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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ponte Vedra Man Indicted For Conspiracy To Traffic Firearms And Controlled Substances

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Braden Huston Hobbs (27, Ponte Vedra) with conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances—including 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, Hobbs faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 95 years, in federal prison.

    According to court documents and proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Hobbs when several firearms he had purchased were recovered during unrelated search warrant executions by law enforcement agencies. These firearms were recovered in the homes of drug distributors and a convicted felon. Additionally, during a series of controlled purchase operations conducted in the summer of 2024, agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from these two co-conspirators. Cellphone records later showed that at least one of the co-conspirators regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.

    Through further investigation, agents discovered that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased more than 120 firearms from 3 different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before completing the purchase of the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer.

    Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash for the firearms or traded drugs for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms and were drug users or drug distributors. Furthermore, Hobbs asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs is not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law.

    When Hobbs purchased the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false. Hobbs was not the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms, and he was a habitual user of controlled substances.

    In addition, Hobbs was distributing controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. He routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated deals. Hobbs often sold the controlled substances to the same customers to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers located approximately 330 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s Strategic Diplomacy Fuels Mining Sector Growth

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

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 7, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African nations are leveraging strategic partnerships to attract investment and strengthen their mining sectors. As competition between Western and Eastern powers intensifies over critical minerals, Africa has emerged as a key player in global supply chains, balancing geopolitical interests while maximizing economic benefits. With global markets racing to secure resources for the energy transition and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the upcoming African Mining Week will facilitate collaboration between African governments and international stakeholders.

    U.S.–DRC Partnership to Unlock Mineral Wealth

    In March 2025, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed (https://apo-opa.co/43JPLr8) its interest in engaging with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to unlock its estimated $1.2 trillion in untapped mineral resources. Cooperation between the two countries could yield a transformative impact on the sector, with U.S. financing and technical expertise unlocking the potential of the world’s largest cobalt producer and Africa’s largest copper producer. The U.S. has already played an active role in the financing and development of the Lobito Corridor, facilitating mineral transport and trade between the DRC, Angola, Zambia and international markets.

    EU Expands Mining, Green Energy Investments

    This month, the European Union (EU) pledged €4.7 billion (https://apo-opa.co/42q3265) to South Africa to support raw material value addition, the energy transition, local vaccine manufacturing and green hydrogen production. South Africa, home to the world’s largest deposits of platinum group metals (PGMs), will leverage this funding to enhance PGM production to meet growing demand for electrolysers used in green hydrogen applications. This follows South Africa’s $1 billion green hydrogen partnership with Denmark and the Netherlands established in 2023. Neighboring Namibia has also attracted European investment, with the EU committing €25 million to Namibia Hydrogen Fund Managers in September 2024 to propel the country’s green hydrogen sector. Meanwhile, Uganda is taking steps to develop its mining sector with the support of the EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, having launched the Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector project earlier this month. 

    China Strengthens its Position in African Mining

    China remains one of the largest investors in African mining, with both state-owned and private firms driving sector growth. In September 2024, China pledged $50 billion over three years for infrastructure and mineral development across the continent. Key projects in the DRC include CMOC’s $2.5 billion expansion of the Tenke Fungurume Mine and Sinohydro and China Railway’s $7 billion infrastructure-for-minerals deal in copper and cobalt mining. China has also invested heavily in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector and pledged $1 billion to upgrade the Tazara Railway, improving East Africa’s mineral exports.

    Growing Global Interest in Africa’s Mining Sector

    Beyond the U.S., EU and China, countries like Canada, Australia and the UAE are ramping up mining investments in Africa. Canadian firms are expanding their footprint in West Africa’s gold sector, Australian companies are backing lithium and rare earth projects in southern Africa and the UAE is securing stakes in critical mineral supply chains through strategic joint ventures. African Mining Week, taking place October 1-3 in Cape Town, will provide a platform for African nations to engage global investors, strengthen cooperation and accelerate resource development.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pine Grove — RCMP investigators release video in continuing effort to solve homicide of Donny Lohnes

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (SWN MCU) is continuing its investigation into the homicide of Donny Lohnes and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward by releasing a video featuring his family.

    On October 25, 2020, 57-year-old Donald (Donny) Derrick Lohnes was attacked outside his home on Jippie Ave. in Pine Grove. Lohnes later died from injuries sustained during the attack. His death was ruled a homicide.

    “We believe Donny was targeted by his attackers and that those responsible for his death thought he was involved in a dispute he wasn’t connected to,” says Cpl. Chris Marshall, SWN MCU. “Someone knows something; we hope that someone will come forward after seeing the pain Donny’s mom and brother are living with; we want to help bring them answers.”

    To date, more than 125 people have been interviewed, four crime scenes and several electronic devices have been forensically examined, and other exhibits have been sent to the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory.

    “In December 2024, we installed a sign outside the Cookville RCMP detachment appealing for information from the public,” says Cpl. Marshall. “The sign generated new tips that brought us closer to finding out who’s responsible for Donny’s death. This video is another tool we’re using in an effort to solve his homicide.”

    The case has been added to the Nova Scotia Reward for Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which offers up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in certain cases. The provincial reward line is 1-888-710-9090.

    Anyone with information about Lohnes’s death is asked to call the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-365-3120. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    Video

    Transcript – RCMP investigators release video in continuing effort to solve homicide of Donny Lohnes

    [somber piano music]

    [photo of Donny Lohnes]

    [text on screen: Help us find answers for the family of Donny Lohnes, Nova Scotia RCMP, RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit]

    [Cookville RCMP detachment with a sign asking for information on Donny Lohnes.]

    [Corporal Chris Marshall stands on the side of a snowy road.]

    Corporal Chris Marshall: I’m Corporal Chris Marshall with the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, and I’m the Team Commander on the Donny Lohnes homicide investigation.

    [A sign post for Jippie Avenue and a stop sign.]

    Donny Lohnes was a 57-year-old man, a father, and lived with his dog here on Jippie Avenue, which is just down the road behind me.

    [The Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill business sign.]

    Donny also worked at the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill in Wileville.

    [An aerial shot of the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill.]

    On October 25th, 2020, Donny was taking an acquaintance into Bridgewater and dropped him off.

    When Donny returned home at approximately 3 pm, he was immediately assaulted by what he believed to be three men, and Donny lost consciousness.

    When he regained consciousness, he found himself in the front yard of his home, and his dog was outside.

    Donny suffered serious injuries during the assault and ultimately elected not to report the assault to police, nor did he seek any medical treatment.

    [Jeanne Rhodenizer sits in an interview room with tears in her eyes]

    [text on screen: Jeanne Rhodenizer, mother of Donny Lohnes]

    Jeanne Rhodenizer: Donny was a wonderful son.

    He was so loving and everybody loved him.

    A couple of days before, one of his friends called and said, “Did you know that Donny was beat up?”

    And I said to her, I said, “What do you mean? Is he in the hospital or where is he?”

    And she said, “No, he’s at work.”

    So I didn’t call him because he was at work, you know, like and so I didn’t bother him.

    But then the day it happened, she called and she said, “You better get to the hospital.” She said, “We just took Donny.”

    Somebody called me from the hospital and said, “Are you Donny’s mother?”

    And I said, “Yes.”

    She said, “I suggest you get here as soon as you can.”

    [Danny Lohnes sits in an interview room]

    [text on screen: Danny Lohnes, brother of Donny Lohnes]

    Danny Lohnes: I had gotten a call from Mom that he was in the hospital, and he wasn’t well.

    He wasn’t gonna make it, I guess, is what she had told me, so I just got home from work — so off I went.

    Jeanne: When they took us in to see him, I was just, I almost fainted.

    Danny: Walking into the hospital and seeing the shape that he was in, like, that’s the memory.

    And it’s reminded when I see friends of his.

    He was a kind and giving person. And of all his friends and family know that, you know.

    Unfortunately, that was taken away.

    But just remember that, you know, Donny thought the world of everyone.

    Jeanne: Please, please come forward because we need answers and we’re hoping and praying that somebody out there smartens up and says, “Maybe we can help solve this case.”

    [photo of Donny Lohnes]

    [text on screen: A reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder by calling 1-888-710-9090. NS Major Unsolved Crimes Program]

    Chris: Donny’s case has been added to the Nova Scotia Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program, which offers a reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder.

    Please come forward.

    It’s important.

    Do what’s right.

    [music stops]

    [Royal Canadian Mounted Police signature]

    [© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2025]

    [Canada wordmark]

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Jim Chalmers highlights expectations of May interest rate cut – after the election

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Amid the chaos of the tariff crisis and the dark clouds internationally, there is a potential silver lining for Australian mortgage holders.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Monday pointed out that the markets were expecting several cuts in Australia’s interest rates this year, including one next month. There has been one cut so far, in February.

    “Markets are now expecting around four interest rate cuts in Australia this calendar year”, Chalmers told a news conference. There was even a “more than 50% expectation in the markets that the next Reserve Bank interest rate cut in May might be as big as 50 basis points”.

    While saying he didn’t predict or pre-empt Reserve Bank decisions, Chalmers nevertheless highlighted what the markets are expecting.

    The next meeting of the Reserve Bank is on May 19-20, so a cut would be after the May 3 election.

    Chalmers said the “whole world” was trying to get their heads around the impacts of these “bad decisions” on tariffs.

    Releasing updated Treasury modelling of the impact, Chalmers said it expected big hits to American growth and to Chinese growth, as well as a spike in American inflation.

    “We expect more manageable impacts on the Australian economy but we still do expect Australian GDP to take a hit, and we expect there to be an impact on prices here as well”.

    Chalmers stressed the uncertainty around the modelling and about the economic impacts more generally. “Clearly, a series of decisions are still to be taken around the world when it comes to how countries may or may not retaliate to the decisions taken and announced by President Trump”.

    The Treasury modelling says: “The effects on the Australian economy are expected to be modest, however, some parts of the agriculture, energy, mining and durable manufacturing sectors will be more adversely affected than others”.

    “Australia’s real GDP is estimated to decline by 0.1 per cent and inflation to increase by 0.2 percentage points in 2025 relative to a baseline scenario with no tariffs. Over the medium-term Australia’s GDP is permanently lower; while the effect on inflation is temporary.

    “The direct effects of the United States tariff changes (from bilateral trade) are expected to be small.

    “Most of Australia’s exposure to US tariffs comes from reduced demand for Australian exports from major trading partners including China, Japan, South Korea, and India.

    “The indirect effects of US tariffs on Chinese demand accounts for almost 80 per cent of the total impact on Australian GDP.”

    Government to promise $1 billion for mental health, with emphasis on youth

    Returning to Labor’s core issue of health, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday will promise $1 billion for free mental health services that would fill gaps in the system.

    This includes

    • $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres

    • More than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services

    • $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs, and

    • $90 million for more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.

    The government says the new network of Youth Specialist Care Centres would ensure young people in “the missing middle” received needed specialist help. It would mean those with complex mental health needs such as personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis would be able to ongoing and intensive care outside hospital.

