Category: China

MIL-OSI Submissions: China: Authorities must ensure labour activist’s full freedom after unjust imprisonment – Amnesty International

Source: Amnesty International

Responding to today’s release of Chinese labour activist Wang Jianbing after he served a three-and-a-half-year sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

“Wang Jianbing, alongside his co-defendant, the #MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin, was convicted in an unfair trial following extended pre-trial detention. His release today should mark the end of his unjust treatment and deprivation of liberty.

“However, we remain concerned that, despite having completed his prison sentence, Wang may face continued unlawful restrictions on his freedoms and the risk of re-detention. Upon his release from jail this morning, Wang was not permitted to return to his residence in Guangzhou, but was escorted by police more than 2000km to his parents’ home in remote northwestern Gansu province.

“Amnesty has for years documented instances of Chinese authorities targeting activists with surveillance and harassment even after they have been convicted in courts and served out their sentences. For example, in the months following her release from prison in May 2024, citizen journalist Zhang Zhan faced harassment from local police, and was ultimately re-detained on trumped up charges.

“The Chinese authorities must ensure all arbitrary restrictions on Wang Jianbing are immediately lifted and guarantee the full enjoyment of his human rights, including to freedom of expression and association.”

Background

Labour activist Wang Jianbing was released today after completing a three-and-a-half-year sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”. The so-called evidence used to convict him included his role in co-organizing weekly gatherings with fellow activists, as well as his participation in an online course on non-violence and online posts on issues deemed “sensitive” by the Chinese government.

His friend, the journalist and #MeToo advocate Sophia Huang Xueqin, was arrested alongside him; she is still serving her five-year prison sentence on the same charge.

The pair were arrested in Guangzhou, in southern China, on 19 September 2021, and detained incommunicado for more than five months. In the weeks following their arrest, dozens of their friends were summoned by the police and had their homes searched and electronic devices confiscated.

Guangzhou Intermediate Court sentenced Wang to three years and six months in prison and Huang to five years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power” on 14 June 2024. Both are subject to “deprivation of political liberties” following their release, for three and four years respectively.

Both formally appealed to the Guangdong High Court, but their appeals were dismissed without proper notification or documentation.

Both Huang and Wang have reportedly been subjected to ill-treatment in detention, leading to the serious deterioration of their health.

Amnesty International understands that Wang’s health issues, which developed during his early solitary confinement and were exacerbated by fatigue from interrogations, have recently worsened. However, the detention centre has taken no action to help treat his condition and has denied Wang access to medicine that his family and friends have sent to him.

The Chinese authorities systematically use the vague and overly broad provisions of its criminal laws, including on “inciting subversion of state power” and the more serious “subverting state power”, to prosecute lawyers, scholars, journalists, activists, NGO workers and others.

Chinese law also states that individuals convicted of “endangering national security” “shall” be sentenced to deprivation of political rights as a “supplemental punishment”; as defined in China’s Criminal Law, this includes the deprivation of “rights of freedom of speech, or the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration” (Art. 54(2)). Last year, the UN Special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers wrote to the Chinese authorities raising concerns, inter alia, that this so-called supplemental punishment was not in line with international human rights standards.

Amnesty International published a joint statement with other organizations in September 2023 on the second anniversary of Wang and Huang’s detention. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined in 2022 that Wang was being arbitrarily detained and has repeatedly called on China to repeal the crime of “inciting subversion” or bring it into line with international standards.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Support American Families Adopting Children from China

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), joined CCA co-chairs Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), along with Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) and Danny Davis (D-Ill.) in a letter urging President Trump to advocate for families impacted by China’s termination of its intercountry adoption program.
“We write to you on behalf of hundreds of children and American families who have been devastated by the People’s Republic of China’s decision to halt its intercountry adoption program. We request that you act in the best interest of these children and engage the Chinese government to finalize these pending adoption cases,” the members wrote.
“The sudden termination of China’s adoption program in August 2024 only exacerbated our concern for these children’s well-being. Many of these children have special health care needs, and some will soon age out of care systems without the support of a permanent family.… We urge you to elevate this engagement and press the Chinese government to finalize pending adoption cases so these children may finally be united with their adoptive families in the United States,” the members continued.
In the Senate, the letter was signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Curtis (R-Utah), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.).
In the House, the letter was signed by Reps. Brian Babin (R-Texas), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Charles Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Abraham Hamadeh (R-Ariz.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Thomas Kean (R-N.J.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Julia Letlow (R-La.), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Richard McCormick (R-Ga.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa), Andrew Ogles (R-Tenn.), Bob Onder (R-Mo.), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Keith Self (R-Texas), Jefferson Shreve (Ind.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Lloyd Smucker (R-Penn.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Haley Stevens (D-Wis.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), William Timmons (R-S.C.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Daniel Webster (R-Fla.).
Text of the letter to President Trump follows:
Dear President Trump:
We write to you on behalf of hundreds of children and American families who have been devastated by the People’s Republic of China’s decision to halt its intercountry adoption program. We request that you act in the best interest of these children and engage the Chinese government to finalize these pending adoption cases.
As members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and other Members of Congress who share these concerns, the safety of adopted children and hundreds of would-be adoptees is our top priority. The sudden termination of China’s adoption program in August 2024 only exacerbated our concern for these children’s well-being. Many of these children have special health care needs, and some will soon age out of care systems without the support of a permanent family. It is particularly critical that these children have access to the care and support that they need — which hundreds of American families approved for adoption are willing to provide.
We understand that the State Department is working on behalf of these families and seeking clarity on the Chinese government’s decision. We urge you to elevate this engagement and press the Chinese government to finalize pending adoption cases so these children may finally be united with their adoptive families in the United States.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We are prepared to work closely with you to ensure these children are welcomed into safe and stable homes.
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Products from Chinese-flagged tuna vessels caught with North Korean labour and authorised for export to the European Union – E-000935/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000935/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
César Luena (S&D)

The North Korean regime exports labour, often forced and unpaid, from a large part of its population to prop up the country’s economy and generate income that supposedly helps finance its nuclear programme. A key destination for this labour is China.

The use of North Korean labour outside the country is prohibited by the United Nations Security Council. The European Union has a legal framework in place to prevent goods produced by North Koreans from entering its supply chains. However, recent investigations[1] have identified 12 Chinese-flagged tuna vessels using North Korean labour on board. Four of these vessels are authorised to export to the EU. The findings also show that North Korean crew have suffered serious abuse, with frequent transfers between vessels and stints at sea lasting for up to a decade.

What is the Commission doing to investigate, trace and monitor products from Chinese-flagged tuna vessels caught with North Korean labour and authorised for export to the European Union?

Submitted: 5.3.2025

[1] Report: ‘Trapped At Sea’, published by the Environmental Justice Foundation, https://ejfoundation.org/reports/trapped-at-sea-exposing-north-korean-forced-labour-on-chinas-indian-ocean-tuna-fleet.
Last updated: 18 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Members agree on topics for experience-sharing sessions on services trade

Source: WTO

Headline: Members agree on topics for experience-sharing sessions on services trade

Members also explored the linkages between services trade and environmental sustainability at an event organized by the WTO Secretariat on 12 March.
Giving effect to ministerial mandate
The agreement to organize informal experience-sharing sessions on good regulatory practices and recognition of professional qualifications stems from the February 2024 ministerial mandate to reinvigorate work on trade in services and to facilitate the increased participation of developing members in services trade. Members will also continue discussions on the possibility of organizing sessions on the green transition and digitalization.
Several members reiterated their call for not duplicating the work carried out in the Council’s subsidiary bodies and for having balanced deliberations.
Participation of least-developed countries (LDCs) in services trade
Members responded favourably – pending final discussions on technical issues – to a request by the WTO LDC group to collect information through a survey hosted on the WTO website on how their service suppliers are engaging with consumers and enterprises in other economies. Particular attention will be paid to the 51 WTO members that have notified preferences for LDC services and service suppliers. Members reiterated their commitment to support the participation of LDCs in services trade.
Members have notified preferences for LDC service suppliers in line with a ministerial mandate to operationalize the “LDC Services Waiver”, which was adopted at the 8th Ministerial Conference in 2011.
A total of 37 WTO members are classified as LDCs. More information on the waiver can be found here.
Services trade concerns
Members discussed three previously addressed specific trade concerns involving cybersecurity measures and mobile applications, among other services-related topics.
Japan and the United States, supported by several other members, reiterated concerns about the cybersecurity measures of China and Viet Nam. China repeated concerns with certain services measures of the United States. China also reiterated its concerns regarding India’s measures in relation to mobile applications.
Trade in financial services
Members continued discussing how to reinvigorate work on trade in services in the Committee on Trade in Financial Services. A new proposal, bringing together three earlier submissions from China, the Philippines and India, calls for information-sharing sessions on digital payments, interoperability of payment systems and cost of remittance services. The proposal also refers to crisis preparedness as advocated by Pakistan. Details of previous discussions can be found here.
The Committee is one of the Services Council’s subsidiary bodies.
Classification of environmental services
At a meeting of the Committee on Specific Commitments held on 11 March, members heard from Costa Rica and Switzerland about how the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability is helping its parties define, classify and make commitments in environmental services.
In the Agreement, Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand and Switzerland set out the commitments they have made on 114 services ranging from environmental protection to resource management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Members welcomed the presentation and agreed to engage further on this topic.
The Committee is one of the Services Council’s subsidiary bodies.
Recent developments in services trade policy
An event held on 12 March entitled “Nexus between Trade in Services and Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from Recent Research” looked at the role of services trade in promoting environmental sustainability and the impact of environmental policy on services trade.
Introducing a forthcoming research paper titled “Services Trade and Environmental Sustainability: Conceptual Linkages and Empirical Patterns”, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development highlighted the important role that services trade can play in tackling environmental challenges. This is particularly important as services represent two-thirds of global output and are among the most dynamic sectors in international trade.
The value that services trade adds to supply chains can support greener production functions and consumption patterns, the OECD noted. For example, engineering services can be used in the green hydrogen production supply chain and financial services can support carbon mitigation projects.
The OECD paper makes the case for removing restrictions to services imports and for examining synergies with environmental policymaking. Countries at all levels of development stand to benefit from increased openness and participation in services trade as a result of increased domestic productivity, the OECD noted.
This event was organized by the WTO’s Trade in Services and Investment Division as part of the “Simply Services” speaker series, an informal platform for sharing the latest information on trends in services trade. The webcast of the event can be watched here.

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MIL OSI Economics –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: China: Authorities must ensure labour activist’s Wang Jianbing’s full freedom after unjust imprisonment

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to today’s release of Chinese labour activist Wang Jianbing after he served a three-and-a-half-year sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

“Wang Jianbing, alongside his co-defendant, the #MeToo activist Huang Xueqin, was convicted in an unfair trial following extended pre-trial detention. His release today should mark the end of his unjust treatment and deprivation of liberty.

“However, we remain concerned that, despite having completed his prison sentence, Wang may face continued unlawful restrictions on his freedoms and the risk of re-detention. Upon his release from jail this morning, Wang was not permitted to return to his residence in Guangzhou, but was escorted by police more than 2000km to his parents’ home in remote northwestern Gansu province.

“Amnesty has for years documented instances of Chinese authorities targeting activists with surveillance and harassment even after they have been convicted in courts and served out their sentences. For example, in the months following her release from prison in May 2024, citizen journalist Zhang Zhan faced harassment from local police, and was ultimately re-detained on trumped up charges.

“The Chinese authorities must ensure all arbitrary restrictions on Wang Jianbing are immediately lifted and guarantee the full enjoyment of his human rights, including to freedom of expression and association.”

MIL OSI NGO –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Cornyn Introduce Outbound Investment Legislation to Counter China

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act, which would safeguard the United States’ national security against the growing threat posed by the communist People’s Republic of China (PRC) by prohibiting and requiring notification of U.S. investment in certain technologies in China.
“When it comes to cutting-edge technologies – such as AI and semiconductors – the United States must remain ahead of China,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues across the aisle to introduce this bill that is critical for our national security. We can and must make sure no American investments are giving the Chinese Communist Party a leg up in developing these vitally important technologies.”
The Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act would permit the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit U.S. investments in certain technologies in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including certain Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, quantum computers, materials used in hypersonic systems, and other military technologies. It would also require U.S. entities to notify the U.S. Department of the Treasury of investments in certain AI models in the PRC. Lastly, the legislation would permit the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) against PRC entities that engage with the PRC military and intelligence sectors.
Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to strengthen our national security and supply chains.Senators Cortez Masto and Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the PASS Act to ban individuals and entities controlled by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from purchasing agricultural land and businesses located near U.S. military installations or sensitive sites and the Strengthening Exports Against China Act,which would incentivize economic growth by eliminating barriers for American businesses competing directly with China in emerging industries like artificial intelligence and semiconductors. She’s also introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, but are almost exclusively made in China.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: ACM Research Appoints Charlie Pappis to Board of Directors

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

FREMONT, Calif., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACM Research, Inc. (“ACM”) (NASDAQ: ACMR), a leading supplier of wafer processing solutions for semiconductor and advanced packaging applications, today announced the appointment of Charlie Pappis to its Board of Directors, effective March 15, 2025. With the addition of Mr. Pappis, ACM’s Board of Directors now comprises five members, further strengthening its leadership and expertise as the company executes its long-term growth strategy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Pappis to our Board of Directors,” said Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACM. “His deep industry knowledge, proven leadership in scaling global operations, and commitment to customer-driven innovation align perfectly with ACM’s mission to become a key supplier of capital equipment to major global semiconductor companies. His insights will be invaluable as we increase our investments and business expansion in the U.S. to support our growth initiatives to new markets beyond mainland China.”

Charlie Pappis is a semiconductor industry veteran with more than 40 years of leadership experience in global operations, customer engagement, and business growth. He currently serves as President of Pappis Consulting, advising semiconductor equipment and supply chain companies. Previously, he spent more than 30 years at a major global U.S.-based semiconductor equipment company, where he held key executive level leadership roles. Mr. Pappis holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an Executive MBA from Stanford University.

About ACM Research, Inc.

ACM develops, manufactures and sells semiconductor process equipment spanning cleaning, electroplating, stress-free polishing, vertical furnace processes, track, PECVD, and wafer- and panel-level packaging tools, enabling advanced and semi-critical semiconductor device manufacturing. ACM is committed to delivering customized, high-performance, cost-effective process solutions that semiconductor manufacturers can use in numerous manufacturing steps to improve productivity and product yield. For more information, visit www.acmr.com.

