Category: Latin America

MIL-OSI USA: State of Washington joins lawsuit against Trump Administration for defunding medical and public health innovation research

Source: Washington State News

Coalition of 22 attorneys general challenge NIH funding cuts for universities and research institutions

SEATTLE – Attorney General Nick Brown and 21 other attorneys general today sued the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for unlawfully cutting funds that support cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country.

The coalition is challenging the Trump Administration’s Friday, Feb. 7, announcement to unilaterally cut “indirect cost” reimbursements at every research institution around the country to 15 percent. Indirect cost reimbursements, on which institutions rely, cover expenses that facilitate biomedical research, like labs, faculty, infrastructure, and utility costs. Without them, lifesaving and life-changing medical research in which Washington state has long been a leader, could be compromised, putting public health and medical advancements at risk. The coalition’s lawsuit seeks to prevent that reckless and illegal conduct.

The suit argues that Trump’s order violates the Administrative Procedure Act by ignoring the profound harms the cuts cause to research institutions as well as the directive Congress passed during President Trump’s first term to fend off his earlier proposal to drastically cut research reimbursements. That law, still in effect, prohibits the NIH from requiring categorial and indiscriminate changes to indirect cost reimbursements. The coalition is seeking a court order barring the Trump Administration and NIH from implementing the action.

The lawsuit was filed today in U.S. District Court for Massachusetts and can be found here.

“President Trump is trying to do the same thing he tried during his first term and the Administration must know it is illegal,” said Brown. “NIH provides lifesaving medical, agricultural, and public health research the people of Washington depend on. This attempt to curtail scientific research could have long-lasting impacts for generations to come.”

“Washington is a leader in cutting-edge scientific research. If the Trump Administration’s unlawful action is allowed to go forward, it would be disastrous for the important work happening at our research institutions,” said Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson. “I will work with our Attorney General and experts at our universities to ensure these dollars are protected from unlawful federal overreach.”

Most NIH-funded research occurs outside of federal government institutions, including at public and private universities and colleges in Washington state. The money goes to fund critical and time-sensitive research into life-saving medicine (such as cures for cancer), as well as numerous treatments and therapies for a wide array of medical, physiological, and public health issues. The money funds animal laboratories that are instrumental for research into human and animal health alike. It funds clinical trials for treatments of Alzheimer’s, diabetes, pediatric cancer, kidney cancer, and many other life-threatening diseases. It also goes into the facilities that are critical for monitoring and detecting emerging health threats, such as avian influenza, that present imminent danger to Washington’s agricultural and public health.

This lawsuit is being co-led by the attorneys general of Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan. Joining this coalition are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

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Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the State of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

Media Contact:

Email: press@atg.wa.gov

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MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Ecuador election heads to runoff – Indigenous movement now holds key to the outcome

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Malvika Gupta, DPhil Candidate in the Department of International Development, University of Oxford

Ecuador’s presidential election will go to a second round after the current president, Daniel Noboa, and the candidate for the left-wing Revolución Ciudadana (RC) party, Luisa González, received nearly identical shares of the vote.

After more than three-quarters of the ballots had been counted, Noboa led the 16 candidates with 44.6% of the vote – short of the 50% needed to win outright. González trailed with 44.02%. A run-off to decide the winner is scheduled to take place in April.

The election, which saw voters head to the polls for the third time in four years, took place against the backdrop of violence. Under Noboa’s two predecessors, who like him entered office with a neoliberal agenda, Ecuador became a narco-trafficking hub.

It now has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. This fact was laid bare by the 2023 assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, one of the candidates in the snap presidential election called that year when the former president, Guillermo Lasso, dissolved congress in an attempt to escape impeachment.

Noboa defeated González in an October 2023 runoff vote to see out Lasso’s term and then declared an “internal armed conflict” against criminal groups. He believed the only way to stop his country becoming a “narco-state” was with a hardline crackdown on organised crime groups.

But the militarisation of Ecuador’s streets and prisons has led to serious human rights violations by security forces. In late 2024, for example, four Afro-Ecuadorian boys died in the coastal town of Guayaquil after being detained by the military. Human rights groups say this case has prompted a shift in public attitudes to Noboa’s war on the gangs.

The rampant violence has been compounded by an energy crisis. Rolling blackouts instigated by a severe drought have raised questions about under-investment in Ecuador’s energy sector.

A raid on the Mexican embassy in capital city Quito in April 2024 led to the detention of Ecuador’s fugitive former vice-president Jorge Glas. This has prompted concern about Noboa’s lackadaisical attitude towards international law.

The result of the latest election was narrower than many polls had predicted. This suggests that the second round will be hard to call. But there are signs that the Ecuadorian left-wing, which has been divided for more than a decade, could be set to rally around González’s candidacy.

A key reason for the spate of neoliberal presidents in Ecuador is the division between those supportive of the country’s former leftist leader, Rafael Correa, who led the country from 2007 to 2017, and those who oppose him.

Indigenous voters, who make up roughly one-quarter of Ecuador’s electorate, helped Correa first come to power. And his government was successful in reducing extreme poverty and economic inequality.

But conflict soon arose over his policies to fund social services through the extraction of natural resources. In 2012, Correa accused the country’s main Indigenous organisation, Conaie, of trying to destabilise Ecuador by protesting against mining plans.

Correa also alienated Ecuador’s Indigenous movement by dismantling their hard-won intercultural bilingual education system in favour of mining revenue-funded education, as well as attempting to take control of water resources away from individual communities and give it to a new state agency.

In response to protests, Correa’s government prosecuted Indigenous leaders, saying they were saboteurs and terrorists. So, since 2017, many Indigenous voters have combined with the right-wing to keep RC from power. The RC candidate has lost the last two elections despite entering the second round because they did not have the Indigenous vote.

To break this impasse, RC participated in a dialogue with various left-wing parties, including the Indigenous-aligned Pachakutik political movement, to forge a unified electoral alliance for the 2025 election. These efforts did not result in a joint presidential bid. But they did lead to two favourable outcomes for the Ecuadorian left-wing.

RC and Pachakutik agreed a pact not to attack each other or the smaller left-wing candidates during the election campaign. And they also pledged to consider supporting the candidate of the other party should they reach the second round.

But this will, among other things, depend on how they manage their divergent positions on extractivism. RC sees the extraction of natural resources as one of the main economic pathways for Ecuador, while Pachakutik remains staunchly opposed.

González has said she wants to accelerate the transition to clean energy, but has also recognised the importance of oil and gas to Ecuador. She supported the “no” vote during the 2023 referendum where Ecuadorians voted to halt oil drilling in the Yasuní national park, arguing that exploration should continue in the area.