    Dog day for Dutton

    Saying you got it wrong is never harder than in an election campaign. Peter Dutton bowed to the inevitable in dropping his plan to force Canberra public servants back into the office, but fronting the media for the mea culpa on Monday was painful.

    “I have apologised for the decision we took in relation to work from home,” he said. He added, with false optimism, “Labor’s run this scare campaign and I think we bring an end to that today.”

    It wasn’t the only pain of the day for the opposition leader, who needs – to borrow his own election slogan – to get his campaign “back on track”. The message from Newspoll, the poll many Liberals take most notice of, was bad. Labor had extended its lead in a week, from 51%-49% in two-party terms to 52%-48%. This is close to the result of the 2022 election, and can only alarm the Liberal campaigners.

    Some Liberals, disappointed with the Coalition campaign so far, are recalling John Howard’s mantra: you can’t fatten the pig on market day. “There’s not much evidence the work has been done,” one says.

    As of late Monday, Dutton had still not produced the modelling for his controversial gas reservation scheme, which has made it more difficult for candidates to explain the policy to voters.

    On another front, the Liberals have also failed to do their work properly in vetting candidates. They’ve had to disendorse their candidate for the Sydney Labor seat of Whitlam, Ben Britton.

    Previously Britton had said women should be removed from combat positions in the defence force. “Their hips are being destroyed because they can’t cope with the carrying of the heavy loads and the heavy impacts that’s required for doing combat-related jobs,” he said, among other comments attacking “diversity and equity quotas” for weakening Australia’s defence.

    In previous elections, parties have had to remove candidates after previous embarrassing comments have turned up. Surely the Liberals would have learned to be scrupulous in vetting. But in the New South Wales Liberal organisation, it seems to take a long time for the messages to get through.

    .

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

    – ref. Election Diary: Jim Chalmers highlights expectations of May interest rate cut – after the election – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-jim-chalmers-highlights-expectations-of-may-interest-rate-cut-after-the-election-253733

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Holdings Issues Corporate Update Highlighting Recent Key Milestones and Strategic Growth Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Forged in Freedom, Fueled by Growth, Focused on the Future

    NASHVILLE, TN, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), the creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a leading provider of safes, personal security, and patriotic lifestyle apparel, today issued a corporate update summarizing several recent developments that have strengthened the Company’s foundation and accelerated its national growth strategy.

    CEO Andy Ross commented:

    “We’ve accomplished several key goals in the past 10 days alone, and we’re just getting started. From launching our national media marketing campaign to completing an equity-based capital raise, announcing $11.4M in 2024 revenue and engaging new investors, the American Rebel brand is gaining momentum on every front. I believe we are America’s next great success story, and we are committed to doing the right type of financings that fuel our growth over the next several years.

    “American Rebel Light Beer, a premium domestic light lager, is seizing a tremendous opportunity in the $110 billion annual beer market. Our rapid growth has exceeded all initial strategic forecasts, driven by patriotic Americans who love the unbeatable combination of great taste and low calories in our beer. With every sip, American beer drinkers enjoy a brew that not only satisfies their palate but also resonates with their core values – values proudly displayed on every can: America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.”

    • 1. Successful Private Placement by H.C. Wainwright & Co.

    American Rebel completed a strategic private placement led by H.C. Wainwright & Co. H.C. Wainwright is a full-service investment bank dedicated to providing corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/04/3056146/0/en/AMERICAN-REBEL-ANNOUNCES-UP-TO-11-MILLION-PRIVATE-PLACEMENT-PRICED-AT-THE-MARKET-UNDER-NASDAQ-RULES.html

    • 2. Strategic Media and Investor Relations Push in South Florida

    The Company engaged in a series of high-profile investor meetings and media appearances on NBC-TV Channel 5/West Palm Beach and 39 WSFL – Home of the Florida Panthers in South Florida, culminating with a meeting with strategic partners and potential investors at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club. These types of media engagements help generate valuable investor interest and media exposure.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054517/0/en/American-Rebel-CEO-Andy-Ross-to-Appear-on-South-Florida-Television-Morning-Shows-on-NBC-TV-Channel-5-West-Palm-Beach-and-39-WSFL-Home-of-the-Florida-Panthers.html

    • 3. FY2024 Revenue Disclosure – $11.4M

    In a recently filed Form 12b-25, American Rebel disclosed it expects to report $11.4 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024, to be detailed in its forthcoming Form 10-K.

    Read the full filing here: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1648087/000164117225001980/formnt10-k.htm

    • 4. Release of “The American Rebel Story” Video Featuring CEO Andy Ross

    American Rebel premiered “The American Rebel Story,” a compelling video featuring CEO Andy Ross narrating the Company’s vision, values, and journey to becoming America’s next great success story.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/03/3055126/0/en/American-Rebel-Holdings-Inc-NASDAQ-AREB-Invites-Patriotic-Investors-Fans-and-Beer-Enthusiasts-to-Celebrate-Freedom-with-a-New-Video-Release-Highlighting-the-American-Rebel-Story.html

    • 5. Expansion of Successful Sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing

    American Rebel continues to benefit from its existing sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) as the racing connection has opened many doors and helped establish relationships with new distributors and key accounts. The expansion of the TSR sponsorship will continue to provide immeasurable value to American Rebel as it accelerates its growth initiatives throughout 2025.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/27/3050822/0/en/American-Rebel-Expands-its-Successful-Sponsorship-for-2025-with-Tony-Stewart-Racing-TSR-in-NHRA-Mission-Foods-Drag-Racing-Series.html

    • 6. Launch of National Media Marketing Campaign – TV and Digital

    American Rebel launched a full-scale national media campaign, including a 30-second commercial airing on major television networks and a coordinated digital campaign to strengthen consumer awareness and drive sales.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/28/3051571/0/en/American-Rebel-Launches-Nationwide-Ad-Campaign-on-March-31-with-30-Second-TV-Spot-Complemented-by-Digital-Media-Across-Leading-Websites-to-Increase-Exposure-of-the-Company-and-its-.html

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. Known for its premium quality and bold patriotic spirit, American Rebel Beer exemplifies what it means to celebrate freedom in every sip. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro

    As tenacious as Stewart is in the cockpit of a racecar, he’s proven equally adept at providing cars and equipment for racing’s elite. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion can also list 31 owners’ titles to his resume, from NASCAR to USAC to the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. In 2023 Stewart earned his 31st owner title when Matt Hagan and the TSR Funny Car team earned the championship on November 11. His team, Tony Stewart Racing, fields a powerhouse lineup in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with Tony in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Stewart has embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit at more than 300 mph. For more information on TSR Nitro go to tsrnitro.com.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of marketing outreach efforts, actual placement timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    info@americanrebel.com

    Investor Relations:
    ir@americanrebel.com

    Media Contact:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@PrecisionPR.co

    Attachment

    • American Rebel Holdings Inc.

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City housing partners spring into action to help community centre

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Through Wolverhampton Council’s housing framework, Morro Partnerships is currently developing 2 sites in Bushbury for new council homes – ‘Magic Gardens’ off Sandmere Rise and land off Old Fallings Crescent.

    As part of its commitment to communities, members of Morro Partnerships’ new build team joined council volunteers and roped in members of D&R Contract Services Limited to redecorate the nearby Bushbury Triangle Resource Centre.

    The centre on Stanley Road offers free community services and support to residents in need, with activities including children’s gardening clubs, free breakfasts and bingo. It also provides office space for other local organisations to run services, including homelessness support.

    The building interior was showing signs of wear and tear – but has now been painted from top to bottom by the housing partners, using paint donated by Dulux.

    Steve Harris, Bushbury Triangle Chair of Trustees, said: “We are really grateful as we couldn’t do it ourselves. It has vastly transformed the building which hadn’t been decorated in 25 years.

    “Having a nicer environment will help us provide better services to the community and encourage people to use the centre.”

    City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “Bushbury Triangle Resource Centre provides invaluable support and services to city residents and continues to grow in popularity.

    “Their home needed a refresh and hats off to the staff from the council housing team and everyone else for volunteering their time to help, equipment and supplies to support this invaluable asset at the heart of the Bushbury community.

    “When we select our council housing development partners, as well as demanding they deliver quality and sustainable homes for our residents, we expect them to provide wider benefits to the community.

    “We have built a thriving working relationship with Morro Partnerships and I’m delighted they are supportive of our work to maintain well connected neighbourhoods.”

    Morro Partnerships Head of Social Purpose, Abdul Mozzamdar, said: “Bushbury Triangle Resource Centre is an invaluable service for the local community, which I experienced firsthand when I visited the centre last November.

    “The commitment from the volunteering residents is highly commendable, and it is a key example of true community spirit, which I feel should be emulated across all cities, towns and villages in England.

    “Morro Partnerships has committed to supporting communities in which we work, live, and play, and this intervention highlights our commitment to make lasting changes for the community to enjoy for generations to come.

    “A big thank you goes to D&R Contract Services Limited for their support in helping the community.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Libraries Offering Brain Exercises Can Become Centers for Brain Health

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Libraries have long been centers for knowledge and learning, but now that libraries frequently offer free access to online apps, many libraries are taking a further step to become centers for brain health. Posit Science, the developer of the BrainHQ brain training app, is helping libraries offer online brain training to patrons — without the library patron even needing to leave their home.

    “We first started working with libraries in 2015 at the invitation of one of the oldest and largest library suppliers,” noted Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, “however, they decided to exit from supplying software to libraries last year. We really value the library channel, so we have now enabled libraries to work directly with us and to integrate easily across most library management systems. We are pleased to announce this relaunch with libraries during National Library Week.”

    While there are scores of brain apps available, BrainHQ is unique because it has been shown effective in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies published in science and medical journals, across varied populations, including older adults, people with a broad range of health conditions, and people engaged in peak performance activities. Library patrons seem to really appreciate this proven brain health app, and the libraries that offer it.

    “I think all of us 80 and over are concerned about memory, because we all have times in which we forget something,” observed Judy Russell, a retired gerontological nurse practitioner, who started using BrainHQ in 2020, through her library in Jefferson County, Colorado. “BrainHQ is appropriate for people of all ages; it’s not just for the elderly. It’s a real service for all populations that libraries should be offering… I love my library.”

    Librarians also report that offering BrainHQ can make patrons love their libraries even more.

    “We wanted to prioritize brain health for adults because we didn’t really have a similar service that we were already offering,” said Courtney Cosgriff, Director of Digital Services at the Schaumberg Township District Library in Schaumberg, Illinois. “BrainHQ fills those gaps for us and our patrons love it! We love to provide digital resources that are educational, but it’s also important that we offer services that are educational and … fun!”

    BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 studies. Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is used by leading health and Medicare Advantage plans, by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, and other organizations focused on peak performance. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com.

    Libraries can get more information at https://www.brainhq.com/brainhq-for-libraries.

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Oxbridge / SurancePlus to Attend Apex Invest 2025 in Grand Cayman

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: OXBR) (“Oxbridge Re”), together with its subsidiary SurancePlus, is engaged in the tokenization of Real-World Assets (“RWAs”), initially with tokenized reinsurance securities and in providing reinsurance solutions to property and casualty insurers in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The company today announced its participation in Apex Invest 2025 – Grand Cayman, taking place April 9-11, 2025, at the Hotel Indigo in Grand Cayman.