© ACM Research, Inc. The ACM Research logo is a trademark of ACM Research, Inc. For convenience, this trademark appears in this press release without a ™ symbol, but that practice does not mean that ACM will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to such trademark.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In the United States: The Blueshirt Group
Steven C. Pelayo, CFA
+1 (360) 808-5154
steven@blueshirtgroup.co

In China: The Blueshirt Group Asia
Gary Dvorchak, CFA
gary@blueshirtgroup.co

The MIL Network –

March 19, 2025

MIL-OSI: Waldencast Reports Q4 2024 and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Q4 Net Revenue of $72.1 million, 29.4% Comparable Net Revenue Growth and $11.2 million of Adjusted EBITDA, doubling from Q4 2023

FY 2024 Net Revenue of $273.9 million, 27.5% Comparable Net Revenue Growth and $40.3 million of Adjusted EBITDA

Obagi Medical is the fastest growing professional skincare brand¹ in the US in 2024

Milk Makeup expands its distribution to Ulta Beauty

Waldencast secures a new $205 million credit facility, replacing the current one, enhancing flexibility and extending debt maturity

LONDON, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Waldencast plc (NASDAQ: WALD) (“Waldencast” or the “Company”), a global multi-brand beauty and wellness platform, today reported operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2024 (“Q4 2024”) and the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Year Ended 2024”) on Form 6-K to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are also available on our investor relations site at http://ir.waldencast.com/.

Michel Brousset, Waldencast Founder and CEO, said: “We closed a transformative year for the Group, achieving outstanding growth, expanding our brands’ communities, and making significant progress on our strategic priorities. Our business model is driven by a powerful flywheel effect of growth and profitability. This begins with the unique strength of our brands, which is amplified by our ability to enhance operational efficiency. As a result, we can effectively increase investments in sales and marketing to drive profitable growth. In 2024, we achieved a 27.5% increase in Comparable Net Revenue and a 65.1% rise in Adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating our proven ability to expand gross margins and optimize our cost base as we grow.”

“Our proven ability to innovate significantly contributed to our brands’ growth. This year, Milk Makeup introduced several exciting new products, including the viral and award-winning Cooling Water Jelly Tint Blush + Lip Stain. Obagi Medical also launched a range of successful innovations aimed at both consumers and the professional skincare medical community, most notably the ELASTIderm Lift Up & Sculpt Facial Moisturizer and Elastiderm Advanced Filler Concentrate.”

“Building on our momentum, we are excited to announce that Milk Makeup will launch in over 600 Ulta Beauty locations this spring, further highlighting the growing demand for our cult-favorite brand. Additionally, Obagi Medical expanded the Suzan Obagi MD® collection with groundbreaking new products, including the Super Antioxidant Serum and the Moisture Restore Hydration Replenishing Cream.”

____________________________________

¹ Among the top 10 brands. Kline & Company. (2024). 2024 Kline Professional Skincare: United States market analysis and opportunities.

“Overall, we are excited about the year ahead and expect another year of significant milestones toward achieving our ambition to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness multi-brand platform by creating, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling the next generation of high-growth, purpose-driven brands,” concluded Mr. Brousset.

Q4 2024 Results Overview

Please refer to the definitions and reconciliations set out further in this release with respect to certain adjusted non-GAAP measures discussed below which are included to provide an easier understanding of the underlying performance of the business, but should not be seen as a substitute for the U.S. GAAP numbers presented in this release.

For the three months ended December 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023:

Net Revenue increased 30.8% to $72.1 million, a 29.4% increase in Comparable Net Revenue Growth that was attributable to Milk Makeup channel expansion, Obagi Medical accelerated growth in the Physician Dispense channel, and continued success in Obagi Medical e-commerce channels.

Gross Profit was $49.4 million. Adjusted Gross Profit was $52.6 million, or 73.0% of net revenue, compared to $40.3 million in Q4 2023.

Net Loss improved from $32.7 million in Q4 2023 to $22.6 million in Q4 2024, driven by operational growth and a reduction in non-recurring costs associated with the restatement and SEC investigation.

Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $11.2 million (15.5% of net revenue), reflecting a 530 basis point expansion from Q4 2023. This growth was driven by strong top-line performance and operational leverage, as both Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup continued to scale and reinvest in business drivers while maintaining G&A discipline.

Liquidity: The business maintained strong cash conversion in Q4 2024, driven by effective working capital management and minimal capital expenditure thanks to our asset-light business model. While the Company continues to incur significant non-recurring legal and advisory costs, the level of expenditures has been gradually reducing. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $14.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $154.2 million of Net Debt.

New Credit Facility: Waldencast has entered into a new $205 million five-year credit facility, comprising a $175 million Term Loan and a $30 million RCF, that replaces its existing facility. This agreement supports the Company’s strategic priorities by enhancing financial flexibility and extending its debt maturity profile well ahead of the current facilities expiration in July 2026.

Outstanding Shares: As of February 28, 2025, we had 122,720,911 ordinary shares outstanding, consisting of 112,054,383 Class A shares and 10,666,528 Class B shares. As of December 31, 2024, we had 122,692,968 ordinary shares outstanding, consisting of 112,026,440 Class A shares and 10,666,528 Class B shares.

(In $ millions, except for percentages)	Q4 2024	% Sales	% Growth	% Comparable Net Revenue Growth	Q4 2023	% Sales
Waldencast
Net Revenue	72.1	100.0%	30.8%	29.4%	55.1	100.0%
Adjusted Gross Profit	52.6	73.0%	30.7%		40.3	73.1%
Adjusted EBITDA	11.2	15.5%	99.3%		5.6	10.2%

Obagi Medical
Net Revenue	42.2	100.0%	30.0%	27.7%	32.5	100.0%
Adjusted Gross Profit	33.2	78.7%	28.0%		26.0	80.0%
Adjusted EBITDA	9.8	23.3%	23.7%		8.0	24.5%

Milk Makeup
Net Revenue	29.9	100.0%	31.9%		22.6	100.0%
Adjusted Gross Profit	19.4	64.9%	35.6%		14.3	63.1%
Adjusted EBITDA	4.8	16.1%	248.0%		1.4	6.1%

Fourth Quarter 2024 Brand Highlights:

Obagi Medical:

Net Revenue reached $42.2 million, from $32.5 million in Q4 2023 with Comparable Net Revenue Growth of 27.7%.
Obagi Medical’s strong net revenue growth continued to be driven by increased brand awareness, stronger selling and marketing investments, and continued innovation. The brand continued expanding its international footprint and growing e-commerce sales through its direct website and the move to a first party model with its main e-commerce distributor, implemented in late 2023, with benefits tapering off by Q1 2025.
Notably, Obagi Medical was the fastest-growing professional skin care brand among the top 10 in the US in 2024¹. This historic achievement underscores the strength of our enhanced go-to-market strategy which successfully balances growth in the Physician Dispense channel, our historic stronghold, with the acceleration of our digital channels.
Adjusted Gross Margin of 78.7% contracted 130 basis points from Q4 2023 due to a higher weight of inventory liquidations.
Adjusted EBITDA was $9.8 million, an increase of 23.7% from Q4 2023 with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.3%, a decline of 120 basis points from Q4 2023 reflecting the brands continued strategic investment in marketing to drive top-line growth and improved leverage of fixed costs.

Milk Makeup:

Net Revenue reached $29.9 million, up 31.9% from $22.6 million in Q4 2023.
Milk Makeup’s Q4 2024 growth reflected the initial shipments to Ulta Beauty in support of the brand’s spring 2025 launch along with increased demand driven by our growing awareness, the continued delivery of sought-after innovation, and international expansion.
Adjusted Gross Margin increased by 180 basis points versus Q4 2023, primarily reflecting the positive impact of channel and product mix, as well as margin accretive innovation.
Adjusted EBITDA was $4.8 million an increase of $3.4 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 million in Q4 2023. Adjusted EBITDA Margin improved 1,000 basis points to 16.1% versus 6.1% in Q4 2023 as robust sales growth and gross margin expansion drove significant operational leverage despite increased brand investment.

Year Ended 2024 Results Overview

For the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023:

Net Revenue was $273.9 million, a 27.5% increase in Comparable Net Revenue Growth.

Gross Profit was $191.7 million. Adjusted Gross Profit was $203.6 million, or 74.3% of net revenue, a margin improvement of 530 basis points versus 2023.

Net Loss was $48.6 million, down from $106.0 million in the Year Ended 2023. The improvement was primarily driven by strong operational growth in the business, a fair value adjustment of the warrants, and reduced non-recurring costs.

Adjusted EBITDA was $40.3 million, an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 14.7%, compared to 11.2% in the Year Ended 2023.

Fiscal 2025 Outlook:

We expect to deliver mid-teens Net Revenue growth and further expansion of Adjusted EBITDA Margin into the mid-to-high teens.

Net revenue growth is expected to accelerate throughout the year, starting with relatively flat growth in Q1 due to the anniversary of the highly successful Milk Makeup “Jellies” launch from Q1 2024, as well as inventory adjustment in some of our retail partners.

Growth is expected to accelerate progressively in the following quarters, driven by our innovation pipeline and the continued expansion of our distribution footprint in the U.S. and internationally, including the launch of Milk Makeup at Ulta Beauty in March 2025.

Year Ended 2024 Highlights

(In $ millions, except for percentages)	Year Ended 2024	% Sales	% Growth	% Comparable Net Revenue Growth	Year Ended 2023	% Sales
Waldencast
Net Revenue	273.9	100.0%	25.5%	27.5%	218.1	100.0%
Adjusted Gross Profit	203.6	74.3%	35.3%		150.4	69.0%
Adjusted EBITDA	40.3	14.7%	65.1%		24.4	11.2%

Obagi Medical
Net Revenue	149.3	100.0%	26.9%	30.7%	117.7	100.0%
Adjusted Gross Profit	118.6	79.4%	41.6%		83.7	71.2%
Adjusted EBITDA	30.5	20.4%	46.4%		20.8	17.7%

Milk Makeup
Net Revenue	124.6	100.0%	24.0%		100.5	100.0%
Adjusted Gross Profit	85.0	68.2%	27.4%		66.7	66.4%
Adjusted EBITDA	29.1	23.3%	58.0%		18.4	18.3%

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Waldencast will host a conference call to discuss its year-end and fourth quarter results on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 8:30 AM EDT for the period ended December 31, 2024. Those interested in participating in the conference call are invited to dial (877) 704-4453. International callers may dial (201) 389-0920. A live webcast of the conference call will include a slide presentation and will be available online at https://ir.waldencast.com/. A replay of the webcast will remain available on the website until our next conference call. The information accessible on, or through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures presented in this release in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Waldencast separately reports financial results on the basis of the measures set out and defined below which are non-GAAP financial measures. Waldencast believes the non-GAAP measures used in this release provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. Waldencast believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends. These non-GAAP measures also provide perspective on how Waldencast’s management evaluates and monitors the performance of the business.

There are limitations to non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude charges and credits that are required to be included in GAAP financial presentation. The items excluded from GAAP financial measures such as net income/loss to arrive at non-GAAP financial measures are significant components for understanding and assessing our financial performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered together with, and not alternatives to, financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Please refer to definitions set out in the release and the tables included in this release for a reconciliation of these metrics to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Comparable Net Revenue is defined as Net Revenue excluding sales related to the former Obagi Medical China business (the “Obagi Medical China Business”), which was not acquired by Waldencast at the time of the business combination with Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup (the “Business Combination”) as was presented in previous earnings releases. The sales to the Obagi Medical China Business have a below market sales price for a defined period of time after the acquisition of Obagi Medical pursuant to the Business Combination. As a result of the Business Combination, a below market contract liability was recognized and is amortized based on sales. This adjustment is shown in the Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Gross Profit reconciliations. Management of the Company believes that this non-GAAP measure provides perspective on how Waldencast’s management evaluates and monitors the performance of the business. See reconciliation to U.S. GAAP Net Revenue in the Appendix.

Comparable Net Revenue Growth is defined as the growth in Comparable Net Revenue period over period expressed as a percentage.

Adjusted Gross Profit is defined as GAAP gross profit excluding the impact of inventory fair value adjustments, amortization of the supply agreement and formulation intangible assets, discontinued product write-off, and the amortization of the fair value of the related party liability from the Obagi Medical China Business. The Adjusted Gross Profit reconciliation by Segment for each period is included in the Appendix.

Adjusted Gross Margin is defined as Adjusted Gross Profit divided by GAAP Net Revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as GAAP net income (loss) before interest income or expense, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted for the items as described in the reconciliation below. We believe this information will be useful for investors to facilitate comparisons of our operating performance and better identify trends in our business. Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain expenses that are required to be presented in accordance with GAAP because management believes they are non-core to our regular business. These include non-cash expenses, such as depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, inventory fair value adjustments, the amortization and release of fair value of the related party liability to the Obagi Medical China Business, change in fair value of financial instruments, loss on impairment of goodwill and leases, and foreign currency translation loss (gain). In addition, adjustments include expenses that are not related to our underlying business performance including (1) legal, advisory and consultant fees related to the financial restatement of previously issued financial statements and associated regulatory investigation, and the Business Combination; (2) costs to recover and the value of the inventory recovered from the acquisition of the SA distributor, and the associated discontinued products; and (3) other non-recurring costs, primarily legal settlement costs and restructuring costs. The Adjusted EBITDA by Segment for each period is included in the Appendix.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue. The Adjusted EBITDA Margin reconciliation by Segment for each period is included in the Appendix.

(In thousands, except for percentages)	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024			Three Months Ended December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023
Net Loss	$	(22,597	)	$	(32,731	)	$	(48,648	)	$	(105,968	)
Adjusted For:
Depreciation and amortization		15,013			14,863			60,015			60,498
Interest expense, net		4,088			4,276			17,155			18,888
Income tax expense (benefit)		4,113			(976	)		110			(6,975	)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,993			1,677			9,392			9,235
Legal and advisory non-recurring costs⁽¹⁾		3,029			12,949			21,493			32,783
Change in fair value of warrants and interest rate collar		443			2,473			(23,679	)		10,443
Amortization and release of related party liability⁽²⁾		(4,169	)		—			(5,678	)		(4,058	)
Loss on impairment of goodwill		5,031			—			5,031			—
Other costs⁽³⁾		3,241			3,083			5,093			9,549
Adjusted EBITDA	$	11,185		$	5,613		$	40,284		$	24,395
Net Revenue	$	72,083		$	55,117		$	273,868		$	218,138
Net Loss % of Net Revenue		(31.3	)%		(59.4	)%		(17.8	)%		(48.6	)%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		15.5	%		10.2	%		14.7	%		11.2	%

⁽¹⁾	Includes mainly legal, advisory and consultant fees related to the financial restatement 2020-2022 periods and associated regulatory investigation, and the Business Combination.
⁽²⁾	Relates to the fair value of the related party liability for the unfavorable discount to the Obagi Medical China Business as part of the Business Combination.
⁽³⁾	Other costs include legal settlements, foreign currency translation losses, product discontinuation costs related to advanced purchases for the SA Distributor, the write-down and subsequent recovery of inventory from the SA Distributor, restructuring costs, amortization of the fair value step-up as a result of the business combination, lease impairments, restructuring and contract termination fees.