Pachakutik, on the other hand, seeks a post-extractive economic transition. The campaign of Pachakutik’s presidential candidate, Leonidas Iza, proposed boosting national agricultural and industrial production as an alternative to extractive capitalism. Iza envisions an economy based on harmony between humans and nature.

A plurinational tide?

Another area where RC and Pachakutik diverge is in their vision of plurinationality. Ecuador became the first country in the world to define itself as “plurinational” in 2008, adopting a new constitution that acknowledged the rights of nature as well as strengthening rights for Ecuador’s Indigenous peoples and other marginalised groups.

But, since then, the application of plurinationalism has faced major obstacles – not least because of the commitment of successive governments to resource extraction.

Pachakutik’s plurinational ethos was reflected in Iza’s election campaign. It featured images of a poncho-sporting Amazonian capybara threatened by extractivism, as well as rap songs of support by Afro-Ecuadorians living in coastal city slums. Plurinationalism was absent from – or certainly not central to – the electoral campaigns of most other candidates.

Ecuador’s Indigenous movement will probably determine who becomes Ecuador’s next president. Whether or not RC will now take plurinationalism seriously and forge an alliance with Pachakutik remains to be seen.

Malvika Gupta 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. Ecuador election heads to runoff – Indigenous movement now holds key to the outcome – https://theconversation.com/ecuador-election-heads-to-runoff-indigenous-movement-now-holds-key-to-the-outcome-248974

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What public-private-partnership scandals can tell us about wrongdoing in the water industry

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel Fisher, Assistant Professor in Management, University of Sussex

Jory Mundy/Shutterstock.com

Water bills are going up in England and Wales, even after the series of scandals around water companies. Last year water firms paid £158 million in fines following a record-breaking number of sewage dumps in rivers and seas.

Severn Trent Water and United Utilities alone reportedly made 1,374 illegal sewage spills over two years. (Both companies took issue with the analysis that led to this figure but acknowledged concerns about sewage discharges.)

There have been other notable incidents. Whistleblowers have told of water companies that fail to treat legally required amounts of sewage and divert that sewage to public waterways. To add to the disgrace, water companies have generally failed to invest enough in the UK’s water infrastructure.

Research suggests that governments have been pressured to become more “business-like”. This has given rise to the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to run important public services, such as water, transport and even prisons. Water companies in England and Wales are private companies that bid for their contracts, while in Scotland, the water provider is a public organisation.

While other findings show that PPPs can support important public service needs, such as public health, research by my colleagues and I examines a consistent pattern in UK PPP scandals and wrongdoing. Over the past decade and a half, billions of pounds of taxpayers’ funds are unaccounted for. This appears to be largely because private interests have been prioritised over public needs.

As a researcher of PPP wrongdoing, the reasons for many of the scandals seem obvious. My colleagues and I studied parliamentary inquiries and reports that have scrutinised PPP wrongdoing. This research can tell us a great deal about the UK’s predicament with regard to the failings in the water industry.

The first lesson is that, in general, many PPPs are motivated actually to reduce the quality of the services they deliver. One parliamentary inquiry found that contracting services out from the public to the private sector had become a “transactional process” where cost-cutting is favoured and the “knock-on cost” to users results in a lower-quality public service.

Other findings showed that companies regularly reduced the quality of a service to maximise profits. One way was to bid for a public service at a low price. A Public Accounts Committee member observed that companies coming in with low quotes for contracts can end up damaging services by under-investing in them.

Another example is Sodexo – a private prison management provider. It cut employee numbers by around 200 and a subsequent BBC Panorama documentary detailed escapes and widespread drug use in the prisons they managed and also criticised a lack of safety for both prisoners and prison officers. Sodexo acknowledged the programme had highlighted problems and said it would investigate, but added that there had been “positive actions and improvements” already.

Similar practices were observed at a children’s prison run by security firm G4S, where an officer was left with brain damage after an attack by inmates. G4S admitted liability for the officer’s injuries and agreed a settlement with him.

Pay the fine, it’s cheaper

The second lesson is it can be cost-effective to breach contracts and pay fines. Companies sometimes breach the terms of their public-private contracts because it’s in their economic interest. This even has a name – economists call it “efficiency breach”.

For instance, a parliamentary report found that between 2010 and 2016 G4S was fined 100 times for breaching contracts – paying out roughly £3 million. As one MP suggested, these fines compared to its profits are a “slap on the wrist”. The same has been said of water companies.

When observing the fines in comparison to the profitable contracts, it’s easy to posit what the motivations of many in the UK’s public service system are. In 2017, despite previous indictments of wrongdoing, G4S won £25 million of government contracts.

In 2020 the firm won another £300 million contract to run Wellingborough “mega-prison” in England. Despite some raised eyebrows, G4S said at the time it aimed to make the site a blueprint for “innovation, rehabilitation and modernisation” in the prison service.

Pay the shareholders, invest later

The third lesson is that shareholders are more important than long-term investments in a service. This is perhaps the most notable feature of the UK’s public service system, where a vast array of shareholders benefit from the profits made by PPPs. In one of the parliamentary reports we analysed, which details the collapse of the facilities management firm Carillion, it was clear that shareholders’ interests trumped good management and long-term investment.

As was noted in the report, despite Carillion’s collapse, the firm paid out £333 million more to shareholders than it generated in cash between 2012 and 2017. Often, this shareholder primacy can even go against a firm’s own employees rather than just the state and taxpayers. One MP noted that despite its pension scheme being in deficit, shareholders were still receiving dividends.

Often, shareholders are prioritised because of short-term thinking. These processes can lead to firms passing these bad practices down their supply chains.

The behaviour of water companies is suggestive of these dynamics. Since water companies have been privatised, they have loaded themselves up with debt (£64 billion) but paid out £78 billion to shareholders. Some 70% of these shareholders are “foreign investment firms, private equity, pension funds and businesses lodged in tax havens”.

Water companies could give the UK’s rivers, estuaries and seas representation at board level.
jimcatlinphotography.com/Shutterstock

So what should be done? There are plenty of ways to enhance and improve the UK’s PPP problems. The most obvious may be to renationalise public services and renew the quality of public services through New Deal-style investments. After all, this is what what most of the UK electorate wants.

There are other options. An innovative and exciting frontier is opening for businesses to recognise their environmental responsibilities – initiatives in New Zealand, India and Ecuador are giving the status of personhood to rivers and ecosystems, for example.

Outdoor fashion brand Patagonia has “the Earth” as its only shareholder, and hair and skincare brand Faith in Nature has appointed nature to its board. Imagine if the UK’s water companies had the rivers and seas represented.

In the end, only time will tell how water companies will be held accountable. But for the moment it’s the UK taxpayer and consumer paying the price.

G4S was approached about this article but declined to comment.