    Apex Invest 2025 – Grand Cayman

    As a notable investment event in the Caribbean, Apex Invest 2025 brings together over 200 allocators, 100 fund managers and decision-makers from more than 25 countries, including family offices and institutional investors. The summit offers tailored one-on-one meetings, curated matchmaking, networking sessions and content across keynotes, panels and fireside chats.

    Oxbridge and SurancePlus will discuss how they provide access to high-yield investment opportunities backed by real-world assets through the tokenization of reinsurance contracts on the blockchain. These institutional-grade securities open access to a market that has historically been open to only a select few.

    Investors can participate in the SurancePlus offering today, with capital set to deploy into reinsurance contracts starting June 1, 2025. Two tokenized reinsurance investment options are available, each offering a distinct risk-return profile:

    Learn more at SurancePlus.com/invest

    Jay Madhu, CEO of Oxbridge, commented, “We look forward to participating in Apex Invest 2025 right here in our home market of Grand Cayman. This summit fosters the right environment for real conversations and valuable connections with global allocators, family offices and institutional investors. With our SEC-compliant, blockchain-based securities, we are unlocking access to a high-yield asset class that was once limited to a select few.”

    Meet Oxbridge / SurancePlus at Apex Invest 2025 – Grand Cayman

    Investors and potential partners interested in Oxbridge and SurancePlus’ tokenized reinsurance offerings are encouraged to connect with the team during the event. Contact details are provided below.

    Disclaimer: This press release does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the EtaCat Re or ZetaCat Re tokenized reinsurance securities (the “Securities”). The Securities are not required to be, and have not been, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on the exemptions provided by Regulation S and SEC Rule 506(c) thereunder. Offers and sales of the Securities are made only by, and pursuant to, the terms set forth in the Confidential Private Placement Memorandum relating to the Securities. The offering of the Securities is not being made to persons in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky, or other laws of such jurisdiction.

    About Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited 

    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: OXBR, OXBRW) (“Oxbridge”) is headquartered in the Cayman Islands. The company offers tokenized Real-World Assets (“RWAs”) as tokenized reinsurance securities and reinsurance business solutions to property and casualty insurers, through its wholly owned subsidiaries SurancePlus Inc., Oxbridge Re NS, and Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited.

    Insurance businesses in the Gulf Coast region of the United States purchase property and casualty reinsurance through our licensed reinsurers Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited and Oxbridge Re NS.

    Our Web3-focused subsidiary, SurancePlus Inc. (“SurancePlus”), has developed the first “on-chain” reinsurance RWA of its kind to be sponsored by a subsidiary of a publicly traded company. By digitizing interests in reinsurance contracts as on-chain RWAs, SurancePlus has democratized the availability of reinsurance as an alternative investment to both U.S. and non-U.S. investors. 

    Company Contact:
    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited
    Jay Madhu, CEO
    +1 345-749-7570
    jmadhu@oxbridgere.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on 26th March 2024. The occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this press release, even if the Company’s expectations or any related events, conditions or circumstances change.

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: reAlpha Tech Corp. Announces Exercise of Warrants for $3.1 Million Gross Proceeds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBLIN, Ohio, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — reAlpha Tech Corp. (Nasdaq: AIRE) (the “Company” or “reAlpha”), a real estate technology company developing and commercializing artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies, today announced the entry into definitive agreements for the immediate exercise of certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,218,751 shares of common stock of the Company originally issued in November 2023, having an exercise price of $1.44 per share, at a reduced exercise price of $0.75 per share. The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants are registered pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-284234). The gross proceeds to the Company from the exercise of the warrants are expected to be approximately $3.1 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses.

    H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

    In consideration for the immediate exercise of the warrants for cash, the Company will issue new unregistered warrants to purchase up to 8,437,502 shares of common stock. The new warrants will have an exercise price of $0.75 per share, will be exercisable beginning on the effective date of stockholder approval of the issuance of the shares issuable upon exercise of the new warrants and will expire on November 24, 2028.

    The offering is expected to close on or about April 8, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general working capital purposes.

    The new warrants described above were offered in a private placement pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and, along with the shares of common stock issuable upon their exercise, have not been registered under the 1933 Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the new warrants.

    In connection with the offering, the Company is reducing the exercise price for all outstanding November 2023 warrants to purchase 8,333,333 shares of common stock, including the November 2023 warrants to purchase up to 4,218,751 shares of common stock referred to above, such that all outstanding November 2023 warrants have a reduced exercise price of $0.75 per share.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About reAlpha Tech Corp.

    reAlpha Tech Corp. (Nasdaq: AIRE) is a real estate technology company developing an end-to-end commission-free homebuying platform. Utilizing the power of AI and an acquisition-led growth strategy, reAlpha’s goal is to offer a more affordable, streamlined experience for those on the journey to homeownership. For more information, visit www.realpha.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements.” Any statements other than statements of historical fact contained herein, including statements as to the completion of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offering, the receipt of stockholder approval and the intended use of net proceeds from the offering, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “project”, “strive”, “budget”, “forecast”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: reAlpha’s ability to pay contractual obligations; reAlpha’s liquidity, operating performance, cash flow and ability to secure adequate financing; reAlpha’s limited operating history and that reAlpha has not yet fully developed its AI-based technologies; whether reAlpha’s technology and products will be accepted and adopted by its customers and intended users; reAlpha’s ability to commercialize its developing AI-based technologies; reAlpha’s ability to successfully enter new geographic markets; reAlpha’s ability to integrate the business of its acquired companies into its existing business and the anticipated demand for such acquired companies’ services; reAlpha’s ability to scale its operational capabilities to expand into additional geographic markets and nationally; the potential loss of key employees of reAlpha and of its subsidiaries; the outcome of certain outstanding legal proceedings against reAlpha; reAlpha’s ability to obtain, and maintain, the required licenses to operate in the U.S. states in which it, or its subsidiaries, operate in, or intend to operate in; reAlpha’s ability to successfully identify and acquire companies that are complementary to its business model; reAlpha’s ability to commercialize its developing AI-based technologies; the inability to maintain and strengthen reAlpha’s brand and reputation; any accidents or incidents involving cybersecurity breaches and incidents; the inability to accurately forecast demand for short-term rentals and AI-based real estate-focused products; the inability to execute business objectives and growth strategies successfully or sustain reAlpha’s growth; the inability of reAlpha’s customers to pay for reAlpha’s services; the inability of reAlpha to obtain additional financing or access the capital markets to fund its ongoing operations on acceptable terms and conditions; the outcome of any legal proceedings that might be instituted against reAlpha; changes in applicable laws or regulations, and the impact of the regulatory environment and complexities with compliance related to such environment; and other risks and uncertainties indicated in reAlpha’s SEC filings. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Although reAlpha believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. reAlpha’s future results, level of activity, performance or achievements may differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, and there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking statements. For more information about the factors that could cause such differences, please refer to reAlpha’s filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and reAlpha does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Adele Carey, VP of Investor Relations
    investorrelations@realpha.com

    Media Contact:

    Fatema Bhabrawala, Director of Public Relations
    fbhabrawala@allianceadvisors.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improvement project completed on Perth residential street

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Perth and Kinross Council has completed an £800,000 streetscape improvement project in Perth, in response to concerns from residents.

    People living in Pullar Terrace contacted the Council about a number of issues that were affecting the street. The land is owned by the Council’s Housing Revenue Account, so the Housing Service carried out a range of improvements including:

    • Improvements to drainage, which prevents flooding to front gardens during heavy spells of rain
    • Removing overgrown shrubs and trees which blocked out satellite and aerial signals
    • The replacement of a set of old outdoor stairs
    • Replacing a retaining wall that had started to bow
    • Improvements to a greenspace embankment, which has enhanced the look of the area and made it maintenance-free

    Residents of Pullar Terrace were fully consulted before work began, and throughout the project.

    Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener, Councillor Tom McEwan visited the street to see the improvement work. He said: “The completion of the project at Pullar Terrace underlines our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our tenants and residents.

    “We listened to their concerns and invested a significant amount of money to address them. The positive feedback we’ve received from tenants and residents about how the work has improved the street shows the importance of the community engagement we carried out through the process.

    “The new drainage system, embankment and structural replacements have not only resolved immediate issues but also improved the overall look and functionality of the area. The project highlights how close partnership working between the Council and residents can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements.”

    Last modified on 07 April 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Six pre-sale consents issued in Q1

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Lands Department issued six pre-sale consents for residential and non-residential developments in the first quarter of this year.

    Among these, five were issued for residential developments, involving a total of 2,749 residential units.

    Three of the projects are expected to be completed next year. Two of these are phases of developments – specifically a phase in Chai Wan comprising 592 units, and another in Tin Shui Wai involving 525 units. The third project, in Sha Tin, covers 240 units.   

    A development in Yau Tong involving 748 units, and another in Fanling comprising 644 units, are expected to be completed in 2027.

    The remaining pre-sale consent is in relation to a non-residential development.

    At the end of last month, 21 applications for pre-sale consent for residential developments, comprising a total of 7,090 residential units, were being processed.

    In addition, the department was handling 11 applications for consent to assign, involving 3,436 residential units and four non-residential units.

    Three applications for pre-sale consent for non-residential developments were also being processed.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More EV chargers on the way

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Recently installed chargers are making electric vehicle charging more accessible.

    A new round of ACT Government grants will fund the delivery of 39 more electric vehicle chargers (EV) across the city by 2025.

    Installing more public chargers will support the ACT’s efforts to electrify Canberra’s transport system. It will help reach the ACT Government’s goal of 180 public EV chargers by 2025.

    Providing more DC fast chargers will plug gaps in Canberra’s existing charger network. Having a good mix of DC fast chargers and slower AC chargers means that people can charge in a way that suits their needs. This includes charging quickly when needed or using an AC charger for longer visits like work, school, or sport.

    The 39 chargers will be installed in places where Canberrans and visitors need them most, including:

    • near tourist hot spots
    • shopping centres
    • high-density residential areas.

    New chargers for ANU and Marketplace Gungahlin

    Three new DC fast chargers have been installed at ANU and Marketplace Gungahlin respectively to help make charging more accessible.

    Each set of three chargers are 150kW and can charge six vehicles at once. They are close to nearby apartments and employment hubs.

    People who live in apartments and townhouses have extra barriers to installing home chargers. This is why the ACT Government is prioritising putting public chargers in areas of high-density housing.

    The government will also work with grant recipients to deliver charging bays in priority locations that will be accessible to EV drivers with mobility issues.

    “It’s important to place EV charging infrastructure in convenient locations where people want to go, be it a university, shopping centre, tourism destination or somewhere they visit as part of their daily routine,” Greg Schumann, ENGIE ANZ Director of Green Mobility said.

    A growing network of chargers

    The successful providers for the first projects to be supported by this new funding are ActewAGL, BP, ENGIE and EVIE.

