Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PENDING FUNDS TO PUNJAB UNDER JAL JEEVAN MISSION

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 4:51PM by PIB Delhi

    Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates ground water quality data on a regional scale including State of Punjab as part of its ground water quality monitoring program and various scientific studies. The Annual Ground Water Quality Report – 2024 has been released by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) recently which can be viewed at https://cgwb.gov.in/cgwbpnm/public/uploads/documents/17363272771910393216file.pdf.   Trace elements such as As (Arsenic), U (Uranium) and Selenium (Se) were analyzed at 908 locations. The groundwater quality assessment in Punjab revealed 32.6% of samples surpassing permissible limits for Uranium (U) followed by Arsenic (As) which has been reported in 4.85% samples, while 0.44% samples had Selenium levels above permissible limit.

    Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, since August, 2019, in partnership with States, to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to rural households. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmarks for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. Drinking Water being a State subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

    Under JJM, while planning water supply schemes to provide tap water supply to households, priority is given to habitations affected by chemical contaminants including Arsenic and Heavy Metals such as Uranium and Selenium. Under JJM, while allocating the funds to States/ UTs, 10% weightage is given to the population residing in habitations affected by chemical contaminants. States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe water sources for the villages with water quality issues.

    In the union budget for 2025-26, the extension of Jal Jeevan Mission till 2028 has been announced. Ministry of Finance has communicated a tentative Budget Estimate of Rs. 67,000 Crore for the Financial Year 2025-26. Once approved by the competent authority, the Central share under JJM may be considered for release. The year-wise details of Central fund allocated, drawn and utilization reported by the State of Punjab under JJM since 2019-20 to 2024-25 (as on 12.03.2025) for making provision of safe drinking water through household tap water connection is as under:

     

     

    (Amount in Rs. Crore)

    S. No.

    Year

    Central share

    State Expenditure

    Opening Balance

    Fund allocated

    Fund Drawn

    Available fund

    Expenditure

    1.

    2019-20

    102.91

    227.46

    227.46

    330.37

    73.27

    78.20

    2.

    2020-21

    257.10

    362.79

    257.10

    146.74

    152.77

    3.

    2021-22

    110.36

    1,656.39

    402.24

    512.60

    247.83

    265.70

    4.

    2022-23

    264.78

    2,403.46

    264.78

    264.80

    210.69

    5.

    2023-24

    479.02

    119.76

    119.76

    103.79

    166.43

    6.

    2024-25

    15.97

    644.54

    50.00

    65.97

    3.46

    45.80

    Total

     

    5,773.66

    799.46

    902.37

    839.89

    919.59

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: JJM-IMIS

     

    The Department has developed a web based integrated management information system (JJM-IMIS) to capture the data of water quality affected habitations, where States/UTs provide status of habitation that have contamination in their drinking water sources. States/UTs have also been advised to carry out testing of water quality on a regular basis and take remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality. To enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water sources, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has been developed. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain and can be accessed at:

    https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI, SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    *******

    Dhanya Sanal K

    Director

    (Rajya Sabha US Q1838)

     

    (Release ID: 2111857) Visitor Counter : 57

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addresses 57th annual conference of All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) as the Chief Guest in Kokrajhar, Assam

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addresses 57th annual conference of All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) as the Chief Guest in Kokrajhar, Assam

    Without ABSU, the Bodo Accord would not have been possible, ABSU has played a crucial role in establishing peace and development in Bodoland

    A prominent road in Delhi will be named after Bodopa Upendra Nath Brahma Ji

    Modi government will complete 100 per cent implement of the BTR peace agreement in the next two years

    The Modi government and the Assam government will fulfill the dreams of Bodopa Upendra Nath Brahma Ji

    In the past, there were discussions about unrest, chaos, and separatism in Bodoland, now, the focus is on education, development, and industry

    In the past, where bullets once flew in the Bodoland region, today, Bodo youths are waving the tricolor

    Now, “Mushroom from Bodoland” is also available in Delhi, more than a dozen products from Bodoland have received the GI Tag

    A new beginning has been made by recruiting 400 Bodo youths into the Assam Commando Battalion

    Posted On: 16 MAR 2025 5:24PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today addressed the 57th annual conference of All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) as the Chief Guest in Kokrajhar, Assam. On this occasion, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shri Biswajit Daimary, the Union Home Secretary, and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), along with several other dignitaries were present.

    In his address, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) has played a significant role in establishing peace, development, and enthusiasm in the region. Without the role of ABSU, the Bodo Accord would not have been possible, and peace would not have been established in Bodoland. On this occasion, Shri Shah also paid tribute to the five thousand martyrs who fought for the peace of Bodoland.

    Shri Amit Shah said that today, when entire Bodoland is following the path shown by its leader, Upendra Nath Brahma Ji, the government has decided to name a prominent road in Delhi as Bodopa Upendra Nath Brahma Marg. He also mentioned that in the first week of April, a program will be held in Delhi where a bust of Upendra Nath Brahma Ji will be unveiled. He said, the Modi government and the Assam government will bring every dream of Bodopa Upendra Nath Brahma Ji to fruition.

    Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that ABSU is advancing education, empowerment, and development. It is due to the efforts of ABSU that today, students are able to take their exams up to the 12th grade in the Bodo language. As a result, our Bodo language has been recognized and will remain alive for many years to come. He further stated that today’s event sends a strong message of the peace established in Bodoland.

    Shri Amit Shah said that when the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) peace agreement was signed on January 27, 2020, the opposition was mocking it. However, today, the central government and the Assam government have fulfilled 82 per cent of the conditions of this agreement. He further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India will implement 100 per cent of this agreement in the next two years. After that, there will be lasting peace in the BTR.

    Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that under the BTR peace agreement, the government removed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the entire BTR area on April 1, 2022. He also mentioned that under the Government of India’s ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) program, today, the mushroom from Kokrajhar, known as “Mushroom From Bodoland,” is being included in the menus of hotels in Delhi. This has become possible due to the peace established in Bodoland. He further stated that because of the peace, Bodoland was able to host the ‘Durand Cup’ tournament. He appealed to the athletes of Bodoland to start preparing for the potential Olympics in India in 2036.

    Shri Amit Shah said that more than a dozen products from Bodoland have received the GI (Geographical Indication) Tag. As a result, an industrial environment is gradually being created across the entire BTR area. He mentioned that there was a time when there were discussions about unrest, chaos, and separatism, but now the focus has shifted to education, development, and industry.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Government of India and the Assam Government have allocated ₹1,500 crore for the development of Bodoland, even though the population of the region is only 3.5 million. He also mentioned that during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Bodo language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Additionally, the BTR region was expanded by including the Sonitpur and Biswanath districts.

    Shri Amit Shah said that hundreds of youths have been brought into the mainstream of society. Many weapons were surrendered, and in the last three years, ₹287 crore have been spent on the rehabilitation of 4,881 members of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Assam, with 90 per cent of this amount provided by the Modi government. Shri Shah further mentioned that a lot of work has been done for employment and skill development. NGOs have been involved in all sectors, including SIP&RD, KVK, KVIC, animal husbandry, fisheries, and horticulture, to work with the local people and help them progress.

    Union Home Minister said that Assam Chief Minister Dr. Sarma has made a new beginning by recruiting 400 Bodo youths into the Assam Commando Battalion. He further mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Government of India has signed agreements with a total of nine insurgent groups in Assam, bringing over 10,000 youths into the mainstream of society.

    Shri Amit Shah said that where once bullets were fired, today Bodo youth are waving the tricolor in their hands. This sight sends a message to the entire country. He added that when the Bodo Accord was signed, not only Bodoland and Assam but the entire country was happy. Just as the people of Bodoland love the country, the entire country loves Bodoland and its people and is committed to the development of its youth.

    Union Home Minister said that the Bathou religion, followed by the people of Bodoland, holds great significance. He explained that Bathou is made up of two elements, and its meaning is “the deep mystery of the creator of the five elements.” The five elements, or panchatatva, include fire, air, earth, sky, and water, which form the foundation of your great religion. He also mentioned that he strives to spread the message of the Bathou religion.

    Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the entire Northeast has been freed from issues such as insurgency, movements, blockades, strikes, and violence, and has been ushered onto the path of development. He mentioned that recently, an Investment Summit took place under the leadership of PM Modi and Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, which is bringing an investment of ₹5 lakh crore to Assam. He appealed to the Bodo youths to focus on their education and contribute to the peace process. He further stated that the goal is to build such infrastructure in Bodoland that Bodo youths can compete with youth from all around the world. He assured that the Government of India and the Assam Government will leave no stone unturned in the development of Bodoland.

    ****

    RK/VV/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2111636) Visitor Counter : 114

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Leads Fit India Sundays on Cycle Event in Ahmedabad; Guinness World Record Holder Rohtash Chaudhary Joins from Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Leads Fit India Sundays on Cycle Event in Ahmedabad; Guinness World Record Holder Rohtash Chaudhary Joins from Delhi

    “A Healthy Citizen Builds a Prosperous Nation”, Dr. Mandaviya Highlights Importance of Cycling at Fit India Sundays on Cycle Event

    Posted On: 16 MAR 2025 4:10PM by PIB Delhi

    The Fit India Sundays on Cycle event witnessed massive participation across the country, with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya leading the charge at the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad today. Organized by SAI Gandhinagar, the event saw around 650 cyclists, including members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat, Ahmedabad Medical Association, and MPs Hasmukhbhai Patel and Dineshbhai Makwana. The event was flagged off by Paralympian athlete Bhavana Choudhary.

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in his address expressed his enthusiasm about the growing movement of “Sunday on Cycle” event. Dr. Mandaviya mentioned that the Fit India movement is progressing across the country, with “Sunday on Cycle” gradually becoming a cultural phenomenon. He highlighted that today’s event happened at over 5,000 locations, with doctors actively joining in to promote the message of a fit and obesity-free India.

    Dr. Mandaviya mentioned that cycling should be encouraged as a part of daily life, whether for commuting to work or for simple tasks like grocery shopping. He also emphasized the importance of cycling for physical fitness, environmental protection, and reducing pollution.

    He highlighted how cycling is a key tool in the fight against obesity, a movement initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and mentioned that cycling could potentially be linked to carbon credit schemes in the future.

    He encouraged doctors to prescribe cycling as a means of maintaining health, urging the medical community to motivate patients to adopt cycling as part of their lifestyle. Dr. Mandaviya reiterated that “A healthy citizen builds a healthy society, and a healthy society can build a prosperous nation.”, and achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires the nation to stay fit, with cycling playing a crucial role in this transformation.

    Meanwhile, in the national capital, the Fit India movement received a boost with Guinness World Record holder Rohtash Chaudhary, famously known as the “Push-up Man of India,” inspiring participants at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. Rohtash, who holds the record for the most push-ups (one leg raised carrying a 27.2 kg pack) in one hour, joined 500 cycling enthusiasts including doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), school and college students, members of Yogasana Bharat and  corporate professionals in the cycling event.

    “Sundays on Cycle is a great initiative by Fit India. The enthusiasm among participants was remarkable, but I urge everyone, especially the youth, to cycle not just on Sundays but every day,” Rohtash said. Highlighting the need for fitness, he added, “India has the third-highest number of obesity cases in the world after China and the USA. We need to be at the top in development, not obesity. Staying fit is crucial for the growth of our country.

    The IMA has organized Sundays on Cycle in 25 locations across the country. Dr. Piyush Jain, Finance Secretary of the Indian Medical Association, emphasized the importance of fitness in preventing lifestyle diseases. “IMA is fully committed to the Fit India movement because prevention is better than cure. It’s crucial for everyone to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Cycling is a great full-body workout and also benefits mental well-being, making it an ideal exercise,” he said.

    The event not only promoted cycling but also showcased the importance of overall physical fitness, with push-ups being highlighted as a simple yet effective exercise. The combination of cycling and strength training aimed to encourage participants to push their limits and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

    Since its launch in December 2024 by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative has reached over 4,500 locations across the country. The event is simultaneously held nationwide at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), and Khelo India Centres (KICs), reinforcing the government’s commitment to promoting fitness and an active lifestyle among citizens.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2111620) Visitor Counter : 56

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India – New Zealand announce launch of FTA negotiations

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 16 MAR 2025 3:23PM by PIB Delhi

    India and New Zealand share a longstanding partnership founded on shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and economic complementarities. Both countries have continuously worked towards building their bilateral relationship encompassing trade and investment.

    On the occasion of the visit of Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon to India from 16th to 20th March, 2025, and in the spirit of deepening our economic co-operation, the two nations are pleased to announce the launch of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. This significant step was marked by a meeting between Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry, and Hon’ble Mr. Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, on March 16th, 2025, laying the foundation of a momentous partnership towards strengthening the economic and trade ties between the two countries.

    The India-New Zealand FTA negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access. This milestone reflects a shared vision for a stronger economic partnership, fostering resilience and prosperity.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal

    (Release ID: 2111608) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 Side Event to Unpack Africa’s Oil and Gas Potential, Highlight Innovative Financing Solutions

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 17, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Taking place on the sidelines of the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (https://apo-opa.co/3RbNYDB) this month the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) will host a side event focusing on the challenges of the energy transition in Africa on March 26. The global pursuit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is getting closer with each year, with new technologies, regulatory policies, funding opportunities and legislation set to expedite the transition from hydrocarbons to renewable energy resources. However, a just energy transition for Africa requires allowing the continent to utilize its natural resources to move towards cleaner sources of energy.

    As such, the African Energy Bank: Energy Transition and Financing Optics for Oil and gas Industry in Africa side event will shine a light on the role of the African Energy Bank (AEB) (https://apo-opa.co/3DMaNLa) in addressing the funding challenge that the energy transition poses to the African oil and gas industry. Launched by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with APPO, the AEB – set to commence operations in March 2025 – represents a bold step towards empowering African nations to take control of their energy future.

    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

    By mobilizing significant investment and fostering energy independence, the AEB will play a pivotal role in bridging the financing gap, unlocking the full potential of Africa’s energy resources and driving industrial and economic growth across the continent. The AEB’s strategic partnerships with government’s, financial institutions and energy stakeholders will enable large-scale investments in renewables and traditional energy projects, supporting the continent’s transition to cleaner energy sources while addressing immediate energy access needs.

    With the participation of Bruno Jean-Richad Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo and President of APPO, as well as Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of APPO, the side event is set to showcase how African countries can capitalize on development across the entire energy value chain, create jobs and ensure ownership and control, independent of global pressure that doesn’t understand the intricacies of energy poverty across the continent.

    The AEB has been established with an initial $5 billion authorized capital – of which 45% has been secured –, serving as a crucial step in mobilizing investment for energy projects. The bank aims for an ambitious $120 billion asset base, with Nigeria having secured the hosting rights for the bank last year after competing against three other nations.

    “APPO’s side event at the inaugural CEIF 2025 represents a pivotal moment in Africa’s journey towards a sustainable and inclusive energy future. By addressing the critical funding challenges of the energy transition, APPO’s initiative aims to empower African nations to harness their natural resources, drive industrial growth and create energy solutions that are both sustainable and accessible. The global energy transition is not only about transitioning to cleaner energy – it’s about ensuring that Africa has the financial tools and strategic partnerships to take control of its energy future and secure a just transition for all its people,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power. 

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Voting Against GOP’s Continuing Resolution Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    03.14.25

    Cantwell Statement on Voting Against GOP’s Continuing Resolution Bill

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate voted on a Continuing Resolution (CR) bill written by House Republicans that would fund the government through Sept. 30, while making cuts to important programs and ceding more authority over federal spending to the Trump Administration.

    U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, voted against the CR. She gave the following statement:

    “I am not going to vote for a partisan funding bill that makes deep cuts to essential government functions. This bill endangers the health of Americans by cutting $280 million from the National Institutes of Health; jeopardizes the state of Washington’s maritime economy by slashing the Army Corps of Engineers by 44 percent; and impacts our farmers by cutting $57 million from important USDA’s Agriculture Research Services account. A bipartisan congressional effort to finish all appropriations bills would have delivered better results for taxpayers.

    Congress has the authority and responsibility to direct federal spending based on the needs of their constituents. Turning that work over to the White House puts important programs like NOAA experts working on salmon recovery or creating weather forecasts at risk.”



    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Algeria steps up preparations for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) as six-month countdown starts

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ALGIERS, Algeria, March 17, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Preparations are on course for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s premier trade and investment event that will be held in Algiers, Algeria from 4th to 10th September 2025.

    With only six months to go until IATF2025, the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in conjunction with the organising committee is stepping up final preparations for the event that is expected to bring to Algeria over 35,000 visitors from more than 140 countries to participate in what has become the foremost trade and investment platform on the continent and a marketplace for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    Addressing the fourth meeting of the Advisory Council of IATF, Algeria’s Minister of External Trade and Export Promotion, Hon. Mohammed Boukhari said, “Algeria has expressed its full readiness to organise IATF2025, especially given our extensive capabilities and resources which will be leveraged fully to ensure the success of this important event. A high-level intersectoral committee has been established to oversee and monitor the preparations. We are confident that IATF2025 will meet the set objectives as it perfectly aligns with Algeria’s economic objectives and we are committed to making the trade fair a resounding success.”   

    The Minister noted that Algeria takes pride in its continental belonging, which ‘reflects its deep-rooted civilisation and strengthens its future aspirations.’