Net Debt Position is defined as the principal outstanding for the 2022 Term Loan and 2022 Revolving Credit Facility minus the cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024.

(In thousands)	Reconciliation of Net Carrying Amount of debt to Net Debt
Current portion of long-term debt	$	29,479
Long-term debt		137,137
Net carrying amount of debt		166,616
Adjustments:
Add: Unamortized debt issuance costs		2,339
Less: Cash & cash equivalents		(14,802	)
Net Debt	$	154,153

About Waldencast plc

Founded by Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti, Waldencast’s ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by developing, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling conscious, high-growth purpose-driven brands. Waldencast’s vision is fundamentally underpinned by its brand-led business model that ensures proximity to its customers, business agility, and market responsiveness, while maintaining each brand’s distinct DNA. The first step in realizing its vision was the Business Combination. As part of the Waldencast platform, its brands will benefit from the operational scale of a multi-brand platform; the expertise in managing global beauty brands at scale; a balanced portfolio to mitigate category fluctuations; asset light efficiency; and the market responsiveness and speed of entrepreneurial indie brands. For more information please visit: https://ir.waldencast.com.

Obagi Medical is an industry-leading, advanced skin care line rooted in research and skin biology, refined with a legacy of over 35 years’ experience. First known as leaders in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Nu-Derm^® System, Obagi Medical products are designed to address the appearance of premature aging, photodamage, skin discoloration, acne, and sun damage. More information about Obagi Medical is available on the brand’s website at www.obagi.com.

Founded in 2016, Milk Makeup quickly became a cult-favorite among the beauty community for its values of self-expression and inclusion, captured by its signature “Live Your Look”, its innovative formulas, and clean ingredients. The brand creates vegan, cruelty-free, clean formulas and has its Milk Makeup HQ in Downtown NYC. Currently, Milk Makeup offers over 250 products through its U.S. website www.MilkMakeup.com, and retail partners including Sephora globally, Ulta Beauty in the U.S., Lyko in Scandinavia, Space NK and Boots in the United Kingdom and many more.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this release that are not historical, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about: Waldencast’s outlook and guidance for 2025; our ability to deliver financial results in line with expectations; expectations regarding sales, earnings or other future financial performance and liquidity or other performance measures; our long-term strategy and future operations or operating results; expectations with respect to our industry and the markets in which it operates; future product introductions; developments relating to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” and “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: (i) the impact of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, including associated investigations, our efforts to remediate such material weakness and the timing of remediation and resolution of associated investigations; (ii) our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits from any acquired business, including the Business Combination; (iii) our ability to successfully implement our management’s plans and strategies; (iv) the overall economic and market conditions, sales forecasts and other information about our possible or assumed future results of operations or our performance; (v) the general impact of geopolitical events, including the impact of current wars, conflicts or other hostilities; (vi) the potential for delisting, legal proceedings or existing or new government investigation or enforcement actions, including those relating to the restatement or the subject of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors’ review further described in our annual report filed on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, (vii) our ability to manage expenses, our liquidity and our investments in working capital; (viii) any failure to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals related to our business and products; (ix) the impact of any international trade or foreign exchange restrictions, increased tariffs, foreign currency exchange fluctuations; (x) our ability to raise additional capital or complete desired acquisitions; (xi) our ability to comply with financial covenants imposed by the new 2025 credit agreement we entered into referenced in the section entitled “New Credit Facility” above and the impact of debt service obligations and restricted debt covenants; (xii) volatility of Waldencast’s securities due to a variety of factors, including Waldencast’s inability to implement its business plans or meet or exceed its financial projections and changes; (xiii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities; (xiv) the ability of Waldencast to implement its strategic initiatives and continue to innovate Obagi Medical’s and Milk Makeup’s existing products and anticipate and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences, (xv) any shifts in the preferences of consumers as to where and how they shop; (xvi) the impact of any unfavorable publicity on our business or products; (xvii) changes in future exchange or interest rates or credit ratings; (xviii) changes in, and uncertainty with respect to, laws, regulations, and policies, including as a result of the change in the U.S. administration; and (xix) social, political and economic conditions. These and other risks, assumptions and uncertainties are more fully described in the Risk Factors section of our 2023 20-F (File No. 01-40207), filed with the SEC on April 30, 2024, and in our other documents that we file or furnish with the SEC, which you are encouraged to read.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Waldencast expressly disclaims any current intention, and assumes no duty, to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the distribution of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Contacts:

Investors
ICR
Allison Malkin
waldencastir@icrinc.com

Media
ICR
Brittney Fraser/Alecia Pulman
waldencast@icrinc.com

Appendix

Comparable Net Revenue Growth

	Group										Obagi Medical
(In thousands, except for percentages)	Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023		Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023
Net Revenue	$	72,083		$	55,117	$	273,868		$	218,138	$	42,211		$	32,470	$	149,266		$	117,651
Obagi Medical China Business		735			—		2,804			5,619		735			—		2,804			5,619
Comparable Net Revenue	$	71,348		$	55,117	$	271,064		$	212,519	$	41,476		$	32,470	$	146,462		$	112,032
Comparable Growth		29.4	%				27.5	%				27.7	%				30.7	%

Adjusted Gross Profit

	Group
(In thousands, except for percentages)	Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023
Net Revenue	$	72,083		$	55,117		$	273,868		$	218,138
Gross Profit		49,450			37,476			191,744			141,577
Gross Profit Margin		68.6	%		68.0	%		70.0	%		64.9	%
Gross Margin Adjustments:
Amortization of the fair value of the related party liability⁽¹⁾		(750	)		—			(2,260	)		(4,058	)
Amortization of the inventory fair value adjustment⁽²⁾		—			—			—			1,691
Discontinued product write-off⁽³⁾		1,139			—			2,864			—
Amortization impact of intangible assets⁽⁴⁾		2,801			2,801			11,205			11,205
Adjusted Gross Profit	$	52,639		$	40,277		$	203,553		$	150,415
Adjusted Gross Margin %		73.0	%		73.1	%		74.3	%		69.0	%

⁽¹⁾	Relates to the fair value of the related party liability for the unfavorable discount to the Obagi Medical China Business as part of the Business Combination.
⁽²⁾	Relates to the amortization of the inventory fair value step-up as a result of the Business Combination.
⁽³⁾	Relates to the advance purchase of specific products for the market in Vietnam sold through the SA Distributor that became obsolete when the distribution contract was terminated.
⁽⁴⁾	The Supply Agreement and Formulations intangible assets are amortized to cost of goods sold.

	Obagi Medical												Milk Makeup
(In thousands, except for percentages)	Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023			Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023
Net Revenue	$	42,211		$	32,470		$	149,266		$	117,651		$	29,872		$	22,647		$	124,602		$	100,487
Gross Profit		30,050			23,175			106,760			76,582			19,395			14,301			84,984			64,995
Gross Profit Margin		71.2	%		71.4	%		71.5	%		65.1	%		64.9	%		63.1	%		68.2	%		64.7	%
Gross Margin Adjustments:
Amortization of the fair value of the related party liability		(750	)		—			(2,260	)		(4,058	)		—			—			—			—
Amortization of the inventory fair value adjustment		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			1,691
Discontinued product write-off		1,139			—			2,864			—			—			—			—			—
Amortization impact of intangible assets		2,801			2,801			11,205			11,205			—			—			—			—
Adjusted Gross Profit	$	33,239		$	25,976		$	118,569		$	83,729		$	19,395		$	14,301		$	84,984		$	66,686
Adjusted Gross Margin %		78.7	%		80.0	%		79.4	%		71.2	%		64.9	%		63.1	%		68.2	%		66.4	%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Segment

	Obagi Medical												Milk Makeup
(In thousands, except for percentages)	Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023			Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023
Net Loss	$	(12,114	)	$	(8,305	)	$	(31,524	)	$	(32,214	)	$	230		$	(3,959	)	$	8,803		$	(5,655	)
Adjusted For:
Depreciation and amortization		10,397			10,425			41,591			41,984			4,616			4,457			18,424			18,514
Interest expense, net		3,068			3,341			12,391			12,644			(3	)		4			(1	)		590
Income tax expense (benefit)		3,933			(990	)		(141	)		(6,997	)		25			9			32			10
Stock-based compensation expense		465			(317	)		(328	)		726			(338	)		444			1,167			2,352
Legal and advisory non-recurring costs		1,061			1,119			5,054			1,702			—			—			—			27
Amortization and release of related party liability		(4,169	)		—			(5,678	)		(4,058	)		—			—			—			—
Loss on impairment of goodwill		5,031			—			5,031			—			—			—			—			—
Other costs		2,166			2,682			4,120			7,027			285			428			639			2,566
Adjusted EBITDA	$	9,838		$	7,956		$	30,516		$	20,814		$	4,814		$	1,383		$	29,064		$	18,404
Net Revenue	$	42,211		$	32,470		$	149,266		$	117,651		$	29,872		$	22,647		$	124,602		$	100,487
Net Loss % of Net Revenue		(28.7	)%		(25.6	)%		(21.1	)%		(27.4	)%		0.8	%		(17.5	)%		7.1	%		(5.6	)%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		23.3	%		24.5	%		20.4	%		17.7	%		16.1	%		6.1	%		23.3	%		18.3	%

	Central costs
(In thousands, except for percentages)	Three months ended December 31, 2024			Three months ended December 31, 2023			Year ended December 31, 2024			Year ended December 31, 2023
Net Loss	$	(10,714	)	$	(20,467	)	$	(25,927	)	$	(68,099	)
Adjusted For:
Depreciation and amortization		—			(20	)		—			—
Interest expense, net		1,024			931			4,765			5,654
Income tax expense		155			4			219			12
Stock-based compensation expense		2,866			1,549			8,553			6,157
Legal and advisory non-recurring costs		1,968			11,830			16,439			31,054
Change in fair value of warrants and interest rate collar		443			2,473			(23,679	)		10,443
Other costs		789			(26	)		334			(44	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(3,468	)	$	(3,727	)	$	(19,296	)	$	(14,823	)
Net Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Net Loss % of Net Revenue		N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A

The MIL Network –

March 19, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Markey Joins Padilla, Durbin in Push to Save Task Force Combating Threats to Election Officials

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Senators to Attorney General: “In this challenging environment for election officials, it is essential to our democracy that they can continue to rely on [DOJ] to uphold the law”
Washington (March 18, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) yesterday joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with 28 Democratic Senators in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to continue the essential work of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Election Threats Task Force, which directs the Department’s efforts to protect election officials from rising threats and acts of violence.
The Senators’ letter comes as the Trump administration has significantly rolled back the federal government’s capacity to fight against foreign and domestic election security threats. On Attorney General Bondi’s first day in office, she disbanded the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Foreign Influence Task Force, hindering efforts to address secret influence campaigns waged by China, Russia, and other foreign adversaries. Additionally, the administration has fired or put on leave dozens of officials responsible for combating foreign election interference at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and has reportedly frozen all of CISA’s ongoing election security work. The Administration has also defunded CISA’s nationwide program to train local officials and monitor threats through the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
“Given the recent disturbing personnel and policy decisions at the Department and the lack of transparency about the future of the Task Force, we request an immediate update on the status and activities of the Task Force, as well as what resources will be provided to ensure its important work continues so that election officials of both parties can safely administer our elections,” wrote the Senators.
“Recent surveys have found that one in three election officials reported facing threats, harassment, and abuse. Similarly, 48 percent of local election officials know of someone who has left their job because of fear for their safety—a troubling loss of institutional knowledge needed for the smooth running of elections. Election workers continue to fear for their safety, so it is critical that the work of the Task Force continues to deter and counter these threats. In this challenging environment for election officials, it is essential to our democracy that they can continue to rely on the Department to uphold the law,” continued the Senators.
The letter was also signed by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Full text of the letter is available HERE:

MIL OSI USA News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Welch Convenes International Business Leaders near Northern Border to Discuss Impacts of Trump’s Trade War