Daniel Fisher receives funding from the Leverhulme/British Academy for his work with heritage steam train drivers, which is unrelated to his research on PPP wrongdoing.

– ref. What public-private-partnership scandals can tell us about wrongdoing in the water industry – https://theconversation.com/what-public-private-partnership-scandals-can-tell-us-about-wrongdoing-in-the-water-industry-249218

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI: SOAX Releases Real-Time Data Extraction for Shopee, Outperforms Other Web Scrapers

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LONDON, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SOAX, the leading intelligent data extraction and collection platform, today announced the availability of a new scraper API product to extract data from Shopee, the leading ecommerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Initial tests show the new SOAX Shopee Scraper API outperforms other web data scrapers for a fraction of the cost.

Shopee is one of the most popular ecommerce sites serving Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as South American markets like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile. Real-time access to detailed product, review and pricing data is essential to remain competitive. Web data scraping is the most effective way to monitor ecommerce competitors. It’s also the best way to monitor the minimum advertised price (MAP) to ensure others aren’t underselling your brand. Businesses also analyze scraped reviews to gain valuable insights on how to improve their products.

The SOAX Shopee Scraper API has been shown to achieve higher success rates at a cost three to six times lower than other solutions. SOAX accesses the Shopee API, gathering all available data rather than just what’s on the web page. The result is a comprehensive view. SOAX uses proprietary, adaptive AI technology to unblock sites using constant fingerprint generation, self-healing proxies, and custom browser builds. And, thanks to SOAX’s vast network of 191 million proxy servers, the Shopee Scraper API is capable of scaling to millions of requests per day for virtually unlimited data gathering. Pricing starts as low as $1 per thousand requests, compared to $3 from the closest competitors.

“Access to accurate Shopee data is essential for any e-tailer to stay competitive,” said Anton Rachitskiy, Vice President of Data Products for SOAX. “We are delighted to be able to add a Shopee to Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, and our other ecommerce scraper APIs. Our customers are already benefiting from SOAX’s superior speed and accuracy in web data gathering, along with our highly reliable proxy network boasting 99.9% uptime.”

Shopee is the latest addition to SOAX’s more than 50 scraper APIs for ecommerce, search engines, and social networks. SOAX also offers sophisticated web unblockers capable of bypassing the most advanced anti-bot systems and residential, mobile, ISP, and datacenter proxies for every need.

SOAX sells directly to corporate customers through a subscription-based model, providing access to its ethical proxy network, web unblocker, and scraper APIs. Customers can sign up via SOAX’s self-service platform, select a plan, and start immediately. Larger enterprises can opt for custom plans with white glove support. SOAX’s services are API-driven, allowing seamless integration into existing workflows, and its flexible pricing tiers accommodate varying usage needs, location coverage, and feature requirements.

For more information about SOAX Shopee Scraper API, visit https://soax.com/targets/shopee.

About SOAX
SOAX is building the future of data extraction. They provide data-hungry companies with an automated, one-stop platform for accessing web data quickly and ethically. SOAX’s extensive network of nearly 200 million ethically-sourced proxies, combined with powerful scraping APIs, enables businesses to unlock valuable insights in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional methods.

Recognized as a leader in the proxy market, SOAX prioritizes customer satisfaction through product performance, security, and legal compliance. They’ve earned industry recognition like “Newcomer of the Year” (Proxyway, 2021) and “Contender of the Year” (Proxyway, 2023) for their commitment to innovation and excellence. SOAX is leveraging AI to further enhance its platform and empower businesses with AI-powered data solutions.

For more information, visit https://soax.com.

Media Contact

Len Fernandes
Firecracker PR
len@firecrackerpr.com
1-888-317-4687 ext. 707

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea8828bd-cca5-4d2e-b338-3a73b50ec506

The MIL Network –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Discusses Harmful Impact of Trump’s Tariffs On Local Small Businesses

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
February 10, 2025
CHICAGO—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined local small business owners at Hop Butcher For The World to discuss the potential impact of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports and exports from Mexico and Canada. In 2023, Illinois, which ranks first among the 50 states in imports from Canada, exported a total of $20.55 billion in products to Canada. Additionally, Illinois exports to Mexico in 2023 totaled $12.93 billion.
“The tariffs proposed by President Trump would drive up costs for manufacturers, disrupt our supply chains, and they already have inspired retaliatory tariffs, which will hurt small businesses and consumers even more,” said Durbin. “Illinois is a top trading partner of both Canada and Mexico, and our local businesses that rely on importing and exporting goods will face the brunt of this harmful proposal’s impact.”
“The IRA supports getting the best deal possible for American workers and great restaurants across the state purchase food locally whenever possible, yet our produce and food supply is purchased from our trade partners in Canada and Mexico due to seasonality and necessity. Broad based tariffs on food will actually hurt the American worker and their families by making household and restaurant staples unaffordable and often unavailable. We ask that the Trump Administration works with Senator Durbin and Congress to tailor tariffs in a manner that allows the restaurant industry to stay approachable and affordable,” said Scott Weiner, Chair of the Illinois Restaurant Association Board.
“What tariffs have created is uncertainty, and when there’s uncertainty, there’s risk. And risk in construction means money and delays in projects. Higher prices create real questions whether a project will be built, and whether that skilled union worker has a job to report to next week. Our hope is that these tariffs are short-lived. The impacts will be felt in construction and many other industries — and by the average consumer. Whether you’re buying a house or avocados, tariffs will affect how you spend your money,” said Tom Cuculich, Executive Director of the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York Collected over $400 Million in Asset Forfeiture Actions in FY 2024

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

EDNY Ranked No. 1 in Asset Forfeiture Among All U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Nation

United States Attorney John J. Durham announced today that the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) collected over $400 million in asset forfeiture actions in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, ranking the EDNY first among all 93 districts in the country. Forfeiture recoveries are generally derived from warrants and forfeiture orders against illegal proceeds generated by, among other things, transnational criminal organizations and cartels; financial frauds; bribery and political corruption; cybercriminals; and those who violate the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions (OFAC).

“The forfeiture of criminal assets is an important tool used by law enforcement to deter crime and punish wrongdoers by depriving them of their ill-gotten gains,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “To the extent possible, forfeited funds are used to compensate victims of crime. That my Office collected the largest dollar amount of asset forfeiture of all U.S. Attorney’s Offices is a testament to the hard work and exceptional dedication of our prosecutors and professional staff in carrying out their mission to do justice, compensate victims, and hold defendants accountable for their crimes.”

In certain circumstances, forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund can be used to compensate victims of crimes, and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, along with the Department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

In addition to the asset forfeiture recoveries, EDNY collected a total of $333,368,879.70 in judgments and other debts on behalf of victims and the government in FY 2024 in criminal and civil actions filed in the district and in cases in which the Office worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice. Of this amount, $303,583,835.60 was collected in criminal cases and $29,785,044.11 in civil cases.