    More than 2,000 exhibitors including businesses from the continent and oversees will be showcasing their goods and services to thousands of visitors and buyers during the fair. It is expected to result in trade and investment deals worth over US$44 billion, spotlighting the growing impact of the fair as Africa’s leading marketplace. The Government of Algeria is putting in place measures to ensure a seamless travel experience for the huge number of visitors expected to attend IATF2025.

    Deputy Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council and former President of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Mr. Jean Louis-Ekra said, “We have had a fruitful meeting of the Advisory Council. We are satisfied with the commitment and progress made so far towards preparing for IATF2025 as September beckons. We encourage countries, corporates, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), buyers, visitors, and delegates to take this early opportunity to register for the trade fair.”

    IATF is a platform for boosting trade and investment in Africa and aims to tap into opportunities from AfCFTA’s single market of over 1.4 billion people and a GDP of over US$3.5 trillion. It is held biennially by Afreximbank, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat. In the last three editions of IATF, over $100 billion in trade and investment deals have been closed cumulatively with over 70,000 visitors and more than 4,500 exhibitors participating.

    Ahead of the Advisory Council meeting, Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade & Export Development Bank at Afreximbank briefed Hon. Boukhari on pending deliverables identified during the CANEX WEEKEND, which was held in Algiers in 2024 and used as a dry run for IATF2025. The Minister acknowledged the gaps and committed to addressing them promptly and putting measures in place to ensure a seamless travel experience for the large number of visitors expected at IATF2025.

    Mrs. Awani stated, “Overall, we are happy with the progress made towards hosting IATF2025, the biggest trade and investment platform on the continent. I want to laud the Government of Algeria for agreeing to take necessary measures to ensure that IATF2025 is a resounding success. IATF2025 is pivotal to advancing intra-African trade. Therefore, I want to encourage local businesses, especially SMEs, to take advantage of the fair to showcase their products and services to buyers and visitors attending the fair, in order to expand their markets.”

    Some of the activities lined up for the week-long IATF2025 include a trade exhibition by countries and businesses; the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme with a dedicated exhibition and summit on fashion, music, film, arts and craft, sports, literature, gastronomy and culinary arts; a four-day Trade and Investment Forum featuring leading African and international speakers; and the Africa Automotive Show for auto manufacturers, assemblers, original equipment manufacturers and component suppliers.

    Special Days will also be held, dedicated for countries as well as public and private entities to showcase trade and investment opportunities, and tourism and cultural attractions, as well as Global Africa Day to highlight commercial and cultural ties between Africa and its diaspora, featuring a Diaspora Summit, market and exhibition, cultural and gastronomic showcase.

    Also planned is a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) platform for matchmaking and business exchanges; the AU Youth Start-Up programme showcasing innovative ideas and prototypes; the Africa Research and Innovation Hub @ IATF targeting university students, academia and national researchers to exhibit their innovations and research projects; and the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) to promote trade, investment, educational and cultural exchanges at the local level. The IATF Virtual platform is already live, connecting exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.

    To participate in IATF2025 please visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com. 

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI USA: March 14th, 2025 Heinrich ‘Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act’ Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Heinrich recently introduced the legislation to help law enforcement combat fentanyl trafficking

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced that his Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs, under the Controlled Substances Act, passed the Senate. This permanent scheduling will give law enforcement added tools to help get extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets to keep New Mexicans safe.

    In January, Heinrich, with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), introduced the HALT Fentanyl Act in the Senate. In February, Heinrich announced that his HALT Fentanyl Act passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan basis. The HALT Fentanyl Act now awaits House passage.

    “I’m pleased that my HALT Fentanyl Act passed the Senate and is one step closer to becoming law,” said Heinrich. “My legislation now heads to the House and I urge my colleagues to pass it. The HALT Fentanyl Act is urgently needed to help our law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking, get deadly fentanyl out of our communities, and save lives.”

    The HALT Fentanyl Act is endorsed by the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors Association, the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, and the National District Attorneys Association, as well as state and local law enforcement across New Mexico.

    “Fentanyl has negatively impacted the city of Las Cruces in significant ways. In the past five years, we have experienced a substantial increase in crime, homelessness, and quality of life issues. I firmly believe fentanyl has been the biggest driver of these issues. It is time to take meaningful action to reverse the harm caused by this illicit substance,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department.

    “Like any illegal substance, whether it be opioids or fentanyl use, there are no easy or quick solutions and often combatting their abuse requires a multi-layered approach. The HALT Fentanyl Act is just that, which is why I fully support it. We may be inclined to not concern ourselves with research, for example, but those trafficking in this market do concern themselves with research. Let us endorse this bigger picture approach to help combat fentanyl use in our country,” said Kim Stewart, Doña Ana County Sheriff.

    “The HALT Fentanyl Act is another tool to go after transnational gangs and help make our community safer. Legislation is key for law enforcement to do their job,” said John Allen, Bernalillo County Sheriff.

    Background:

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 107,543 overdose deaths in the United States in 2023. Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances accounted for nearly 75,000 of those deaths. Since 1999, the overdose crisis has increasingly been characterized by deaths involving these illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl-related substances (FRS), which are commonly sold through illicit drug markets for their fentanyl-like effect, and are often mixed with heroin or other drugs, such as cocaine, or pressed in to counterfeit prescription pills. During this same period, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) increased 103-fold. By comparison, overdose deaths involving heroin and prescription opioids increased 2.5-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively.

    Traffickers are continually altering the chemical structure of fentanyl to evade regulation and prosecution, sometimes with tragic results. Since 2013, China has been the principal source of fentanyl, fentanyl-related substances, and the precursor chemicals from which they are produced. Chinese product is commonly shipped to Mexico and smuggled into the United States’ illicit drug market via U.S. citizens. Traffickers have favored fentanyl-related substances to skirt around committing the crime of trafficking fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized nearly 12,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl, including fentanyl powder and more than 78 million pills laced with illicit fentanyl. The 2023 seizures were equivalent to more than 388.8 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

    In 2018, as an initial response to this unprecedented crisis, the DEA issued a temporary scheduling order that placed FRS in Schedule I, under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), after classifying it as an imminent hazard to public safety. Previously, Congress has only closed this loophole temporarily by designating fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. Congress has extended the FRS temporary scheduling order several times, most recently on December 21, 2024, with a measure that expires on March 31, 2025.

    Heinrich’s HALT Fentanyl Act would finally make permanent the scheduling of illicitly produced fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and streamline the regulatory process for scientists seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research Schedule I substances.

    Clear and Enforceable Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Trafficking:

    A permanent scheduling of FRS is necessary to make penalties for criminals clear and enforceable under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), reducing the supply and availability of illicitly manufactured FRS. The HALT Fentanyl Act places controls and penalties on FRS that have no accepted medical use and a high abuse potential.

    Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently impose the following quantity-based federal trafficking penalties on FRS:

    Mandatory minimum penalties: 5 years for 10 grams or more (10 years for second offense); and 10 years for 100 grams or more (20 years for second offense).

    Discretionary maximum penalties: 40 years for 10 grams or more (life for second offense); and life for 100 grams or more.

    Expanded Scientific and Medical Research:

    More closely aligning the research and registration process for Schedule I substances, including FRS, with Schedule II substances will facilitate increased FRS research. By accommodating more medical research into fentanyl-related substances, the bill would establish a new, streamlined registration process for research funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or under an Investigative New Drug (IND) exemption from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will enhance our understanding of these illicitly manufactured substances by:

    Allowing researchers in the same institution to participate in multiple scientific studies.

    Permitting researchers with ongoing studies to examine newly added Schedule I substances.

    Allowing researchers to manufacture small quantities of FRS without a separate registration.

    The text of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.

    A section-by-section summary of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, President Trump’s CMS Nominee Agree on Need to Stop Medicare Overpayments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    [embedded content]

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) discusses his plan to stop Medicare overpayments during U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director nominee Mehmet Oz’s confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. Dr. Oz said he agrees with Cassidy there are opportunities to stop Medicare Advantage plans from receiving higher Medicare reimbursements simply if a patient has multiple conditions regardless of whether they are related to the care they receive.  
    “[A]s we look at the [Medicare] trust fund going insolvent and our budget deficit expanding, is [Medicare Advantage] a place you would look? And if so, how would you look in terms of getting better value for the dollar?” asks Dr. Cassidy. 
    “I think there are ways for us to look for example at the upcoding that is going on that is happening systemically… to make sure people are being appropriately paid for taking care of sick patience, but not for patients who aren’t ill,” said Dr. Oz. “We actually have to go after places and areas where we are not managing the American people’s money well… both of us, I think, agree there are opportunities to do that.”  
    “I have a bill—the No UPCODE Act—that actually achieves that. So, I think you are going to be confirmed, and we will discuss that with you at a later date,” said Dr. Cassidy. 
    Last Congress, Cassidy introduced his No UPCODE Act to improve the way Medicare Advantage plans assess patients’ health risks, reduce overpayments for care, and save taxpayers billions by eliminating incentives to overcharge Medicare for care.
    Background:
    Traditional Medicare plans reimburse providers for the cost of treatments rendered, while Medicare Advantage is paid a standard rate based on the health of an individual patient. Because of this, Medicare Advantage plans have a financial incentive to make beneficiaries appear sicker than they may be to receive a higher Medicare reimbursement. 
    The No UPCODE Act would eliminate those incentives by:

    Developing a risk-adjustment model that uses two years of diagnostic data instead of just one year.
    Limiting the ability to use old or unrelated medical conditions when determining the cost of care. 
    Ensuring Medicare is only charged for treatment related to relevant medical conditions.
    Closing the gap between how a patient is assessed under traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: TARGET OF WORKS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED UNDER JJM

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 4:48PM by PIB Delhi

    To make provision of tap water supply to every rural household across the country, Government of India in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal since August, 2019.

    At the start the Mission, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 12.03.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal around 12.29 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 12.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.52 Crore (80.15%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes and works for the remaining 3.84 Crore households are at various stages of completion as per saturation plan of the respective State/ UT. State/ UT-wise details are as at below. Further, Hon’ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025- 26 has announced extension of Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with an enhanced total outlay.

    States have informed that lack of dependable drinking water sources in water-stressed, drought prone and desert areas, presence of geo-genic contaminants in ground water, uneven geographical terrain, scattered rural habitations, delay in release of the matching State share in some States, lack of technical capacity with implementing agencies, Gram Panchayats and local communities to plan, manage, operate & maintain the water supply schemes, rising price of raw materials, delay in obtaining statutory/ other clearances, etc. are few of problems being faced in the implementation of the Mission.

    To address the challenges holistically and overcome these, Government of India has taken a number of steps, inter alia including implementation of Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure through M/o Finance for financial assistance as 50-year interest free loan for capital investment projects; nomination of a nodal officer in the Department for coordinating with Central nodal Ministries/ Departments/ agencies to facilitate the States in obtaining Statutory/ other clearances; setting up of State Programme Management Units (SPMUs) and District Programme Management Units (DPMUs) and implementation of “Nal Jal Mitra Programme” for ensuring availability of skilled local persons at village level to bridge the gap in availability of technical skill sets and of HR for programme management;

    Under the Mission, States have been advised for source recharging, viz. dedicated bore well recharge structures, rainwater recharge, rejuvenation of existing water bodies, reuse of greywater, etc., in convergence with other schemes such as MGNREGS, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), 15th Finance Commission tied grants to RLBs/ PRIs, State schemes, CSR funds, etc.

    Further, Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign aiming to encourage water conservation at grass-root levels with people’s participation was launched in 2019 in 256 water stressed districts of the country. Morever, recognizing the importance of sustainable water management especially for drinking water availability, JSA-CTR was implemented with the theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water” in 2023. Similarly, in 2024, JSA is being implemented with the theme “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti” from 09.03.2024 to 30.11.2024 emphasizing the pivotal role played by women in the field of water conservation.

    Water being a State subject, States have been empowered to plan, design, approve, implement and operate & maintain drinking water supply schemes. Complaints/ Grievances received at Centre level through Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS – https://pgportal.gov.in/) and Department’s website (https://jalshakti-ddws.gov.in/) and other physical mediums are transferred to water supply department of respective State Governments for their timely redressal.

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI, SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    Annex referred to in part (a) & (b) reply to Rajya Sabha unstarred Question No. 1831 answered on 17.03.2025

    JJM: State/ UT-wise status of tap water connections in rural households as on 12.03.2025

     (Number in lakhs)

    S. No.

    State/ UT

    Total rural HHs

    Rural HHs with tap water supply as on 15.8.2019

    Rural HHs with tap water connection as on date

    Rural HHs yet to be provided with tap water connection

    No.

    %

    No.

    %

    No.

    %

    1.

    A & N Islands

    0.62

    0.29

    46.02

     0.62

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    2.

    Arunachal Pr.

    2.29

    0.23

    9.97

     2.29

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    3.

    DNH & DD

    0.85

    0.00

    0.00

     0.85

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    4.

    Goa

    2.64

    1.99

    75.44

     2.64

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    5.

    Gujarat

    91.18

    65.16

    71.46

     91.18

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    6.

    Haryana

    30.41

    17.66

    58.08

     30.41

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    7.

    Himachal Pr.

    17.09

    7.63

    44.64

     17.09

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    8.

    Mizoram

    1.33

    0.09

    6.91

     1.33

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    9.

    Puducherry

    1.15

    0.94

    81.33

     1.15

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    10.

    Punjab

    34.27

    16.79

    48.98

     34.27

     100.00

     –   

     –  

    11.

    Telangana

    53.98

    15.68

    29.05

     53.98

     100.00

     –  

     –  

    13.

    Uttarakhand

    14.50

    1.30

    8.99

     14.12

     97.38

     0.38

     2.62

    14.

    Ladakh

    0.41

    0.01

    3.48

     0.39

     96.54

     0.01

     3.46

    12.

    Bihar

    167.55

    3.16

    1.89

     160.36

     95.71

     7.19

     4.29

    15.

    Nagaland

    3.64

    0.14

    3.82

     3.37

     92.76

     0.26

     7.24

    16.

    Lakshadweep

    0.13

     

    0.00

     0.12

     91.41

     0.01

     8.59

    17.

    Sikkim

    1.33

    0.70

    52.96

     1.21

     91.00

     0.12

     9.00

    18.

    Maharashtra

    146.80

    48.44

    33.00

     130.36

     88.80

     16.44

     11.20

    20.

    Uttar Pr.

    267.22

    5.16

    1.93

     236.78

     88.61

     30.44

     11.39

    19.

    Tamil Nadu

    125.28

    21.76

    17.37

     110.85

     88.48

     14.43

     11.52

    21.

    Tripura

    7.51

    0.25

    3.26

     6.40

     85.30

     1.10

     14.70

    27.

    Karnataka

    101.32

    24.51

    24.19

     84.92

     83.81

     16.40

     16.19

    24.

    Meghalaya

    6.51

    0.05

    0.70

     5.33

     81.92

     1.18

     18.08

    23.

    Assam

    72.25

    1.11

    1.54

     58.84

     81.44

     13.41

     18.56

    22.

    J & K

    19.22

    5.75

    29.93

     15.59

     81.12

     3.63

     18.88

    26.

    Chhattisgarh

    50.02

    3.20

    6.39

     40.33

     80.63

     9.69

     19.37

    25.

    Manipur

    4.52

    0.26

    5.74

     3.59

     79.59

     0.92

     20.41

    28.

    Odisha

    88.69

    3.11

    3.50

     67.89

     76.54

     20.81

     23.46

    29.

    Andhra Pr.

    95.53

    30.74

    32.18

     70.51

     73.81

     25.02

     26.19

    30.

    Madhya Pr.

    111.82

    13.53

    12.10

     76.13

     68.09

     35.68

     31.91

    33.

    Rajasthan

    107.75

    11.74

    10.90

     60.11

     55.79

     47.64

     44.21

    34.

    West Bengal

    175.56

    2.15

    1.22

     96.43

     54.93

     79.13

     45.07

    31.

    Jharkhand

    62.56

    3.45

    5.52

     34.25

     54.75

     28.31

     45.25

    32.