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
Welch: “I’m very disturbed about what is happening…how it’s affecting our families here in Vermont, how it’s affecting our businesses here in Vermont, and how it’s affecting the mutual cooperation that we had the blessing of enjoying for generations—between us and Canada. I am opposed to tariffs against our Canadian allies.”
NEWPORT, VT — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, convened Vermont and Canadian business leaders for a roundtable in Newport, Vermont —near the U.S.-Canada border—to discuss President Trump’s Trade War and how the Trump Administration’s reckless tariffs are hurting workers, families, and farmers.
Senator Welch’s remarks from the beginning of the roundtable are included in-full below:
“We in Vermont really value both our friendship with Canadians, and our economic partnerships with Canada. I believe what’s happening here with the rhetoric from the Trump Administration and from these tariffs is very destructive—for you and for us.
“I don’t want to be a part of it. I want to be a part of doing everything we can to maintain the very cordial, friendly, economically mutually-beneficial relationships that we have. I can understand an appropriate place for a tariff, and Canada can make its own decisions about where it would be appropriate for you to have a tariff. I cannot think of why we would be having a tariff or trade war with our best neighbor. Your environmental standards — your labor standards — match or exceed ours, and that’s really important to you and it’s important to us.
“What I’m seeing with the tariffs is that they’re being imposed in a very arbitrary way. Not to mention that they’re on again, they’re off again.
“Every time I speak to any anybody in business on our side (and it’s really nice that we’re going to hear from the Canadian side of the border) one of the things that’s really essential is stability. No business, and frankly no family, can deal with, ‘yes, we’re on no, we’re off.’ Nobody can do that. And it is not, in my view, good for international relationships. It’s not good for business relationships. And it’s not even good for family, where there’s constant instability. You don’t know what the rules are—they keep changing.
“I’m very disturbed about what is happening from [the Trump] Administration and I’m disturbed from the perspective of how it’s affecting our families here in Vermont, how it’s affecting our businesses here in Vermont and how it’s affecting the mutual cooperation that we had the blessing of enjoying for generations, between us and Canada. I am opposed to tariffs against our Canadian allies.
“That’s just to set the stage of where I’m coming from, and it’s why I am so grateful that we have this joint meeting where we can talk about the real problems that are caused as a result of these tariffs. And mobilize as much support as we can to renewing that friendship, that business relationship, that economic relationship that we’ve had. So, thank you all for coming and [the Hon. Marie-Claude] Bibeau, I’m so, so delighted that you’re here. I want to turn it over to you after I expressed my gratitude for all the work you’ve done and your willingness to be here deep in the south reaches of Newport, Vermont.”
Photos of the event are included below:
Senator Welch was joined by the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead, and Vermont and Canadian business owners. Attendees included representatives from Newport Downtown Development; Built By Newport; Columbia Forest Products; Kingdom Brewing; Morrison Custom Feeds, Inc.; Kingdom Trails Association; Hill Farmstead Brewery; Vermont Brewers Association; Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development; Northeastern Vermont Development Association; Caledonia Spirits; Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association; Judd’s Wayeeses Farm; Khrome Product-Transport; Weidmann Electrical Technology; TRACK, Inc.; Larue; Motrec International; UTV Internationale; Ville de Sherbrooke; and the Sherbrooke Chamber of Commerce.
Nearly half of all U.S. imports—more than $1.3 trillion—come from Canada, China, and Mexico. Canada is the largest trading partner for 34 U.S. states, including Vermont. In 2024 alone, trade with Canada accounted for 35% of Vermont exports, 67% of our imports, and 56% of its total trade. One in four businesses in Vermont relies on trade with Canada.
In many cases, Vermont manufacturers buy imports from Canada to manufacture into products. Tariffs on Canada threaten business closures and job layoffs, higher homebuilding costs, increased costs of grain for farmers, and more expensive equipment for maple producers—among other costs that will get passed on to working families.
Senator Welch has blasted Trump’s tariffs and trade war, and shared stories from constituents about how President Trump’s economic policies have impacted their businesses, farms, and communities. This event follows a roundtable Senator Welch held in St. Albans in January and virtually in February where he heard from businesses and state and local leaders about the President’s threats to reignite a trade war.
Vermonters are invited to share how these tariffs will impact their lives and businesses by sharing their story on Senator Welch’s website.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 10th National Security Education Day thematic exhibition (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR launches 10th National Security Education Day thematic exhibition
The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that a thematic exhibition will be held at the National Security Exhibition Gallery to dovetail with the 10th National Security Education Day. With full support from the Department of Justice, the Education Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the opening ceremony of the 10th National Security Education Day thematic exhibition was launched today (March 18) at the Hong Kong Museum of History, marking the beginning of a series of activities on national security education. The exhibition will be open to all Hong Kong citizens from tomorrow (March 19) onwards.

As stipulated by the National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, passed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in 2015, the 15th of April each year is designated as National Security Education Day. At the national level, various provinces, municipalities and regions have leveraged this special occasion as an opportunity to advance national security education under the guidance of a holistic approach to national security.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has always been committed to promoting national security education. Over the years, under the leadership of the Central Government and with the support of various offices of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, as well as the joint efforts of all sectors of society, diverse creative promotional activities have been held with widespread participation, thereby fostering a positive atmosphere where all Hong Kong citizens join hands to build the Great Wall of national security.

Since the launch of the National Security Exhibition Gallery in August last year, the Education Bureau has been inviting school sponsoring bodies and schools to organise student visits. As of the first term of the current school year, over 43 000 students from about 120 primary and secondary schools have visited the gallery, and the visits have deepened their understanding of national security through display panels, a 3D theatre, interactive games, and animations.

The 15th of April this year marks the 10th National Security Education Day. The thematic exhibition adopts the national theme of “The 10th anniversary of National Security Education Day: advancing towards more in-depth and effective implementation”, reflecting on the development of promoting national security education in the country and the HKSAR over the years.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said, “The Education Bureau has consistently been supporting schools in enhancing national education and fostering students’ sense of patriotism and awareness of national security through diverse measures, using approaches such as ‘organic integration’ and ‘natural connection’ to enhance their sense of national identity.

“National security is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the country. We will continue to work hand in hand with all sectors of society to promote national security education, with a view to strengthening the public’s awareness and sense of responsibility in safeguarding national security on their own accord, and creating a positive atmosphere of patriotism and love for Hong Kong.”

The HKSAR Government will continue its unwavering efforts to widen and deepen the promotion of national security education. By fostering the active participation and collective efforts of all sectors of society, especially the community and young people, we will continue to break new ground in national security work and write new chapters in the journey towards achieving national prosperity and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Issued at HKT 21:01

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Categories24-7, Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Government special administrative region, MIL OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of the Commission’s plan to consolidate development offices in EU delegations in 18 hubs and close 80 offices – E-001005/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001005/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Udo Bullmann (S&D), Barry Andrews (Renew), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Isabella Lövin (Verts/ALE)

Euronews reports that the Directorate-General for International Partnerships is planning to cut more than 80 % of its hubs worldwide, closing 80 offices.

Such a change will impact the EU’s development cooperation, foreign policy and partnerships long-term, considering that the EU is a major donor globally. This plan would diminish the EU’s global role and leave a vacuum for China and Russia to fill, which is counterproductive to the aims of the Global Gateway initiative.

A reduced presence means diminished local connections and less knowledge and understanding of local contexts, priorities and opportunities. It erodes the trust of communities and partner countries. All these elements are vital for ensuring the efficiency, effectiveness and positive impact of both development work and trade as well as the promotion of business.

1.In what ways is the current set-up in EU delegations not fit to deliver on the Global Gateway?

2.What parameters were used to determine that the plan will increase efficiency, serve the objectives of the Global Gateway initiative, ensure delivery on the ultimate objective of EU development aid, to eradicate poverty, and what other options were considered?

3.How were the hubs selected and clustered to ensure that a centralised approach does not undermine the quality and efficiency of EU development aid in the partner countries covered by each hub?

Submitted: 7.3.2025
Last updated: 18 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Lankford Introduce Bill to Protect American Farmland from Bad Actors
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) today introduced the Security and Oversight of International Landholdings (SOIL) Act to enhance oversight and transparency over foreign purchases of American agricultural land that threaten national security.

“America has some of the best farmland in the world, and it would be a grave mistake to allow Communist China to take ownership of this valuable resource,” said Risch. “The SOIL Act will provide strict guidance and oversight to prevent bad actors, like China and Russia, from purchasing our agricultural land—particularly land near U.S. military installations.”

“China continues to buy up American farm land, steal our patents, and expand their authoritarian world view. America will demonstrate to the world our values and maintain our economic and military strength to assure the globe has the best opportunity for freedom. No one in China should doubt America’s resolve and commitment to liberty,” said Lankford.

The SOIL Act deters criminal investment in US agriculture by:
- Requiring the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review agriculture real estate purchases by certain foreign entities;
- Banning federal assistance for certain foreign-held real estate holdings; and
- Broadening disclosure requirements for land purchases made by foreign entities.
MIL OSI USA News –
March 19, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Laws governing space are 50 years old. New ones are needed to prevent it becoming a ‘wild west’

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yucong Wang, Lecturer, School of Law and Justice, University of Newcastle

In the first few months of 2025, there’s been a flurry of private venture space missions. Some have been successful, such as American company Firefly Aerospace landing its spacecraft Blue Ghost Mission 1 on the Moon. This was the first successful lunar landing of a privately owned spacecraft.

But there have also been several recent failures. None have been more spectacular than the repeated explosions of tech billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship rockets in January and March.

In theory, there are a range of international laws governing these activities. However, most were established roughly half a century ago, before space was within reach of private companies eager to explore it and exploit its untapped resources.

With this development, there is an urgent need to update laws governing what happens in space, in order to prevent it becoming a kind of “wild west” where tech billionaires and the companies they own can do as they please with little to no accountability, consequence or regard for the public good.

Laws as old as the Cold War

Space activities are mainly governed by United Nations treaties. These include the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the 1972 Liability Convention, and the 1979 Moon Agreement.

But these agreements were created during the Cold War, when space exploration was shaped by military sensitivities and mainly conducted by nation states.

Yet private companies are now major players in space. They can bring the allure of space to the masses, for a pretty penny. For example, most of the roughly 11,000 active satellites orbiting Earth are privately owned.

NASA now relies on partnerships with companies to combine expertise and save costs. The European Space Agency does the same, as do many of the 77 countries with space programs

Elon Musk has expertly tapped into this trend, securing US$22.6 billion in United States government funding for SpaceX.

Private spacecraft journeys may combine commercial and national goals. For example, the Blue Ghost Mission 1 was contracted by NASA through its Commercial Lunar Payloads initiative. It carried a suite of NASA science and technology instruments.

Just days later, another company put a spacecraft on the Moon. Yet the Intuitive Machines Athena spacecraft landed awkwardly. It toppled over and was soon declared dead. It too was carrying expensive NASA cargo.

National space agencies will continue to rely on company partners in more ambitious ventures. But what happens when things go wrong? How can private companies be held accountable if they damage the property of others, or cause environmental harm on celestial bodies?

Space traffic

There is an increasing risk of collisions among satellites, spacecrafts and space debris. And while there are some mechanisms for collision warnings, there is no global approach to assess the risk of collisions.

The 1972 Liability Convention provides guidance about addressing liability after satellite collisions. However, it only directly applies to states, not private companies.

If a private company’s spacecraft causes damage, the affected party can only initiate a claim via diplomatic channels against the launching state, not the company itself. The claims pathway can be complex, slow and subject to diplomatic negotiations.

Also, some satellite operators purchase insurance to cover damage from collisions, wisely bypassing the convention. Insurance creates an efficient private mechanism to address damages, avoiding the need to involve states or navigate the diplomatic processes required under the Convention.

But space insurance is incredibly expensive, so most satellites are not insured.

The Outer Space Treaty says countries must avoid contamination of space. But it does not specifically address the problem of accumulated space debris.

The long-term sustainablity of space activities, including the build up of debris, was not the pressing issue for the treaty’s drafters. Moreover, the treaty’s language is vague, requiring states to act with “due regard” for others’ interests and conduct “appropriate” consultation before undertaking potentially harmful activities. However, it does not define what these terms mean.

Who owns the resources in space?

The prospect that humans will be able to collect and sell mineral resources from astronomical objects is edging closer to reality. Initial focus is on the Moon. But who owns the resources on the Moon?

There is no internationally agreed-upon property rights regime beyond Earth. The US is trying to achieve private ownership of space resources through its 2020 “Artemis Accords”.

This effort is a big boost to the privatisation of space. But it contrasts with the “common heritage of mankind” concept – the cornerstone of the 1979 Moon Agreement.

So far 53 countries have signed the Artemis Accords. But only 17 countries are parties to the Moon Agreement. Without clear rules applicable to all space players, lunar exploration and mining by private entities may run into trouble.

There are many worrying scenarios. A private spacecraft might crash into a country’s lunar accommodation facility due to a lack of “rules of the road” on the Moon. Lunar traffic and mining might cause damage to the Moon’s surface.

Can private entities be held accountable for this damage? The current space law regime does not address such hypothetical problems that may become real in coming years.

NASA now relies on partnerships with private companies such as SpaceX to combine expertise and save costs.
SpaceX/Flickr, CC BY-NC

Safe and sustainable space exploration

Space law must evolve to ensure safe and sustainable commercial space travel and lunar exploration. This can only be achieved by building international consensus on new rules for space missions.

This requires many challenging discussions.

What types of damage to the Moon should be remediated, and by who? What is the most suitable avenue for affected entities to apply for compensation? What rules should be in place to manage the increased traffic volume in outer space? How can countries be incentivised to strengthen their oversight of their private entity partners in joint missions?

Perhaps the easiest issue to solve is which side of future lunar highways to drive on. With the US and China leading the way at the moment, it would be on the right side.

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

– ref. Laws governing space are 50 years old. New ones are needed to prevent it becoming a ‘wild west’ – https://theconversation.com/laws-governing-space-are-50-years-old-new-ones-are-needed-to-prevent-it-becoming-a-wild-west-252014

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Joint statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Charlevoix

Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

We the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met in Charlevoix on March 12 to 14, 2025.

Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security

We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty and independence.

We welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the U.S. and Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We applauded Ukraine’s commitment to an immediate ceasefire, which is an essential step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations.

We called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully. We discussed imposing further costs on Russia in case such a ceasefire is not agreed, including through further sanctions, caps on oil prices, as well as additional support for Ukraine, and other means. This includes the use of extraordinary revenues stemming from immobilized Russian Sovereign Assets. We underlined the importance of confidence-building measures under a ceasefire including the release of prisoners of war and detainees—both military and civilian—and the return of Ukrainian children.

We emphasized that any ceasefire must be respected and underscored the need for robust and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend against any renewed acts of aggression. We stated that we will continue to coordinate economic and humanitarian support to promote the early recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference which will take place in Rome on July 10-11, 2025.

We condemned the provision to Russia of military assistance by DPRK and Iran, and the provision of weapons and dual-use components by China, a decisive enabler of Russia’s war and of the reconstitution of Russia’s armed forces. We reiterated our intention to continue to take action against such third countries.

We expressed alarm about the impacts of the war, especially on civilians and on civilian infrastructure. We discussed the importance of accountability and reaffirmed our commitment to work together to achieve a durable peace and to ensure that Ukraine remains democratic, free, strong and prosperous.

Regional peace and stability in the Middle East

We called for the release of all hostages and for the hostages’ remains held by Hamas in Gaza to be returned to their loved ones. We reaffirmed our support for the resumption of unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza and for a permanent ceasefire. We underscored the imperative of a political horizon for the Palestinian people, achieved through a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that meets the legitimate needs and aspirations of both peoples and advances comprehensive Middle East peace, stability and prosperity. We noted serious concern over the growing tensions and hostilities in the West Bank and calls for de-escalation.

We recognized Israel’s inherent right to defend itself consistent with international law. We unequivocally condemned Hamas, including for its brutal and unjustified terror attacks on October 7, 2023, and the harm inflicted on the hostages during their captivity and the violation of their dignity through the use of ‘handover ceremonies’ during their release. We reiterated that Hamas can have no role in Gaza’s future and must never again be a threat to Israel. We affirmed our readiness to engage with Arab partners on their proposals to chart a way forward on reconstruction in Gaza and build a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace.