    “We’re committed to keeping Australian EV drivers charged up, by rolling out a national network of bp pulse charge points,” Frédéric Baudry, President bp Australia and Senior Vice President Mobility, Convenience, & Midstream, Asia Pacific said.

    “We know that the ACT is home to more EV drivers than anywhere else in Australia, and with the support of the ACT Government, we’ll be bringing the best of our charging and convenience offers to these drivers on the go when they visit bp.”

    There are currently 156 public EV charging stations operating across the ACT. 39 public EV chargers with 65 charging bays* have been delivered through previous government funding. A further 21 chargers are still to be delivered under the previous grant round by the end of 2024.

    Find more information on the Public EV Charging Infrastructure Fund visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.

    A map of public charging stations in the ACT, and across Australia, is available at www.plugshare.com.

    * This figure is an indication of the number of future chargers as of May 2024. The number and location of future chargers supported by government funding is subject to change.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CAMEROON – Release of an 83-year-old missionary and his assistant after 48 hours

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Missionari di Mill Hill (MHM)

    Yaoundé (Agenzia Fides) – The kidnapping and subsequent release, within 48 hours, of an 83-year-old British missionary and his Cameroonian assistant have brought the forgotten conflict in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon back into the international media spotlight.Brother Huub Welters, a Missionary of the Mill Hill Missionary Society of St. Joseph (MHM), and his assistant, Henry Kang, were kidnapped on April 1 on the road from Bamenda to Ilung. As the Mill Hill Missionaries report on their website, “On Tuesday morning, April 1st, Brother Huub Welters MHM and his assistant, Mr Henry Kang, set out from Bamenda to Ilung, where they are building classrooms for underprivileged children; children who deserve a chance at a better future. But just 20 km away, in a town called Bambui, their journey was brutally interrupted. They were abducted by unknown armed men.”The two men’s nightmare lasted only 48 hours, as on April 3, they were released safely and able to return to Mill Hill House in Bamenda.”Brother Huub Welters, at his age, should be at home, resting, surrounded by the warmth of cherished memories from his decades of selfless service.” write the Mill Hill Missionaries. “Instead, he chose to stay; because his heart simply wouldn’t allow him to walk away from those in need. And now, his kindness, his sacrifice, his love have been met with violence and suffering.”Bamenda is the capital of Cameroon’s Northwest Province, which, along with the Southwest Province, make up the so-called Anglophone region of Cameroon. Bamenda is the scene of frequent kidnappings and murders linked to separatist violence, which erupted in 2016. Separatists often target civil servants and local officials, accusing them of collaborating with the Francophone central government.The unrest began in 2016 after President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades, responded with force to peaceful protests in the Anglophone regions where the population feels marginalized by the central government.Since the conflict began, at least 6,000 civilians have been killed by government forces and separatist fighters. The separatist groups, known as the “Amba Boys,” intend to form their own state, Ambazonia, whose birth was symbolically declared on October 1, 2017.Members of the Church have also been affected by the violence. We recall, for example, the injury of Father Elvis Mbangsi, also a Mill Hill Missionary, during the attack on St. Martin of Tour’s Church in Kembong, in the diocese of Mamfe, in southwestern Cameroon (see Fides, 28/9/2023) or the kidnapping of the late Cardinal Christian Tumi, Archbishop Emeritus of Douala in 2020 (see Fides, 6/11/2020). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 7/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – Humanitarian aid to the homeless becomes an opportunity for dialogue and prayer

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Mandalay

    Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) – The homeless in Mandalay and Sagaing are exposed to heavy rain and strong winds. These weather events are making life difficult for the thousands of people camping on the streets. According to rescue teams such as the Mandalay Catholic Emergency Rescue Team of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, the rain and wind are putting additional strain on those living in makeshift tents on the streets. Meanwhile, the electricity grid has also been affected by the heavy rains in the country, resulting in numerous outages. Archbishop Marco Tin Win, the priests of the archdiocese, and the religious in Mandalay are sharing the daily lives of the refugees, sleeping outdoors in makeshift tents. Catholic Joseph Kung tells Fides: “The urgent work now is to care for and assist those who have found themselves on the streets. The death toll seems to be almost complete. Among the homeless, who need drinking water and food, there is now a risk of diarrhea, respiratory, and skin diseases due to poor hygienic conditions.”The team of Catholic volunteers is collecting donations and distributing relief items such as food, water, medicine, emergency shelter, and hygiene items to the homeless. “The grounds of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Mandalay, which was damaged by the earthquake, have become a refuge for the earthquake victims, regardless of ethnicity or religion: they are Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus, and the parishioners have worked hard to alleviate the suffering of the victims,” Father Peter Kyi Maung, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, tells Fides.Volunteers went to bring humanitarian aid to Sagaing, along with Archbishop Tin Win, who is constantly travelling, offering comfort and speaking and praying with the displaced and sick. “This suffering has also become an opportunity for profound interreligious dialogue, as the majority of the affected population is Buddhist,” reports Father Peter.In the future, it is said, specific aid for the reconstruction of churches and pastoral buildings will be essential. The archdiocese is in the process of completing its damage assessment. The damage affects the rectory in Mandalay, the archbishop’s residence, the St. John Paul Educational Institute, the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Mandalay (whose the bell tower is severely damaged), and the churches of St. Francis Xavier, St. John, and St. Michael in Mandalay. St. Michael’s Church (in Thanwin Township), St. Joseph’s Church (in Lafon), Our Lady of Loudes Church (in Yamethin), St. Vincent de Paul Church (in Zawgyi), as well as the Mother Teresa Home for the Sick, the intermediate Seminary in Mandalay, and the minor Seminary in Pyin Oo Lwin. Given the situation on the ground, the episcopal ordination ceremony of Bishop Augustine Thang Zawm Hung, who is to be consecrated as bishop of the Diocese of Mindat in neighboring Chin State, cannot take place in Mandalay as planned and will take place on April 27 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon.Given this dramatic situation, “a ceasefire is all the more necessary,” says Fr. John Aung Htoi. “We respect the young generation who have lost their lives fighting against the military junta over the past four years and understand their reluctance. But in the current situation, I believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is essential for the good of the country.” “As a Catholic community in Myanmar,” the priest continued, “we urgently call for a ceasefire after such a natural disaster. I believe that the dignity of any organization will not be damaged by efforts to stop the war and care for so many people in need. It is necessary to begin with a ceasefire that paves the way for peace and allows everyone to participate in the reconstruction of the country.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 7/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Orchestra of Voices Performs at Jorgensen Center

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts will present an evening with the GRAMMY winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.

    Chanticleer is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity. Founded in San Francisco in 1978, it is one of the most prolific recording and touring ensembles in the world, selling over one million recordings and performing thousands of live concerts to audiences around the world.

    The ensemble’s repertoire is rooted in the renaissance and has continued to expand to include a wide range of classical, gospel, jazz, popular music, and a deep commitment to the commissioning of new compositions and arrangements. Named for the “clear-singing” rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” Chanticleer continues to maintain ambitious programming in its hometown, including a large education and outreach program, and an annual concert series that includes its legendary holiday tradition “A Chanticleer Christmas.”

    UConn alum Jared Gravely ’17 (SFA) is in his second season singing bass-baritone as a member of Chanticleer. While touring and singing with the award-winning ensemble, he also writes choral, jazz, and a cappella arrangements for such esteemed groups as Voces8, Kings Return, Midtown, Choral Chameleon, Hyannis Sound, and Chanticleer. He founded and directs the quintet Highline Vocal Jazz.

    “I’m really passionate about creating new music that blends the highest level of musicianship with audience accessibility,” Gravely said. “Music, to me, is about people and their stories, and deserves to be for people, too.”

    Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. The Box Office is open Mon – Fri, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions and assistance, email jorgensen.tickets@uconn.edu or call 860-486-4226.

    Gravely spoke with WHUS on the Good Music show, (Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) about his work with Chanticleer, Highline Vocal Jazz and his time in Storrs.

    For more information go to Jorgensen.uconn.edu

    Listen to the interview here:

    https://today.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JARED-GRAVELY-CHANTICLEER-EDIT.mp3

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Engineering Takes Flight at Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    There are certain settings where manufacturing quality really, really matters. One of them is at a cruising altitude of 40,000 feet. 

    With such a low tolerance for error, airplane manufacturers must source parts from trusted, expert suppliers. Many of these companies are headquartered in Connecticut, and one of them boast a double UConn connection. 

    Aero Gear, based in Windsor, specializes in the design and manufacture of gears and gearboxes for the aerospace industry. Pat Brueckner has worked at Aero Gear ever since graduating from UConn’s engineering program in 2013, and he’s now the company’s director of engineering. 

    In 2017, Brueckner got in touch with Jeongho Kim, who was leading the newly established Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center (CMSC) in the Innovation Partnership Building at UConn Tech Park — “and the rest,” Brueckner says, “is history.” 

    The CMSC is a free resource providing technical assistance and manufacturing simulation services to small- to medium-sized companies across Connecticut. Aero Gear was one of the first industry partnerships that the Center forged. 

    “One day, we got an email reaching out to small- and medium-sized companies like ourselves that wanted to get involved in more cutting-edge technology,” Brueckner recalls. “Our company does like to be on the bleeding edge of things like simulation capabilities and additive manufacturing, so we thought, let’s give it a shot.” 

    CMSC was formed to help manufacturing companies across Connecticut connect to the mathematical expertise and modeling capabilities of UConn faculty. 

    “Small- to medium-sized companies do not tend to have in-house large OEM [original equipment manufacturing] capabilities,” explains Kim. CMSC can help fill this gap: “Any company in Connecticut, if they find an issue – some crack or damage in a manufactured workpiece or failure in a certain process that they want to understand better – they can reach out to us for free so we can provide our modeling services.” 

    CMSC can offer these services for free thanks to federal funding and some matching funds from the Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development, says Kim. 

    Engineering … With a Twist

    “CMSC helps us make sure the virtual world matches the real world,” Brueckner says. “Simulations are not as easy as just loading a model and hitting start. There’s a lot of setup; there’s a lot of validating that the virtual world reflects the real world.” 

    Carving geometric features like the grooves on this block presents an engineering challenge for the aerospace industry. (Courtesy of Pat Brueckner)

    In one of their collaborations, CMSC supported Aero Gear in tackling a technical problem involving 2.5-pound aluminum blocks. These blocks would be shaped with a specific geometry that would allow for easy simulation and dimensional inspection, enabling them to apply these techniques to more complicated parts later. 

    The engineering team knew what they needed to produce: a block with regular, equidistant grooves, like a capital E turned on its side. The block also needed to be perfectly straight at the end of the process. 

    But to carve out the equidistant grooves, the block needed to be held in place by powerful clamps on either end. The problem was that these clamps would end up warping the material. 

    The solution? Programming the milling machine to introduce a countertwist – something that would not have been conceivable without powerful simulation technology. 

    “If we know exactly how something is going to twist beforehand, then we can tell our CNC machine to untwist it as it goes along,” Brueckner says. “Then, when you unclamp it, it will actually be straight. That was a pretty big win for us, and for CMSC.” 