    Kerala

    70.77

    16.64

    23.51

     38.48

     54.38

     32.29

     45.62

     

    Total

    19,36.70

     3,23.63

    16.71

     15,52.19

     80.15

     3,84.51

    19.85

    Source: JJM – IMIS                           HH: Households

    ****

    Dhanya Sanal K

    Director

    (Rajya Sabha US Q1831)

    (Release ID: 2111850) Visitor Counter : 21

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Surveys conducted by Government

    Source: Government of India (2)

    1

    Household Consumer Expenditure Survey

    January, 2004 – June, 2004

    Report No. 505: Household Consumer Expenditure in India

    2

    Employment and Unemployment Survey

    January, 2004 – June, 2004

    Report No. 506: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India

    3

    Survey on Morbidity and Health care

    January, 2004 – June, 2004

    Report No. 507: Morbidity, Health Care and the Condition of the Aged

    4

    Household Consumer Expenditure Survey

    July, 2004 – June, 2005

    Report No. 508: Level and Pattern of Consumer Expenditure, 2004-05

    Report No. 509: Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India, 2004-05

    Report No. 510: Public Distribution System and Other Sources of Household Consumption, 2004-05

    Report No. 511: Energy Sources of Indian Households for Cooking and Lighting, 2004-05

    Report No. 512: Perceived Adequacy of Food Consumption in Indian Households 2004-2005

    Report No. 513: Nutritional Intake in India 2004-2005

    Report No. 514: Household Consumer Expenditure Among Socio-Economic Groups: 2004 – 2005

    5

    Employment and Unemployment Survey

    July, 2004 – June, 2005

    Report No. 515: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India 2004-05

    Report No. 516: Employment and Unemployment Situation Among Social Groups in India 2004-05

    Report No. 517: Status of Education and Vocational Training in India 2004-05

    Report No. 518: Participation of Women in Specified Activities along with Domestic Duties 2004-2005

    Report No. 519: Informal Sector and Conditions of Employment in India 2004-05

    Report No. 520: Employment and Unemployment Situation in Cities and Towns in India

    Report No. 521: Employment and Unemployment Situation among Major Religious Groups in India

    6

    Employment & Unemployment

    July 2005 – June 2006

    Report No. 522: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India

    7

    Consumer Expenditure

    July 2005 – June 2006

    Report No. 523: Household Consumer Expenditure in India, 2005-06

    8

    Household Consumer Expenditure

    July 2006 – June 2007

    Report No. 527: Household Consumer Expenditure in India, 2006-07

    9

    Household Consumer Expenditure

    July 2007 – June 2008

    Report No. 530: Household Consumer Expenditure in India

    10

    Employment & Unemployment and Migration Particulars

    July 2007 – June 2008

    Report No. 531: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India, 2007-08

    Report No. 533: Migration in India, 2007-2008

    11

    Participation and Expenditure on Education

    July 2007 – June 2008

    Report No. 532: Education in India: 2007-08 Participation Expenditure

    12

    Particulars of Slum

    July 2008 – June 2009

    Report No. 534: Some Characteristics of Urban Slums, 2008-09

    13

    Housing Condition

    July 2008 – June 2009

    Report No. 535: Housing Condition and Amenities in India, 2008-09

    14

    Domestic Tourism

    July 2008 – June 2009

    Report No. 536: Domestic Tourism in India, 2008-09

    15

    Employment and Unemployment

    July 2009 – June 2010

    KI(66/10): Key Indicators of Employment and Unemployment in India, 2009-10

    Report No. 537: Employment and Unemployment Situation in India, 2009-10

    Report No. 539: Informal Sector and Conditions of Employment in India

    Report No. 543: Employment and Unemployment situation among Social Groups in India

    Report No. 548: Home-based Workers in India

    Report No. 550: Participation of Women in Specified Activities along with Domestic Duties, 2009-10

    Report No. 551: Status of Education and Vocational Training in India

    Report No. 552: Employment and Unemployment situation among Major Religious Groups in India

    Report No. 553: Employment and Unemployment situation in cities and towns in India

    16

    Household Consumer Expenditure

    July 2009 – June 2010

    KI (66/1.0): Key Indicators of Household Consumer Expenditure India, 2009-10

    Report No. 538: Level and Pattern of Consumer Expenditure

    Report No. 540: Nutritional Intake in India

    Report No. 541: Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India

    Report No. 542: Energy Sources of Indian Households for Cooking and Lighting

    Report No. 544: Household Consumer Expenditure across Socio-Economic Groups

    Report No. 545: Public Distribution System and Other Sources of Household Consumption

    Report No. 547: Perceived Adequacy of Food Consumption in Indian Households

    17

    Consumer Expenditure

    July 2011 – June 2012

    KI (68/1.0): Key Indicator of Household Consumer Expenditure in India

    Report No. 555: Level and Pattern of Consumer Expenditure, 2011-12

    Report No. 558: Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 560: Nutritional Intake in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 562: Household Consumer Expenditure across Socio- Economic Groups, 2011-12

    Report No. 565: Public Distribution System and Other Sources of Household Consumption, 2011-12

    Report No. 567: Energy Sources of Indian Households for Cooking & Lighting, 2011-12

    18

    Employment and Unemployment

    July 2011 – June 2012

    KI (68/10): Key Indicator of Employment and Unemployment in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 554: Employment & Unemployment Situation in India, 2011-12

    Report No. 557: Informal Sector and Conditions of Employment in India

    Report No. 559: Participation of Women in Specified Activities along with Domestic Duties

    Report No. 563: Employment and Unemployment situation among Social Groups in India

    Report No. 654: Employment and Unemployment situation Towns in India

    Report No. 566: Status of Education and Vocational Training in India

    19

    Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition

    July 2012 – December 2012

    KI (69/1.2): Key Results of Survey on Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition in India

    Report No. 556: Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing Condition in India

    20

    Particulars of Slums

    July 2012 – December 2012

    KI (69/0.21): Key Indicators on Urban Slums in India

    Report No. 561: Urban Slums in India, 2012

    21

    Land and Livestock Holdings

    January 2013 – December, 2013

    KI (70/18.1): Key Indicators of Land and Livestock Holdings in India

    Report No. 571: Household Ownership and Operational Holdings in India

    Report No. 572: Livestock Ownership in India

    22

    All India Debt and Investment

    January 2013 – December, 2013

    KI (70/18.2): Key Indicators of Debt and Investment in India

    Report No. 570: Household Assets and Liabilities

    Report No. 577: Household Indebtedness in India

    Report No. 578: Household Assets and Indebtedness among Social Groups

    Report No. 579: Household Capital Expenditure in India

    23

    Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households

    January 2013 – December, 2013

    KI (70/33): Key Indicators of Situation of Agricultural Households in India

    Report No. 569: Some Characteristics of Agricultural Households in India

    Report No. 573: Some Aspects of Farming in India

    Report No. 576: Income, Expenditure, Productive Assets and Indebtedness of Agricultural Households in India

    24

    Social consumption: Health

    January 2014 – June, 2014

    KI (71/25.0): Key Indicators of Social Consumption: Health

    Report No. 574: Health in India

    25

    Social consumption: Education

    January 2014 – June, 2014

    KI (71/25.2): Key Indicators of Social Consumption: Education in India

    Report No. 575: Education in India, 2014

    26

    Domestic Tourism Expenditure

    July, 2014 – June, 2015

    KI (72/21.1): Key Indicators of Domestic Tourism in India

    Report No. 580: Domestic Tourism in India

    27

    Household Expenditure on Services and Durable Goods

    July, 2014 – June, 2015

    KI (72/1.5): Key Indicators of Household Expenditure on Services and Durable Goods

    28

    Manufacturing sector enterprises

    July 2005 – June 2006

    NSS Report No. 524: Operational Characteristics of Unorganised Manufacturing Enterprises in India, 2005-06

     

    NSS Report No. 525: Unorganised Manufacturing Sector in India, 2005-06 – Employment, Assets and Borrowings

     

    NSS Report No. 526: Unorganised Manufacturing Sector in India, 2005-06 – Input, Output and Value Added

    29

    Service sector enterprises excluding Trade

    July 2006 – June 2007

    NSS Report No. 528: Service Sector in India (2006-07): Operational Characteristics of Enterprises

     

    NSS Report No. 529: Service Sector in India (2006-07): Economic Characteristics of Enterprises

    30

    Unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises in

    manufacturing, trade and other service sector

    (excluding Construction)

    July 2010 – June 2011

    KI (67/2.34): Key Results of Survey on Unincorporated Non-agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India

     

    NSS Report No. 546: Operational Characteristics of Unincorporated Non-agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India

     

    NSS Report No. 549: Economic Characteristics of Unincorporated Non-agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India

    31

    Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)

    Continuous annual Survey conducted for every financial year from 2003-04 to 2013-14

    Reports released for all surveys of ASI conducted for every financial year from 2003-04 to 2013-14.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India – New Zealand Joint Statement

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 2:39PM by PIB Delhi

    At the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, is on an Official Visit to India on 16-20 March 2025. Prime Minister Luxon, who is on his first visit to India in his current capacity, is visiting New Delhi and Mumbai, and is accompanied by Hon. Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Hon. Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities, and Sport and Recreation, and Hon. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, Agriculture, and Forestry, and a high-level delegation comprising of officials, and representatives of businesses, community diaspora, media and cultural groups.

    Prime Minister Luxon was accorded a warm and traditional welcome in New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Luxon. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue on 17 March 2025 in New Delhi with Prime Minister Luxon as the Chief Guest delivering the Inaugural Keynote Address. The Prime Minister laid a wreath at Raj Ghat Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and also called on President Droupadi Murmu.

    The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared desire to further strengthen the growing bilateral relationship between India and New Zealand which is anchored in shared democratic values and robust people-to-people ties. Both leaders recognized that there remains significant potential for further growth in the bilateral relationship and agreed to cooperate closely in diverse areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, education and research, science and technology, agri-tech, space, mobility of people and sports.

    The Prime Ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest and agreed to strengthen multilateral cooperation. The Prime Ministers recognised that we face an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world. They noted that, as maritime nations, India and New Zealand have a strong and common interest in an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where the rules-based international order is upheld.

    The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the right of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Prime Ministers reaffirmed the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.

    The Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the strong connections between the people of the two countries, with Indian-origin people making up almost six percent of New Zealand’s population. They appreciated the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand and their positive role in facilitating people-to-people ties between the two countries. Both leaders agreed on the significance of ensuring the safety and security of the Indian community, including students, in New Zealand, and of New Zealanders in India and visitors to India.

    Cooperation in trade, investment and financial matters:

    The Prime Ministers welcomed sustained trade and investment flows between India and New Zealand and called for further exploring the potential to expand bilateral trade. They encouraged businesses on both sides to cultivate links; explore emerging economic and investment opportunities to build upon the complementarities of the two economies.

    The Leaders called for greater two-way investment, reflective of the ongoing strong momentum in bilateral cooperation.

    The Prime Ministers agreed to enhance the trade and investment relationship between India and New Zealand to realise its untapped potential and to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

    The Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of FTA negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial trade agreement to achieve deeper economic integration. The Leaders agreed that a comprehensive trade agreement offers a significant opportunity to enhance trade and economic cooperation. By leveraging each country’s strengths, addressing their respective concerns, and tackling challenges, a bilateral trade agreement can foster mutually beneficial trade and investment growth, ensuring equitable gains and complementarities for both sides. The Leaders committed to designate senior representatives to steer these negotiations to resolution as soon as reasonably possible.

     Within the context of FTA negotiations, the Leaders agreed to discussions between respective authorities on both sides to explore early implementation of cooperation in the digital payments sector.

    The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA) under the aegis of the Customs Cooperation Arrangement (CCA) signed in 2024, which would facilitate easier movement of goods between the two countries by our respective trusted traders through close cooperation between customs authorities, thereby boosting bilateral trade.

    The Leaders welcomed new cooperation on horticulture and forestry, including: the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Horticulture which would enhance bilateral cooperation by promoting knowledge and research exchanges, development of post-harvest and marketing infrastructure; and the signing of a Letter of Intent on Forestry Cooperation that encourages policy dialogues and technical exchanges.

    The Leaders recognized the positive role played by tourism in generating economic growth, increasing business engagements and generating greater understanding between people of the two countries. They welcomed the growing flows of tourists between India and New Zealand. They appreciated the update to the India-New Zealand Air Services Agreement and agreed to encourage their carriers for commencement of direct (non-stop) flight operations between the two countries.

    Political, defence and security cooperation:

    The Prime Ministers recognised the significance of parliamentary exchanges and encouraged regular visits of parliamentary delegations between the two countries.

    The Prime Ministers acknowledged the shared history of sacrifice of Indian and New Zealand service personnel who fought and served alongside one another around the world over the past century.

    The Prime Ministers welcomed sustained progress in defence engagements, including through participation in military exercises, staff college exchanges, regular port calls by naval ships, and exchange of high-level defence delegations. They recalled that the Indian Naval sailing vessel Tarini made a port call at Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand in December 2024. They also referred to the upcoming port call in Mumbai by the Royal New Zealand Navy Ship HMNZS Te Kaha.

    Both Leaders welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation. This will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and establish regular bilateral defence engagement. Both sides noted the need for ensuring the safety and security of sea lanes of communication and agreed there needs to be regular dialogue to discuss enhancement of maritime safety.

    New Zealand welcomed India joining the Combined Maritimes Forces. Both Leaders welcomed advancement in defence ties during New Zealand command of Command Task Force 150.

    Both Leaders appreciated the regular training exchanges of officers, including at Defence Colleges on reciprocal basis. Both sides agreed for enhanced capacity building cooperation.

    Prime Minister Luxon expressed New Zealand’s interest in joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand into this partnership with like-minded countries which seek to manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain. Further cooperation as maritime nations is also being explored between India and New Zealand with discussions taking place between experts on the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) which is being established at Lothal, Gujarat.

    Cooperation in science & technology and disaster management:

    The two Leaders noted the significance of research, scientific connections, technology partnerships and innovation as an important pillar of the bilateral partnership and called for exploring such opportunities in mutual interest. Both sides stressed the need for stronger collaboration to develop and commercialize technologies in identified areas through closer collaboration between businesses, and industries.

    The two sides recognized the challenges for their economies presented by climate change and the transition to low emissions climate resilient economies. Prime Minister Luxon welcomed India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and reiterated New Zealand’s strong support as a member since 2024. Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which aims at making systems and infrastructure resilient in order to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

    The two Leaders welcomed work towards a Memorandum of Cooperation on earthquake mitigation cooperation between relevant authorities of India and New Zealand, which would facilitate inter alia exchange of experiences in earthquake preparedness, emergency response mechanism, and capacity building.

    Education, mobility, sports and people to people ties:

    Both Prime Ministers agreed that there exists great potential to further strengthen the growing education and community links between India and New Zealand. They encouraged academic institutions of both countries to build future-oriented partnerships focused on areas of mutual interest including in areas of science, innovation, new and emerging technologies.

    The Leaders encouraged the creation of further opportunities for Indian students seeking quality education programmes in New Zealand. They noted the significance of skill development and mobility of skilled personnel to support expanded engagement in sectors, including science, innovation, and new and emerging technologies. The two Leaders agreed, within the context of the trade agreement negotiations, which the Leaders have agreed to launch, to also launch negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers between the two countries, while also addressing the issue of irregular migration.

    The Leaders welcomed the signature of the refreshed Education Cooperation Arrangement between the Indian Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Ministry of Education. This Arrangement will facilitate the continued exchange of information on India’s and New Zealand’s respective education systems as the basis for strengthening the bilateral education relationship.

    The Leaders noted that India and New Zealand enjoy close sporting links, particularly in cricket, hockey and other Olympic sports. They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Sports to foster greater sporting engagement and collaboration between countries. They also welcomed the “Sporting Unity” events planned in 2026, to recognise and celebrate 100 years of sporting contact between India and New Zealand.

    The Prime Ministers acknowledged the importance of robust systems of traditional medicine in India and New Zealand, and welcomed discussions between experts, including science and research experts, on both sides to understand and explore possible areas of cooperation, including through sharing of information and best practices and visits of experts.

    Both Prime Ministers noted the growing interest among New Zealanders in Yoga and Indian music and dance, as well as the free observance of Indian festivals. They encouraged further promotion of bilateral ties including through music, dance, theatre, films, and festivals.

    Cooperation in regional and multilateral fora:

    Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.

    The Leaders noted cooperation between India and New Zealand in various regional fora, including ASEAN-led fora such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus and the ASEAN Regional Forum. The Leaders reaffirmed the importance of these regional bodies and ASEAN centrality for furthering security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region and emphasised the importance of all parties maintaining peace and stability in the region.

    Both Leaders emphasized on the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a United Nations that is reflective of contemporary realities, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. The two sides stressed the need for UN reforms, including of the Security Council through expansion in its membership, to make it more representative, credible and effective. New Zealand endorsed India’s candidature for permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of extending mutual support to each other’s candidatures at the multilateral fora.

    Both Leaders emphasized the importance of upholding the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and acknowledged the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group in context of predictability for India’s clean energy goals and its non-proliferation credentials.

    Both Leaders reaffirmed their firm support for peace and stability in the Middle East and welcomed the agreement for the release of hostages and ceasefire of January 2025. They reiterated their call for continued negotiations to secure a permanent peace, which includes the release of all hostages and the rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza. Both Leaders stressed the importance of a negotiated two-State solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent state of Palestine, and living within secure and mutually recognized borders, side by side in peace and security with Israel.

    The Leaders exchanged views on the war in Ukraine and expressed support for a just and lasting peace based on respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty.

    The two Leaders reiterated their absolute condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and the use of terrorist proxies in cross-border terrorism. Both stressed the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, measurable, and concrete action against UN-proscribed terrorist organizations and individuals. They called for disrupting of terrorism financing networks and safe havens, dismantling of terror infrastructure, including online, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. The two leaders agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism and violent extremism through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.

    The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the progress in ongoing bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral partnership for mutual benefit as well as for the benefit of the Indo-Pacific Region. They called for exploring the potential to deepen bilateral engagement and explore new avenues of cooperation, including in the fields of green and agriculture technologies.

    Prime Minister Luxon thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Government and the people of India for the warmth and hospitality extended to him and to the members of his delegation during his Official Visit to India. Prime Minister Luxon invited Prime Minister Modi to undertake a reciprocal visit to New Zealand.