We expressed our support for the people of Syria and Lebanon, as both countries work towards peaceful and stable political futures. At this critical juncture, we reiterated the importance of Syria’s and Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We called unequivocally for the rejection of terrorism in Syria. We condemned strongly the recent escalation of violence in the coastal regions of Syria, and called for the protection of civilians and for perpetrators of atrocities to be held accountable. We stressed the critical importance of an inclusive and Syrian-led political process. We welcomed the commitment by the Syrian interim government to work with the OPCW in eliminating all remaining chemical weapons.

We stressed that Iran is the principal source of regional instability and must never be allowed to develop and acquire a nuclear weapon. We emphasized that Iran must now change course, de-escalate and choose diplomacy. We underscored the threat of Iran’s growing use of arbitrary detention and foreign assassination attempts as a tool of coercion.

Cooperation to increase security and resilience across the Indo-Pacific

We reiterated our commitment to upholding a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific, based on sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, fundamental freedoms and human rights.

We remain seriously concerned by the situations in the East China Sea as well as the South China Sea and continue to oppose strongly unilateral attempts to change the status quo, in particular by force and coercion. We expressed concern over the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippines and Vietnamese vessels as well as efforts to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight through militarization and coercion in the South China Sea, in violation of international law. We emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues and reiterated our opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. We also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations.

We remain concerned with China’s military build-up and the continued, rapid increase in China’s nuclear weapons arsenal. We called on China to engage in strategic risk reduction discussions and promote stability through transparency.

We emphasized that China should not conduct or condone activities aimed at undermining the security and safety of our communities and the integrity of our democratic institutions.16. We expressed concerns about China’s non-market policies and practices that are leading to harmful overcapacity and market distortions. We further called on China to refrain from adopting export control measures that could lead to significant supply chain disruptions. We reiterated that we are not trying to harm China or thwart its economic growth, indeed a growing China that plays by international rules and norms would be of global interest.

We demanded that the DPRK abandon all its nuclear weapons and any other weapons of mass destruction as well as ballistic missile programs in accordance with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We expressed our serious concerns over, and the need to address together, the DPRK’s cryptocurrency thefts. We called on DPRK to resolve the abductions issue immediately.

We denounced the brutal repression of the people of Myanmar by the military regime and called for an end to all violence and for unhindered humanitarian access.

Building stability and resilience in Haiti and Venezuela

We strongly denounced the ongoing horrifying violence that continues to be perpetrated by gangs in Haiti in their efforts to seize control of the government. We reaffirmed our commitment to helping the Haitian people restore democracy, security and stability, including through support to the Haitian National Police and Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission and an increased role for the UN. We expressed support for Haitian authorities’ efforts to create a specialized anti-corruption jurisdiction that complies with the highest international standards.

We reiterated our call for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela in line with the aspirations of the Venezuelan people who peacefully voted on July 28, 2024, for change, the cessation of repression and arbitrary or unjust detentions of peaceful protestors including youth by Nicolas Maduro’s regime, as well as the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners. We also agreed Venezuelan naval vessels threatening Guyana’s commercial vessels is unacceptable and an infringement of Guyana’s internationally recognized sovereign rights. We reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations as an enduring value.

Supporting lasting peace in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

We unequivocally denounced the ongoing fighting and atrocities in Sudan, including sexual violence against women and girls, which have led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and the spread of famine. We called for the warring parties to protect civilians, cease hostilities, and ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and urged external actors to end their support fueling the conflict.

We condemned the Rwanda-backed M23 offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the resulting violence, displacement and grave human rights and international humanitarian law violations. This offensive constitutes a flagrant disregard of the territorial integrity of the DRC. We reiterated our call for M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force to withdraw from all controlled areas. We urged all parties to support the mediation led by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, to promote accountability for human rights abuses by all armed actors, including M23 and the FDLR, and to commit to a peaceful and negotiated resolution of the conflict, including the meaningful participation of women and youth.

Strengthening sanctions and countering hybrid warfare and sabotage

We welcomed efforts to strengthen the Sanctions Working Group focused on listings and enforcement. We also welcomed discussions on the establishment of a Hybrid Warfare and Sabotage Working Group, and of a Latin America Working Group.

MIL OSI Europe News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: HP Turbocharges Partner Growth to Drive the Future of Work
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

News Highlights
- HP unlocks growth with new compensation structure for commercial, retail and distribution partners
- Accelerates AI adoption with expansion of HP Amplify AI program
- Exceeds ambitious Amplify Impact targets and doubles sustainable RFP wins
NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today at the Amplify Conference, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) announced new benefits through its Amplify™ partner program to help partners navigate the evolving demands of the future of work with smarter, more connected experiences. Enhancements include the launch of the Amplify SuperPower Booster, an upgraded compensation structure that rewards portfolio-wide HP sales and supports flexible technology solutions. HP is also expanding the Amplify AI program with new resources and use cases to help partners accelerate adoption. Additionally, the HP Amplify Impact sustainability program surpassed its 2025 enrollment targets, with participating partners seeing an increase in request for proposal (RFP) win rates.

“In today’s fast-changing technology landscape, HP’s commitment to empowering our partners for success in the future of work is more important than ever,” said Kobi Elbaz, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Revenue Operations at HP. “AI-powered solutions are transforming productivity, enabling more fulfilling work experiences, helping customers solve challenges with greater efficiency, creativity, and impact.”

HP Partner Program Evolves for Long-Term Growth
HP is dedicated to shaping the future of work by enhancing partner experiences and fostering positive customer outcomes, powered by the strength of HP’s AI-enabled portfolio of products and solutions. To create new opportunities for HP Amplify partners to grow and stay ahead of evolving market needs, HP has introduced the Amplify SuperPower Booster, an enhancement to the compensation structure of the HP Amplify partner program. This initiative rewards both commercial, distribution and retail partners for selling across the HP portfolio.

In 2023, HP introduced the More for More benefit, a rate multiplier that boosts sales and compensation for qualified partners. Building on More for More, HP is expanding the initiative to include the entire portfolio of HP products and solutions under the new structure. This new initiative will launch on May 1 for commercial partners, with a rollout for retail and distribution partners later this year.

For partners with specialized businesses, HP will continue to reward the unique value and capabilities their expertise brings to the market.

Expansion of HP Amplify AI Program Drives AI Adoption and Upskilling
Today HP announced the expansion of its HP Amplify AI program including new customer use cases, instant access to AI experts and personalized AI pathways and training modules including the HP NVIDIA Technical Sales Strategy AI Workstation MasterClass for advanced AI knowledge.

In addition, HP introduced a new tailored and condensed training path for partner executives, covering various AI-focused topics and featuring short video use cases that highlight the tangible business benefits of AI. These concise and practical resources enable executives to make informed decisions and facilitate discussions with customers that drive positive outcomes.

Through collaboration with Alliance Partners and the comprehensive education opportunities offered, HP reaffirms its commitment to lead in AI innovation and partner enablement, delivering effective solutions to customers worldwide. As the demand for AI continues to rise, HP remains at the forefront, empowering businesses to unlock the full potential of AI technologies.

Enhancing Productivity and Partner Experience
HP is continuously expanding its suite of AI-powered tools, including chatbots, to create positive experiences for partners. To further improve efficiency and streamline business processes, HP has outlined a two-year roadmap aimed at transforming the HP Partner Portal into a more comprehensive digital platform that leverages AI technologies. As part of this initiative, HP plans to launch a Partner AI Assistant to facilitate faster digital interactions, simplify onboarding, personalize user experiences, and provide real-time support, among other benefits.

HP Amplify Impact Surpasses Participation Goals and Doubles Sustainable Sales
Since 1939, HP has been committed to driving meaningful Sustainable Impact. In 2021, the company launched HP Amplify Impact, the IT industry’s first sustainability program for channel partners, which has now exceeded its goal of enrolling 50 percent of Amplify partners by 2025.

As sustainability becomes a key factor in evolving customer requirements, HP is equipping partners to meet legislative and customer demands. The HP Amplify Impact program offers best-in-class assessments, resources, and training to support partners on their sustainability journey. Participating partners have seen a 70 percent increase win rate, leading to a twofold increase in sustainable sales year over year.

With partner capabilities expanding, HP has shifted the program’s focus from helping partners develop sustainability plans to addressing customer needs and enhancing business growth with a positive environmental impact. This strategic shift aims to further empower partners to thrive in a competitive market while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.

More from Amplify Partner Conference
Follow all the latest news and announcements from the 2025 Amplify Conference, visit the HP Newsroom or follow us on social:
- Follow @HP on LinkedIn, X and Instagram
- Follow @Enrique Lores on LinkedIn
- Follow #HPAmplify across social platforms for the latest updates
About HP Amplify
HP Amplify is an industry leading global ¹ partner program optimized for dynamic partner growth and to deliver consistent end customer experiences and positive outcomes. It delivers a simplified and easy-to-navigate global structure, which rewards partners based on three pillars: performance, collaboration, and capabilities. Since the launch of HP Amplify, HP has expanded the program with Amplify Data Insights, Amplify Retail, Amplify Online, Amplify Impact and HP Amplify AI.

About HP
HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.hp.com.

Resources:

¹ All geographic markets apart from Greater China

The MIL Network –
March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Nuclear deterrence: can Britain and France take on America’s role in defending Europe against Russian aggression?

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul van Hooft, Research Leader, Defence and Security, RAND

European doubts about deterrence predate the current US administration. Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and its growing reliance on nuclear coercion to ward off Nato support, brought the importance of nuclear weapons to the foreground again for the first time since the cold war.

Even after the invasion, the US continued to prioritise the Indo-Pacific. It questioned the sufficiency of its nuclear arsenal as China’s weapon stockpile grew and delivery systems improved.

A bipartisan US congressional commission concluded that the Chinese and Russian arsenals should be seen as a joint “two-nuclear-peer” problem, with North Korea an additional disrupting presence.

Within this context, European leaders are floating alternatives for deterrence in Europe. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has again affirmed that the French nuclear deterrent has a “European dimension”.

The Polish president, Andrzej Duda, registered his interest in the idea of the French deterrent being extended to include its European allies. But he also signalled that his country might want to develop its own deterrent.

The incoming German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has also noted the need to engage with the French and British deterrents. So, could French and British nuclear weapons be enough to deter Russia and reassure European allies?

Russia has roughly as many weapons as the US. Its arsenal comprises approximately 1,700 deployed strategic weapons and 1,000-2,000 other lower-yield, “smaller” so-called “tactical” nuclear weapons, and another 2,500 non-deployed weapons.

This is vastly more than France and the UK which have 290 and 225 respectively, or 515 in total.

Yet, with those numbers both European states should have sufficient strategic weapons to cause unacceptable damage to Moscow and St Petersburg. Their weapons are carried by constantly patrolling nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines – which, are concealed in the ocean far away and are therefore highly likely to survive a first-strike attack. These weapons should be considered credible deterrents for existential threats to either France or the UK.

Unlike the US, France and the UK are in Europe and cannot consider their security distinct from each other or from Europe. The US, meanwhile, had to have a large and flexible arsenal with tactical nuclear weapons, and a large conventional presence in Europe simply to mount a credible argument, not least to its European allies, that it would actually protect Europe, with nuclear weapons as a last resort.

The importance of needing to convince Russia of how serious Nato is about deterrence is a matter of record. When they met in Paris in June 1961, the then French leader, General Charles de Gaulle, expressed doubts to the then US president, John F. Kennedy, as to how serious the US was about its defence of Europe, particularly given the uncertainty at the time of the future security of Berlin.

De Gaulle asked asked Kennedy: “Would you trade New York for Paris?”. His point was that if he wasn’t convinced, would the Russians be? So it’s not just about numbers of warheads. It’s about the defensive posture overall.

Likely scenarios

The issue is not existential deterrence but scenarios where French and British survival are not directly threatened. Neither has the option to escalate with so-called “tactical” (or non-strategic) weapons when non-vital interests are at risk – though France could fire a Rafale-launched nuclear “warning shot”.

Meanwhile, Russia has 1,000–2,000 “tactical” nuclear weapons, which, despite the misleading term, are still entirely capable of levelling a city.

In case of a conflict in Europe, these could provide military and signalling options between doing nothing and catastrophic escalation. Rather than a full-scale invasion, Russia is more likely to test Nato’s unity by pressuring a Baltic state and using nuclear threats to deter any Nato allies intervening in support. France and the UK would struggle to credibly threaten use of strategic weapons in response.

Europe’s solution may lie in advanced conventional weapons to deter Russian aggression by building the ability to raise the costs in early stages of a conflict through what is called a strategy of denial. Such capabilities include long-range precision strikes, fifth generation airpower – such as the American F-35 fighter and the French, German and UK alternatives presently being developed – and integrated air and missile defence.

Given the poor performance of Russia’s own air and missile defence in Ukraine, they could target Russian military units attacking or operating within Nato territory, their reinforcements and their logistics, while denying Russia’s use of missiles. Europe is already investing in cruise missiles, as well as developing their own European long-range strike approach and missile defence.

Through precision, stealth and low-altitude flight, these weapons could also threaten strategic targets deep in Russia – potentially a more viable, less destabilising alternative to expanding French and British nuclear arsenals, or adding a third nuclear power in Europe.

No time to waste

Politically, however, there is a need for more than hardware. European states should find an institutional forum to coordinate deterrence. This means either convincing France to return to Nato’s nuclear planning group or creating another council for European deterrence with France, the UK, and other key European states like Germany and Poland.

Those and other European armed forces could also conduct conventional operations in support of nuclear operations exercises together with France and the UK, specifically the French air force with its air-launched warheads.

Simply put, there are material and political solutions to European deterrence problems if the US turns out to be preoccupied by events in Asia. The real constraint that France and the UK, and the rest of Europe, now face is how to build both the hardware and habits of conventional and nuclear deterrence in Europe in little or no time at all.

Paul van Hooft received a Stanton Nuclear Security Foundation research grant in 2018.

– ref. Nuclear deterrence: can Britain and France take on America’s role in defending Europe against Russian aggression? – https://theconversation.com/nuclear-deterrence-can-britain-and-france-take-on-americas-role-in-defending-europe-against-russian-aggression-252338

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Argentina: despite the scandals, Milei’s politics are here to stay

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Juan Pablo Ferrero, Senior Lecturer in Latin American Politics, University of Bath

The Argentinian president, Javier Milei, is going through the toughest moment of his short but remarkable political career. He is facing impeachment calls – as well as legal action – over his promotion of a cryptocurrency on social media.

The cryptocoin $Libra, which Milei mentioned in a social media post on February 14, quickly rose in value before nosediving, causing severe losses for people who had invested in it. Milei has insisted that his post did not constitute an endorsement.