FY 2024 Forfeiture Highlights

In March 2024, Gunvor S.A. (Gunvor), a part of the Gunvor Group, one of the largest commodities trading firms in the world, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The charge arose out of a scheme to bribe officials of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Petroecuador, the Ecuadorian state-owned oil company, in order to obtain contracts to purchase oil products. In exchange for these bribe payments, high-level Ecuadorian officials helped Gunvor win contracts to provide a series of oil-backed loans to Petroecuador. Following the plea, United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano sentenced Gunvor to pay a criminal monetary penalty of more than $374 million and to forfeit more than $287 million in ill-gotten gains.

In October 2023, as previously ordered by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen, $100,189,754.61 was forfeited from a Swiss bank account held by Datisa S.A. As proven at two separate trials, Datisa was a corrupt corporate entity that paid and promised to pay millions of dollars in bribes to top soccer officials to secure the media and marketing rights to the 2016 Copa America Centenario, a soccer tournament played in stadiums throughout the United States. This forfeiture is part of the larger investigation of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which exposed corruption throughout world soccer and has resulted in over 30 felony convictions and guilty pleas, and the recovery of over $200 million in forfeiture funds.

MIL Security OSI –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Increased militarisation has life-threatening consequences for people trapped at the Poland-Belarus border
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –
MSF spoke at the Polish parliament on 4 February 2025, outlining what our teams have seen in two years of providing medical care to migrants at the Poland-Belarus border.

We have witnessed how Poland’s legislation has turned into violence against people seeking safety.

Poland and all EU member states must seek to safeguard the right to asylum.
Since 2021, Poland’s legislative shifts have progressively infringed on people’s rights to seek asylum, culminating in the proposal to entirely suspend this fundamental right for certain groups. Since November 2022, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has witnessed the steady increase of militarisation and violence employed against people seeking safety in Poland. On 4 February, MSF spoke in the Polish parliament, outlining what our medical staff have witnessed in over two years at the border.

MSF calls on Poland and all European Union (EU) member states to urgently change course to safeguard the right to seek territorial asylum, and to stop endangering the lives and wellbeing of people seeking sanctuary in the European Union. For too long, legislation has translated into physical violence against vulnerable people seeking safety.

From November 2022 to November 2024, MSF treated 442 people stranded in the wild forests at the Poland-Belarus border. Some 50 per cent of whom were suffering from physical trauma related to violence. They had sustained injuries from beatings, dog bites and rubber bullets.

Apart from violence, over half of all patients were suffering from frostbite, trench foot or hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to harsh conditions. Other conditions included infections, dehydration, exhaustion, and psychological trauma, as well as deep cuts and fractures related to climbing or falling from the border fence.

A Paramedic stitches deep wounds caused by barbed wire. Located in the middle of the forest, the injured person had been hiding from the uniformed services for several days. Poland, April 2024.
Jakub Jasiukiewicz/MSF

Bills passed in 2021 and 2024 have granted additional powers to border guards and soldiers, allowing them near-absolute discretion in denying people asylum without due process. In some cases this has led to family separation. Despite claims that there is humanitarian assistance for migrants and refugees, MSF and other organisations face restrictions from Polish authorities.

Humanitarian workers and civil society volunteers, who play a key role in providing humanitarian assistance at the border, do not have access to the buffer zone and are at increasing risk of criminalisation. As result, a large portion of the area remains inaccessible for humanitarian and medical interventions, including those by MSF.

However, far from improving these policies and practices, the Polish government is proposing even harsher legislation, with the freedom to suspend the right to seek asylum for certain groups.

“The new and sweeping proposals to suspend asylum rights are unconscionable. The Polish government and the Belarusian authorities must acknowledge that these are human beings, not pawns to be exploited for political gain,” says Uriel Mazzoli, MSF’s head of mission in Poland. “The system as it stands today, forces those seeking sanctuary into a prolonged cycle of violence, without recourse to aid and absolutely nowhere to turn.”

Today, Poland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, and the country’s recent asylum legislation has been endorsed in public statements by the EU Commission. Since the so-called ‘migration crisis’ began in Europe in 2015, EU institutions and members states have steadily eroded the foundations of asylum in the EU, instead opting for containment policies in third countries, pushbacks, and outright violence at borders.

Dehumanising rhetoric that characterises migrants and refugees as threats has been key in furthering these policies. The concept of ‘hybrid warfare’ as referred to by Polish and EU officials, in reference to people crossing from Belarus to Poland, is one of the clearer examples of this.

With the Presidency of the EU Council, Poland has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in putting human life and humane asylum obligations before political currency. Since 2015, MSF teams have borne witness to the colossal failure of EU member states and institutions in addressing the needs of migrants and refugees, consistently opting for violence and containment over humane asylum policies. Poland must ensure that people have access to fair asylum procedures and humanitarian assistance as required.

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MIL OSI NGO –
February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Announces 104 Appointments to Boards, Authorities, and Commissions

Source: US State of Georgia

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced 104 appointments and reappointments to various state boards, authorities, and commissions.

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Patrick Jones was reappointed.

Thomas Chris Cannon is a business owner, business leader, and an active member of the Albany community and the State of Georgia. Early in his career, Cannon was the President and Chief Operating Officer of an entity that had varied business interests throughout Georgia, including a multi-divisional Caterpillar Tractor Distributorship, corporate farming operations and real estate development. In 1992, Cannon founded and developed a business group whose mission was to provide a variety of environmental services to businesses and city and county governments in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The business group consisted of a multi-location residential and commercial waste service company, a petroleum equipment company, a solid waste landfill developer and operator, and an environmental consulting and remediation firm. In 1998, Cannon completed a merger transaction of his waste service company with a publicly traded company – Waste Industries – based in Raleigh, North Carolina. For several years, Cannon served on the board of directors of the publicly traded company, until 1992 when he sold his shares in Waste Industries to pursue other business interests. Also in 1992, he founded Flint Holdings, Inc. Today, Cannon continues to own and operate Flint Equipment Company consisting of Flint Ag and Turf, Flint Power Systems, and Barber Petroleum Equipment Company. Over the years, Cannon has served as the president of many civic organizations, including the Albany Technical College Foundation Board, the Albany YMCA Board, and the Boys and Girls Club Board. He also served on the boards of the Darton College Foundation, the State of Georgia Department of Industry and Trade, NoVab Inc., Waste Industries Inc., Deerfield Windsor School, the Governors Council on Economic Development, the Georgia Mining Association, the Albany Museum of Art, Nations Bank, and regional Sun Trust Bank. Cannon is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.S.A. degree in Business. He has two children that are active in the businesses and continues to reside in Albany.