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – New Commission portfolio dedicated to housing and implications for Member State and local authority competences – E-002995/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU is facing a severe housing crisis impacting millions of people. To help tackle this crisis, the Commission has appointed the first-ever Commissioner for Housing and has established a Task Force for Housing.

    It assists the Commission in coordinating the work among its services and supporting Member States, Mayors and local authorities to address structural drivers, to unlock public and private investment for affordable and sustainable housing, and to add value at EU level, where needed.

    The Commission will be working closely with the European Parliament and the Council, across institutions and different levels of public administrations, and across sectors.

    The Commission will assess various aspects of the lack of affordable housing. Throughout 2025, the Commission intends to extensively consult all relevant stakeholders. All this will feed into the European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP) and ensure that the plan is well-targeted.

    In addition, the Commission services are examining how state aid rules for housing could be revised to enable housing support measures, notably for energy efficiency and social housing, and conduct an analysis of the impact of housing speculations and its economic consequences.

    The Commission will also work together with the European Investment Bank to establish a pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing and work closely with other international financial institutions, national promotional banks, and institutions and other stakeholders in this work. The Commission will also develop a European Strategy for Housing Construction.

    Regarding the impact of migration on the housing market, the Commission will assess it during the development of the EAHP.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Measures to expand electricity infrastructure for the green transition – E-002681/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Interconnected and stable electricity grids, both at transmission and distribution levels, are a key enabler of the clean energy transition.

    The development of distribution grids is addressed in several legal as well as non-legislative acts, including the Electricity Directive[1]; several actions targeting the distribution networks have also been tabled for the first time in the Grid Action Plan[2].

    The Commission will continue to actively upgrade the EU grid infrastructure. The Commission will look at the legal framework on European grids with the aim to help upgrade and expand grids to support rapid electrification, and will table a Clean Investment Strategy to support efforts to prioritise investment in clean energy infrastructure.

    An Electrification Action Plan will also be tabled to ensure an encompassing strategy towards an EU energy system powered with homegrown, clean electricity.

    In addition, the Commission is continuously monitoring skill shortages in the energy sector. The Commission estimates that the transition to clean energy will require 3.9 million additional skilled workers[3].

    The latest European skills and jobs survey[4] shows that energy supply and manufacturing are among the sectors with the highest upskilling needs in terms of technical and job-specific skills.

    To address these shortages, the Commission will[5], inter alia, promote the setting-up and implementation of new sectoral and regional skills partnerships under the Pact for Skills and support the work of all the Skills Academies in net-zero technologies.

    The Commission will also establish a Union of Skills[6], which will focus, among others, on investment, adult and lifelong learning, skill retention and recognition of different types of training.

    • [1] Directive (EU) 2024/1711.
    • [2] COM/2023/757 final, Concrete actions of the Grid Action Plan include supporting better distribution grid planning and anticipatory investment to be able to connect new loads and renewables on time, coordinate action on the grid hosting capacity for both transmission and distribution grids, promotion of smart grids and innovative network technologies also via Technopedia platform, which should be jointly established by ENTSO-E and the EU DSO entity and further actions to support accelerating the permitting procedures.
    • [3] Commission Communication on Labour and skills shortages in the EU: an action plan, COM(2024) 131 final. Electrical engineers, electrical engineering technicians, building and related electricians, electrical mechanics and fitters as well as environmental engineers were listed in Annex of the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an EU Talent Pool, listing occupations, for which an EU-wide shortage has been identified.
    • [4] Cedefop (2021).
    • [5] These actions are all included in the action plan on labour and skills shortages in the EU.
    • [6] As announced in the Political Guidelines.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Elena Vinogradova: “Both at work and at home I strive for a stable life balance”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On March 17, the director of the Department of Economics and Finance of SPbPU, Doctor of Economic Sciences Elena Vinogradova, celebrates her anniversary.

    We congratulate Elena Borisovna and take this opportunity to say that the university is proud of such a specialist – passionate, purposeful, talented.

    Many colleagues, knowing Elena Borisovna well as a high-class professional, would like to learn more about her as a person. We provide you with such an opportunity. Read the interview with Elena Borisovna Vinogradova in our special project “Persona”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Buddhist Thematic Circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:56PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ extends financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for development of Buddhist Tourism. The ‘Buddhist Circuit’ has been identified as one of the thematic circuits for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Details of projects sanctioned under the Buddhist thematic circuit is at Annexure.

    The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture undertakes conservation and preservation of protected monuments as well as take action for providing public amenities such as toilets, drinking water, parking, pathways, signage, benches, ramps, wheel chairs etc. at various monuments including protected Buddhist Sites, under the Annual Conservation program. Providing public amenities and improving them is a regular activity.

    The 1st Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS), was organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi, a grantee body of this Ministry. The said summit was based on Asian spirit tradition and cultural & religious cooperation among Asian Nations. The 1st Asian Buddhist Summit witnessed presence of more than 650 delegates including 130 foreign delegates from 26 Asian countries, diplomats from 12 countries and 40 Monks each from Mahayana and Theravada traditions. It has been decided to hold Asian Buddhist Summit in alternate years.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

     

    Annexure

     

    Details of projects sanctioned under the Buddhist thematic circuit:

     

    S. No.

    State/UT

    Circuit

    Sanction Year

    Name of the Project

    Amount Sanctioned (₹ Cr.)

    Amount Released/ Authorized

    (₹ Cr.)*

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    Buddhist Circuit

    2017-18

    Development of Buddhist Circuit: Shalihundam- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda -Amravati- Anupu

    35.24

    30.02

    2

    Bihar

    Buddhist Circuit

    2016-17

    Development of Buddhist circuit- Construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya

    95.18

    95.18

    3

    Gujarat

    Buddhist Circuit

    2017-18

    Development of Junagadh- Gir Somnath- Bharuch-Kutch- Bhavnagar- Rajkot- Mehsana

    26.68

    22.28

    4

    Madhya Pradesh

    Buddhist Circuit

    2016-17

    Development of Sanchi-Satna-Rewa-Mandsaur-Dhar

    74.02

    72.75

    5

    Uttar Pradesh

    Buddhist Circuit

    2016-17

    Development of Srawasti, Kushinagar, & Kapilwastu

    87.89

    72.56

     

    * Includes amount of authorization to CNA through TSA Model I for Central Sector Scheme.

    Under the PRASHAD Scheme, ‘Development of Pilgrimage Facilitation at Four Patron Saints at Yuksom, Sikkim’ project was sanctioned for an amount of Rs.33.32 Crore in the year 2020-21.

    Under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, the operational guidelines for Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale were issued by the Ministry of Tourism. In line with the guidelines, on 26.11.2024 Government of India has approved a Project ‘Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti’ in Uttar Pradesh for a cost of Rs. 80.24 Crore.

     

    ****

     

    (Release ID: 2111822) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM VIKAS SCHEME FOCUSES ON UPLIFTMENT OF MINORITIES

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:39PM by PIB Delhi

    The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a flagship Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘Hamari Dharohar’ and ‘USTTAD’; and focuses on upliftment of six notified minority communities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership of minority women; and education support for school dropouts. The scheme also provisions to facilitate credit linkages by connecting beneficiaries with loan programs offered by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC). Under the scheme, the Ministry has received some proposals and is in the process of shortlisting and finalising the projects.

    Ministry initiatives like Hunar Haat and Lok Samvardhan Parv aim at promoting entrepreneurship among traditional artisans through showcasing and marketing their products. Since 2015 to till date, 43 such events have been organised by the Ministry across the country.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today

    ***

    SS/ISA

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM’S NEW 15 POINT PROGRAMME AIMS TO ENSURE THAT UNDERPRIVILEGED AND WEAKER SECTIONS OF MINIORITY COMMUNITIES HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AVAILING VARIOUS GOVERNMENT WELFARE SCHEMES

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 3:37PM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for welfare of Minorities is implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs since its launch in the year 2006. It is an overarching programme which covers various schemes/initiatives of the participating Ministries/Departments with an aim to ensure that the underprivileged and weaker sections of six centrally notified minority communities have equal opportunities for availing the various Government welfare Schemes and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the Country.

    The schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs covered under the 15 Point Programme are exclusively meant for notified minorities. Further, 15% of the outlays and targets, to the extent possible, of schemes/ initiatives implemented by other participating Ministries/ Departments are earmarked for notified minorities. The schemes of Ministry of Minority Affairs and other participating Ministries included in the Programme, including schemes for education and employment, are as under:

    i. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of Minority Affairs)

    ii. Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of Minority Affairs)

    iii. Merit-cum- Means based Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of Minority Affairs)

    iv. National Minorities Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Loan Schemes

    v. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan (M/o Education)

    vi. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM) (M/o Rural Development)

    vii. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana (M/o Rural Development)

    viii. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (M/o Rural Development)

    ix. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Urban Livelihoods Mission (M/o Housing & Urban Affairs)

    x. Priority Sector Lending by Banks (Department of Financial Services)

    xi. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (Department of Financial Services)

    xii. POSHAN Abhiyaan (Ministry of Women & Child Development)

    xiii. National Health Mission (Department of Health & Family Welfare)

    xiv. Ayushman Bharat (Department of Health & Family Welfare)

    xv. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (Jal Jeevan Mission), (Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation)

    The schemes included in the 15 Point Programme are monitored at various levels by the participating ministries and Ministry of Minority Affairs in its role as the nodal Ministry, coordinates the implementation of relevant schemes of other Ministries/Departments under the Programme to facilitate the achievement of saturation levels. Under the saturation approach of Government many of the components have achieved mainstreaming. Furthermore, consistent efforts are being made to improve the full delivery of benefits in the various relevant schemes for minority communities.

    No modifications are proposed at present for the programme.

    This information was given by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    SS/ISA

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  • MIL-OSI: Diversified Achieves Strong Final Year-End 2024 Results, Delivers on Capital Allocation Promises, and Introduces 2025 Combined Company Outlook

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    2024 Achievements Position Diversified on a Meaningful Path Forward as a Stronger and Larger Company

    Executed Approximately $2 Billion of Acquisitions in an Advantageous Pricing Environment

    Third year of Consistent Operating Costs Despite Broader Industry and Inflationary Pressures

    Maverick Integration Anticipated to Provide Meaningful Financial and Operational Benefits to Drive Free Cash Flow Acceleration

    Created a PDP Solution for Upstream Peers to Facilitate Operated Acquisitions with an Undeveloped Inventory Focus

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC; NYSE: DEC) is pleased to announce its operational and final audited results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    Diversified remains a differentiated key player in acquiring and building a portfolio of assets through value-accretive transactions while simultaneously unlocking hidden value through its unique operational framework, strategic development partnerships, and growing adjacent business segments, including coal mine methane (CMM), energy marketing and well-retirement. By completing over $4.0 billion of acquisitions since its public listing in 2017, Diversified has built a large-scale integration and operating company that remains focused on delivering de-risked, reliable cash flow for its shareholders. With the combination of maturing assets and M&A activity leading to growth-oriented E&P’s recycling capital through divestment, there remains an ample opportunity set for Diversified’s continued growth. Additionally, with most upstream acquisitions today focusing on increasing undeveloped inventory, Diversified provides a creative and actionable solution as the PDP purchasing partner for those E&P’s that only value inventory.

    Only Publicly Traded Champion of the PDP Subsector with Unique Strategic Advantages

    • Large Operational Scale: Multiple geographies in core basins including Western Anadarko (largest producer), Permian, Appalachia, Barnett and Ark-La-Tex with commodity product diversification
    • Vertical Integration: In-house marketing, extensive midstream network, wholly-owned processing infrastructure, and a well retirement business segment
    • Leading Technology Platform: 100% cloud architecture, supporting well level data capture, information for actionable production optimization, and real-time monitoring which mitigates production downtime
    • Beneficial Financing Solution: Demonstrated ability to access numerous capital solutions, including investment grade, low-cost Asset Backed Securities, commercial banking facilities and equity investment partners
    • Flexible Capital Allocation: shareholder returns-focused model prioritizing Free Cash Flow for systematic debt reduction, fixed dividend payments, opportunistic share repurchases, and accretive acquisitions
    • Proven Process to Capture Synergies: established integration playbook and sophisticated corporate infrastructure provides considerable expense savings and unlocks sustainable value

    Delivering Consistent and Reliable Results in 2024        

    • Delivered average net daily production: 791 MMcfepd (132 MBoepd)
      • December exit rate of 864 MMcfepd (144 MBoepd)
    • Year end 2024 reserves of 4.5 Tcfe (747 MMBoe; PV10 of $3.3 billion(b))
    • Total Revenue, inclusive of hedges of $946 million(e), net of $151 million in commodity cash hedge receipts that supplemented Total Revenue of $795 million
    • Operating Cash Flow of $346 million; Net loss of $87 million, inclusive of $141 million tax-effected, non-cash unsettled derivative fair value adjustments
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $472 million(c); Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $211 million(d)
      • 2024 Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 51%(c)
      • 2024 Adjusted Operating Cost per unit of $1.70/Mcfe ($10.22/Boe)

    Achieving Expectations

    • Recommend a final quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share
    • Generated $49 million of cash proceeds through land sales and Coal Mine Methane Revenues
    • Retired over $200 million in debt principal through amortizing debt payments
    • Returned $105 million to shareholders, including $21 million in share buybacks(h)
    • Completed $585 million (gross) in strategic and bolt-on acquisitions during 2024
    • Retired 202 Diversified wells in Appalachia, marking third consecutive year to exceed 200 wells
    • OGMP Gold Standard and MSCI AA Rating for third and second consecutive year, respectively
    • Decreased Scope 1 methane intensity to 0.7 MT CO2e per MMcfe, a 13% reduction from 2023

    Powerful Step Forward

    • Closed transformative $1.3 billion acquisition of Maverick Natural Resources (“Maverick”)
      • Largest Producer in the Western Anadarko Basin (WAB)
      • Entry into the Permian basin
      • Expecting to achieve over $50 million in annual synergies by year-end 2025
    • Closed the accretive bolt-on acquisition of assets from Summit Natural Resources
      • Anticipate over 300% increase in cash flow from CMM environmental credit sales in the next 24 months
    • Developed a unique partnership to create an innovative, reliable, net-zero data center power solution
    • Enhancing free cash flow growth in 2025 by advantageously added natural gas hedges (related to ABS & recent acquisitions) and planning approximately $40 million from the divestiture of undeveloped leasehold during the first half of 2025

    CEO Rusty Hutson, Jr. commented:

    “Our over 1,600 women and men of Diversified remain the driving force behind our strong operational and financial performance in 2024. Whether it’s natural gas to power the technology of the future or the everyday needs of families and businesses across our operating region, Diversified provides the reliable and sustainable energy needed, and we continue to invest in growing our business while expanding our opportunity set of cash flow generation through verticals in a variety of end markets.

    We have built a Company that remains highly focused on long-term value creation through the growth of our platform and our ability to leverage vertical integration and scale to operate a structurally and dependably higher-margin business that delivers de-risked, consistent cash flow. Our focused strategy, disciplined leadership team, sound operating practices, and the strong demand for natural gas provide us with momentum as we begin the year and the confidence to achieve our full-year 2025 expectations while executing against our capital allocation strategy. We are starting the year in a position of strength as a bigger, better business, and there has never been a more exciting time for our Company and the energy industry. We feel privileged to be at the heart of the energy renaissance as the Right Company at the Right Time to help provide essential energy needs.”

    Combined Company 2025 Outlook

    Following the recently completed acquisition of Maverick, Diversified expects to realize significant operational synergies associated with a larger, consolidated position in Oklahoma and the ability to improve the overall cost structure of the Maverick Natural Resources assets while continuing to prioritize returns and Free Cash Flow generation.

    The following outlook incorporates a nine-month contribution from the recently acquired Maverick.

      2025 Guidance
    Total Production (Mmcfe/d) 1,050 to 1,100
    % Liquids ~25%
    % Natural Gas ~75%
    Total Capital Expenditures (millions) $165 to $185
    Adj. EBITDA(millions) $825 to $875
    Adj. Free Cash Flow(millions) ~$420
    Leverage Target 2.0x to 2.5x
    Combined Company Synergies (millions) >$50
    Includes the value of anticipated cash proceeds for 2025 land sales
     

    Posting of 2024 Annual Report and Notice of Annual General Meeting

    Diversified has published to the Company’s website its 2024 Annual Report and Notice of AGM, along with the form of proxy for the AGM. These documents can be viewed or downloaded from Diversified’s website at https://ir.div.energy/financial-info.

    The Company has also provided copies of these documents to the National Storage Mechanism that, in accordance with UK Listing Rule 6.4.1R, will be available for inspection at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    Annual General Meeting Arrangements

    The Company’s AGM will be held on April 9, 2025 at 1:00pm BST (8:00am EDT) at the offices of FTI Consulting, 200 Aldersgate, Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4HD.

    Presentation and Webcast

    DEC will host a conference call today at 12:30 pm GMT (8:30am EDT) to discuss these results. The conference call details are as follows:

    A corporate presentation will be posted to the Company’s website before the conference call. The presentation can be found at https://ir.div.energy/presentations.