“I’m a techno-optimist … and this was proposed to me as an instrument to help fund Argentine projects,” he said in a television interview. “It’s true that in trying to help out those Argentines, I took a slap in the face.”

I doubt this is it for Milei. But even if it is the beginning of the end, Milei’s politics are here to stay. His leadership style, discourse and actions represent an emerging constituency with both a present and a future.

This is because Milei is not, in my opinion, the effect of a crisis of representation. He is instead a faithful representative of a new reactive society emerging worldwide, which is largely sceptical of institutional mediation and values problem solvers and strong executives.

People at the inauguration of Javier Milei in December 2023.
Facundo Florit / Shutterstock

To explore this phenomenon, imagine if you will, “Ricardo”, a fictitious yet representative member of a vulnerable segment of Argentina’s workforce. People like Ricardo returned to the labour market after the pandemic with precarious jobs and lower wages.

He is a delivery worker who uses multiple digital platforms to earn a living. His life, characterised by the gig economy and labour informality, reflects a broader trend affecting around 50% of workers in Argentina.

Ricardo had previously voted for Argentina’s left-wing leader, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. But he voted for Milei in the last election, as did many others, and says he would vote for Milei again today. His sympathy for Milei has grown over the year he has been in office.

According to a recent poll put together by political consultancy firm Tendencias, 89.6% of those who voted for Milei in the 2023 general election were happy with their choice. A growing share of Argentina’s population seemingly approves of the Milei administration.

During the pandemic, Ricardo’s ability to support his family was diminished by government-imposed restrictions on travel and movement. These restrictions, which were often violently enforced by security forces, pushed him into poverty. The rate of poverty in Argentina increased to over 40% during the pandemic.

This experience led Ricardo to feel a sense of satisfaction when Milei began mass layoffs of public employees to cut public spending. He thought this was payback time for those in the public sector, with job security, who did not have to endure what he had to during the pandemic.

For Ricardo, they were all ñoquis (gnocchi), a slang term widely used in Argentina to refer to public employees who receive a salary but allegedly do little work. These workers are called ñoquis because many Argentinians traditionally eat gnocchi on the 29th day of every month, around the time people receive their monthly paychecks.

Ricardo consumes all of the short clips circulating online from television interviews and talks at international forums of Milei “destroying” career politicians, whom he calls la casta (the caste). Milei sees the main aim of the caste as the reproduction of themselves, so he advocates for a small state or no state at all. Milei believes that nearly everything should be privatised.

While Ricardo thinks politicians should be compensated for their job, many from across Argentina’s political spectrum have become extremely wealthy, so he’s with Milei on this one too. He even wears a chainsaw as a key ring – a nod to Milei’s promise to slash the size of the state.

Ricardo acknowledges that life has become very expensive in Argentina since Milei took office. This is because, while inflation has gone down, the Argentinian peso has gained value, making Argentina one of the most expensive countries in the world. However, he believes this remains a price worth paying for a stable and prosperous Argentina.

The aforementioned poll suggests that many Argentinians feel that their economic situation is better than a year ago, and will improve over the course of the next six months. Inflation, which was the leading concern in most polls ahead of the election, has fallen to sixth place.

Ricardo is persuaded by Milei’s mantra: “If printing money would end poverty, printing diplomas would end stupidity”. And in recent times, Ricardo has spent his scarce leisure moments watching videos on his phone where internet influencers teach him how to multiply his dwindling income by investing in cryptocurrencies that promise high returns in a short time.

In Argentina, like many other areas of the world, the appetite for gambling or investing in highly risky ventures such as cryptocurrency has multiplied as a means to win money fast. This is especially true among young people, often with devastating consequences.

Representation of a new society

There is a new political subject emerging worldwide marked by the precariousness of new forms of work, whose socialisation occurs in the digital world dominated by influencers. These people see the state not only as unnecessary, but as an enemy to be destroyed and distrust all institutional political intermediaries. Milei represents this new society.

The process by which an issue becomes a subject of political debate and action has also changed. Solutions to single issues have replaced political programmes with complex visions about the future as the main source of popular validation. Big personalities can carry this forward more successfully than bureaucratic political parties.

Presidents have become more like city majors judged by their ability to provide solutions to a single issue. In the case of Milei, it’s inflation. For Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, it’s security. And for Donald Trump in the US, it’s China.

The figureheads of new political formations might change, but the politics of these formations will not.

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

– ref. Argentina: despite the scandals, Milei’s politics are here to stay – https://theconversation.com/argentina-despite-the-scandals-mileis-politics-are-here-to-stay-250183

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What Trump could learn from the British and Irish trade war of the 1930s

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Richard Carr, Lecturer in History and Politics, Anglia Ruskin University

The Blue Water Bridge border crossing connects Michigan in the US with Ontario in Canada. ehrlif/Shutterstock

During his election campaign, US president Donald Trump claimed the word tariff is “more beautiful than ‘love’”. Now in office, Trump has targeted his closest neighbours and trading partners with those self same policies. He initially concentrated his levies on Canada, China and Mexico – two of which share land borders with the US – before implementing blanket tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports.

History shows us the impacts these policies can have. In 1932, during Neville Chamberlain’s time as British chancellor, the country slapped what became 40% levies on key exports (including cattle, butter and other agricultural products) from the then Irish Free State. These were promptly met by Irish retaliation on British goods including coal and steel.

A trade war ensued – and lasted in some form for almost six years.

As with Trump today, raising tariffs is often partly about some other policy goal. As far as the British-Irish trade war goes, I show in my new book Britain and Ireland From the Treaty to the Troubles that the initial beef (pun intended) was over a decades-long debt obligation. These annuities, as they were known, were predominantly owed by Irish farmers to Anglo-Irish landowners, and were widely disliked.

In early 1932 Éamon de Valera secured electoral victory in Ireland for his Fianna Fáil party, partly on the basis of refusing to hand over this money. At £5 million, it was a significant sum for a government that took in around £25 million annually.

Instead, de Valera planned to use the annuities for domestic purposes. He wanted to reward his agricultural and working-class electoral bases principally in Ireland’s west, as well as win over new voters with the nationalist and anti-English nature of his message.

The legality of the annuities dispute was ambiguous. But de Valera withheld the money, and to recoup the missing millions the British imposed tariffs and punitive quotas. This was swiftly followed by retaliatory measures from Dublin – just as Trump’s moves have seen reaction from abroad.

The stakes were high. A massive 92% of Irish exports went to the UK, and civil servants in Dublin fretted about the knock-on effects. In the short term, they were right to. Exports of cattle, bacon and other goods collapsed, and emergency domestic subsidy was needed to plug the gap.

Irish attempts to land a major trade deal with the US by way of compensation went nowhere, and Britain remained its key customer for decades.

Yet, unlike Trump, de Valera had a clear end goal into which the tariff war fitted rather well. He wanted to retool Irish farming away from livestock towards crops, and invest in Ireland’s nascent industry elsewhere. This included expanding the country’s energy independence and kick-starting its manufacturing sector.

The retained annuities and the increased political capital his government gained from the trade war both helped with these objectives.

It took until about 1937, after two more election wins and a referendum victory for de Valera, for British leaders to accept that the Irish public broadly backed their leader. They realised that a bilateral agreement was necessary.

The dispute was finally ended in April 1938. As the ink dried on a deal that saw tariffs dropped in exchange for a one-off payment from Dublin and the return of three ports to Ireland, the British media hailed the achievement of Chamberlain – now prime minister.

But this reaction also tells us something. Initially, Chamberlain was portrayed as a genius who had clearly won. But then critics pointed to it being a rather better deal for de Valera (the £10 million one-off sum was nowhere near the £100 million the British had a nominal claim for).

In this new stance, it had been a great deal precisely because Chamberlain had been so magnanimous. A terrible deal was actually a great deal. Some of that mentality could be seen in reactions to the Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler a few months later.

All told, the consequences had been significant. Perhaps 3% of the Irish economy was lost.

In the meantime, Irish immigration to Britain consequently ticked up as people looked for work. Smuggling at the Northern Irish border ballooned, leading to additional costs to police a frontier where cattle were hurried across unmanned fields and rivers to avoid the tariff.

Guinness even moved production to London in order to avoid future tariffs.
gabriel12/Shutterstock

Major Irish-based industry, including Guinness and Ford, moved operations to the London periphery (Park Royal and Dagenham respectively) to avoid any future duties. Although Ford kept some tractor production in Cork in the south of Ireland, for large parts of its European and imperial business the only way was now Essex.

All this meant economic dislocation and diplomatic animosity at a point where the geopolitical outlook was troubled – not an unfamiliar story. Although Ireland remained neutral during the second world war – the ultimate show for de Valera of its independence – intelligence cooperation and the service of Irish men and women in the Allied war effort illustrated that the two countries just about muddled through.

But today, tariffs provoking wider turmoil remains a big worry. As former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau noted, Trump’s actions are “a very dumb thing to do” and could lead to “exactly what our opponents around the world want to see … a dispute between two friends and neighbours”.

Trump may also be wise to note that de Valera’s position was bolstered when he could claim that he was being bullied by a more powerful neighbour. In the past few weeks, the Canadian Liberal Party has surged back in the polls, partly on the back of the same dynamics. The little guy sometimes swings back.

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

– ref. What Trump could learn from the British and Irish trade war of the 1930s – https://theconversation.com/what-trump-could-learn-from-the-british-and-irish-trade-war-of-the-1930s-252128

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Shaping the Future of Work: HP Amplify 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

News Highlights
- Brings world’s largest portfolio of AI PCs to the mainstream¹ with new HP EliteBooks, HP EliteDesks, and HP OmniBooks – delivering smarter workflows and incredible productivity.
- Launches the world’s first printers that protect against quantum computer attacks² with the HP LaserJet Enterprise 8000 Series Printers for enhanced hardware security.
- Enhances AI-powered insights in Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) to improve IT and employee experiences.
- Optimizes gameplay with OMEN AI on the new OMEN 16 Slim Gaming Laptop, and HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset delivers unmatched immersive audio experiences.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At its annual Amplify Conference, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) today announced new products and services designed to shape the future of work, empowering people and businesses to create and manage their own way of working. The company unveiled more than 80 PCs, AI-powered print tools for SMBs, and Workforce Experience Platform enhancements all built to drive company growth and professional fulfillment.

“HP is translating AI into meaningful experiences that drive growth and fulfillment,” said Enrique Lores, President and CEO at HP Inc. “We are shaping the future of work with game-changing AI innovations that seamlessly adapt to how people want to work.”

Leading the Future of Work

HP’s 2024 Work Relationship Index reports that only 28 percent of workers have a healthy relationship with work. Companies and people are seeking better work experiences and new advancements in technology – from seamless device connectivity to AI applications – that can help people work faster, think more creatively, and connect on a deeper level.

With customers looking to refresh their devices to Windows 11,³ HP is supercharging its PCs to take advantage of the latest technologies available with select models qualifying as Copilot+ PCs, ⁴ so work doesn’t feel like work:
- The HP EliteBook 8 Series is masterfully redesigned with mainstream enterprise workers in mind, delivering AI-powered productivity and seamless collaboration in a repairable and upgradeable package. With NPU options up to 50 TOPS, experience up to 224% better power efficiency and up to 43 times faster AI image generation for incredible performance gains versus previous non-NPU models.⁵
- The HP EliteDesk 8 Series brings AI powerfully and securely to the company’s desktop portfolio. These devices are ideal for corporate project managers and workers who need a reliable PC that can manage even the most demanding projects for smarter workflows and productivity. This is the world’s first business desktop PC portfolio to protect against quantum computer hacks,⁶ combining high performance with lower power consumption to reduce costs.
- The HP EliteStudio 8 AiO G1i is the perfect tool for an on-the-go employee constantly moving around the office. As the world’s first commercial PC with integrated KVM ability through HP Device Switch,⁷ an employee can use the all-in-one for work or quickly plug their laptop into the AIO with a single cable to power the notebook and access all the available peripherals.
- The OmniBook X Series is designed for creators who need a PC that adapts to their workflow, whether it be a svelte 14-inch flip device to ideate and draw, or a powerhouse clamshell 17.3-inch PC to power through their larger-than-life creations. The OmniBook 7 Series is built for power users on their PC for all-day productivity for school or work. And the OmniBook 5 Series is ideal for families and students with a versatile design that’s built for streaming, light gaming, and personal productivity. Devices across the consumer notebook portfolio are offered in a variety of sizes with powerful Intel Ultra or AMD Ryzen™ processors.
HP is also delivering powerful new AI software experiences to complement this next generation of AI PCs. Qualifying consumer and commercial devices from HP are equipped with exclusive software designed to transform how people work in the office, at home, and everywhere in between:
- HP AI Companion is an advanced on-device AI research assistant that delivers instant answers and secured file analysis, even without an internet connection.⁸^,⁹ New features planned for this Spring include intuitive voice and text commands and built-in keylogger protections to enhance productivity while keeping data secure on the device.
- HP Go¹⁰ plans to deliver seamless global connectivity for highly mobile professionals. With automatic network switching regardless of carrier, advanced fleet management, and effortless setup, road warriors can connect and be productive wherever work takes them. The HP Go service option will first be available on the HP EliteBook 6 G1q powered by Snapdragon X Series, making it the world’s first AI PC with zero-touch multi-carrier 5G deployment.¹¹
- Poly Camera Pro newest features make virtual interactions and video conferencing more dynamic and engaging, with AI-powered features like Magic Background, seamless streaming integrations, and presenter overlays.¹² Multi-camera support, customizable aesthetics, and auto-framing transforms any workspace into a professional studio experience.
HP is changing the way customers print and manage documents, making it easier and more efficient with new features and technology:
- Two new features to its collection of AI-powered tools that help SMBs simplify and enhance the print experience. The first feature streamlines the process of sharing scanned documents by using AI to summarize them and draft an email with the document attached, allowing for easy sharing via email or chat. The second feature offers automatic and guided redaction to safeguard sensitive information, ensuring that private data remains secure on HP devices without requiring a cloud connection. These innovations aim to reduce the complexity and enhance the security of document handling for small businesses.
- The HP LaserJet Enterprise 8000 Series Printers are the world’s first printers that protect against quantum computer attacks². They provide enhanced hardware-level security for highly regulated organizations that rely on secure printing, ensuring protection against future quantum computer attacks while seamlessly integrating with Zero Trust architectures.
- The HP Latex R530 Printer is the only compact all-in-one HP Latex printer¹³, capable of handling both rigid and flexible media. Its digital operation simplifies workflows and maximizes space, boosting efficiency. It helps small and medium-sized print shops (PSPs) meet customer demands with high-quality prints and impressive output.
HP provides IT with valuable insights that empower employees to thrive with HP Workforce Experience Platform (WXP)¹⁴ enhancements and expanded availability. New features include:
- AI Sentiment Analysis now includes AI capabilities to assess and improve employee experience by analyzing thousands of free text surveys.
- Fleet Explorer is a new AI-powered natural language processing (NLP) tool lets users query fleet data instantly for insights.
- Vyopta Integration¹⁵ enables HP and Vyopta customers to now check on the overall health of their organization’s collaboration environment in WXP.
- Pre-built scripts, alerts and dashboards help organizations monitor fleets, automate workflows.
Shaping the Future in Play