    The aviation industry presents a unique challenge for engineers, combining the hulking power of aircraft machinery with the mathematical elegance needed to ensure that planes reach their destinations safely. This collaborative breakthrough between Aero Gear and CMSC underscores the importance of data-driven modeling for this industry. 

    “You need to understand exactly how much stress a component can withstand before you put it into a system,” Kim says. “Otherwise, it could lead to a catastrophic failure. That’s why we want to understand and optimize the process.” 

    This was just one of many wins along the way for the two partners, who foresee even more jet-fueled innovation in the future. 

    “We’ve done quite a few projects [with CMSC], and all of them have given us really insightful data,” says Brueckner. 

    “Aero Gear is a really important partner of our Center, and we have been able to introduce Aero Gear to other initiatives in the past as well,” such as research opportunities with the Air Force Research Laboratory, says Kim. “We provide a service to Aero Gear, but at the same time, they provide us with great data and enriching technical discussions. We really enjoy working with them.” 

    Interested in working with CMSC? Fill out a contact form here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: UK consumers to shell out GBP2.3 billion on Easter, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    UK consumers to shell out GBP2.3 billion on Easter, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Retail

    Over 40% of UK Easter shoppers have reported that they intend to spend more this year, leading to a projected total expenditure of GBP2.3 billion. This surge in spending will be driven primarily by food & drink and luxury Easter eggs purchases. With Easter falling on 20 April 2025, three weeks later than last year, retailers should prepare by promoting alcoholic beverages and outdoor furniture amid the potential for a warmer Easter bank holiday weekend. This focus will further encourage consumers to engage in outdoor activities and social gatherings, according to, says GlobalData, a leading data analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest UK Easter Intentions report reveals that Easter remains an important event for consumers, with shoppers planning to spend an average of GBP124.75–GBP12.35 more than last year. Food & drink and gifting are expected to dominate spending, accounting for over 70% of shoppers’ Easter budgets. Purchases of luxury Easter eggs will boost gifting sales, with 46% of Easter gifting shoppers planning to buy these items this year.

    Aliyah Siddika, Associate Retail Analyst at GlobalData comments: “The UK consumers’ growing preference for luxury Easter eggs is strengthening year-on-year. The appeal of quality over quantity is driving this trend as luxury Easter eggs are more appealing to shoppers as they feature unique flavors and designs. Marks & Spencer is successfully capitalizing on this preference ahead of the event, with its ‘Scrummy Bunny Munch Loaded Egg’, priced at GBP12.00, which is filled with treats such as pretzels and popcorn. This unique offering caters to those shoppers seeking an alternative to the traditional milk chocolate Easter egg.”

    37% of consumers with children agree that they “plan to do more Easter-related activities this year”, an 8ppt increase on 2024. This enthusiasm by parents to seek out activity-based products to mark the occasion is expected to boost spending ahead of the event.

    Siddika continues: “While parents are eager to celebrate Easter with their families, they are also feeling the financial pinch and will be more selective about their spending. This creates an opportunity for retailers to offer products that not only enhance the Easter experience but also provide value for money.”

    Retailers must focus on Easter products that emphasise family time, such as DIY Easter craft kits, baking kits and at-home Easter egg hunts to encourage spending from parents of young children.

    Siddika concludes: “The later date of Easter this year presents an extended opportunity for retailers to build momentum for the occasion. To keep shoppers engaged, retailers should reserve limited-time discounts and bundle deals for the week of Easter. Hosting Easter-themed events, such as instore egg hunts, crafting workshops, or cooking demonstrations closer to the occasion will also help to attract families and encourage impulse purchases.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF opens emergency room in Daraya Syria

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    After 14 years of war, Syria has been left with large-scale destruction, massive displacement, economic hardship and a lack of basic services, including healthcare. In response, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has started planning how best to meet people’s needs in areas where our teams were unable to work previously, including major cities and under-served rural regions where people’s humanitarian needs are significant and often overlooked.

    This includes Daraya, southwest of Damascus, where we have set up an emergency room and support a healthcare centre.

    “Almost everywhere our teams have visited, the scars of war are evident – entire neighbourhoods destroyed, with little effort put into reconstruction and minimal investment in restoring basic services,” says MSF’s project coordinator for Damascus, Mostafa Khatab. “Daraya, a suburb in the outskirts of the city, stood out in particular. Large-scale destruction, entire areas flattened – yet, people are coming back, determined to rebuild their lives.” 

    A view from the window of a destroyed building in eastern Daraya, Syria, March 2025.
    Al Baraa Haddad/MSF

    After the government of Bashar Al-Assad collapsed in December 2024, thousands of people have returned to their homes, and now face massive challenges, including land contaminated with munitions, job shortages, economic struggles, and a lack of access to clean water and healthcare services.

    “Daraya’s hospital, for example, was heavily damaged, and restoring it would require significant investment – something unlikely to happen in the near future,” says Khatab. “This means that the only real option for emergency and specialised medical care is in Damascus city centre, where services are already under significant strain.”

    “The only functioning health centre in Daraya operates at a very limited capacity, offering just vaccinations, malnutrition treatment and basic medications for chronic diseases,” says Khatab.

    In response, MSF started running activities in Daraya in March in partnership with the Directorate of Health. After renovating the health centre, the team is providing basic healthcare, including outpatient consultations, mental healthcare and sexual and reproductive healthcare, led by a doctor and a midwife.

    MSF and the Directorate of Health have also opened a 24/7 emergency room to provide urgent care for people with trauma injuries and have established a referral system to hospitals in Damascus for patients needing more specialist care. All MSF’s services are free of charge.   

    An ambulance in front of the Daraya health centre preparing to respond to a call. Syria, March 2025.
    Al Baraa Haddad/MSF

    Consultation numbers at the health centre have increased steadily with over 1,000 patients treated in the outpatient services since we started supporting in March. More and more patients are coming for sexual and reproductive.

    At the emergency room, the medical team has provided 308 consultations and referred 24 patients for specialist care in just two weeks.

    “The opening of Daraya emergency room clearly marks a decisive turning point in access to healthcare for the people of Daraya,” says MSF’s medical referent, Jethro Guerina. “I witnessed a father shedding tears of relief after his 10-year-old son received six stitches in the head following an accident at home, the medical team told him he didn’t have to pay money for treatment,” says Guerina. “He told me: ‘I have no memory of ever not having to pay for treatment.’”

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    MIL OSI NGO –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Budget 2025 vital for economic growth and poverty alleviation

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    In his weekly newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the crucial role of the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals, which were recently passed by Parliament, in driving economic growth and relieving the effects of poverty.

    The budget – tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Parliament last month – was passed by Parliament last week.

    “The 2025 Budget is directed at growing the economy and supporting the livelihoods of our people.

    “It is a critical instrument to drive development, eradicate poverty and narrow inequality. At a time of constrained economic growth and narrow fiscal space, the budget must direct sufficient resources to activities that encourage inclusive growth and lay the groundwork for sustained economic recovery.

    “It reflects the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity: inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living and building a capable, ethical and developmental state,” he said.

    Uplifting the nation

    The budget has a strong focus on the social wage with 61% of resources directed at, amongst others, healthcare, education, housing and social grants.

    “Over the past 24 years we have implemented an indigent policy under which free water, electricity and sanitation services are provided to qualifying households.

    “Social grants, like the childcare, old age and disability grants, are another tool for alleviating poverty. This year, the value of these grants will increase at above inflation. The Social Relief of Distress grant, which has played an important role in poverty alleviation, will also be extended for another year,” President Ramaphosa said.

    As part of improving access to healthcare, the President said there will be a higher allocation of funding to clinics and community health centres. 

    He said government is investing in the recruitment and retention of health personnel, particularly doctors and nurses, and to employ newly qualified doctors after their community service ends. 

    The budget also allocates substantial funding to “other frontline services such as teachers, police, emergency personnel and the Border Management Authority”.

    “Improving educational outcomes is key to community upliftment, development and producing the skills needed by our economy. Budgetary allocations have been made to support teacher training, for expanded mother-tongue bilingual education and for early reading programmes. 

    “This year sees a substantial investment in early childhood development, reflecting our commitment to establishing a solid foundation for the development of every child,” the President added.

    Funding for public employment programmes and to support small businesses has also been allocated.

    Driving growth

    President Ramaphosa noted sustaining expenditure on the social wage requires “higher levels of economic growth”.

    “The budget allocates considerable resources to encourage infrastructure development, which drives growth and job creation.

    “Taken together, up to R1 trillion will be spent on infrastructure over the medium term. This includes the allocation in this budget of an additional R62 billion over the next three years for road maintenance, electricity transmission lines, water and sanitation projects, school infrastructure and to support the ongoing recovery of our rail networks.

    “Support is also provided to other growth enhancing measures in the medium term, including incentive programmes in automotive, business process outsourcing, special economic zones, electric vehicle production, clothing and textiles, and other sectors,” he said.

    South Africa’s municipalities will also receive adjusted budget allocations to help them address infrastructure needs and improve service delivery.

    “In a challenging economic environment – both locally and globally – this year’s budget supports measures to drive growth and relieve the effects of poverty. At the same time, it aims to stabilise public finances and continue to reduce our national debt.

    “The budget reflects the priorities of Government’s Medium Term Development Plan, a five-year programme of action that prioritises rapid, inclusive growth, creating a more just society and building state capacity.

    “At a time when our singular focus must be the South African people, we need to use the limited resources we have to work together for the common good,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: KZN mass murderer sentenced to life imprisonment

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Monday, April 7, 2025

    A KwaZulu-Natal mass murderer has been sentenced to seven life terms and 70 years imprisonment for the murders, attempted murders and housebreaking he committed in August 2023.

    According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Siphamandla Dlomo – together with others – orchestrated the killing of nine people following a fallout with one of the complainants in the case.

    “Shortly after the fallout, Dlomo planned with others to eradicate the family of the complainant. On 11 August 2023, Dlomo and others armed themselves with firearms and proceeded to the complainant’s homestead at Umlazi Q Section, in search of the complainant. They could not find the complainant as the complainant had fled his home, upon hearing that Dlomo was looking for him.

    “Dlomo and the assailants then shot and killed the complainant’s neighbour, as well as other people who were in [the complainant’s], before setting the house alight. Dlomo then managed to find the complainant and while a scuffle ensued between them, the complainant managed to escape. 

    “Dlomo and the others then proceeded to search for others and fatally shot them. The following night, Dlomo returned to Umlazi Q Section and fatally shot two people who were friends of the complainant,” the NPA said in a statement.

    Dlomo subsequently handed himself over to police.

    He was convicted and sentenced to:

    • Seven life terms and 30 years imprisonment for the nine counts of murder.
    • Ten years imprisonment for each two counts of attempted murder.
    • Fifteen years imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
    • Five years imprisonment for housebreaking

    “The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter. Together with our partners in the crime prevention cluster, we will continue to fight for justice on behalf of the victims of crime,” the prosecutorial body said. – SAnews.gov.za

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eastern Cape welcomes Presidential visit to Gqeberha

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s official visit to the province, to assess progress on service delivery, challenges and opportunities for inclusive economic growth.  