    Footnotes:

    (a) Corporate decline rate of ~10% calculated as the change in average daily production for the month of December 2023 (775 MMcfepd), adjusted for the impact of acquisitions and divestitures occurring during the 2024 calendar year, to the average daily production for the month of December 2024.
    (b) Based on the Company’s year-end PDP reserves and using 10-year NYMEX strip, as at December 31, 2024.
    (c) Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depletion, and amortization, and includes adjustments for items that are not comparable period-over-period; As presented, Adjusted EBITDA includes the impact of the accounting basis for land sales; Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA (excluding the adjustment for the accounting basis on land sales) as a percent of Total Revenue, Inclusive of Settled Hedges; For purposes of comparability, Adjusted EBITDA Margin excludes Other Revenue of $16 million and Lease Operating Expense of $19 million in 2024 associated with Diversified’s wholly owned plugging subsidiary, Next LVL Energy. For more information, please refer to Non-IFRS Measures, below.
    (d) Free Cash Flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less expenditures on natural gas and oil properties and equipment and cash paid for interest; As used herein, Adjusted Free Cash Flow represents Free Cash Flow, plus cash proceeds from undeveloped acreage sales; For more information, please refer to Non-IFRS Measures, below.
    (e) Calculated as total revenue recorded for the period, inclusive of the impact of derivatives settled in cash. For more information, please refer to Non-IFRS Measures, below.
    (f) Calculated as the availability on the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility (“SLL”) and cash on hand (unrestricted)of December 31, 2024; Does not include the impact of Letters of Credit.
    (g) Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA, or “Leverage” or “Leverage Ratio,” is measured as Net Debt divided by Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA; Pro forma adjusted EBITDA includes adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2024 for the annualized impact of acquisitions completed during the year. Net Debt calculated as of December 31, 2024 and includes total debt as recognized on the balance sheet, less cash and restricted cash; Total debt includes the Company’s borrowings under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility (“SLL”) and borrowings under or issuances of, as applicable, the Company’s subsidiaries’ securitization facilities. For more information, please refer to Non-IFRS Measures, below.
       

    For Company-specific items, refer also to the Glossary of Terms and/or Alternative Performance Measures found in Diversified’s 2024 Annual Report

    For further information, please contact:  
    Diversified Energy Company PLC +1 973 856 2757
    Doug Kris dkris@dgoc.com
    www.div.energy  
       
    FTI Consulting dec@fticonsulting.com
    U.S. & UK Financial Public Relations  
       

    About Diversified Energy Company PLC

    Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

    Important Notices

    This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“the Group”) following the Maverick Acquisition. These statements, which contain the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “seek”, “continue”, “aim”, “target”, “projected”, “plan”, “goal”, “achieve”, “outlook” and words of similar meaning, reflect the Company’s beliefs and expectations and are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment the Company and the Group will operate in and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. No representation is made that any of these statements or forecasts will come to pass or that any forecast results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or the Group to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the Company’s or the Group’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future market conditions, currency fluctuations, the behaviour of other market participants, the actions of regulators and other factors such as the Company’s or the Group’s ability to continue to obtain financing to meet its liquidity needs, changes in the political, social and regulatory framework in which the Company or the Group operate or in economic or technological trends or conditions, and the Company’s or Group’s ability to realize expected benefits of the Maverick acquisition. Past performance of the Company cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The list above is not exhaustive and there are other factors that may cause the Company’s or the Group’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, including the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of their date and neither the Company, nor the Group nor any of its respective directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or advisers expressly disclaim any obligation to supplement, amend, update or revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except where it would be required to do so under applicable law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements in this announcement may not occur. No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or a profit estimate and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that the financial performance of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published for the Company.

    The contents of this announcement are not to be construed as legal, business or tax advice. Each shareholder should consult its own legal adviser, financial adviser or tax adviser for legal, financial or tax advice respectively.

    Percentages in tables have been rounded and accordingly may not add up to 100 per cent. Certain financial data have also been rounded. As a result of this rounding, the totals of data presented in this announcement may vary slightly from the actual arithmetic totals of such data.

    Use of Non-IFRS Measures

    Certain key operating metrics that are not defined under IFRS (alternative performance measures) are included in this announcement. These non-IFRS measures are used by us to monitor the underlying business performance of the Company from period to period and to facilitate comparison with our peers. Since not all companies calculate these or other non-IFRS metrics in the same way, the manner in which we have chosen to calculate the non-IFRS metrics presented herein may not be compatible with similarly defined terms used by other companies. The non-IFRS metrics should not be considered in isolation of, or viewed as substitutes for, the financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. Certain of the key operating metrics are based on information derived from our regularly maintained records and accounting and operating systems.

    Non-IFRS Disclosures

    Adjusted EBITDA

    As used herein, EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depletion, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA further adjusts for items that are not comparable period-over-period, including accretion of asset retirement obligations, other (income) expense, loss on joint and working interest owners receivable, (gain) loss on bargain purchases, (gain) loss on fair value adjustments of unsettled financial instruments, (gain) loss on natural gas and oil property and equipment, costs associated with acquisitions, other adjusting costs, non-cash equity compensation, (gain) loss on foreign currency hedge, net (gain) loss on interest rate swaps and other similar items.

    Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating profit (loss), net income (loss), or cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities. However, we believe this measure is useful to investors in evaluating our financial performance because it (1) is widely used by investors in the natural gas and oil industry as an indicator of underlying business performance; (2) helps investors more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the often-volatile revenue impact of changes in the fair value of derivative instruments prior to settlement; (3) is used in the calculation of a key metric in one of our Credit Facility financial covenants; and (4) is used by us as a performance measure in determining executive compensation. When evaluating this measure, we believe investors also commonly find it useful to assess this metric as a percentage of our total revenue, inclusive of settled hedges, which we refer to as adjusted EBITDA margin.

      Year Ended
      December 31,
    2024
    December 31,
    2023
    December 31,
    2022
    Net income (loss) $ (87,001 ) $ 759,701   $ (620,598 )
    Finance costs   137,643     134,166     100,799  
    Accretion of asset retirement obligations   30,868     26,926     27,569  
    Other (income) expense(a)   (1,257 )   (385 )   (269 )
    Income tax (benefit) expense   (136,951 )   240,643     (178,904 )
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization   256,484     224,546     222,257  
    (Gain) loss on bargain purchases           (4,447 )
    (Gain) loss on fair value adjustments of unsettled financial instruments   189,030     (905,695 )   861,457  
    (Gain) loss on natural gas and oil properties and equipment(b)   15,308     4,014     93  
    (Gain) loss on sale of equity interest   7,375     (18,440 )    
    Unrealized (gain) loss on investment   4,013     (4,610 )    
    Impairment of proved properties(c)       41,616      
    Costs associated with acquisitions   11,573     16,775     15,545  
    Other adjusting costs(d)   22,375     17,794     69,967  
    Loss on early retirement of debt   14,753          
    Non-cash equity compensation   8,286     6,494     8,051  
    (Gain) loss on foreign currency hedge       521      
    (Gain) loss on interest rate swap   (190 )   2,722     1,434  
    Total adjustments $ 559,310   $ (212,913 ) $ 1,123,552  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 472,309   $ 546,788   $ 502,954  
    Pro forma adjusted EBITDA(e) $ 548,570   $ 553,252   $ 574,414  
    1. Excludes $1 million in dividend distributions received for our investment in DP Lion Equity Holdco during the year ended December 31, 2024.
    2. Excludes $27 million, $24 million and $2 million in cash proceeds received for leasehold sales during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, less $14 million and $4 million of basis in leasehold sales for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
    3. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Group determined the carrying amounts of certain proved properties within two fields were not recoverable from future cash flows, and therefore, were impaired.
    4. Other adjusting costs for the year ended December 31, 2024, were primarily associated with legal and professional fees related to the U.S. listing, legal fees for certain litigation, and expenses associated with unused firm transportation agreements. For the year ended December 31, 2023, these costs were primarily related to legal and professional fees for the U.S. listing, legal fees for certain litigation, and expenses for unused firm transportation agreements. For the year ended December 31, 2022, these costs mainly included $28 million in contract terminations, which enabled the Group to secure more favorable future pricing, and $31 million in deal breakage and/or sourcing costs for acquisitions.
    5. Includes adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2024 for the Oaktree, Crescent Pass, and East Texas II acquisitions to pro forma their results for the full twelve months of operations. Similar adjustments were made for the year ended December 31, 2023 for the Tanos II Acquisition, as well as for the year ended December 31, 2022 for the East Texas I and ConocoPhillips acquisitions.

    Total Revenue, Inclusive of Hedges and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    As used herein, total revenue, inclusive of settled hedges, accounts for the impact of derivatives settled in cash. We believe that total revenue, inclusive of settled hedges, is a useful measure because it enables investors to discern our realized revenue after adjusting for the settlement of derivative contracts.

    As used herein, adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA expressed as a percentage of total revenue, inclusive of settled hedges. Adjusted EBITDA margin encompasses the direct operating costs and the portion of general and administrative costs required to produce each Mcfe. This metric includes operating expense, employee costs, administrative costs and professional services, and recurring allowance for credit losses, which cover both fixed and variable costs components. We believe that adjusted EBITDA margin is a useful measure of our profitability and efficiency, as well as our earnings quality, because it evaluates the Group on a more comparable basis period-over-period, especially given our frequent involvement in transactions that are not comparable between periods.

      Year Ended
      December 31,
    2024
    December 31,
    2023
    December 31,
    2022
    Total revenue $ 794,841   $ 868,263   $ 1,919,349  
    Net gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments(a)   151,289     178,064     (895,802 )
    Total revenue, inclusive of settled hedges $ 946,130   $ 1,046,327   $ 1,023,547  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 472,309   $ 546,788   $ 502,954  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin   50 %   52 %   49 %
    Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding Next LVL Energy   51 %   53 %   50 %
    1. Net gain (loss) on commodity derivative settlements represents the cash paid or received on commodity derivative contracts. This excludes settlements on foreign currency and interest rate derivatives, as well as the gain (loss) on fair value adjustments for unsettled financial instruments for each of the periods presented.

    Free Cash Flow

    As used herein, free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities, less expenditures on natural gas and oil properties and equipment, and cash paid for interest. We believe that free cash flow is a useful indicator of our ability to generate cash that is available for activities beyond capital expenditures. The Directors believe that free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to service debt obligations, make strategic acquisitions and investments, and pay dividends.

      Year Ended
      December 31,
    2024
    December 31,
    2023
    December 31,
    2022
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 345,663   $ 410,132   $ 387,764  
    LESS: Expenditures on natural gas and oil properties and equipment   (52,100 )   (74,252 )   (86,079 )
    LESS: Cash paid for interest   (123,141 )   (116,784 )   (83,958 )
    Free cash flow $ 170,422   $ 219,096   $ 217,727  
    Cash generated through divestitures of land $ 40,986   $ 28,160   $ 2,472  
    Adjusted free cash flow $ 211,408   $ 247,256   $ 220,199  


    Net Debt and Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA (“Leverage”)

    As used herein, net debt represents total debt as recognized on the balance sheet, minus cash and restricted cash. Total debt includes borrowings under our Credit Facility and borrowings under, or issuances of, our subsidiaries’ securitization facilities. We believe net debt is a useful indicator of our leverage and capital structure.

    As used herein, net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA, also referred to as “leverage” or the “leverage ratio,” is calculated by dividing net debt by adjusted EBITDA. We believe this metric is a crucial measure of our financial liquidity and flexibility, and it is also used in the calculation of a key metric in one of our Credit Facility financial covenants.

      As of
      December 31,
    2024
    December 31,
    2023
    December 31,
    2022
    Total debt(a) $ 1,693,242   $ 1,276,627   $ 1,440,329  
    LESS: Cash   5,990     3,753     7,329  
    LESS: Restricted cash(b)   46,269     36,252     55,388  
    Net debt $ 1,640,983   $ 1,236,622   $ 1,377,612  
           
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 472,309,000   $ 546,788,000   $ 502,954,000  
    Pro forma adjusted EBITDA(c) $ 548,570   $ 553,252   $ 574,414  
    Net debt-to-pro forma adjusted EBITDA(d) 2.9x
      2.2x
      2.4x
     
    1. Includes adjustments for deferred financing costs and original issue discounts, consistent with presentation on the Statement of Financial Position.
    2. The increase of restricted cash as of December 31, 2024, is due to the addition of $21 million and $3 million in restricted cash for the ABS VIII Notes and ABS IX Notes, respectively, offset by $7 million and $9 million for the retirement of the ABS III Notes and ABS V Notes, respectively.
    3. Includes adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2024 for the Oaktree, Crescent Pass, and East Texas II acquisitions to pro forma their results for the full twelve months of operations. Similar adjustments were made for the year ended December 31, 2023 for the Tanos II Acquisition, as well as for the year ended December 31, 2022 for the East Texas I and ConocoPhillips acquisitions.
    4. Excludes long-term plant financing of $30 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Tower Semiconductor Recognized by Northrop Grumman with Supplier Excellence Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel, March 17, 2025 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has recognized Tower Semiconductor as one of its top supplier partners during the company’s Supplier Excellence Awards Ceremony held recently.

    “Tower Semiconductor has supported Northrop Grumman in delivering technologies that enhance national security for the U.S. and our allies,” said Ken Brown, Vice President, Enterprise Global Supply Chain, Northrop Grumman. “The high-quality performance, dedication and partnership of our supplier teams drive operational excellence to ensure warfighters have next generation advantages in advanced weapons, aircraft, missile defense and space.”

    Recognized for Performance Excellence, Tower Semiconductor is instrumental in supporting Northrop Grumman with delivering innovative and cost-effective military and security solutions to give its customers a competitive advantage in a complex field.

    “It is an honor to once again receive the Northrop Grumman Supplier Excellence Award. This recognition underscores Tower Semiconductor’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional quality, reliability, and service to our Aerospace & Defense customers,” said Mike Scott, Sr. Director and General Manager of Aerospace & Defense Business Unit, Tower Semiconductor. “We take great pride in supporting Northrop Grumman and the broader defense community with our advanced technologies, manufacturing capabilities and dedicated A&D organization.”

    About Tower Semiconductor         

    Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), photonics, and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor owns one operating facility in Israel (200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), two in Japan (200mm and 300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo, shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy with STMicroelectronics as well as has access to a 300mm capacity corridor in Intel’s New Mexico factory. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.

    Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements. A complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect Tower’s business is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Tower’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F, F-3, F-4 and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority. Tower does not intend to update, and expressly disclaim any obligation to update, the information contained in this release. 

    ###

    Tower Semiconductor Company Contact: Orit Shahar | +972-74-7377440 | oritsha@towersemi.com

    Investor Relations Contact: Liat Avraham | +972-4-6506154 | liatavra@towersemi.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitfarms Advances U.S. Strategy with Completion of Stronghold Digital Mining Acquisition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    -1.1 GW PA Growth Pipeline Strategically Located for HPC/AI and BTC Mining-
    – Positions Bitfarms as the leading Bitcoin miner in PJM market-

    This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of the Company’s second amended and restated prospectus supplement dated December 17, 2024, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated November 10, 2023.

    TORONTO, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitfarms Ltd. (NASDAQ/TSX: BITF), a global Bitcoin and vertically integrated data center company, today announced the successful completion of its previously announced acquisition of Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. (“Stronghold” or “SDIG”).

    The acquisition of Stronghold yields the following benefits:

    Strategic MW Growth

    • Increases energy portfolio to 623 Megawatts Under Management (“MWuM”) with incremental 165 MW of active generating capacity and 142 MW of immediately available import capacity
    • Secures 1.1 GW growth pipeline in Pennsylvania, including current power generation capacity, current grid import capacity and future import capacity
    • PJM demand response programs anticipated to reduce overall electricity costs

    U.S. Portfolio Expansion

    • Rebalances year-end 2025 energy portfolio to 80% North American and 20% international

    Advancement of HPC/AI Strategy

    • Potential to develop two power campuses totaling nearly one gigawatt for HPC/AI
    • Strategic partners WWT and ASG prioritizing Stronghold sites for potential HPC/AI conversion

    EH Growth

    • Adds nearly 1 Exahash Under Management (“EHuM”) through existing Canaan hosting agreements with 50% profit split, bringing Bitfarms total to 18 EHuM
    • Previously announced Stronghold hosting agreements are now Bitfarms self-mining

    Ben Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Bitfarms, stated, “The completion of this strategic acquisition further expands our U.S. footprint and makes us the industry leader in the PJM market. With Stronghold’s portfolio of power assets, combined with our operational expertise and balance sheet strength, we are well positioned to create long-term value for our shareholders by executing on our US strategy and developing an HPC/AI business geared for scale. Our combined PJM pipeline, spanning three sites in Pennsylvania, totals over 1 GW with strategically located land, power and fiber that is well-suited for both HPC/AI and Bitcoin mining. This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Bitfarms, and we’re thrilled to welcome the talented Stronghold team to write that chapter with us.”

    Transaction Details

    Bitfarms acquired Stronghold in a stock-for-stock merger pursuant to which Stronghold shareholders received 2.52 shares of Bitfarms for each share of Stronghold they own and Stronghold became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bitfarms. Approximately 59,678,164 Bitfarms common shares and 10,574,848 Bitfarms warrants are being issued in connection with the consummation of the merger. In addition, approximately $44.5 million was paid at closing to retire outstanding Stronghold loans.

    In connection with the completion of the transaction, SDIG’s common stock ceased trading on Nasdaq prior to the opening of trading today.