Haynes (Maier) Studstill is a partner in the Valdosta law firm Studstill Firm, LLP, where her practice is focused on representing individuals and families in disputes with insurance companies. Studstill is originally from Rome, where she attended Darlington School before graduating the Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana. She earned her B.S. degree from Vanderbilt University in human & organizational development. After graduating from Vanderbilt, Haynes worked in the journalism industry for several years. She worked at WRC-TV/NBC4 in Washington, D.C. and NBC-affiliate WSMV in Nashville, Tennessee. She also served as the life editor of The Brunswick News before joining her uncle, William S. Morris, III, of Augusta, at his equine publications, Quarter Horse News and Barrel Horse News, in Fort Worth, Texas. Morris is a former regent, as is his father and Haynes’s grandfather, William S. Morris, Jr., thus making Haynes the 3rd generation in her family to serve the University System of Georgia on the Board of Regents. Studstill attended Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, where she met her husband, Justin D. Studstill. She and Justin both graduated from Mercer. She is a former barrister in the William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court. Studstill clerked for the Hon. C. Ashley Royal in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia and worked as an associate for King & Spalding, LLP in Atlanta, before joining her father-in-law, Danny Studstill, and her husband in practice in South Georgia at the Studstill Firm, LLP. She currently serves as a board member on the State Botanical Garden of Georgia Board of Advisors in Athens and on the Judicial Nominating Commission, having been appointed by Gov. Kemp in 2021. She also serves as a Special Master, appointed by the Georgia Supreme Court, on attorney discipline cases. She is the immediate past president of the Valdosta Bar Association, and former president of both the Alapaha Judicial Circuit Bar Association and the Valdosta Chapter of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL). She is a former board member of: Vanderbilt University Peabody College Young Alumni Board; the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Macon; SafeKids Lowndes County; and The Verdict magazine of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA). She has been admitted to practice in all State Appellate Courts in Georgia, all U.S. District Courts in Georgia, and the Supreme Court of the United States. She and her husband have four children and live in Lakeland, Georgia.

State Board of Pardons and Paroles

Robert Markley is a dedicated and experienced law enforcement professional with a proven track record of leadership and service to the community. Markley served as the elected Sheriff of Morgan County from 2001 to 2024, overseeing all aspects of law enforcement operations. Prior to his role as Sheriff, Markley held various positions within the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, including jailer, patrolman, investigator, and administrative officer. Committed to maintaining public safety, upholding the law, and fostering positive community relationships. During his tenure as Sheriff, he served as member of the Board of Trustees for the Sheriffs’ Retirement Fund of Georgia.

Georgia Composite Medical Board

Judy Lynn Gardner and Barby J. Simmons were reappointed.

Board of Natural Resources

Nancy Addison was reappointed.

Mike Peavy is a native of Hawkinsville, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Georgia. After teaching for several years, he transitioned into concrete and masonry supply sales, ultimately joining Cherokee Brick. At Cherokee, Peavy became vice president of sales and later assumed the role of president in 2008. In 2021, Peavy was named president of CBEL, the parent company overseeing Cherokee Brick, Cherokee Block, Cherokee Masonry, Stratton Stone and other complimentary businesses. With a history of leadership in the industry, Peavy served many years on the Brick Industry Association (BIA) Board, BIA Region 9 and as past president of Brick Southeast. He currently serves on the Georgia Mining Association (GMA) board and the Southeast Concrete Masonry Association (SCMA). Peavy resides in Macon with his wife, Kate. They have two children and are awaiting the arrival of twin granddaughters on the way.

Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council

Andy Hester and Ray Paulk were reappointed.

State Board of Education

Leonte Benton and Rich Valladares were reappointed.

Courtney Dove attended the University of Georgia where she earned a B.A. in political science and master’s in teaching. She went on to teach United States history, world history, government and Georgia studies at Winder-Barrow High School and Dodgen Middle School. She has served as department chair and a county representative of her department. Dove has also worked at Riverstone Church as the preschool and kindergarten lead and regularly volunteers at her children’s schools in various capacities. Additionally, she advocates for congenital heart defect awareness and serves as a heart swap chair for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Courtney lives in Marietta with her husband David and their three children.

Kristi Garrett has been with RA-LIN & Associates, Inc. since 2008, where she is the chief marketing officer. A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in business administration-marketing, Garrett initially worked in the healthcare industry before taking time to focus on her family. In 2018, she became a managing partner of Southern Home & Garden/ACE Hardware until its sale in 2021. At RA-LIN, she focuses on building relationships, fostering growth, and inspiring success. Beyond her professional career, Garrett is a dedicated community leader, serving on the Carroll County Chamber Board, the Tanner Foundation Board of Trustees, and participating in local organizations. A Carrollton, Georgia native, Garrett is married to Ben Garrett, and together they have four children.

Melanie Stockwell has had a longstanding passion for Georgia public education, beginning with her role as general counsel for the Department of Education from 1996 to 2003. She then served in various capacities in the Georgia State Senate, including as chief of staff to President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson, where she provided legal counsel and policy expertise, particularly in education. After her time in the Senate, Stockwell worked on policy initiatives for political candidates and later held a position at the Georgia Department of Labor before leaving full-time work in 2013 to focus on family. She became deeply involved in school volunteering, serving on PTSA boards and local school councils. After her youngest child graduated, she worked as a front desk receptionist at Lakeside High School for five years, supporting teachers and administrators. She holds a B.A. in political science from Carson-Newman College and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Melanie and her husband, Mitch, reside in DeKalb County with their two young adult children.

Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority

Alan Gravel and Stephen Syfan were reappointed.

Walter “Bill” Frobos is CEO and one of the owners of Lanier Treatment Center. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S.A. Frobos worked for Leon Farmer & Co. for 20 years in management and marketing. He is also a licensed real estate agent with Southern Heritage Land Co. In 2005, he saw a need to help those that had inadvertently became addicted to opiates. Frobos founded Lanier Treatment Center with a local physician and another business partner to offer medication assisted treatment. His goal and philosophy have always been to focus on providing the best outpatient treatment by using quality and well-trained counselors to help the clients to live a healthy, sober life.

Georgia Council on Aging

Kenneth Brooks, Maureen Kelly, Ruth Lee, Patricia Lyons, Adrienne Mims, and Ashton Windham were reappointed.