    The Presidential Oversight Visit, set to take place in Gqeberha from 15 to 16 April 2025, will be attended by leaders from all three spheres of government, and provides an opportunity for government to interact with residents.

    Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane and his Executive Council are looking forward to engaging with President Ramaphosa and Members of the National Executive on key provincial priorities.

    In a statement, the provincial government said the visit underscores the President’s commitment to engaging directly with provinces, strengthening collaboration, and driving South Africa’s broader development agenda.

    “The provincial government is particularly encouraged by the visit’s focus on fostering synergy, sharing best practices, and enhancing service delivery to accelerate economic growth,” the statement read.

    The two-day visit will include an oversight visit at Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), followed by a Joint Cabinet meeting, which will be extended to Executive Mayors of the Eastern Cape District and Metro Municipalities.

    This platform will allow for a comprehensive review of progress made, as well as a candid discussion on both the challenges and opportunities in advancing inclusive economic growth and efficient service delivery for the people of the Eastern Cape.

    The Eastern Cape Provincial Government said it remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investment, job creation, and improved public services.

    “We are confident that this visit will strengthen the partnership between the Eastern Cape and National Government. Working closely with the President and his administration, we aim to accelerate development, address critical needs, and unlock the full potential of our province,” Premier Mabuyane said.

    This visit will be the fifth engagement between the national executive and provincial governments following recent interactions between the President and the provincial governments of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Gauteng. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government launches call for evidence to break down barriers to opportunity at work

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government launches call for evidence to break down barriers to opportunity at work

    A new call for evidence [launched today] will enable business, trade unions and civil society to shape action helping everyone, no matter their background, to thrive under the government’s Plan for Change.

    Responses will support consideration of a range of areas, including steps to make the right to equal pay effective for women, people from ethnic minority groups, and disabled people.

    This call for evidence is one of several exercises which will help shape the measures included in the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill which will be published this session. This follows the recently launched mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting consultation, which closes on 10 June.

    Minister for Equalities, responsible for race and ethnicity policy, Seema Malhotra MP said:

    I am pleased to announce the launch of a call for evidence on equality law, an important step in this government’s Plan for Change.

    Our goal is to understand how we can better remove barriers to opportunity and boost household incomes across the country so people can achieve according to their talents, irrespective of their backgrounds.

    The government wants to hear from anyone with relevant evidence – from expert bodies, employers, disabled people’s organisations and civil society to trade unions, public authorities and those with expertise by experience – on a number of areas of equality policy, including:

    1. the prevalence of pay discrimination on the basis of race and disability
    2. making the right to equal pay effective for ethnic minority and disabled people
    3. measures to ensure that outsourcing of services can no longer be used by employers to avoid paying equal pay
    4. improving the enforcement of equal pay rights by establishing an Equal Pay Regulatory and Enforcement Unit, with the involvement of trade unions
    5. improving pay transparency
    6. strengthening protections against combined discrimination
    7. ensuring the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) is met by all parties exercising public functions
    8. creating and maintaining workplaces and working conditions free from sexual harassment for all
    9. commencing the socio-economic duty

    This will make sure policies are shaped by a range of expertise and help open opportunities to all.

    Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms MP said:

    I’m proud to support this call for evidence, which will help inform the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill in line with the government’s manifesto commitment to put disabled people’s views and voices at the heart of all we do.

    I encourage people to take part and help shape plans that boost individual opportunity for disabled people, increase household incomes and support businesses in employing the best person for the job.

    The call for evidence will run for 12 weeks and end on 30 June 2025. It will ensure we break down barriers to opportunity and drive up household income for everyone,  making work pay in an economy where everyone can succeed.

    British Sign Language (BSL) version of this press release

    ## Government launches call for evidence to break down barriers to opportunity at work (BSL)

    Notes to editors:

    Please see quotes from key stakeholders below:

    Founder of Small Business Britain and Adviser to government’s Board of Trade, Michelle Ovens CBE, said:

    We welcome the government’s approach to the road ahead for the UK – the focus on breaking down barriers that have historically held people back, especially during a long and economically difficult few years, is extremely important. We know that for example a third of disabled business owners choose entrepreneurship due to the fact that workplaces are not equitable. Choice and opportunity should be accessible to all, and we look forward to collaborating closely on opening up pathways into work.

    Chief People and Inclusion Officer at the Co-op, Claire Costello, said:

    For the Co-op promoting equality is fundamental to how we do business. We believe it’s the right thing to do and a way to promote economic growth. Our Social Mobility campaign has focused on the impact we believe socioeconomic background can have on individual life chances.

    15 years on from the introduction of the Equality Act in 2010, we welcome this call for evidence as an opportunity to consider what more as a society we must all do.  This is an important moment for everyone to contribute and ensure that whoever you are and wherever you’re from doesn’t determine what you can become.

    Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Ann Francke OBE, said:

    This is a welcome step in improving conditions for people working across the UK economy, breaking down barriers and creating workplaces where everyone can thrive.

    CMI welcomes the government’s collaborative approach in working alongside employers to get this right. The key will be ensuring that leaders and managers have the skills they need to deliver inclusive workplaces that treat individuals fairly and deliver better outcomes.

    CMI’s report on the subject, Filling in the Gaps, found that those firms that do the work of tackling inequality in their ranks retain their talent and deliver for their shareholders.

    We look forward to working closely with the government to ensure managers and leaders are equipped with the skills they need to navigate these important pieces of legislation.

    Chief Executive at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Peter Cheese, said:

    Strong equality policies are key to a resilient economy, benefiting both employers and employees in a changing labour market. We welcome the UK government’s call for evidence on its equalities reform programme to shape equality law and help build fair, inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive. By working together, we can develop evidence-based reforms that can drive performance and enhance equality of outcomes for all.

    Strategic Advisor at Jaguar Landrover, Barbara Bergmeier, said:

    JLR is focused on making JLR an even more rewarding and fulfilling place to work for everyone. We are taking positive steps in the right direction and are committed to open and transparent pay gap reporting but there is more to do. We welcome the government’s willingness to engage with business on this important topic so we can continue to make progress and break down barriers.

    Head of Purpose at KERB Food, Priya Narain, said:

    At KERB, we recognise the critical need to tackle harassment within the hospitality industry, where team members, particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, often face unique vulnerabilities due to the nature of customer-facing roles. We welcome the Office for Equality and Opportunity’’s focus on strengthening protections against third-party harassment and exploring measures to ensure all employees, including interns and volunteers, are safeguarded.

    Through our initiatives, including enhanced training, clear reporting pathways, and our commitment to the Women’s Night Safety Charter, we have seen firsthand the importance of proactive employer-led action. However, to drive meaningful sector-wide change, it is essential that businesses are equipped with clear, practical guidance on their responsibilities and that employees have confidence in the protections available to them.

    We fully support this call for evidence as a necessary step in shaping policy that is both effective and workable for businesses and employees alike. We look forward to contributing our insights and continuing to engage with policymakers to ensure hospitality is a safer and more inclusive industry for all.

    Race Equality Director at Business in the Community, Sandra Kerr CBE, said:

    I am delighted that the Government has launched its consultation into ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting, with the intention to introduce mandatory reporting for all large businesses. Business in the Community has been campaigning for mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for many years because we believe that all employees should be entitled to fair and equal pay and opportunities for progression. Having seen the successes of gender pay gap reporting for businesses and employees across the UK, I hope that these successes can be used to shape the implementation of ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting. It is also encouraging to see that the Government is looking to address the barriers faced by those experiencing combined discrimination, based on a combination of protected characteristics. It is critical that government and business work together to make sure these laws work for everyone, so that we can break down these barriers to opportunity once and for all and ensure that no one is left behind.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City of Derry Jazz Festival announces EY sponsorship

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    City of Derry Jazz Festival announces EY sponsorship

    7 April 2025

    St Columb’s Hall will play host to an international medley of talent next month, with the announcement today of the fabulous EY Jazz Lounge on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May.

    The evenings are being supported by leading professional services company EY as part of an exciting sponsorship arrangement with Derry City and Strabane District Council, following the announcement of the company’s selection of Ebrington Plaza as the location for its new North West office.

    The late-night EY Jazz Lounge will bring together some of the most renowned musicians in the world of jazz, led by local jazz legend Paul McIntyre. The line-up features Curtis Efoua Ela (France) drums, Brian Questa (USA) drums and Phil Robson (UK) guitar as well as special guest vocalist Winne Ama.

    The intimate gigs are a highlight of a packed programme of events taking place throughout the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, which this year runs from Thursday May 01 – Monday May 05.

    Council’s Head of Culture, Aeidin McCarter said she was delighted to welcome EY on board for the festival. “The Jazz Festival is one of the city’s flagship events which is vitally important for the local business community and of course the local economy. So I’m delighted that EY are showing their support with this fantastic music showcase event – the perfect way to end an evening on the Jazz Trail.

    “As a Council we can take the lead in delivering festivals and events that will enhance the visitor experience here, but we rely very much on the support and good will of our local businesses to really deliver something exceptional. I look forward to working with EY as event partners and I think it’s fantastic that the company is showing its support for the city, and helping to build our profile as a vibrant and exciting visitor destination.”

    Aoife Warren, EY UKI Consulting Partner, said: “EY Northern Ireland is delighted to support the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival. Following the announcement of our newest office location in Northern Ireland in Ebrington Plaza, we are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Derry City and Strabane District Council to support the vibrant cultural opportunities that the fantastic City of Derry Jazz Festival brings to the region. At EY, we are proud to support the arts community and we look forward to a weekend of great live music and entertainment.”

    This year’s City of Derry Jazz Festival marks 24 years of Ireland’s biggest Jazz extravaganza, and final preparations are now well underway to deliver an unsurpassable programme brimming with the very best home grown and international talent. Over 400 performances will take place over five days, with live music on every stage and street corner.

    The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is organised and funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Diageo and EY. 

    Tickets for the EY Jazz Lounge, taking place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May at 11pm, are priced £10 and are available to buy online at www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com/tickets. For regular updates follow the City of Derry Jazz Festival on Facebook Instagram and X @derryjazzfest.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Burglary – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested six male youths in relation to a burglary and property damage incident that occurred in Alice Springs today.

    Around 9:45am, police received a report that an office building on Todd Street had been unlawfully entered. An employee had attended the building, which houses multiple businesses and organisations, and witnessed up to six male youths inside. The group subsequently fled out the rear of the property.

    Upon police arrival it was confirmed all offices and rooms within the building had been ransacked and extensive damaged had allegedly been caused by the offenders.

    A coordinated police response involving CCTV operators and Strike Force Viper identified the alleged offenders. Multiple foot chases throughout the Alice Springs CBD and into the Todd River involving Territory Safety Division (TSD) members, general duties officers, and Strike Force Viper members resulted in the arrest of six male youths.