Technology can also offer people a smooth transition from work into play. According to Mohamed Ala Saayed, Senior Program Director & Fellow, Frost & Sullivan, “About 60% of gaming PCs owners likely use their systems for work-related activities in addition to gaming.”¹⁶

New gaming hardware across OMEN and HyperX delivers meaningful performance and personalization for the ultimate in gameplay:
- The OMEN 16 Slim Gaming Laptop redefines portable gaming with its ultra-thin design to game anywhere. The PC delivers next-level performance with up to Intel^® Core™ Ultra 9 285H processors,¹⁷ and comes with up to an NVIDIA^® GeForce RTX™ 5070 Laptop GPU for next-level graphics fidelity.
- The OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop is refreshed to deliver the same powerful CPU and GPU performance as the OMEN 16 Slim for gamers and creators on the go, bringing 25% more power.¹⁸
- OMEN AI is a personalized, one-click solution that recommends the best system, hardware, and gaming settings based on each unique device and game to eliminate endless tinkering. Accessible within OMEN Gaming Hub, OMEN AI is available on all HP gaming and consumer PCs.
- The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset delivers unmatched comfort and immersive audio for up to 120 hours of battery life in 2.4GHz and up to 200 hours in Bluetooth mode on a single charge.¹⁹ HyperX-tuned acoustics ensure crystal-clear audio and the durable yet flexible design, boom and boomless mic options, and customizable earcup plates let gamers play longer, sound better, and do it in style.²⁰
HP Amplify Newsroom
For all the latest HP Amplify Partner Conference news and updates, visit the HP Newsroom including the just released Threat Research Report press release and news from the Advanced Compute Solutions business. More news posting at 2 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET.
- Follow @HP on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram
- Follow @Enrique Lores on LinkedIn
- Follow #HPAmplify across social platforms for the latest updates
About HP
HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.hp.com.

¹ Based on HP’s internal analysis of AI-enabled platforms across all commercial PC and consumer PC vendors as of March 2025. “AI PC” is defined as a PC with an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) designed to accelerate AI workloads, regardless of TOPS count.
Comparison includes commercially and consumer available AI PCs available in the market.
² Based on HPs internal analysis of business Printers with preinstalled encryption, authentication, malware protection, post-quantum digital signature, and initial BIOS firmware integrity protection with automatic self-healing recovery finding that no other in-class Printers implement a quantum-resistant cryptographic scheme to protect the integrity of the BIOS and firmware as of March 2025.
³ Not all features are available in all editions or versions of Windows. Systems may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware, drivers, software or BIOS update to take full advantage of Windows functionality. Windows is automatically updated and enabled. High speed internet and Microsoft account required. ISP fees may apply and additional requirements may apply over time for updates. See http://www.windows.com.
⁴ On some devices, some Copilot+ PC experiences require free updates continuing to roll out through early 2025. Timing varies by device and region. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs. Copilot is not available in China, Russia, Belarus, and embargoed regions Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Crimea.
⁵ Based on image generation with NPU vs. non-NPU processor using Amuse software generating a 1024 x 1024 pixel image from the same text prompt repeatedly until battery depletion to determine power efficiency. Configurations tested: HP EliteBook 8 G1a AI with AMD Ryzen AI PRO 350 and 32GB RAM vs. HP EliteBook 845 G10 with AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7840U and 32GB RAM. Results may vary
⁶ Based on HPs internal analysis of business PCs with preinstalled encryption, authentication, malware protection, BIOS-level protection and passing MIL-STD testing, finding that no other in-class PC implements a quantum-resistant cryptographic scheme to protect the integrity of UEFI BIOS firmware as of February 2024. Requires Windows 10 or higher. For supported HP PCs with the latest HP Endpoint Security Controller. See https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=4AA8-3644ENW.
⁷ Optional feature must be configured at the time of purchase.
⁸ HP AI Companion is available preloaded on select HP next gen AI PCs or is available for download from the Microsoft store and requires a HP next gen AI PC with a NPU supporting 40-60 TOPS with 16 GB or more of storage and requires Windows 11. Perform requires account set up within 30 days of PC boot or enrollment through the HP AI Companion app. Some features require customer upload of local data. Ten (10) library 100 MB limit each, supported files may vary and at launch include pdf, .txt., .docx files. For ‘On device’ AI use, your HP Next Gen AI PC requires 32GB RAM and will require up to 4.5 GB storage on your PC. “On device” mode uses a downloaded LLM Phi 3.5 to process queries locally and does not require an internet connection. “Cloud” mode uses GPT-4o to process queries online and requires an internet connection. Spotlight and voice capability expected availability in Spring 2025 Availability varies by region.
⁹ HP AI Companion requires an HP Next Gen AI PC with a NPU supporting 40-60 TOPS and requires Windows 11. For ‘On device’ AI use, your HP Next Gen AI PC requires 32 GB RAM and will require up to 4.5 GB storage on your PC.
¹⁰ HP Go integrates pre-embedded carrier profiles, pre-activation processes, and pre-configured APNs at the factory, enabling seamless out-of-the-box connectivity. Requires 5G module and Windows support for carrier profile management and network selection. North America subscription service ONLY. Available in Spring 2025.
¹¹ Zero-touch multi-carrier 5G deployment is the ability to automatically onboard and activate 5G connectivity across multiple carriers without requiring manual carrier selection, IT-managed profile provisioning, or traditional enterprise (STD) onboarding methods. Unlike standard WWAN and eSIM-based setups, HP Go integrates pre-embedded carrier profiles, pre-activation processes, and pre-configured APNs, enabling automatic connection to the fastest available network. North America subscription service ONLY. Available in Spring 2025.
¹² Requires myHP application and Windows OS.
¹³ Based on internal HP testing.
¹⁴ HP Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) is available in various tiers with optional add-on solutions in various term licenses. WXP is for commercial customers and some features and capabilities may require additional purchase of HP Services and/or commercial hardware supporting the HP Insights agent for Windows, Mac, & Android available for download at https://workforceexperience.hp.com/software.admin.hp.com/software. For full system requirements and services that require the agent, please visit https://workforceexperience.hp.com/requirements. Activation and restrictions may apply. The agent collects telemetry and analytics around devices and applications that integrate into the Workforce Experience platform and is not sold as a standalone service. The agent is ISO27001, ISO27701, ISO27017 and SOC2 Type2 certified for Information Security.
¹⁵ HP Vyopta license required for collaboration technology monitoring
¹⁶ March 2025. Mohamed Alaa Saayed, Senior Program Director & Fellow, Frost & Sullivan. 60% of gaming PCs are split between 55% desktop and 65% laptop users.
¹⁷ Multi-core is designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. Performance and clock frequency will vary depending on application workload and your hardware and software configurations. Intel’s numbering, branding and/or naming is not a measurement of higher performance. Intel, Core, and the Intel logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
¹⁸All performance specifications represent the typical specifications provided by HP’s component manufacturers; actual performance may vary either higher or lower. Total processors power = Total GPU power plus total thermal power.
¹⁹ Tested at 50% headphone volume, continuous playback. Using 2.4GHz mode, the headset has a battery life of up to 120 hours. Using Bluetooth mode, the headset has a battery life of up to 200 hours. Actual battery life will vary with use and maximum battery capacity will naturally decrease with time and usage.
²⁰ Earcup plates sold separately. Available in select countries/regions.

The MIL Network –
March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Discusses Impacts on Aerospace Workers Amidst Tariff Uncertainty

Source: US GOIAM Union

The IAM Union is closely monitoring the impacts of ever-changing tariff policy on all IAM members, including aerospace workers who rely on heavily integrated supply chains, especially between the United States and Canada.

IAM International Affairs Director Peter Greenberg was recently featured on an expert panel webinar hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

Greenberg noted that the IAM represents more than 100,000 aerospace workers in both the U.S. and Canada. Aircraft and their components are often manufactured and shipped across the border several times for assembly by highly-skilled IAM members. A tariff war between the two nations puts that relationship at risk.

WATCH: The Tariff Landscape — What We Know Now

“The supply chains in North America have become so integrated in aerospace that it would be very difficult for manufacturers to move to solely U.S.-based suppliers, or solely Canadian suppliers,” he said. “There is a deep well of aerospace skills, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, that allow companies to take advantage of economies of scale. The complexity of this supply chain is really hard to overstate.”

Safety could also come under the spotlight, Greenberg added.

“The supply chain and the established certification procedures that result in a safe aviation operating environment can’t just be replicated,” he said. “Replacing existing pieces of the supply chain from scratch would be time-consuming and expensive and probably also have a negative safety impact.”

The IAM Union has consistently called for the strategic use of tariffs against bad actors, like China, that ignore trade rules and labor standards.

“Canada is not an adversary—it is one of our closest allies and largest trading partners,” IAM International President Brian Bryant and Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand recently said. “IAM members demand a trade strategy that puts workers first, fosters long-term economic growth, and strengthens our manufacturing base on both sides of the border.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Klobuchar, Colleagues Send Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter to President Trump on China Adoptions

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
BISMARCK, N.D. – The People’s Republic of China (PRC) halted all international adoptions, except those between blood relatives, in August 2024. Approximately 300 children in the PRC had been matched with American families prior to the announcement.
Co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04) and Danny Davis (D-IL-07), along with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Trump requesting he engage the Chinese government to finalize the pending adoption cases.
“The sudden termination of China’s adoption program in August 2024 only exacerbated our concern for these children’s well-being,” the senators wrote. “Many of these children have special health care needs, and some will soon age out of care systems without the support of a permanent family. It is particularly critical that these children have access to the care and support that they need — which hundreds of American families approved for adoption are willing to provide.
“We understand that the State Department is working on behalf of these families and seeking clarity on the Chinese government’s decision,” the senators concluded. “We urge you to elevate this engagement and press the Chinese government to finalize pending adoption cases so these children may finally be united with their adoptive families in the United States.”
This follows similar efforts requesting President Biden intervene and urge the PRC to complete pending adoptions and requesting the Department of State seek further clarification on the details and reasoning for China’s decision.
Cosigners from the Senate include U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Rand Paul (R-KY), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Todd Young (R-IN).
Cosigners from the House include U.S. Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Mike Carey (R-OH-15), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND-00), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Charles Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23), Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Mark Green (R-TN-07), H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06), Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02), Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02), Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), Julie Johnson (D-TX-32), Thomas Kean (R-NJ-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Darin LaHood (R-IL-16), Julia Letlow (R-LA-05), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11), Richard McCormick (R-GA-07), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), Mark Messmer (R-IN-08), Carol Miller (R-WV-01), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-00), Zachary Nunn (R-IA-03), Andrew Ogles (R-TN-05), Bob Onder (R-MO-03), Gary Palmer (R-AL-06), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), John Rutherford (R-FL-05), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Keith Self (R-TX-03), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06), Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), William Timmons (R-SC-04), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and Daniel Webster (R-FL-11).
Click here for the letter.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Renewables to play essential role in product portfolio of oil and gas companies, says GlobalData

Source: GlobalData

Renewables to play essential role in product portfolio of oil and gas companies, says GlobalData

Posted in Oil & Gas

Global power generation is increasingly shifting toward renewable sources, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. While global energy generation has risen by around 30% in the past ten years, renewable energy has nearly doubled over this timeframe. With the share of renewables in the global energy mix forecast to reach over 40% by 2030, it is expected to play a key role in the product portfolios of oil and gas companies, which are relatively new entrants in the space, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s Strategic Intelligence report, “Renewable Energy in Oil & Gas,” evaluates the role of oil and gas players in the renewable energy theme. It further benchmarks the efforts of oil majors, such as TotalEnergies, BP, Shell, Petrobras, Equinor, Eni, and Repsol, in the renewable energy value chain.

Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The oil and gas industry—including producers, service providers, and contractors—are relatively new entrants in renewable energy. Despite this, they are making notable movements in the competitive landscape for renewable energy, particularly in offshore wind. TotalEnergies is anticipated to be the fourth largest producer of wind energy globally towards the end of this decade, if all its proposed projects go online. Even BP, Shell, and several other European players are building considerable renewable power capacity.”

Lately, companies have somewhat slowed down the pace of investments flowing into renewable energy over the past year. While BP recently withdrew its permit application for its Beacon Wind project offshore New York, Equinor has lowered its renewable energy targets citing cost pressures.

Puranik continues: “Nevertheless, they still fare a lot better than the notable US-based oil majors, ExxonMobil and Chevron, that are clear laggards in the renewable energy segment. These two companies have negligible capacity footprint in this theme and have no plans to alter this scenario in the near future.”

Global power output has nearly doubled over the years, from around 14,500 TWh in 2000. The global power generation is estimated to reach around 31,000 TWh and rise further to 37,000 TWh by 2030, according to GlobalData.

Puranik concludes: “This growth is primarily driven by the rising electrification in emerging markets and the increasing energy demand from data centers, cryptocurrency miners, and other expanding digital technologies. Additionally, the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in Europe, the US, and China, where their market penetration is higher, is contributing to the rising demand for power.

“Considering all this, it is logical for energy companies to shift towards alternate, emission-friendly sources, such as solar and wind power. Early adopters of renewable energy may secure long-term sustainability in the evolving energy landscape.”