Pamela Cushenan is an experienced dental hygienist and educator based in Marietta, Georgia. She holds an associate of science in dental hygiene from Tennessee State University and MeHarry Medical College, a bachelor’s and master’s in health arts and training & development from the University of St. Francis, and a graduate certificate in Gerontology from Georgia State University. With over 30 years of experience in dental hygiene, Cushenan has served in various clinical roles, from private practice to teaching at Georgia State University, where she has been a faculty member since 2005. She is involved in numerous professional organizations, including the Georgia Dental Hygienists’ Association (GDHA) and the Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA), where she has held leadership positions. Her research contributions include serving as principal investigator on studies related to oral health and aging, and she has received several accolades for her work, including the Georgia Dental Award of Merit and the 2020 Carl V. Patton President’s Award for Community Service & Social Justice. Cushenan is passionate about advancing dental hygiene through education, advocacy, and specialized care for seniors and individuals with special needs.

Elizabeth Schulze is the long-term care ombudsman program coordinator and CEO of North Georgia Programs and Services. In her role, she advocates for long-term care residents through routine facility monitoring, facility consultation, providing information and assistance to the public and other agency officials, training for facility staff, and community education. Schulze has a bachelor’s in biology and is working towards her Master of Public Administration at the University of Georgia. While earning her undergrad degree, Schulze worked as a caregiver for people with developmental disabilities and older adults. Her interest in the aging population deepened during her time as a caregiver in Assisted Living and Nursing Homes, which led her to earn an A.S. in Gerontology. She has previously held positions as program coordinator at Athens Community Council on Aging and as a Medicaid case manager for an Oregon Area Agency on Aging.

Board of Juvenile Justice

Danny Lee Blackmon and Sandra Heath Taylor were reappointed.

Gary McGiboney is executive director of the government and education program with Sharecare. Prior to his role at Sharecare, McGiboney worked for over 30 years in the advancement of education and educational services as the Deputy Superintendent at the Georgia Department of Education and as the Deputy Superintendent of Support Services for Dekalb County Schools. McGiboney has a Ph.D. in psychology from Georgia State University. Throughout his career, he has been the recipient of many awards and accolades. McGiboney currently serves on the Council of Alcohol and Drugs.

Western Circuit Public Defender Supervisory Panel

William “Billy” Rennie graduated from the University of Georgia in 2005 with a degree in speech communications and the University of Georgia School of Law in 2011. Billy began his legal career representing indigent defendants in Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties. In 2014, Rennie opened the Law Office of William R. Rennie, LLC and joined the Law Office of Russell W. Wall, LLC as of counsel, working primarily as the firm’s lead litigator. Rennie has won jury trials in Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Greene, Morgan, Putnam, Oglethorpe, and other surrounding Counties. He is a graduate of and a former facilitator for the Oconee Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Oconee program, and previously served on the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, the Oconee County Arts Foundation’s Board of Directors, and the University of North Georgia Advisory Board. Billy’s hobbies include golf, soccer, and reading. He lives in Watkinsville with his wife and daughters.

Coweta Circuit Public Defender Supervisory Panel

Brian Lewis is a partner with the Kam, Ebersbach and Lewis, P.C Law Office and has been practicing there for over 20 years. He specializes in plaintiff personal injury and criminal defense. Before going into private practice, he served as an assistant district attorney for the Cowette Judicial Circuit. Lewis has a bachelor’s in finance and real estate, and a Juris Doctorate from the Emory School of Law. He is an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newnan, where he served two terms as senior warden and currently serves as the chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Brian is a member of the Board of Trustees for The Heritage School and is the chair of the Governance Committee, is a former chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Carolyn Barron Montessori School in Newnan, and supports local organizations and charities, such as The Coweta Samaritan Clinic, One Roof, Coweta Food Pantry, and the Lindsey Riggs Memorial Foundation.

Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies

Pamela Griggs, Tripp Mitchell, and Joel Peacock were reappointed.

David Sawyer is a forensic accountant and financial crimes investigator with extensive experience in both civil litigation and criminal prosecution. Sawyer currently works for Sawyer & Company as a private investigator. With over 300 investigations involving fraud, corruption, financial damages, and various legal disputes, he has provided expert witness testimony in more than 20 cases. He has also contributed to the development of software designed to detect fraud, waste, and white-collar crime, and has advised on global initiatives to combat issues such as economic espionage, terrorist financing, and money laundering. Sawyer attended the University of Auburn and received a bachelor of science in accounting. He has had roles as a partner at a top 50 regional CPA/advisory firm and a managing consultant with two big four accounting firms. He also has experience as an internal auditor for Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, Sawyer is a licensed private investigator. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Georgia Chapter of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Georgia Society of CPA’s Fraud and Forensic Services Advisory Council, and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS). He also serves as co-chairman of the Atlanta Chapter of ACAMS and is on the Executive Committee of Business Executives for National Security (BENS). A graduate of Auburn University, Sawyer has also served as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer on fraud examination and forensic accounting.

Stone Mountain Memorial Association

Joan Thomas was reappointed.

Georgia Board of Landscape Architects

Betsey Norton and Jon Williams were reappointed.

State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors

Devell Frady is the owner of Devell Frady Homes. He is a custom home builder based out of Ellijay. Frady has been in the construction business for over 20 years. He is the former president of the Georgia High Country Builders Association and has extensive knowledge of the licensing and permit process.

North Georgia Mountains Authority

Charles DePriest serves as the executive vice president of Summit Materials’ East Segment. He brings more than 25 years of extensive experience in finance, operations, and executive leadership to his role. In 2016, he co-founded Georgia Stone Products, a construction materials producer in Georgia. Georgia Stone Products was acquired by Summit Materials in 2017 and has emerged as a cornerstone component in Summit’s greenfield growth strategy. His previous roles at Summit include East Region CFO, Leader of Enterprise Standardization, and Central Region President. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Charles holds a bachelor of professional accountancy from Mississippi State University, an MBA from Mercer University, and is an active CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant. DePriest is an at-large representative on the Board of Natural Resources.

Mark Hennessey works for Hennessy Automobile Cos. in Atlanta, Georgia. Hennessy has served on the Board of Trustees for the Marist School in Atlanta and is a member of the Buckhead Coalition. He served on the first BRAC Commission for Fort McPherson. He was a member of the North Fulton CID for over eight years. He had the pleasure to serve on the Board of the Technical College System of Georgia from April 2020 until spring of 2023, when he was appointed to serve on the Board of Natural Resources.

Lesley Reynolds is the chair of the Board of Natural Resources. She is a native of Baldwin County, Georgia, and a graduate of Georgia Military College and Georgia College and State University. Reynolds taught elementary school at Midway Elementary in Milledgeville. She has and is engaged with several organizations that focus on education, Judeo-Christian values, and women’s safety and security.