    The offenders, aged 10, 12, 13, 13, 13 and 14, remain in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

    Police urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti

    Source: Government of India

    Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti

    A Journey of Women Empowerment and Child Care

    Posted On: 07 APR 2025 4:13PM by PIB Delhi

    ­­­­Introduction

    Government’s sustained initiatives on education, skilling and employment of women have resulted in increased opportunities for their employment, and more and more women are now in gainful employment, working within or outside their homes. Past few decades have shown a rapid increase in nuclear families. Thus, the children of such working women, who were earlier getting support from joint families while they were at work, are now in need of day care services which have to provide quality care and protection for the children. Lack of proper day-care services is, often, a deterrent for women to go out and work. To address these difficulties faced by the working mothers in giving due child care and protection to their children, day-care crèche facilities are being provided through Palna Scheme. Crèche services formalise the child care responsibilities hitherto considered as part of domestic work. Formalization of care work supports the “decent work campaign” to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth. This will also enable more mothers, who will be free from unpaid child-care responsibilities, to take up gainful employment.

    In 2022, erstwhile National Creche Scheme was reorganized and renamed as Palna Scheme under the sub scheme ‘Samarthya’ of ‘Mission Shakti’.  Palna is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ensuring the participation of State/ UT government to ensure better day-to-day monitoring and proper implementation of scheme, and is implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature except North East & Special Category States where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without legislature, 100% funding is provided by the central government.

    Region

    Centre’s Share

    State/UT Share

    General States

    60%

    40%

    North-Eastern and Special Category States

    90%

    10%

    UTs with Legislature

    60%

    40%

    UTs without Legislature

    100%

    0%

     

    Objectives of the Palna Scheme

    The objective of the Palna scheme is to provide quality crèche facility in safe and secure environment for children (from ages 6 months – 6 years), nutritional support, health and cognitive development of children, growth monitoring & immunization. Crèche facilities under Palna are provided to all mothers, irrespective of their employment status.

    Apart from the aforementioned primary objective, another objective of the component would involve monitoring compliance of the stipulations laid down in Section 11A of the Maternity Benefit Act regarding setting up of crèche facilities by the establishments. For this purpose, the States/UTs would explore the possibility of hosting an application/portal in convergence with the Labour & Employment Departments of their respective States/UTs for facilitating establishments to register on the portal and furnish details in respect of the crèches set up in accordance with the Act.

    Integrated Package of Services under Palna

    The Palna component under the Mission Shakti scheme aims to deliver a comprehensive set of services to children aged 6 months to 6 years. These services are designed to support early childhood care, development, and nutrition in convergence with Mission Poshan 2.0.

    Key services include:

    • Day care facilities, including sleeping arrangements
    • Early stimulation activities for children below 3 years
    • Pre-school education for children aged 3 to 6 years
    • Supplementary nutrition, sourced locally
    • Growth monitoring, health check-ups, and immunization support

     

    As part of enhancing access to childcare facilities, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has amended the Maternity Benefit Act to mandate all establishments with 50 or more employees to provide a crèche facility.

    Anganwadi cum Crèche (AWCC)

    There are two types of Crèches under Palna: Standalone Crèches and Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs). As per Mission Shakti guidelines, for Standalone Creches, there is a provision of one Creche Worker and one Creche Helper. Similarly, for AWCCs, in addition to the already existing Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper, a provision for a Creche Helper and a Creche Worker has been made in Mission Shakti Guidelines. Anganwadi centres are the world’s largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile. Anganwadi cum Crèche initiative aims to increase ‘women work force participation’ in the economy. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is targeting to establish 17,000 new Anganwadi cum creches under the Palna Scheme in 2024-25. As of March 2025, 11,395 AWCCs across 34 States/UTs have been approved, as per proposals received from various States and UTs.

    Crèche Workers under supervision of Anganwadi worker do proper care and safety of children attending the Creche:

    • Provide proper arrangements for sleep and rest of children.
    • Ensure personal hygiene and Creche helper keep personal hygiene of every child and keep washrooms clean, help for toilet training.
    • Inculcate proper toilet habits and toilet training.
    • Facilitate regular health check-ups and referrals in liaison with Asha/AWWs/Primary Health Centre (PHC)/AWC.
    • Ensure that the food is hygienically and age appropriately cooked, stored/preserved and fed to the children at appropriate intervals.
    • Follow all laid out safety procedures for taking/handing over the child and w.r.t. quality of toys and other materials given to the children.

    The Anganwadi Cum creche scheme shall be implemented with the intra-ministerial convergence specially with Integrated Child Development Services and Poshan. It complies with legislations under Labour Laws as well as Maternity Benefits Act. As of February 2025, 1,761 AWCCs are operational with 28,783 current beneficiaries.  Besides this, 1,284 Standalone Creches are also operational across the country with 23,368 current beneficiaries.

     

    Creche Operation under Palna Scheme

    The Mission Shakti Guidelines state that the crèche timings need to be flexible depending on the local requirements. Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half (7.5) hours per day as per the work schedule of majority of the mothers in the area. The Standard Operating Procedures for AWCCs also state that the Creche timings may be decided by State/ UT governments as per local need, however, it has to be ensured that timing should facilitate working mothers.

    The Creche Workers and Creche Helpers under Palna are honorary workers. There is no provision of salary or wages to the Creche Workers or Creche Helpers. However, the scheme guidelines have provision for grant of honorarium to Creche Workers and Creche Helpers. The amount of honorarium is governed through the type of Creche, and is detailed as below:

     

    Type of Creche

    Creche Worker

    Creche Helper

    Standalone Creche

    Rs. 6,500

    Rs. 3,250

    AWCC

    Rs. 5,500

    Rs. 3,000

     

    Palna as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is implemented through the respective State/ UT Government. The respective States/ UTs may provide additional amount of honorarium to Creche Worker/ Helpers, as a Top-Up from their own funds. There is no bar or restriction from the Central Government about this.

     

    The funds allocated and released under Palna scheme since its introduction, are detailed as under:

                            (Amount in Crores)

    Financial Year

    2022-23

    2023-24

    2024-25

    Amount Allocated

    35

    85

    150.11

    Amount Released

    4.68

    64.15

    43.66*

                                                                                                                                         *Data as on December 19, 2024

     

    To maintain quality care and individualized attention, each crèche is ideally limited to a maximum of 25 children. To ensure ease of access and continued breastfeeding for infants, crèches must be situated close to either the:

    • Residential areas of the children
    • Workplaces of the mothers (preferably within 0.5–1 km walking distance)

    This proximity supports parental engagement and provides convenience in emergencies or regular pick-up and drop-off.

    Conclusion

     

    By providing a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for children aged 6 months to 6 years, the Palna scheme ensures that children receive holistic care, nutrition, education, and health services. With convergence across key ministries and flexibility to adapt to local needs, Palna strengthens the foundation for a healthier, more inclusive, and gender-sensitive society.

    References

    https://wcdhry.gov.in/gallery/haryana-creche/

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2100650

    https://missionshakti.wcd.gov.in/statisticsPalna

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1989473

    https://wcd.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/WCD/universal-tab/palna_scheme_under_mission_shakti.pdf

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2115235

    https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/183/AU4233_BcWNDn.pdf?source=pqals

    https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU3455_1Tt0mw.pdf?source=pqals

    https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/mar/doc202435319501.pdf

    https://missionshakti.wcd.gov.in/public/documents/whatsnew/Approved_AWCC_Sop.pdf

    https://wcd.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/WCD/universal-tab/palna_scheme_under_mission_shakti.pdf

    ****

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

    (Release ID: 2119769) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic campus has become a regional historical and cultural monument

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Committee for State Control, Use and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of St. Petersburg included the complex of buildings of the Polytechnic University Student Campus in the unified state register of cultural heritage sites of regional significance. Four residential complexes built in 1929–1930, located on Lesnoy Prospekt, Pargolovskaya and Kharchenko Streets, a club, a factory kitchen and a mechanical workshop on Kapitana Voronina Street have been recognized as monuments.

    In the 1920s and 1930s, special attention was paid to the training of engineering personnel in the USSR, and workers’ faculties were organized in universities. The number of students at the Polytechnic University then reached six thousand people, and the dormitories that had existed since pre-revolutionary times were no longer sufficient. A site on Lesnoy Prospekt was chosen for the construction of new ones. The project for the complex was approved in February 1930. Its authors were architects S. E. Brovtsev, M. D. Felger, A. V. Petrov and engineer K. V. Sakhnovsky.

    “Probably the most interesting building in the town is the factory kitchen,” says Valery Klimov, director of the SPbPU History Museum. “Its main purpose was to free women from housework. Not only was food prepared for the student canteen here, but semi-finished products were also made to make cooking at home easier. This was an innovative invention of the 1930s.”

    In Leningrad, four factory kitchens opened in 1930 alone. They were all standard: three or four floors, a basement and a semi-basement. The first floor was allocated for production facilities and a cloakroom for visitors, a convenience store, and a snack bar. The second floor was for simple dining rooms, the third for banquets.

    In total, eight factory kitchens were built in Leningrad — the most in the USSR. Four of them are recognized as architectural monuments. These are the Vyborg (Stalin) factory kitchen on Bolshoy Sampsonievsky Prospect 45/2, the Vasileostrovskaya factory kitchen on Bolshoy Prospect of Vasilievsky Island, 68, the Moscow factory kitchen (Leningrad Food Plant) on Moskovsky Prospect, 114, and the factory kitchen of the Polytechnic Institute dormitories on Kapitana Voronina Street, 13a, b, v.

    In 1932, a mechanical laundry building appeared on the territory, which also housed showers and a sanitary checkpoint.

    When the Great Patriotic War began, the student town became the place where the people’s militia was formed. On June 22, 1941, after Vyacheslav Molotov’s speech on the radio, students from all the surrounding dormitories gathered on the third floor of the factory kitchen and began to compile lists of volunteers. Here is how a participant in the storming of Berlin, later associate professor of the hydraulic machinery department, Ivan Nikolaevich Filatov, recalled it: “On June 22, Sunday, we were working in our room, and at 12:00 we were supposed to listen to the scheduled broadcast of Leningrad radio “Let’s not!..” – a satirical music program based on local material, and at the same time relax. But instead, the head of the Soviet government, V. M. Molotov, spoke, reporting on the treacherous attack of Nazi Germany and the beginning of military operations from the Black Sea to the Barents Sea. He ended his speech with a phrase that later became a catchphrase: “Our cause is just, the enemy will be defeated, victory will be ours!” Despite such an ending, everyone in the room was speechless – everything was unexpected. Then came the time of the highest excitement: I threw my notebooks in the corner, everyone quickly began to run out into the street. And there, near our factory-kitchen, students from all the buildings of our town gathered, a spontaneous rally began: everyone wanted to say their main word, to do something useful for the homeland, to stand up for its defense.”

    Here, in the dormitories of the student campus, in 1941 the 3rd rifle regiment of the Frunze division of the people’s militia and the 5th division of the people’s militia of the Vyborg district were formed.

    Nowadays, the People’s University Theatre “Glagol” is located on the fourth floor of the former factory kitchen.

    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 –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Bar-Ilan University

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Bar-Ilan University is a public research university in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan, Israel. Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is Israel’s second-largest academic university institution.