MIL OSI Economics –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Classical gardens in China’s Suzhou

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

Classical gardens in China’s Suzhou

Updated: March 18, 2025 22:08 Xinhua

A tourist poses for a photo at the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 25, 2025. Suzhou is known as a city of gardens, with its numerous classical gardens considered some of the most beautiful in the country, and nine of them serving as UNESCO world heritage sites. Throughout history, the garden design has always been intertwined with Chinese literature and the art of landscape painting. The protection and restoration of Suzhou’s old city and classical gardens have been carried on for decades. The height of buildings in the ancient city is kept below 24 meters so as to preserve historical skylines. Hundreds of ancient buildings and classical gardens have also been effectively protected. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows tourists visiting the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Oct. 23, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows the scenery of the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Oct. 23, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A girl makes a lacquer fan at the Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A tourist visits the Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tourists visit the Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows the scenery of the Lion Grove Garden and its surroundings in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows the scenery of the Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A tourist visits the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows the scenery of the Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo shows the scenery of the Master-of-Nets Garden in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo shows the scenery of the Huqiu scenic area in Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Oct. 23, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI China: English version of Human Destiny: Institutional Governance launches in London

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

Crystal Wang, author of Human Destiny: Institutional Governance delivers a speech at the event. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

The launch event and signing ceremony for the English version of “Human Destiny: Institutional Governance” for international publishing cooperation was held at the London Book Fair on March 12 local time.

During the event, Jia Qiuya, vice president of the Foreign Languages Press, introduced the project and the publication of the book. He emphasized that the English version serves as both an academic response to China’s active engagement in global governance reforms and an academic practice for promoting cultural exchange by the Foreign Languages Press.

Author Crystal Wang highlighted that her works, including this latest book and its predecessor Human Destiny: A Brief History of Governance, stem from profound reflections on critical periods in human civilization’s evolution. She stressed the need for a scientific, forward-looking theoretical framework in addressing governance, a critical concern in understanding human destiny.

In Human Destiny: Institutional Governance, the focus lies on human institutional governance, tracing the journey “from the birth of nations to the evolution of global national institutional governance”. The book meticulously examines historical shifts, global governance dynamics, and the trajectory of human destiny.

This book explores the logic and laws of human world development, constructing a systematic framework from fragmented and episodic historical accounts, suggesting future development paths of human society from the institutional level.

MIL OSI China News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Pivotal Appoints Marjorie Dickman to its Board of Directors

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PALO ALTO, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pivotal, the market leader in light electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced the appointment of Marjorie Dickman to its board of directors. A global government affairs and geopolitical expert, Ms. Dickman is consistently recognized among the nation’s top public policy executives and top women in technology. For decades, she has led corporate strategies that navigate complex regulatory landscapes in the U.S. and abroad – creating opportunities, managing risk and growing market share.

“We are thrilled to welcome Marjorie to Pivotal’s Board of Directors. Her wisdom of U.S. and global government affairs and her deep business acumen in the emerging tech and transportation sectors are invaluable to our growth,” said Ken Karklin, Chief Executive Officer, Pivotal. “This is an exciting time for Pivotal. Our aircraft offer a new way to experience flight, and our aero architecture is ready for public safety and defense use cases.”

“I am excited to join the board and delighted that my extensive experience in tech and transportation innovation aligns with Pivotal’s mission,” said Marjorie Dickman. “I am especially pleased that my regulatory expertise in navigating global market access and competition can be an asset for Pivotal’s growth in the eVTOL market.”

About Marjorie Dickman
Ms. Dickman is a highly seasoned government affairs expert and attorney, based in Washington, D.C.

She built her career leading government engagement and communication strategies for multinational technology companies – with a focus on rapidly evolving sectors like AI, automated and connected vehicles, cybersecurity, data privacy, Internet of Things (transport, energy, manufacturing), and secure communications for defense and first responders. Her track record of success building trusted government relationships, influencing public policy, and navigating regulatory and legal frameworks has earned numerous accolades. Examples include “Tech Titan” Policy Influencer, Global HERoes Role Model, and Most Powerful Women in Tech.

As BlackBerry’s first Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer and direct report to the CEO/Executive Chairman, Ms. Dickman opened the company’s Washington, D.C. office in 2020. She built BlackBerry’s Global Government Affairs and Public Policy organization from the ground up, including the company’s Government Relations and Technical Standards teams operating in the U.S., Canada, EMEA, the UK, LATAM, and APJ.

Prior to BlackBerry, Ms. Dickman led a highly successful 16-year career at Intel Corporation – most recently launching and leading global government affairs for two of Intel’s most ‘disruptive’ businesses: Automated Driving and the Internet of Things – where she managed teams across the U.S., EMEA, China and Japan. Prior to Intel, she practiced law at a prominent Washington firm, specializing in telecom regulation and M&A.

Ms. Dickman has been appointed to the Boards of the Eno Center for Transportation, Consumer Technology Association (CES), U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center and Cybersecurity Leadership Council, No. Virginia Technology Council, and George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing. She is an honors graduate of Georgetown University Law Center (J.D.) and Duke University (A.B., Public Policy).

About Pivotal
Pivotal designs, develops, and manufactures light eVTOL aircraft. An industry pioneer, Pivotal is renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to be commercially available and delivered to customers in the United States. In October 2023, Pivotal introduced its next generation production aircraft, the Helix, and in January 2024 began sales of the Helix. The company’s distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable technology platform have been under continuous improvement for well over a decade, and today, Pivotal has the most mature technology in the light eVTOL category. Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public safety, and defense applications. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. For videos and more information, visit https://pivotal.aero.

Media Contact:
Heidi Groshelle
press@pivotal.aero

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fd7ffc9-f2e7-429c-b5b0-55ff0a50da3d

The MIL Network –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: CURRENC Group and ARC Group Jointly Launch $100 Million AI-Focused Infrastructure & Investment Fund

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SINGAPORE, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) (“CURRENC” or the “Company”), a fintech pioneer empowering financial institutions worldwide with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced its plan to form an AI-focused investment fund in collaboration with ARC Group, a leading global investment bank (“CURR-ARC AI Fund 1” or the “Fund”). As the first of a series of initiatives in CURRENC’s strategic AI investment blueprint, CURR-ARC AI Fund 1 aims to raise up to $100 million and will invest in AI data center (AIDC), green energy, and computing power development, driving AI innovation and digital transformation globally.

The Fund’s general partner is CURR-ARC GP Limited, a joint venture company owned 80% by CURRENC and 20% by ARC Group.

The investment focus of the Fund will be as follows:
1. Approximately 80% of the Fund will be dedicated to global investments in AI computing power and green energy infrastructure projects, including the first phase of CURRENC’s planned 500MW hyperscale AIDC in Malaysia.
2. Approximately 20% of the Fund will target emerging enterprises in the fields of AI ecosystems, fintech, and AI-driven solutions.

The Fund will benefit from the leadership of a seasoned team of technology and finance experts, as well as experienced asset managers and AIDC operators. Together, they will execute the Fund’s investment strategy.

“The CURR-ARC AI Fund 1 is a transformative initiative in our strategy to create a robust, sustainable ecosystem that spans AIDCs, green energy, fintech, and AI-driven solutions,” said Alex Kong, Founder and Executive Chairman of CURRENC. “It will allow us to support both established leaders and emerging disruptors across industries, simultaneously fueling innovation in AI and sustainable technology. We’re confident that this investment will enable us to harness AI’s full potential and propel the digital transformation globally, creating substantial value for our stakeholders and society as a whole.”

Abraham Cinta, CEO of ARC Group, added, “We are thrilled to partner with CURRENC Group to advance our shared vision for the future of global industries. With our combined expertise in technology and finance, we are well-positioned to shape the next generation of AI innovations, green energy infrastructure, and scalable computing solutions that will drive sustainable global development.”

About CURRENC Group Inc.
CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) is a fintech pioneer dedicated to transforming global financial services through artificial intelligence (AI). The Company empowers financial institutions worldwide with comprehensive AI solutions, including SEAMLESS AI Call Centre and other AI-powered tools designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost customer satisfaction for banks, insurance, telecommunications companies, government agencies, cryptocurrency exchanges and other financial institutions. The Company’s digital remittance platform also enables e-wallets, remittance companies, and corporations to provide real-time, 24/7 global payment services, advancing financial access across underserved communities.

About ARC Group
ARC Group is a globally based investment bank and management consultancy firm, specializing in bridging Asia and the West. Our services encompass a full spectrum of financial solutions, including IPOs, M&A, financing, venture capital, and SPACs. ARC Group also includes an independent consulting division dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by companies operating across both Asian and Western markets. Headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices across Mainland China, the USA, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Sweden, and the UAE, we are well-positioned to provide cross-border financial and advisory services.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Investor & Media Contact
CURRENC Group Investor Relations
Email: investors@currencgroup.com

The MIL Network –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI: Preferred Bank Announces Approval to Continue Share Repurchase Plan

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Preferred Bank (NASDAQ: PFBC), (“the Bank”), an independent commercial bank, today announced that the Bank has received regulatory approval to continue its shareholder-approved $150 million stock Repurchase Plan, (“the Plan”). Thus far in the Plan, the Bank has repurchased $84.3 million of its common stock during 2023 and 2024, however regulatory approval expired in January of 2025. As a state, non-member Bank that issues its common stock at the bank level (no holding company), Preferred Bank is required to seek regulatory approval to engage in transactions that either increase or decrease capital. The shareholder and regulatory approvals to repurchase the remaining $65.7 million of common stock will expire in May of 2025.

During this repurchase program, the Bank has repurchased 1.3 million shares at an average price of $63.94 per share. Stock repurchases under this Plan will be made in the open market.

About Preferred Bank

Preferred Bank is one of the larger independent commercial banks headquartered in California. The Bank is chartered by the State of California, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Bank conducts its banking business from its main office in Los Angeles, California, and through twelve full-service branch banking offices in California (Alhambra, Century City, City of Industry, Torrance, Arcadia, Irvine (2), Diamond Bar, Pico Rivera, Tarzana and San Francisco (2)). The Bank also operates a branch in Flushing, New York and in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Texas as well as a Loan Production Office in Sunnyvale, California. Preferred Bank offers a broad range of deposit and loan products and services to both commercial and consumer customers. The Bank provides personalized deposit services as well as real estate finance, commercial loans and trade finance to small and mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, real estate developers, professionals and high net worth individuals. Although originally founded as a Chinese-American Bank, Preferred Bank now derives most of its customers from the diversified mainstream market but does continue to benefit from the significant migration to California of ethnic Chinese from China and other areas of East Asia.

AT THE COMPANY:
Edward J. Czajka
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(213) 891-1188

AT FINANCIAL PROFILES:
Jeffrey Haas
General Information
(310) 622-8240
PFBC@finprofiles.com

The MIL Network –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI China: US military conducts fresh airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi-held Red Sea port city

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

Demonstrators participate in a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 17, 2025. On Monday, tens of thousands of people gathered in a massive rally in Sanaa, protesting against U.S. airstrikes in northern Yemen that have led to dozens of deaths. [Photo/Xinhua]

The U.S. military launched a new wave of airstrikes on Yemen, targeting several sites in and around the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah Monday evening, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said.

“One airstrike targeted the Al-Arj area in Bajil district, east of the city, while another series of airstrikes hit and destroyed the Al-Habashi iron factory in the Salif district, northwest of the city,” the TV channel reported.

Residents described the airstrikes as extremely violent with explosions heard from miles away.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or the extent of the damage.

On Monday, thousands of people gathered in a massive rally at Sabeen Square in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital Sanaa, protesting against U.S. airstrikes in northern Yemen that have led to dozens of deaths.

Demonstrators, with many carrying snipers and Kalashnikov rifles, chanted slogans denouncing the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which ordered the airstrike campaign on Houthi targets starting Saturday evening.

“Death to America, death to Israel,” protesters cried at the square decorated by huge billboards showing the group’s leader, and other leaders from what the group called the “resistance axis.”

Addressing the crowd, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the group’s supreme revolutionary committee, said the group views the U.S. operations as “aggression and terrorism, and we will confront escalation with escalation.”

Over the past two days, dozens of Houthi-controlled military sites, as well as dozens of residential houses, have been targeted and bombed by U.S. fighter jets across Sanaa, and several other northern and western provinces under Houthi control.

Many families have fled the capital for fear of their lives.

According to the latest statement from the Houthi-run Health Ministry, the death toll from the U.S. airstrikes has increased to 53, including five children and two women. Search operations under the rubble of residential buildings were still ongoing.

In a televised speech Sunday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi threatened to launch attacks targeting U.S. naval and commercial ships if the U.S. military continued to conduct airstrikes on Houthi-held areas.

The White House on Sunday said in a televised statement that the U.S. military targeted and killed several senior Houthi leaders during the airstrikes. The Houthi group has yet to comment.

The U.S. airstrikes began Saturday evening as Trump vowed to continue air attacks until the Houthis stopped attacking international shipping lines and ships.

He also warned the Houthis that if they do not stop their attacks “starting today … hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before.”

The renewed conflict comes after Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2, coinciding with the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

On Tuesday, the Houthi group announced that it would resume launching attacks against any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the crossings of the Gaza Strip are reopened and aid allowed in.

From November 2023 to Jan. 19, the Houthi group launched dozens of drone and rocket attacks against Israel-linked ships and Israeli cities to show solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The attacks later expanded to include U.S. and British ships after the U.S.-British navy coalition started to intervene, launching air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group.

MIL OSI China News –

March 19, 2025
MIL-OSI China: JFK assassination files to be released Tuesday, Trump says

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he will release 80,000 pages of unredacted files related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy (JFK) on Tuesday.

“We’re going to be releasing the JFK files, and that would be tomorrow,” Trump told reporters at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where he attended a board meeting.

“You got a lot of reading. I don’t believe we’re going to redact anything. I said, just don’t. But we’re going to be releasing the JFK files,” Trump said.

“People have been waiting for decades for this,” Trump added.

When asked if there would be a summary of the 80,000 pages of files, Trump replied, “No.”

JFK, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the murder, yet numerous conspiracy theories about the circumstances of Oswald’s dramatic death two days after the assassination remain prevalent even today.

In 1992, Congress required that all documents related to the assassinations be made available to the public within 25 years, by Oct. 26, 2017.

In his first term as president starting January 2017, Trump accepted proposed redactions from executive departments and agencies, but ordered the continued re-evaluation of those remaining redactions.

Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump, issued subsequent certifications concerning these records in 2021, 2022, and 2023, which gave agencies additional time to review the documents and withhold information from public disclosure.

Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said on June 30, 2023 that 99 percent of records associated with JFK’s assassination were available for public consumption through the National Archives and Records Administration.

On Jan. 23, Trump signed an executive order to declassify any remaining files from the assassinations of former President JFK, his brother Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK).

MIL OSI China News –

March 19, 2025

In the United States:	The Blueshirt Group Steven C. Pelayo, CFA +1 (360) 808-5154 steven@blueshirtgroup.co

In China:	The Blueshirt Group Asia Gary Dvorchak, CFA gary@blueshirtgroup.co

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