Harley Yancey is the president of State Mutual Insurance Company in Rome, Georgia, where he also serves on the company’s Board of Directors. He joined State Mutual in 2018 after practicing law at Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis, LLP. Prior to becoming president, he served as the company’s general counsel and now manages its day-to-day operations. Yancey holds a bachelor of business administration from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law, a master of laws from the University of Alabama School of Law, and a master of business administration from the University of North Carolina. Outside of his role at State Mutual, Yancey is the chairman of the Georgia Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association, a director for the Oklahoma Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association, and serves on the Board of Directors for United Community Bank of Rome. He is also involved with the YMCA Board of Trustees, the Darlington School Alumni Council, and the Georgia School of Law Alumni Council. He is the 14th Congressional District representative on the Board of Natural Resources.

Georgia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Chelsea Tehan was reappointed.

Stormey Cone is currently the director of the deaf and hard of hearing family engagement and education program at the Georgia Department of Education. Cone is particularly passionate about ensuring access to services in rural Georgia and has a wealth of experience in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students, especially those enrolled in rural school districts. Cone is a former educator that worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing students in public schools for many years. Recently, she has specialized in improving Georgia’s early identification and intervention for young deaf and hard-of-hearing infants. Cone was the inaugural parent navigator for the Georgia Mobile Audiology, traveling around the state to develop a better understanding of parents’ experiences with diagnosing infants with hearing loss.

Russell Fleming has held many leadership positions in agencies that serve deaf and deafblind communities. Among other positions, he was state coordinator for Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind consumers and dean of students and interim superintendent at the Georgia School for the Deaf. In his retirement, he serves as vice president of the Georgia Association of the Deaf and works part time as a deafblind Specialist.

Byron Smith is the father of a deaf child who uses ASL. He and his wife are hearing and had no contact with the deaf community before adopting their daughter. They are learning ASL as adults to provide the best language and learning environment for their daughter. He has been a fire fighter since 1993, working for U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Airforce, and the National Park Service.

DeAnna Swope has held several positions of leadership in the deaf community. She currently works in the field of domestic violence where she educates hearing agencies on how to offer more culturally and linguistically accessible services for deaf and hard of hearing survivors of domestic violence survivors. Swope has received accolades, such as the prestigious Gender Justice Award from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence as well as Collaborate awards from the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 2020, she was honored with a distinguished deaf community leader position at Hamilton Relay. She is a past president of the Georgia Association of the Deaf.

State Forestry Commission

Ken Sheppard was reappointed.

State Board of Occupational Therapy

Deborah Hinerfeld is the owner and director of Tic Tok Occupational Therapy Services in Roswell, GA. Hinerfeld holds a Ph.D. in Health Science with a concentration in health care administration and public policy from Trident International University. She also earned a master’s in health care policy and administration from Mercer University and a bachelor’s in occupational therapy from Utica College. Hinerfeld has extensive experience in occupational therapy, having worked in various roles including private practice owner, adjunct professor, and staff therapist at several institutions. She holds certifications in sensory integration, behavioral intervention for tics, hippotherapy, and youth mental health. Additionally, she has contributed to research, presented at numerous conferences, and held leadership positions within professional organizations such as the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority

Trevor Addison is the clerk of Putnam County’s Superior and Juvenile Courts and has since taken on additional roles as clerk of State Court, Juvenile Court, appeal administrator to the Board of Equalization, and jury manager. Previously, Addison served as a commissioner for Putnam County. During his tenure he served on multiple boards, including the Sinclair Water Authority and the Central Georgia Joint Development Authority, and was appointed vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners. He also serves as treasurer of the Putnam County Law Library Board of Trustees and is active on the Putnam General Hospital Foundation Board, the Legislative Committee of the Georgia Superior Court Clerk Cooperative Authority, and the Executive Board of the Putnam County Republicans. Trevor remains dedicated to serving his community at both the local and state levels.

Board of Directors of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority

Dick Anderson, Frank Auman, Jace Brooks, William Tate, Jr. and BobVoyles were reappointed.

Himanshu Karnwal is the founder and CEO of ISHTECH INC, an IT Solutions architecture and design company that has been successfully operating for over 12 years. With 25 years of experience in the information technology industry, he has worked alongside Fortune 100 companies, including Sony Pictures, NBC Universal, eBay, and Nike, helping to design and manage global IT infrastructures. In addition to his business achievements, Karnwal is an active community leader. He serves as a planning commissioner for Johns Creek and is a member of the board of directors for the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce. He is also involved with several other organizations, including Rotary Johns Creek North Fulton and the advisory boards of Quantiphi and Waypoint 2 Space. Karnwal is a strong advocate for the Indian and Asian communities in North Fulton, Johns Creek, and South Forsyth. He is the founder and chairman of a National Indian Association in the greater Atlanta area and serves on the board of the Georgia chapter of U.S. Impact, an organization that represents the Indian American community.

Jai Bum Park immigrated to the United States from Korea in the late 1980s and quickly transitioned into the telecommunications industry. He made the decision to leave college and focus on growing his business, starting in Chicago and later expanding his operations. In the early 2000s, Park relocated to Georgia, where he became a Master Coin Operated Amusement Machine (COAM) license holder and played a key role in generating millions of dollars for the Georgia Lottery Corporation, supporting the Georgia HOPE Scholarship. In 2009, Park served as chairman of the Korean Association of Augusta, working to integrate Korean-Americans into American society. In addition to his business endeavors, he has invested in real estate across Georgia. A strong believer in the concept of the “whole person,” Park is committed to personal growth and fostering meaningful connections.

State Board of Pharmacy

Michael Azzolin was reappointed.

Board of Directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation

Missy Burgess was reappointed.

Board of Economic Development

Sandra Bland is the president of Vidalia Brands, Inc. and director of marketing for Bland Farms, where she has been instrumental in popularizing the Vidalia Sweet Onion. Her innovations include incorporating Vidalia onions into processed foods and expanding their reach across the U.S. Bland’s early entrepreneurial efforts included running a mail-order business that helped Vidalia onions gain widespread recognition. Under her leadership, Vidalia Brands champions sustainability by minimizing food waste. Before her role at Bland Farms, she attended College of Coastal Georgia where she received a degree in nursing. Bland built a career in healthcare, holding significant nursing positions. She is actively involved in Southern Roots Women in Produce and supports various philanthropic causes, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Bland, a devoted community member and family matriarch, resides in St. Simons Island with her husband, Delbert, and their three children and ten grandchildren.

Board of Corrections

Bruce Carlisle, Donnie Pope, W.D. Strickland and Rose Williams were reappointed.

Chris Clark will now serve as the Seventh Congressional District Representative.

Luis Solis will now serve as the Ninth Congressional District Representative.

Ester Fleming will now serve as the Thirteenth Congressional District Representative.

Barry Babb will now serve as an At-Large Representative.

Stacy Jarrard will now serve as an At-Large Representative.