    About Bitfarms Ltd.

    Founded in 2017, Bitfarms is a global Bitcoin and vertically integrated data center company that sells its computational power to one or more mining pools from which it receives payment in Bitcoin. Bitfarms develops, owns, and operates vertically integrated mining facilities with in-house management and company-owned electrical engineering, installation service, and multiple onsite technical repair centers.

    Bitfarms currently has 15 operating Bitcoin data centers in four countries: the United States, Canada, Paraguay, and Argentina. Powered predominantly by environmentally friendly hydro-electric and long-term power contracts, Bitfarms is committed to using sustainable and often underutilized energy infrastructure.

    To learn more about Bitfarms’ events, developments, and online communities:

    www.bitfarms.com
    https://www.facebook.com/bitfarms/
    http://x.com/Bitfarms_io
    https://www.instagram.com/bitfarms/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitfarms/

    Glossary of Terms

    • MWuM = Megawatts Under Management, the electrical capacity currently being utilized or available to utilize in Bitfarms data centers which includes immediately available grid import capacity and active generation capacity
    • EHuM = Exahash Under Management, which includes Bitfarms’ proprietary hashrate and hashrate being hosted by Bitfarms for third-party hosting clients
    • EH or EH/s = Exahash or exahash per second
    • MW or MWh = Megawatts or megawatt hour
    • HPC/AI = High Performance Computing / Artificial Intelligence
    • PJM = Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release and are covered by safe harbors under Canadian and United States securities laws. The statements and information in this release regarding the positive impact of the Stronghold acquisition and the ability to gain access to additional electrical power and grow hashrate of the Stronghold business, target hashrate, opportunities relating to the Company’s geographical diversification and expansion, the merits of the rebalancing operations to North America and projected growth, the North American energy and compute infrastructure strategy, opportunities relating to the potential of the Company’s data centers for HPC/AI, performance of the plants and equipment upgrades and the impact on operating capacity including the target hashrate and multi-year expansion capacity, the opportunities to leverage Bitfarms’ proven expertise to successfully enhance energy efficiency and hashrate, and other statements regarding future growth, plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking information. Any statements that involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “prospects”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information.

    This forward-looking information is based on assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time they were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to: an inability to apply the Company’s data centers to HPC/AI opportunities on a profitable basis; a failure to secure long-term contracts associated with HPC/AI customers on terms which are economic or at all; the construction and operation of the Company’s facilities may not occur as currently planned, or at all; an inability to successfully integrate the business of Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. as contemplated, or at all; expansion may not materialize as currently anticipated, or at all; the anticipated merits of the HPC/AI strategy, the benefits and programs of the PJM deregulated market and the objectives of diversification in general may not be realized as planned; efforts to improve and optimize the performance of equipment may not be successful; the digital currency market; the ability to successfully mine digital currency; revenue may not increase as currently anticipated, or at all; it may not be possible to profitably liquidate the current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on operations; an increase in network difficulty may have a significant negative impact on operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; the anticipated growth and sustainability of hydroelectricity for the purposes of cryptocurrency mining in the applicable jurisdictions; the inability to maintain reliable and economical sources of power for the Company to operate cryptocurrency mining assets; the risks of an increase in the Company’s electricity costs, cost of natural gas, changes in currency exchange rates, energy curtailment or regulatory changes in the energy regimes in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and the adverse impact on the Company’s profitability; future capital needs and the ability to complete current and future financings, including Bitfarms’ ability to utilize an at-the-market offering program ( “ATM Program”) and the prices at which securities may be sold in such ATM Program, as well as capital market conditions in general; share dilution resulting from an ATM Program and from other equity issuances; the risk that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting could result in a misstatement of the Company’s financial position that may lead to a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements if not prevented or detected on a timely basis; any regulations or laws that will prevent Bitfarms from operating its business; historical prices of digital currencies and the ability to mine digital currencies that will be consistent with historical prices; and the adoption or expansion of any regulation or law that will prevent Bitfarms from operating its business, or make it more costly to do so. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca (which are also available on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov), including the restated MD&A for the year-ended December 31, 2023, filed on December 9, 2024. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including factors that are currently unknown to or deemed immaterial by the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, or any other securities exchange or regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Investor Relations Contacts:

    Tracy Krumme
    SVP, Head of IR & Corp. Comms.
    +1 786-671-5638
    tkrumme@bitfarms.com

    Media Contacts:

    Caroline Brady Baker
    Director, Communications
    cbaker@bitfarms.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Gold Announces C$8.8 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the “Company” or “Orezone”) is pleased to announce that, to maintain its 19.9% ownership in the Company, Nioko Resources Corporation (“Nioko”) will subscribe for 10,719,659 common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) at a price per share of C$0.82 (the “Offering Price”) for gross proceeds of C$8,790,121 (the “Placement”).

    The Placement is being made on a non-brokered private placement basis with the Offering Price based on the Share price of C$0.82 from the Company’s recently completed bought deal offering (see Company’s news release of March 13, 2025).

    Patrick Downey, President and CEO stated, “We are pleased to receive confirmation of Nioko’s participation and continued support. Nioko is a West African investment group and its ongoing investment is a strong endorsement of the Company’s current growth and marketing strategy. The Company is advancing its dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange which will further enhance the Company’s capital markets profile as it progresses construction of its hard rock expansion, accelerates exploration and evaluates growth opportunities.”

    The Company expects to complete the Placement in March, which is subject to approval of the TSX. The Shares issued will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing. No finder’s or broker fees are payable in connection with the Placement.

    The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Placement to accelerate both the Stage II hard rock expansion and additional exploration at its Bomboré Gold Mine, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    The Placement is a “related party transaction” as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). The Company is relying on an exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements set out in MI 61-101 as the fair market value does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

    This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

    About Orezone Gold Corporation

    Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bomboré mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focused on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets and M&A.

    The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website.

    Contact Information

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Kevin MacKenzie
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the use of proceeds of the Placement, progress on the hard rock expansion, exploration and the Company advancing its dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange to further enhance the Company’s capital markets profile.

    All such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

    All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Sprott Physical Gold Trust Net Asset Value Reaches $10 Billion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprott Inc. (NYSE/TSX: SII) (“Sprott”) on behalf of the Sprott Physical Gold Trust (NYSE Arca/TSX: PHYS) (“PHYS” or “the Trust) today announced that PHYS’s net asset value (“NAV”) has surpassed US$10 billion.

    “We would like to thank our unitholders for their trust and support in helping the Sprott Physical Gold Trust reach this significant milestone,” said John Ciampaglia, Chief Executive Officer of Sprott Asset Management. “Since its launch in 2010, the Sprott Physical Gold Trust has provided investors with a secure and convenient way to own physical gold. In today’s uncertain world, the importance of fully-allocated, segregated physical gold has never been more clear,” added Mr. Ciampaglia.

    As of March 13, 2025, PHYS held 3.4 million ounces of gold on behalf of its unitholders.

    “Gold prices have set new records in 2025, driven largely by global central bank purchases. We expect this trend to accelerate and broaden as investor participation increases,” said Whitney George, Chief Executive Officer of Sprott.

    PHYS was created to invest and hold substantially all of its assets in physical gold bullion. Its goal is to provide a secure, convenient and exchange-traded investment alternative for investors who want to hold physical gold without the inconvenience that is typical of a direct investment in physical gold bullion. All of the gold held by PHYS is fully allocated and redeemable by investors, subject to minimum holding requirements.

    About Sprott

    Sprott is a global asset manager focused on precious metals and critical materials investments. We are specialists. We believe our in-depth knowledge, experience and relationships separate us from the generalists. Our investment strategies include Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities and Private Strategies. Sprott has offices in Toronto, New York, Connecticut and California and the company’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol (SII). For more information, please visit www.sprott.com.

    About the Trust

    Important information about the Trust, including the investment objectives and strategies, applicable management fees, and expenses, is contained in the prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the Trusts on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) or the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). If the units are purchased or sold on the TSX or the NYSE, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units or shares of the Trusts and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, our expectation that gold buying accelerates and broadens as investor participation increases.

    With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Trust has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things, the gold market. While the Trust considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Trust’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. A discussion of risks and uncertainties facing the Trust appears in the Trust’s continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sec.gov and www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Trust disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

    Investor Contact:

    Glen Williams
    Managing Partner
    Investor and Institutional Client Relations
    Direct: 416-943-4394
    gwilliams@sprott.com

    Media contact:

    Dan Gagnier
    Gagnier Communications
    (646) 569-5897
    sprott@gagnierfc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Renasant and The First Announce Receipt of Regulatory Approvals for Merger

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TUPELO, Miss. and HATTIESBURG, Miss., March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Renasant Corporation (NYSE: RNST) (“Renasant”) and The First Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: FBMS) (“The First”) jointly announced today that they have received all necessary regulatory approvals to complete the proposed merger of The First with and into Renasant, and the related merger of The First’s wholly owned subsidiary, The First Bank, with and into Renasant Bank, Renasant’s wholly owned subsidiary. Renasant and The First previously announced that their respective shareholders approved the proposed merger at special shareholder meetings on October 22, 2024.

    “We’re excited to have received regulatory approval to move forward with the merger between The First and Renasant,” said Renasant CEO and Executive Vice Chairman, Mitch Waycaster. “We believe this merger creates a transformative partnership between two great organizations with shared values and a commitment to serving our customers and communities.”

    Renasant and The First expect to close the merger on April 1, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The combination will result in a financial services institution with approximately $26 billion in assets and more than 250 locations throughout the Southeast, as well as offering factoring and asset-based lending on a nationwide basis.

    “I am confident we are building a strong foundation for the future, and we look forward to seeing our alliance come to fruition,” said The First CEO and President, Hoppy Cole. “We believe the combination of our two like-minded banks will unlock new possibilities that neither could achieve alone.”

    About Renasant Corporation:
    Renasant Corporation is the parent of Renasant Bank, a 120-year-old financial services institution. Renasant has assets of approximately $18.0 billion and operates 186 banking, lending, mortgage, and wealth management offices throughout the Southeast as well as offering factoring and asset-based lending on a nationwide basis. Additional information is available on Renasant’s website: www.renasantbank.com.

    About The First Bancshares, Inc.:
    The First Bancshares, Inc., headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the parent company of The First Bank. Founded in 1996, the First has operations in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Additional information is available on The First’s website: www.thefirstbank.com.

    Forward-looking statements:
    This press release may contain, or incorporate by reference, statements about Renasant Corporation that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words and phrases such as “may,” “approximately,” “continue,” “should,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “is likely,” “look ahead,” “look forward,” “believes,” “will,” “intends,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “plan,” “could,” “potential,” “possible” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information about Renasant’s future financial performance, business strategy, and projected plans and objectives, including related to the merger transaction involving Renasant and The First, and are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management. Renasant’s management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but they are all inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Renasant’s control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Prospective investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and, accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.

    Additional information about the Renasant/First Merger:
    This communication is being made in respect of the merger transaction involving Renasant and The First. In connection with the merger, Renasant filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a definitive proxy statement for The First that also constitutes a definitive prospectus of Renasant, and Renasant may file additional documents concerning the merger with the SEC. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Before making any investment decision, The First investors are urged to read the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and any other documents to be filed with the SEC in connection with the merger or incorporated by reference in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus because they will contain important information about Renasant, The First and the merger. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus was mailed to shareholders of The First on September 17, 2024. Investors may obtain copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed by Renasant (when they become available) free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). In addition, documents filed with the SEC by Renasant will be available free of charge from Jim Mabry, Chief Financial Officer, Renasant Corporation, 209 Troy Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804-4827, telephone: (662) 680-1281.

    Contacts:   For Media:
    John S. Oxford
    Senior Vice President
    Chief Marketing Officer
    (662) 680-1219joxford@renasant.com
      For Financials:
    James C. Mabry IV
    Executive Vice President
    Chief Financial Officer
    (662) 680-1281jim.mabry@renasant.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: SAIC Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Q4 FY25 revenues of $1.84 billion, 5.8% organic growth(1); FY25 revenues of $7.48 billion, 3.1% organic growth(1); organic growth adjusted for divestitures
    • Q4 FY25 net income of $98 million, adjusted EBITDA(1) of $177 million or 9.6% of revenue; FY25 net income of $362 million, adjusted EBITDA(1) of $710 million or 9.5% of revenue
    • Q4 FY25 diluted earnings per share of $2.00, adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) of $2.57; FY25 diluted earnings per share of $7.17, adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) of $9.13
    • Q4 FY25 cash flows provided by operating activities of $115 million, free cash flow(1) and transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) of $236 million; FY25 cash flows provided by operating activities of $494 million, free cash flow(1) of $499 million, transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) of $507 million
    • Q4 FY25 net bookings of $1.3 billion; book-to-bill ratio of 0.7; trailing twelve months book-to-bill ratio of 0.9
    • FY26 guidance introduced above prior targets for revenues, adjusted EBITDA(1), adjusted EBITDA margin(1), and adjusted diluted EPS(1)

    RESTON, Va., March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Science Applications International Corporation (NASDAQ: SAIC), a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation’s digital transformation across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended January 31, 2025.

    “I am proud of the results we delivered in the quarter with revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, and free cash flow ahead of guidance,” said Toni Townes-Whitley, SAIC Chief Executive Officer. “Subsequent to quarter close, we received a $1.8 billion award for our largest recompete win in recent years, the System Software Lifecycle Engineering program. This important win along with a backlog of submitted bids valued at approximately $20 billion reflect the momentum we are building inside the company. I want to thank the team for a strong finish to the year and for their commitment and dedication to our customers’ mission during these uncertain times.”

    Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2025: Summary Operating Results

      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        Percent
    change
        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        Percent
    change
        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Revenues $ 1,838     %   $ 1,737     $ 7,479     —  %   $ 7,444  
    Operating income   138     75  %     79       563     (24 )%     741  
    Operating income as a percentage of revenues   7.5 %   300 bps     4.5 %     7.5 %   -250 bps     10.0 %
    Adjusted operating income(1)   176     42  %     124       705     %     659  
    Adjusted operating income as a percentage of revenues   9.6 %   250 bps     7.1 %     9.4 %   50 bps     8.9 %
    Net income   98     151  %     39       362     (24 )%     477  
    EBITDA(1)   175     48  %     118       708     (21 )%     891  
    EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.5 %   270 bps     6.8 %     9.5 %   -250 bps     12.0 %
    Adjusted EBITDA(1)   177     39  %     127       710     %     668  
    Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.6 %   230 bps     7.3 %     9.5 %   50 bps     9.0 %
    Diluted earnings per share $ 2.00     170  %   $ 0.74     $ 7.17     (19 )%   $ 8.88  
    Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) $ 2.57     80  %   $ 1.43     $ 9.13     16  %   $ 7.88  
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 115     83  %   $ 63     $ 494     25  %   $ 396  
    Free cash flow(1) $ 236     143  %   $ 97     $ 499     21  %   $ 414  
    Transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) $ 236     98  %   $ 119     $ 507     %   $ 486  

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    The Company utilizes a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Friday closest to January 31, with fiscal quarters typically consisting of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2025 and 2024 both consisted of 52 weeks.

    Fourth Quarter Summary Results

    Revenues for the quarter increased $101 million compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to ramp up in volume on new and existing contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Operating income as a percentage of revenues increased to 7.5% for the quarter as compared to 4.5% in the comparable prior year period primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Adjusted EBITDA(1) as a percentage of revenues for the quarter was 9.6%, compared to 7.3% for the prior year quarter primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Diluted earnings per share for the quarter was $2.00 compared to $0.74 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) was $2.57 for the quarter compared to $1.43 in the prior year quarter. The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the quarter decreased to 49.0 million shares from 52.7 million during the prior year quarter.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Fiscal Year 2025 Summary Results

    Revenues for the fiscal year increased $35 million compared to the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume in existing and new contracts. This was partially offset by the sale of the Supply Chain Business ($188 million) in the prior year, and contract completions. Adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, revenues grew approximately 3.1%.

    Operating income as a percentage of revenues for the fiscal year decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to a $233 million gain recognized from the sale of the Supply Chain Business and a $7 million gain recognized from the deconsolidation of FSA in the prior year. This was partially offset by improved profitability across our contract portfolio, the resolution of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle (“AAV”) contract termination, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Adjusted EBITDA(1) as a percentage of revenues for the fiscal year increased compared to the prior year. The increase was driven by improved profitability across our contract portfolio, the resolution of the AAV contract termination, lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Diluted earnings per share for the year was $7.17 compared to $8.88 in the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) was $9.13 for the year compared to $7.88 in the prior year. The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding during the year decreased to 50.5 million shares from 53.7 million shares during the prior year.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Cash Generation and Capital Deployment

    Total cash flows provided by operating activities for the fourth quarter were $115 million, an increase of $52 million compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower tax payments in the current quarter, timing of vendor payments, and other changes in working capital, partially offset by higher cash outflows from the usage of the Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (“MARPA Facility”) with MUFG bank, LTD.

    Total cash flows provided by operating activities for the year were $494 million, an increase of $98 million from the prior year, primarily due to higher tax payments in fiscal 2024 from the sale of the Supply Chain Business and other changes in working capital, partially offset by higher incentive-based compensation payments in the current year.