    Bar-Ilan University has ten faculties: Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Law, Education, Jewish Studies (the largest of its kind in the world), Medicine (the only faculty located on its own campus in Safed), and the Interdisciplinary Studies Unit (Mechina Program). In addition, the university is home to over seventy research institutes covering a vast array of fields.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNDRR partnership with Standard Chartered prompts resilient infrastructure deal to tackle $2 trillion climate impacts

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    • Standard Chartered announces completion of first adaptation finance deal for a corporate client following launch of the breakthrough Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance.
    • Deal facilitates the trade of solar modules resistant to tornadoes and tropical storms, extreme wind, storms and sandstorms.
    • In 2024, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) reported that over the last decade, climate-related extreme weather events resulted in cumulative losses to the global economy of around $2 trillion.
    • Deal demonstrates potential of adaptation as an investable asset class in response to growing demand for resilient infrastructure to mitigate economic losses caused by extreme weather events, such as those caused by the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year.

    London, 13 March 2025 – Standard Chartered today announces the successful completion of an adaptation transaction for Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. (JinkoSolar), facilitating the delivery of storm and extreme weather-resilient solar modules to solar photovoltaic (PV) farms located in the US (Florida), UAE and Saudi Arabia. Standard Chartered provided Bank Guarantees (BGs) to facilitate the trade of these solar modules, known as Tiger Neo N-type products.

    The deal is Standard Chartered’s first labelled adaptation finance deal for a corporate client following the launch of the breakthrough Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance, which set out for the first-time, guidance on what constitutes adaptation and resilience investment, mapping over 100 investable activities in this field. This also represents the Bank’s first labelled adaptation finance transaction in China.

    The deal demonstrates the potential of adaptation and resilience as an investable asset class in response to growing demand for resilient infrastructure, particularly in the US (Florida), UAE and Saudi Arabia, where extreme wind, storms and sandstorms degrade and disrupt solar technology, leading to economic losses on investments made. The project specification (see Appendix) protects against:

    • Tornadoes and tropical storms in the US (Florida), like the more than 46 tornadoes that occurred throughout Florida in 2024 as a result of Hurricane Milton. Across the US, hurricanes including Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene (North Carolina) caused over $500 billion in economic losses.
    • Extreme wind, storms and sandstorms in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including the severe storm that swamped Dubai in 2024 leading to damages thought to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to homes and businesses.

    Ben Hung, President, International at Standard Chartered, said: “As a bank that sits at the centre of trade flows, and helps to facilitate them, we’re delighted to support JinkoSolar on this transaction. This deal demonstrates Standard Chartered’s ability to leverage the full breadth of our cross-border capabilities alongside our unique adaptation finance expertise, to connect demand for advanced solar technology with supply, building long-term resilience into critical energy infrastructure across our markets.”

    Haiyun Cao, Chief Financial Officer at JinkoSolar, said: “Adaptation and resilience financing are crucial in the journey to address climate change and as a leading enterprise in the photovoltaic industry, JinkoSolar feels a great sense of responsibility to support this. We are committed to promoting the development of clean energy and improving the efficiency and adaptability of photovoltaic products through technological innovation. This not only contributes to our own sustainable development, but also provides stable clean energy supply for societies and enhances our ability to cope with climate challenges. JinkoSolar looks forward to strengthening our work with Standard Chartered to contribute to building a more resilient energy system together.”

    Research from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) found that over the last decade, nearly 4,000 climate-related extreme weather events resulted in cumulative losses to the global economy of around $2 trillion, including the direct cost of physical asset destruction. In the last two full years alone, global economic damages reached $451 billion – representing a 19% increase compared to the previous eight years of the decade, underscoring the urgent need for resilient infrastructure.

    Tracy Wong Harris, Head, Sustainable Finance GCNA at Standard Chartered said: “Standard Chartered offers practical solutions to mitigate the worst impacts of extreme weather, helping our clients build resilience against the major productivity losses being felt here and now in the real economy as a result of increasingly frequent weather-related events. We’re proud to support JinkoSolar on this transaction, empowering them in delivering clean energy security alongside long-term business growth.”

    In 2024, Standard Chartered, KPMG and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction launched the Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance, with support from more than twenty leading financial institutions and NGOs a guide for investment in adaptation and resilience. The guide set out a common reference for adaptation and resilience alongside a list of financeable adaptation and resilience themes and activities, forming a classification framework for the market.

    Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Standard Chartered, said: “When we launched the Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance, we set out to provide the clarity needed across the market to accelerate investment into adaptation and resilience. Today, we’re putting the Guide into action ourselves through our first labelled deal with a corporate client, demonstrating the commercial opportunity alongside the economic benefits of financing resilient infrastructure in markets that are acutely vulnerable to the negative effects of extreme weather.”

    This is Standard Chartered’s second labelled adaptation finance deal, having completed a deal with an insurance client in 2023, which provided financial protection against extreme weather such as changes in river levels and wind levels for businesses in the renewable energy sector.

    View the report

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: GeM Showcases Startup Power at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, Unlocks New Growth Avenues for Innovation-Driven India

    Source: Government of India

    GeM Showcases Startup Power at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, Unlocks New Growth Avenues for Innovation-Driven India

    GeM Pavilion Sees Massive Footfall, 2500+ Queries Resolved, 1000+ Registrations Completed

    Posted On: 06 APR 2025 10:05AM by PIB Delhi

    The Startup Mahakumbh 2025 concluded in New Delhi on Saturday, marking significant participation and highlighting the growing strength of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Among the key participants was the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), which showcased its role in supporting startup growth and underlined the potential of public procurement as a tool for promoting innovation and inclusive development.

    As a strategic presenting partner, GeM engaged with a wide range of startups, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders during the event. Its participation reflected an ongoing effort to support the growth of Indian startups by facilitating access to government markets, encouraging new opportunities, and contributing to the broader vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    The event saw sector-focused pavilions that celebrated India’s strength in DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, Artificial Intelligence, Gaming, and more. GeM’s presence underscored its mission to bridge the gap between innovators and government buyers, enabling faster scale, market validation, and meaningful contribution to India’s global innovation standing.

    GeM’s impact at the Mahakumbh was further amplified through a high-energy panel discussion that drew a packed audience and featured sharp insights from GeM leaders, industry experts, and policymakers. The panel covered key themes such as:

    • Charting India’s Growth Story
    • Boosting State Procurement Through Startups
    • Emerging Technology as a Service
    • Driving Startup Growth via GeM Categories
    • Unlocking Opportunities with Central Government Buyers

    The sessions reinforced GeM’s role in transforming public procurement into a launchpad for India’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

    Speaking on the theme of government-startup collaboration, CEO, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Shri Ajay Bhadoo said, “Let’s work together and unlock the true potential of public procurement in driving startup growth, inclusive development, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

    His keynote address underlined the transformative potential of platforms like GeM in scaling innovative homegrown solutions and supporting startups with policy-driven opportunities.

    During the three-day event, GeM responded to over 2500 startup queries, facilitated 1000+ startup registrations and cataloguing, and hosted more than 1500 interactive sessions—including one-on-one mentoring and group engagements—focused on onboarding and skilling through GeM’s Learning Management System (LMS).

    GeM’s Pavilion hosted over 70 innovative startups, including 30 startup pods awarded free of cost to winners of GeM’s Start-o-nauts Challenge. So far, GeM has enabled over ₹38,500 Crore in transactions for 30,000+ startups, reinforcing its position as a true catalyst in India’s innovation ecosystem.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal / Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

    (Release ID: 2119462) Visitor Counter : 55

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tribal Startups Shine at StartupMahakumbh

    Source: Government of India

    Tribal Startups Shine at StartupMahakumbh

    ST-Led Ventures incubated at IIM Kolkata & IIT Guwahati Receive National Awards from Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal

    Ministry of Tribal Affairs Showcases 45 Startups under “DhartiAabaTribePreuners 2025” under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh at Bharat Mandapam

    Posted On: 06 APR 2025 9:09AM by PIB Delhi

    New Delhi ,Ministry of Tribal Affairs marked a significant milestone in empowering tribal entrepreneurship by showcasing 45 tribal-led startups from across India at the StartupMahakumbh held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Organized under the flagship initiative “DhartiAabaTribepreuners 2025” as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, the event witnessed innovation from sectors ranging from deep tech to organic farming and green energy.

    Two tribal-led startups, incubated at premier institutions—IIM Kolkata and IIT Guwahati—received prestigious national recognition from Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, affirming the growing role of tribal entrepreneurs in India’s startup ecosystem.

    On this achievement, Shri JualOram, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, and Shri VibhuNayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, congratulated the winning startups for their exemplary innovation and dedication to community-led development. They commended the efforts of all participating entrepreneurs for representing the aspirations and potential of tribal India on a national platform.

    Award-Winning Startups founded by ST entrepreneurs

    OurGuest Travels (Top View Pvt. Ltd.)

    Incubated at IIM Kolkata | Sector: Sustainable Tourism

    Based in Gangtok, Sikkim, OurGuest Travels (www.ourguest.in) was conferred the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Award. As the first Online Travel Aggregator (OTA) from Northeast India, it offers a curated collection of homestays, farmstays, resorts, and guided experiences across Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.With over 600 homestays and 50+ guides, the platform has served more than 6,000 travelers and supports rural livelihoods and eco-tourism. This recognition is a key milestone under the Ministry’s 100-Day Agenda to build a strong tribal startup ecosystem.

    Ngurie Organic Pvt. Ltd.

    Incubated at IIT Guwahati | Sector: AgriTech& Organic Farming

    Ngurie Organic received the AgriTech Award for its transformative work in sustainable agriculture. The startup harnesses data-driven research, precision agriculture, and blockchain-enabled transparency to empower farmers with solutions that:

    • Reduce water usage
    • Improve soil health
    • Increase crop yields
    • Promote environmental sustainability
    • Strengthen food security
      🔗 Website: https://ngurie.com

    Exclusive Sessions on Tribal Entrepreneurship by VC /Angel Investors

    The event featured a high-impact panel titled “Investing in Bharat: Unlocking Startup Potential Beyond the Metro”, with thought leaders from India’s startup and investment ecosystem

    • T. RoumuanPaite, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Afafirs
    • Vikram Gupta, IvyCap Ventures
    • Sandeep NagbhushanAithal, Infosys Ltd.
    • Vineet Khurana, SACC India
    • Moderator: Amit Pandey, IVCA

    In addition, faculty from IIT Delhi conducted a Design Thinking Workshop, guiding tribal startups to refine and scale their business ideas.

     Empowering the Next Generation of Tribal Entrepreneurs

    The 3-day program concluded with the distribution of participation certificates to:45 tribal startup founders,100 EMRS (Eklavya Model Residential School) students,150 tribal students availing higher education scholarships.

    Participants also took part in a bootcamp at IIT Delhi and attended exposure visits across the startup ecosystem during the StartupMahakumbh.

    Towards a Self-Reliant Tribal India

     Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through initiatives like DhartiAabaTribepreuners 2025, continues to create an enabling environment for tribal innovators—combining mentorship, funding, capacity building, and platform exposure. The presence and recognition of tribal entrepreneurs at India’s largest startup conclave reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to making tribal India a key stakeholder in the nation’s growth story.

    ****

    RN/PIB

    (Release ID: 2119444) Visitor Counter : 31

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 7, 2025
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