’ launchpad model is driven by active community participation, creating a synergistic environment that benefits both visionaries and the adoption of pioneering ideas.
    For more information, visit: https://gems.vip/launchpad

    1. Didn’t love your last crypto investment? Return it for credit – just like exchanging a shirt you didn’t like.

    2. Gems lets you return your token purchase and get credit – like store credit for your next investment.

    3. New from Gems: Return tokens you bought, get credit back – like returning clothes you didn’t wear.

    4. Invested in a project and changed your mind? Now you can get your money back as credit for something else on Gems.

    5. Introducing Credit Refund: Your crypto investment, now with a return policy.

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4c3e9fa5-9bff-4826-83bd-70fd1809ef21

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: PayOS Teams Up with Mastercard and Visa Intelligent Commerce, Emerges From Stealth to Power AI-Driven Payments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PayOS, the first card-native payments infrastructure for AI agents, today emerged from stealth and announced collaborations with Mastercard and Visa. Through partnerships with Mastercard to leverage Mastercard Agentic Tokens, and with Visa Intelligent Commerce, an initiative that opens Visa’s payment network to developers building AI agents transforming commerce. PayOS will deliver AI developers direct, global access to the world’s leading payment networks.

    PayOS lets developers add checkout, billing, and money movement to agentic workflows unlocking new use cases in AI commerce.

    The card-native system lets users link a card once and enable it across agentic workflows—with human-in-the-loop controls, PCI security, support for every major card network, and full processor flexibility.

    “Our vision is simple: empower autonomous agents to handle money as effortlessly—and safely—as humans do,” said Johnathan McGowan, Co-Founder and CEO of PayOS. “PayOS makes that vision a reality, powering secure and frictionless commerce for the agent-driven economy.”

    “Agentic commerce won’t scale without fixing payments,” added Aparna Krishnan Girish, Co-Founder and CPO. “PayOS unlocks entirely new experiences by removing that friction.”

    The founding team brings deep payments expertise—solving the last-mile challenge for the agent-driven economy.

    Learn more in the PayOS launch blog: https://payos.ai/blog/payos-launch

    Partner Perspectives:
    Seema Chibber, Executive Vice President, Core Payments, Mastercard, North America: “Harnessing the potential of AI to enable seamless, secure, and intelligent transactions will define the future of commerce. With Mastercard Agent Pay, we are taking our proven tokenization technology to new heights and empowering people and businesses to transact with trust, security, and control. PayOS clearly shares this vision, and we’re excited to team up to expand the reach and impact of agentic commerce globally.”

    Rodney Robinson, CEO, TabaPay Inc: “We’re proud to partner with PayOS to power agentic payments—pull, push, and billing for AI agents — enabling seamless transactions at scale.”

    Howard Xiao, Head of Strategic Partnerships at VGS: “Tokenization is at the forefront of empowering agentic commerce and we’re proud to partner with PayOS, a pioneer for agentic card payment platforms.”

    Early-Access Partners Already Exploring Agentic-Commerce Applications

    PayOS has partnered with founding early-access partners INKPAY and Knowlee, who are currently exploring diverse agentic-commerce use cases alongside an expanding roster of AI-first startups.

    Robert Towles, CEO at INK Holdings, INK Games, and INKPAY stated: “Agentic Payments will change the future of payments in the gaming industry, and we are excited to be an early adopter and leader in agentic commerce. We’re proud to partner with PayOS, a pioneer in agentic card payment platforms.”

    Developers, fintechs, and AI platforms can apply for early access at https://payos.ai

    About PayOS
    PayOS is a next-generation card-native payments and billing platform powering agent-driven commerce. The platform enables agents to securely vault cards, streamline checkouts, send and receive payments, and manage billing—all through a unified, compliant system. Founded in 2025 and backed by industry veterans, PayOS is headquartered in San Francisco.

    Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association.

    Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

    The MIL Network –