    During the quarter, SAIC deployed $163 million of capital, consisting of $130 million of share repurchases in accordance with established repurchase plans, $18 million in cash dividends to shareholders, and $15 million of capital expenditures. For the year, SAIC deployed $638 million of capital, consisting of share repurchases of $527 million (approximately 4.2 million shares) in accordance with established repurchase plans, cash dividends of $75 million to shareholders, and $36 million of capital expenditures.

    Quarterly Dividend Declared

    As previously announced, subsequent to fiscal year-end, the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board of Directors”) declared a cash dividend of $0.37 per share of the Company’s common stock payable on April 25, 2025 to stockholders of record on April 11, 2025. SAIC intends to continue paying dividends on a quarterly basis, although the declaration of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors each quarter and will depend on earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors.

    Backlog and Contract Awards

    Net bookings for the quarter were approximately $1.3 billion, which reflects a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 0.7. Net bookings for the year were approximately $6.6 billion, which reflects a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 0.9.

    SAIC’s estimated backlog at the end of fiscal year 2025 was approximately $21.9 billion of which $3.4 billion was funded.

    SAIC was awarded the following contracts during the quarter:

    Notable New Awards:

    Department of Defense: During the quarter, SAIC was awarded the Defense Readiness Reporting System (“DRRS”) Sustainment task order under the recently awarded Personnel and Readiness Infrastructure Support Management (“PRISM”) Multiple Award Task Order Contract (“MATOC”) vehicle to support the Department of Defense (“DoD”) and its need to obtain critical services in a shorter time frame. The $187 million task order has a 3-year period of performance (one-year base, plus two, one-year options), tasking SAIC with modernizing DRRS to create a predictive, proactive readiness management tool for the DoD.

    Notable Recompete Awards:

    U.S. Space and Intelligence Community: During the quarter, SAIC was awarded approximately $480 million of contract awards by space and intelligence organizations. These awards represent a combination of new business and recompetes.

    Notable Awards Subsequent to Period End (not included in current quarter bookings):

    U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC): Subsequent to the end of the quarter, SAIC was awarded the System Software Lifecycle Engineering contract, a five-year (one year base, plus four, one-year option periods) $1.8 billion contract to continue mission engineering, integration, software development, and other life cycle support to CCDC-AvMC. Under the five-year award, SAIC will continue to develop and integrate advanced technologies throughout the software life cycle, including software development and maintenance.

    Fiscal Year 2026 Guidance

    The Company’s outlook for fiscal year 2026 is being provided. The table below summarizes fiscal year 2026 guidance and represents our views as of March 17, 2025. 

      CURRENT Fiscal Year PRIOR Fiscal Year
      2026 Guidance 2026 Targets
    Revenue $7.60B – $7.75B $7.55B – $7.75B
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) $715M – $735M ~$720M
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin %(1) 9.4% – 9.6% 9.3% – 9.5%
    Adjusted Diluted EPS(1) $9.10 – $9.30 $8.90 – $9.10
    Free Cash Flow(1) $510M – $530M $510M – $530M

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Webcast Information

    SAIC management will discuss operations and financial results in an earnings conference call beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern time on March 17, 2025. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously to the public through a link on the Investor Relations section of the SAIC website (investors.saic.com). We will be providing webcast access only – “dial-in” access is no longer available. Additionally, a supplemental presentation will be available to the public through links to the Investor Relations section of the SAIC website. After the call concludes, an on-demand audio replay of the webcast can be accessed on the Investor Relations website.

    About SAIC

    SAIC is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

    We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion.​​​​ For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

    Contacts

    Investor Relations: Joe DeNardi, joseph.w.denardi@saic.com 

    Media: Kara Ross, kara.g.ross@saic.com 

    GAAP to Non-GAAP Guidance Reconciliation

    The Company does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted diluted EPS to GAAP diluted EPS or adjusted EBITDA margin to GAAP net income due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Because certain deductions for non-GAAP exclusions used to calculate net income may vary significantly based on actual events, the Company is not able to forecast GAAP diluted EPS or GAAP net income with reasonable certainty. The variability of the above charges may have an unpredictable and potentially significant impact on our future GAAP financial results.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC’s expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others.

    Schedule 1:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Revenues $       1,838     $ 1,737     $       7,479     $ 7,444  
    Cost of revenues           1,606       1,545               6,587       6,572  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses               94       114                 339       373  
    (Gain) loss on divestitures, net of transaction costs                —                          —       (240 )
    Other operating (income) expense                —       (1 )                (10 )     (2 )
    Operating income             138       79                 563       741  
    Interest expense, net               29       32                 126       120  
    Other (income) expense, net                 2       (1 )                   9       1  
    Income before income taxes             107       48                 428       620  
    Provision for income taxes                (9 )     (9 )                (66 )     (143 )
    Net income $           98     $ 39     $          362     $ 477  
                   
    Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:              
    Basic            48.6       52.0                50.1       53.1  
    Diluted            49.0       52.7                50.5       53.7  
    Earnings per share:              
    Basic $         2.02     $ 0.75     $         7.23     $ 8.98  
    Diluted $         2.00     $ 0.74     $         7.17     $ 8.88  

    Schedule 2:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Unaudited)
      January 31,
    2025

      February 2,
    2024
      (in millions)
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $              56   $ 94
    Receivables, net             1,000     914
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                 98     123
    Total current assets             1,154     1,131
    Goodwill             2,851     2,851
    Intangible assets, net                779     894
    Property, plant, and equipment, net                104     91
    Operating lease right of use assets                164     152
    Other assets                194     195
    Total assets $         5,246   $ 5,314
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $            744   $ 711
    Accrued payroll and employee benefits                339     370
    Debt, current portion                313     77
    Total current liabilities             1,396     1,158
    Debt, net of current portion             1,907     2,022
    Operating lease liabilities                173     147
    Deferred income taxes                 24     28
    Other long-term liabilities                169     174
    Equity:      
    Total stockholders’ equity             1,577     1,785
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $         5,246   $ 5,314

    Schedule 3:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Cash flows from operating activities:              
    Net income $            98     $ 39     $          362     $ 477  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation and amortization               36       36                  140       142  
    Deferred income taxes               12       16                    (3 )     (17 )
    Stock-based compensation expense               15       26                   53       68  
    Gain on divestitures                —                          —       (247 )
    Other                 2       (2 )                  (7 )     (6 )
    Increase (decrease) resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of the acquisitions and divestitures:              
    Receivables               22       96                  (86 )     (46 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                (7 )     (56 )                 24       (43 )
    Other assets                (9 )     (19 )                   1       (14 )
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities              (71 )     (128 )                 48       13  
    Accrued payroll and employee benefits               28       53                  (31 )     49  
    Operating lease assets and liabilities, net                 1       (1 )                  (6 )     (4 )
    Other long-term liabilities              (12 )     3                    (1 )     24  
    Net cash provided by operating activities   115       63                  494       396  
    Cash flows from investing activities:              
    Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment              (15 )     (11 )                (36 )     (27 )
    Purchases of marketable securities                (3 )     (2 )                (14 )     (8 )
    Sales of marketable securities                 2       1                   12       6  
    Proceeds from sale of equity method investments                —                         10        
    Proceeds from divestitures                —                          —       356  
    Cash divested upon deconsolidation of joint venture                —                          —       (8 )
    Other                (4 )     2                    (7 )     (5 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities              (20 )     (10 )                (35 )     314  
    Cash flows from financing activities:              
    Principal payments on borrowings            (325 )     (166 )           (1,381 )     (441 )
    Proceeds from borrowings              385                     1,499       160  
    Stock repurchased and retired or withheld for taxes on equity awards            (133 )     (89 )              (558 )     (382 )
    Dividend payments to stockholders              (18 )     (19 )                (75 )     (79 )
    Issuances of stock                 6       4                   20       17  
    Other                —                          (3 )      
    Net cash used in financing activities              (85 )     (270 )              (498 )     (725 )
    Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash               10       (217 )                (39 )     (15 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period               54       320                  103       118  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $            64     $ 103     $            64     $ 103  

    Schedule 4:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS
    (Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025
        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025
        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Revenues              
    Defense and Intelligence $ 1,360     $ 1,352     $ 5,726     $ 5,817  
    Civilian   478       385       1,753       1,627  
    Total revenues $ 1,838     $ 1,737     $ 7,479     $ 7,444  
                   
    Operating income (loss)              
    Defense and Intelligence $ 96     $ 100     $ 440     $ 436  
    Civilian   63       19       168       158  
    Corporate   (21 )     (40 )     (45 )     147  
    Total operating income $ 138     $ 79     $ 563     $ 741  
                   
    Operating margin              
    Defense and Intelligence   7.1 %     7.4 %     7.7 %     7.5 %
    Civilian   13.2 %     4.9 %     9.6 %     9.7 %
    Total operating margin   7.5 %     4.5 %     7.5 %     10.0 %
                   
    Adjusted operating income (loss)(1)              
    Defense and Intelligence $ 113     $ 117     $ 509     $ 504  
    Civilian   75       31       216       206  
    Corporate   (12 )     (24 )     (20 )     (51 )
    Total adjusted operating income(1) $ 176     $ 124     $ 705     $ 659  
                   
    Adjusted operating margin(1)              
    Defense and Intelligence   8.3 %     8.7 %     8.9 %     8.7 %
    Civilian   15.7 %     8.1 %     12.3 %     12.7 %
    Total adjusted operating margin(1)   9.6 %     7.1 %     9.4 %     8.9 %


    Defense and Intelligence Results

    Revenues in the fourth quarter increased $8 million or 0.6% compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Revenues in the fiscal year decreased $91 million or 2% compared to the prior year primarily due to the sale of the Supply Chain Business ($188 million) in the prior year, and contract completions. This was partially offset by ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts. Adjusting for the impact of the divestiture, revenues grew 1.7%.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fourth quarter decreased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to timing and volume mix.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fiscal year increased from the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, and the resolution of the AAV contract termination, partially offset by contract completions and the gain on sale of the Supply Chain Business in the prior year.

    Civilian Results

    Revenues in the fourth quarter increased $93 million or 24% compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Revenues in the fiscal year increased $126 million or 8% compared to the prior year primarily due to ramp up in volume on existing and new contracts, partially offset by contract completions.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fourth quarter increased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to improved profitability across our contract portfolio.

    Operating income and adjusted operating income(1) as a percentage of revenues in the fiscal year decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to timing and volume mix.

    Corporate Results

    Operating loss and adjusted operating loss(1) in the fourth quarter decreased $19 million and $12 million, respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower incentive-based compensation expense, including acceleration of stock-based compensation related to the reorganization and executive transition in the prior year.

    Operating loss in the fiscal year increased $192 million compared to the prior year primarily due to gain on the sale of the Supply Chain Business in the prior year ($233 million) and the gain recognized from the deconsolidation of FSA ($7 million) in the prior year, partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    Adjusted operating loss(1) in the fiscal year decreased $31 million compared to the prior year primarily due to lower incentive-based compensation expense, and lower stock-based compensation related to the restructuring and executive transition.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule 6 for information about this measure.

    Schedule 5:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    BACKLOG
    (Unaudited)
     
    The estimated value of our total backlog as of the dates presented was:
     
      January 31, 2025   February 2, 2024
      Defense and
    Intelligence
    Civilian Total SAIC   Defense and
    Intelligence
    Civilian Total SAIC
      (in millions)
    Funded backlog $ 2,599 $          845 $ 3,444   $ 2,707 $ 832 $ 3,539
    Negotiated unfunded backlog   15,341           3,072   18,413     16,316   2,908   19,224
    Total backlog $ 17,940 $       3,917 $ 21,857   $ 19,023 $ 3,740 $ 22,763


    Backlog represents the estimated amount of future revenues to be recognized under negotiated contracts and task orders as work is performed and excludes contract awards which have been protested by competitors until the protest is resolved in our favor. SAIC segregates backlog into two categories, funded backlog and negotiated unfunded backlog. Funded backlog for contracts with government agencies primarily represents contracts for which funding is appropriated less revenues previously recognized on these contracts, and does not include the unfunded portion of contracts where funding is incrementally appropriated or authorized by the U.S. government and other customers even though the contract may call for performance over a number of years. Funded backlog for contracts with non-government agencies represents the estimated value of contracts which may cover multiple future years under which SAIC is obligated to perform, less revenues previously recognized on these contracts. Negotiated unfunded backlog represents the estimated future revenues to be earned from negotiated contracts for which funding has not been appropriated or authorized, and unexercised priced contract options. Negotiated unfunded backlog does not include any estimate of future potential task orders expected to be awarded under indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) schedules or other master agreement contract vehicles, with the exception of certain IDIQ contracts where task orders are not competitively awarded and separately priced but instead are used as a funding mechanism, and where there is a basis for estimating future revenues and funding on future anticipated task orders.

    Schedule 6:

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    This schedule describes the non-GAAP financial measures included in this earnings release. While we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures may be useful in evaluating our financial information, they should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations, definitions, and how we believe these measures are useful to management and investors are provided below. Other companies may define similar measures differently.

    EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Revenues $ 1,838     $ 1,737     $ 7,479     $ 7,444  
    Net income   98       39       362       477  
    Interest expense, net and loss on sale of receivables   32       34       140       129  
    Provision for income taxes   9       9       66       143  
    Depreciation and amortization   36       36       140       142  
    EBITDA(1) $ 175     $ 118     $ 708     $ 891  
    EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.5 %     6.8 %     9.5 %     12.0 %
    Acquisition and integration costs               (2 )     1  
    Restructuring and impairment costs   4       15       8       23  
    Depreciation included in restructuring and impairment costs   (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )
    Recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs   (1 )     (5 )     (3 )     (6 )
    Gain on divestitures, net of transaction costs                     (240 )
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 177     $ 127     $ 710     $ 668  
    Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues   9.6 %     7.3 %     9.5 %     9.0 %


    EBITDA is a performance measure that is calculated by taking net income and excluding interest and loss on sale of receivables, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is a performance measure that excludes the impact
    of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Operating Income

      Three Months Ended January 31, 2025
      GAAP
    results

        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring and
    impairment costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

        Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
     
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $          96     $   $     $     $ 1   $ 16   $ 113     8.3 %
    Civilian             63                           12               75     15.7 %
    Corporate            (21 )     4     (1 )     (1 )     7                  (12 )   NM
    Total $        138     $            4   $             (1 )   $               (1 )   $              8   $          28   $        176     9.6 %
      Three Months Ended February 2, 2024
      GAAP
    results

        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

        Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
     
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $        100     $   $     $     $   $ 17   $ 117     8.7 %
    Civilian             19                           12               31     8.1 %
    Corporate            (40 )     15     (1 )     (5 )     7                  (24 )   NM
    Total $          79     $          15   $              (1 )   $              (5 )   $              7   $          29   $        124     7.1 %


    Adjusted operating income is a performance measure that primarily excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment relates to property, plant, and equipment specifically identifiable for each segment. Adjusted operating income also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Operating Income

      Year Ended January 31, 2025
      GAAP
    results

        Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration
    costs and
    restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

        Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
     
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $     440     $          —     $          —   $         —     $              —     $             2   $          67   $        509     8.9 %
    Civilian         168                  —                 —               —                      —                   —                48             216     12.3 %
    Corporate         (45 )                (2 )                 8               (1 )                    (3 )                 23                —              (20 )   NM
    Total $     563     $          (2 )   $           8   $         (1 )   $              (3 )   $           25   $        115    $        705     9.4 %
      Year Ended February 2, 2024
      GAAP
    results
      Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
      Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Depreciation
    included in
    restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
      Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration
    costs and
    restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
      Depreciation of
    property, plant,
    and equipment
      Amortization
    of intangible
    assets
      Gain on
    divestitures,
    net of
    transaction
    costs
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)
      Non-GAAP
    operating
    margin(1)
      (in millions)
    Defense and Intelligence $   436   $       —   $          —   $         —     $            —     $          1   $        67   $          —     $    504     8.7 %
    Civilian       158             —               —               —                    —                 —              48               —            206     12.7 %
    Corporate       147              1               23               (1 )                  (6 )              25              —            (240 )          (51 )   NM
    Total $   741   $         1   $         23   $         (1 )   $            (6 )   $        26   $      115    $      (240 )   $    659     8.9 %


    Adjusted operating income is a performance measure that primarily excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets, along with associated depreciation included in those restructuring and impairment costs. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment relates to property, plant, and equipment specifically identifiable for each segment. Adjusted operating income also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that these performance measures provide management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

      Three Months Ended January 31, 2025
      As Reported
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $                107     $ 4     $ (1 )   $ 28     $                138  
    Income tax expense                       (9 )     (1 )           (2 )                       (12 )
    Net income $                  98     $ 3     $ (1 )   $ 26     $                126  
                       
    Diluted EPS $               2.00     $ 0.06     $ (0.02 )   $ 0.53     $               2.57  
      Three Months Ended February 2, 2024
      As Reported
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Gain on
    divestitures,
    net of transaction
    costs
      Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $                  48     $ 15     $ (5 )   $ 29     $   $                  87  
    Income tax expense                       (9 )     (1 )     1       (5 )     2                       (12 )
    Net Income $                  39     $ 14     $ (4 )   $ 24     $ 2   $                  75  
                           
    Diluted EPS $               0.74     $ 0.27     $ (0.08 )   $ 0.46     $ 0.04   $               1.43  


    Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a performance measure that excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Comp
    any’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Adjusted diluted earnings per share also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that this performance measure provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

      Year Ended January 31, 2025
      As Reported
        Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
        Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $              428     $ (2 )   $ 8     $ (3 )   $ 115     $              546  
    Income tax expense                  (66 )           (1 )           (18 )                    (85 )
    Net income $              362     $ (2 )   $ 7     $ (3 )   $ 97     $              461  
                           
    Diluted EPS $            7.17     $ (0.04 )   $ 0.14     $ (0.06 )   $ 1.92     $            9.13  
      Year Ended February 2, 2024
      As
    Reported

        Acquisition
    and
    integration
    costs
      Restructuring
    and
    impairment
    costs
        Recovery of
    acquisition and
    integration costs
    and restructuring
    and impairment
    costs
        Amortization of
    intangible
    assets
        Gain on
    divestitures,
    net of
    transaction costs
        Non-GAAP
    results(1)

     
      (in millions, except per share amounts)
    Income before income taxes $          620     $ 1   $ 23     $ (6 )   $ 115     $ (240 )   $            513  
    Income tax expense            (143 )         (2 )     1       (21 )     75                    (90 )
    Net Income $          477     $ 1   $ 21     $ (5 )   $ 94     $ (165 )   $            423  
                               
    Diluted EPS $        8.88     $ 0.02   $ 0.39     $ (0.09 )   $ 1.75     $ (3.07 )   $          7.88  


    Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a performance measure that excludes the impact of non-recurring transactions that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing o
    perating performance. The acquisition and integration costs relate to the Company’s acquisitions. The restructuring and impairment costs represent the reorganization and facilities optimization costs or impairments of long-lived assets. The recovery of acquisition and integration costs and restructuring and impairment costs relate to costs recovered through the Company’s indirect rates in accordance with Cost Accounting Standards. Adjusted diluted earnings per share also excludes amortization of intangible assets because we do not have a history of significant acquisition activity, we do not acquire businesses on a predictable cycle, and the amount of an acquisition’s purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the related amortization term are unique to each acquisition. The (gain) loss on divestitures includes gains associated with the deconsolidation of FSA and the sale of the logistics and supply chain management business, net of transaction costs. We believe that this performance measure provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our ongoing operating performance and may provide greater visibility in understanding the long-term financial performance of the Company.

    (1) Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    Schedule 6 (continued):

    SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
    (Unaudited)

    Free Cash Flow

      Three Months Ended   Year Ended
      January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
        January 31,
    2025

        February 2,
    2024
     
      (in millions)
    Net cash provided by operating activities $ 115     $ 63     $          494     $ 396  
    Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment              (15 )     (11 )                (36 )     (27 )
    Cash used (provided) by MARPA Facility              136       45                   41       45  
    Free cash flow(1) $          236     $ 97     $          499     $ 414  
    L&SCM divestiture transaction fees                —                          —       7  
    L&SCM divestiture cash taxes                —       18                    —       74  
    L&SCM divestiture transition services                —       4                     8       (9 )
    Transaction-adjusted free cash flow(1) $          236     $ 119     $          507     $ 486  
      FY26 Guidance
      (in millions)
    Net cash provided by operating activities $545M to $565M
    Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment Approximately $35M
    Free cash flow(1) $510M to $530M


    Free cash flow is calculated by taking cash flows provided by operating activities less expenditures for property, plant, and equipment and less cash flows from our Master Accounts Receivable Purchasing Agreement (MARPA Facility) for the sale of certain designated eligible U.S. government receivables. Under the MARPA Facility, the Company can sell eligible receivables up to a maximum amount of $300 million. Transaction-adjusted free cash flow excludes cash taxes, transaction fees, and other costs related to the divestiture of the logistics and supply chain management business from free cash flow as previously defined. We believe that free cash flow and transaction-adjusted free cash flow provides management and investors with useful information in assessing trends in our cash flows and in comparing them to other peer companies, many of whom present similar non-GAAP liquidity measures. These measures should not be considered as a measure of residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes.

    (1)Non-GAAP measure, see above for definition.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Sprott Physical Copper Trust Announces Filing to List on NYSE Arca

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprott Asset Management LP (“Sprott Asset Management”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprott Inc. (“Sprott”) (NYSE/TSX: SII), on behalf of the Sprott Physical Copper Trust (TSX: COP.UN) (TSX: COP.U) (the “Trust” or “COP”), a closed-ended trust created to invest and hold substantially all of its assets in physical copper metal, today announced that NYSE Arca has filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to list and trade COP’s trust units (the “Units)” on NYSE Arca (the “NYSE Application”) in order to permit a dual-listing of the Units on both the TSX and NYSE Arca.

    “We believe a U.S. listing of Sprott Physical Copper Trust Units would provide U.S. investors with easier access to the only exchange listed physical copper fund. Copper is a critical material essential to meet growing demand for electricity generation, distribution and storage,” said John Ciampaglia, CEO of Sprott Asset Management.

    The NYSE Application has not been approved by the SEC. Any listing of the Units on NYSE Arca will be subject to the SEC’s approval of the NYSE Application and the effectiveness of a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of the listing. Sprott cannot provide any assurance that it will be successful in achieving a listing of the Units on the NYSE Arca.

    About Sprott
    Sprott Asset Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sprott and is the investment manager to the Trust. Sprott is a global leader in precious metals and critical materials investments. At Sprott, we are specialists. We believe our in-depth knowledge, experience and relationships separate us from the generalists. Our investment strategies include Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities and Private Strategies. Sprott has offices in Toronto, New York, Connecticut and California and Sprott’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SII”. For more information, please visit www.sprott.com.

    About the Trust
    Important information about the Trust, including the investment objectives and strategies, applicable management fees, and expenses, is contained in the prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the Trust on a stock exchange. If the units are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units or shares of the Trusts and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward looking statements”). Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the listing of the Units on NYSE Arca and the ability of such listing to increase investors’ access to investment opportunities in the copper market, as well as statements relating to trends in the copper market, including growing energy demand, electrification and adoption of new copper-intensive technologies. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Trust has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: regulatory approvals in respect of the NYSE Application and the subsequent U.S. listing of the Units, as well as dynamics in the copper market. While the Trust considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Trust’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. A discussion of risks and uncertainties facing the Trust appears in the Trust’s prospectus supplement dated July 8, 2024 and related short form base shelf prospectus dated July 3, 2024, as updated by the Trust’s continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Trust disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

    Contact:
    Glen Williams
    Managing Partner
    Investor and Institutional Client Relations
    Direct: 416-943-4394
    gwilliams@sprott.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Provides Notice of 2024 Year-End Results and 2025 Guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (“Orezone”) will announce its 2024 year-end and fourth quarter results on March 20, 2025, before market open, followed by a conference call and audio webcast at 8:00 am PT (11:00 am ET) the same day.

    Webcast
    Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
    Time: 8:00 am Pacific time (11:00 am Eastern time)
    Please register for the webcast here: Orezone 2024 Year-End Results and 2025 Guidance

    Conference Call
    Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-715-9871
    International callers: +646-307-1963
    Event ID: 9731374

    About Orezone Gold Corporation

    Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bomboré mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focused on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets and M&A.

    The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website.

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Kevin MacKenzie
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945 8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Everything Blockchain Sets Stage for Market Leadership with Launch of Comprehensive Blockchain Consulting Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Jacksonville, FL, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Everything Blockchain Inc. (OTC Pink: EBZT), a leader in blockchain technology and Web3 innovations, is proud to announce the launch of its new Strategic and Development Consulting Division, aimed at supporting businesses through advanced blockchain integration, strategic investments, and innovation. This new division expands the company’s ability to serve enterprises as they navigate the rapidly evolving blockchain and Web3 landscape.

    To lead this new initiative, Everything Blockchain has appointed Gleb Zemskiy as Chief Innovation Officer (CIO). Gleb brings over 6 years of hands-on experience in blockchain development, digital strategy, and large-scale project execution. His leadership experience includes founding the first Web3-focused venture capital fund in the CIS region, managing a successful hedge fund, and developing multiple high-frequency trading (HFT) systems, uniquely positioning him to lead the division’s mission of pioneering the future of Web3.

    Gleb is supported by a highly skilled team of ten mathematicians, engineers, and blockchain experts, each selected for their proven track records in innovation and technical excellence. Together, they will deliver customized solutions that directly address client needs, whether through groundbreaking technology development or strategic market insights.

    Arthur Rozenberg, CEO of Everything Blockchain Inc., commented, “The launch of our new consulting division marks a pivotal moment in the growth of Everything Blockchain. Gleb’s leadership, paired with the talented team we’ve assembled, enables us to offer unparalleled expertise in blockchain development, Web3 strategy, and market expansion. We are excited to bring tailored, high-impact solutions to enterprises looking to harness the power of blockchain technology for sustainable growth.”

    Strategic Consulting & Web3 Innovation

    The division’s services focus on three key pillars to support clients in their journey from conceptualization to market leadership:

    • Strategic Investments & Partnerships: By leveraging comprehensive market research and deep industry relationships, Everything Blockchain identifies and fosters investment opportunities that will propel businesses forward, ensuring long-term success.
    • Advanced Research & Insights: Clients benefit from deep insights into the latest trends and emerging technologies within the Web3 ecosystem, equipping them to make data-driven decisions and stay ahead of competitors.
    • Go-To-Market Strategy: Tailored marketing and user engagement strategies designed to drive market adoption and maximize the reach of blockchain-based projects, ensuring a lasting impact.

    Development & Blockchain Integration

    The division also specializes in end-to-end blockchain development services to help businesses scale and optimize operations:

    • Tokenization & Token Development: From ideation to launch, we provide the technical and strategic support necessary to create and scale tokens that unlock new business opportunities and add value across ecosystems.
    • Crypto Payment Infrastructure & Security Solutions: Offering secure, efficient platforms for accepting crypto payments, along with advanced security protocols designed to safeguard digital assets and transactions.
    • Internal Blockchain Development: Helping companies integrate blockchain technology within their existing operations, optimizing processes, and ensuring scalable growth.

    “Joining Everything Blockchain is an exciting opportunity,” said Gleb Zemskiy, CIO. “We are building a division that is deeply committed to pushing the boundaries of Web3 and blockchain innovation. Our team’s expertise, paired with the trust and support of Everything Blockchain, will enable us to significantly impact our clients’ success and drive forward-thinking solutions that address the challenges of tomorrow.”

    The creation of the Strategic and Development Consulting Division represents a critical step in Everything Blockchain’s ongoing mission to empower enterprises with the tools, knowledge, and technology needed to lead in the blockchain era. Investors and stakeholders can expect to see accelerated growth, strategic opportunities, and long-term value creation through this initiative.

    About Everything Blockchain Inc.

    Everything Blockchain, Inc. (OTCMKTS: EBZT) focuses on identifying key challenges and opportunities in AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. The company is dedicated to investing in and innovating solutions that empower investors and advance global industries. For more information, visit https://www.ebzt.info/

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as “anticipate,” “seek,” intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan” or similar phrases may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company’s reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of blockchain-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. 

    Contact:

     Arthur Rozenberg

    CEO, Everything Blockchain, Inc.

    arthur.rozenberg@everythingblockchain.io

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Launches DeepLink Protocol (DLC) with Spot and Futures Trading, Offering 16,000,000 DLC & 149,000 USDT to Fuel Decentralized Cloud Gaming

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the listing of DeepLink Protocol (DLC) on both spot and futures markets, scheduled for March 18, 2025, at 12:00 (UTC). To celebrate the launch, MEXC is introducing an Airdrop+ rewards pool totaling 16,000,000 DLC & 149,000 USDT, reinforcing its commitment to supporting cutting-edge blockchain projects.

    Powering Decentralized Cloud Gaming: DeepLink Protocol (DLC) Now Listed on MEXC

    DeepLink Protocol is a decentralized cloud gaming platform powered by AI and blockchain technology, merging Artificial Intelligence, GPU computing, Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization, and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) into a unified ecosystem. With ultra-low-latency game rendering, DeepLink enables cloud-based esports, cybercafés, AAA gaming, and immersive virtual experiences, enhancing resolution and clarity through AI-driven optimization. Backed by leading investors such as Amber, DePIN X, and NeoVentures, and with 2.6 million+ users and 1.4 million+ DLC holders, DeepLink is rapidly scaling its ecosystem and sponsoring major blockchain events like WebX, KBW, and TOKEN 2049.

    As a global exchange, MEXC actively supports projects across sectors such as gaming, AI, and DePIN by providing market access, liquidity, and broader exposure. By listing DeepLink Protocol (DLC), MEXC enables more users to capture the investment opportunities in this sector, contributing to the expansion of decentralized gaming within the Web3 ecosystem. Beyond listing, MEXC plays a key role in helping emerging projects build market traction. With an active trading community and deep liquidity, MEXC will support the growth of DLC, ensuring accessibility for both retail and institutional participants. Additionally, through marketing initiatives, ecosystem collaborations, and trading events, MEXC enhances DLC’s visibility, driving engagement among Web3 users and expanding its adoption. By integrating DLC into its diverse asset offerings, MEXC continues to provide a launchpad for innovative projects, bridging blockchain technology with real-world applications.

    Celebrate the DLC Listing with a 16,000,000 DLC & 149,000 USDT Prize Pool

    MEXC continues its mission to support innovative blockchain projects by listing DeepLink Protocol (DLC) in the Innovation Zone on March 18, 2025, at 12:00 (UTC). The DLC/USDT spot market will be available first, followed by the DLC USDT perpetual futures launch at 12:10 (UTC), offering up to 50x leverage in both cross and isolated margin modes.

    To mark the occasion, a 16,000,000 DLC & 149,000 USDT prize pool will be available through a series of exclusive events from March 17, 2025, at 10:00 (UTC) to March 27, 2025, at 10:00 (UTC).

    Event 1: Airdrop+ Rewards

    • Deposit and share 10,000,000 DLC & 99,000 USDT (New user exclusive)
    • Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in futures bonuses (Open to all users)
    • Invite friends and share 6,000,000 DLC (Open to all users)

    Event 2: Spread the Word and Win DLC Rewards

    • Share the Airdrop+ event on social media between March 17 – March 23, 2025, and win additional DLC rewards.

    Your Easiest Way to Trending Tokens

    MEXC aims to become the go-to platform offering the widest range of valuable crypto assets. The platform has grown its user base to 34 million by offering a diverse selection of tokens, high-frequency airdrops, competitive fees, and comprehensive liquidity. In 2024, MEXC launched a total of 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings and 605 memecoins, with total airdrop rewards exceeding $136 million.

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official WebsiteXTelegramHow to Sign Up on MEXC

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b74b171-c6e8-4d8e-8920-80a3612c24a9

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Barnwell Industries, Inc. Announces Sale of its Water Drilling Subsidiary for $1,050,000

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONOLULU, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Barnwell Industries, Inc. (NYSE American: BRN) (“Barnwell” or the “Company”) today announced the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Water Resources International, Inc. (“Water Resources”), a deep drilling and well pumping specialist in the exploration and development of groundwater resources for government, commercial and private clients in Hawaii, for $1,050,000. Proceeds from the sale will be used for general corporate purposes, with a focus towards reinvestment in the Company’s oil and gas operations. Revenues from the divested business, which was represented as the Company’s Contract Drilling segment, totaled approximately $3,162,000 for the trailing-twelve-months ended December 31, 2024.

    Strategic Rationale

    This transaction represents a further step in Barnwell’s plan for streamlining its holding company operations, simplifying its corporate and accounting structure. This transaction will allow Barnwell’s Board to proceed with its plans to meaningfully decrease general and administrative expenses and public company costs, including implementing such steps as transitioning personnel to Calgary or elsewhere, reducing the Company’s legacy footprint in Hawaii.

    The sale of Water Resources simplifies the equity story for Barnwell as investors will be able to focus on the significant opportunities the Company has identified in its oil and natural gas business. The combination of the proceeds from the sale of Water Resources and anticipated holding company savings also further improves Barnwell’s financial position and balance sheet, which has no bank debt.

    Management Commentary

    Mr. Craig D. Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of Barnwell, commented, “The sale of Water Resources was an important strategic objective set by the Board of Directors that took significant time and effort to achieve. I am pleased that the current management team was able work collaboratively to deliver on this important initiative to streamline our business, reduce fixed cost, and focus on higher return opportunities.”

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The information contained in this press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A forward-looking statement is one which is based on current expectations of future events or conditions and does not relate to historical or current facts. These statements include various estimates, forecasts, projections of Barnwell’s future performance, statements of Barnwell’s plans and objectives, and other similar statements. Forward-looking statements include phrases such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “will be,” “should,” or similar expressions. Although Barnwell believes that its current expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure that the expectations contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause actual results to differ materially from Barnwell’s expectations are set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of Barnwell’s annual report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year and Barnwell’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, as they speak only as of the date of this press release, and Barnwell expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein.

    CONTACT:        

    Craig D. Hopkins
    Chief Executive Officer and President
    Phone: (403) 531-1560
    Email: info@bocl.ca

    Russell M. Gifford
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Phone: (808) 531-8400
    Email: rmg@brninc.com

    The MIL Network