Kellie Brownlow is the VP of development and community relations at First Step Staffing. First Step Staffing is a 501C3 that uses an alternative staffing model to provide individuals who are homeless, citizens returning from prison, and veterans with immediate employment. Brownlow is responsible for community partnerships and resource development in all five states in which the company has offices, including the headquarter office in Atlanta. Previously, she served as the executive director of the Georgia Alliance of the Boys & Girls Clubs. Before joining Boys & Girls Clubs, Brownlow was the deputy chief to the Cobb County Commission Chairman and director of economic development for Partnership Gwinnett. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from Rhode Island College and a master’s degree in public administration for the University of Georgia. Brownlow serves on the State Workforce Development Board. She lives in DeKalb County with her husband and two daughters.

Rodney Bryant is a retired law enforcement executive with over 34 years of law enforcement experience. Bryant has held numerous key roles, culminating in his position as Chief of Police for the Atlanta Police Department. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in a wide range of areas including community engagement, crime reduction, crisis management, and public safety leadership. Known for his strong communication, negotiation, and strategic planning skills, he has successfully led teams, improved community relations, and managed multi-million-dollar budgets. Bryant’s achievements include serving as the President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, overseeing the security operations for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and managing large-scale events such as the College Football Playoff Championship and Super Bowl LIII. Bryant holds a master of science in administration from Central Michigan University and a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Georgia State University. He is also a graduate of various prestigious law enforcement leadership programs, including the Police Executive Leadership Institute and the FBI LEEDA.

Georgia Rural Development Council

Betts Berry, Gabe Evans, Jim Matney, and Stuart Rayfield were reappointed.

Bárbara Rivera Holmes is president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Holmes is likewise CEO of the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. In 2018, Holmes was appointed by then Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to serve on the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, for which she chaired the Committee on Economic Development. In 2020, Holmes was appointed by then Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to co-chair the Rural Initiatives Subcommittee of the Georgia Innovates Task Force to help design the state’s innovation blueprint. Holmes is a former journalist whose work has earned four awards for excellence in journalism from the Georgia Associated Press. Prior to her role at the Albany Area Chamber, Holmes was vice president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, where she developed the organization’s business retention and expansion program to facilitate existing industry job creation and capital investment in Albany-Dougherty County, and its marketing programs. Holmes is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Georgia, and served on the organization’s Board of Trustees; a 2022 participant of the U.S. Chamber Foundation Business Leads Fellowship Program; and a 2023 graduate of the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Institute for Organization Management. She serves on the boards of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy. She graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, with degrees in journalism and in Spanish. She continued her studies at Estudio Sampere Internacional in Madrid and Alicante, Spain. She lives in Albany with her husband, David, and their daughter.

Sheriff’s Retirement Fund

Dan Kilgore is the elected Sheriff of Upson County, a position he has held since January 2013. With over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, Kilgore’s career has spanned a variety of roles, including serving as a sheriff’s deputy, city police officer, county police officer, and district attorney’s investigator. Prior to his election as Sheriff, he dedicated more than 21 years of service as the chief deputy sheriff of Upson County. Kilgore is deeply involved in the law enforcement community and holds several leadership positions. He serves as vice chairman on the Board of the Peace Officer’s Annuity and Benefit Fund and is an advisory member of the Georgia POST Council. Additionally, he is the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Area 4 regional vice president. In 2023, he earned his certification as a retirement plan fiduciary, awarded by the Georgia Association of Public Pension Trustees. Outside of his professional endeavors, Kilgore is a devoted family man, married to his wife, Renae, and the proud father of three adult children and one grandson. The Kilgore family are active members of the First Methodist Church of Thomaston.

Horace “Billy” Hancock started his career in public safety in 1976, and he is currently serving his 3rd term as Sheriff of Crisp County. He has also served as the emergency management director of Crisp County since 2014. Hancock began his career as an emergency medical technician with Crisp County EMS. He has spent over 40 years in law enforcement, first sworn in in 1979 as a part-time deputy with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office. He later went to work for the Georgia State Patrol. He returned to the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office in 1990. He held the position of chief deputy for 19 years and served as the deputy director of the Crisp County Emergency Management Agency for 14 years. He is a graduate of the 57th Georgia State Patrol Academy. He has an associate degree in criminal justice, a master’s certificate in emergency management, and a bachelor’s from Columbia Southern University in homeland security. Hancock was appointed and has served as a board member of the Georgia Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Council (the ABAC Region). He is past vice president of the Georgia Peace Officers Association and is an active member of both the Georgia and National Sheriff’s Association. He continues to teach on the state and federal levels. Hancock began serving as a lion with the Cordele Lions Club in 2001 and has received numerous awards from the organization. In 2018, Governor Nathan Deal appointed Hancock to the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority (GECA) Board. Hancock was also reappointed to the GECA Board by Governor Brian Kemp. Hancock is a member of the Cordele Church of Christ.

Frank Reynolds was sworn into office on January 1, 2017, as the 39th Sheriff of Cherokee County, Georgia. Reynolds has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1981. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office. Reynolds is committed to serving Cherokee County with honesty, transparency, and integrity. As a Georgia Constitutional Officer, Reynolds is mandated to oversee warrant service and civil process, maintain the adult detention center, courthouse security and provide general law enforcement within Cherokee County. He is a graduate of Riverside Military Academy, earned a bachelor’s degree from Reinhardt University and holds a master of public administration from Columbus State University. Reynolds is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia class 244, and the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College. He is married to Dr. Jennifer DeBord Reynolds and is the proud father of three.

Georgia Technology Authority

Marie Mouchet is an accomplished technology and cybersecurity executive currently serving as a member of the Board of Advisors for Mimic and HData and managing director of Mouchet Ventures LLC. Her extensive experience and leadership on various boards demonstrates her exceptional talent and commitment to driving innovation and education across industries and also exemplifies her dedication to leveraging her knowledge and insights to make a positive impact in the community. Previous roles include senior vice president and CIO at Colonial Pipeline Company, where Mouchet led technology strategy and operations across both IT and OT domains, vice president and CIO at Southern Company Operations & Southern Nuclear, and director of financial and contract services at Southern Company’s Southern Wholesale Energy. She has served in various board positions, including board advisor and chairman of Georgia CIO and board secretary of the Women In Technology (WIT) Foundation. Marie holds advanced degrees from Georgia State University and completed executive education at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Her remarkable contributions to the industry and community led to her being honored with the highly regarded and prestigious Ed Steineke CIO Award by TechBridge in 2020.

Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia

Annie Doris Holder has served as the Probate and Chief Magistrate Judge of Calhoun County for the past 24 years, dedicating her career to providing fair and courteous service to the citizens of her community. A committed public servant, she strives to ensure that all individuals receive just and equitable treatment under the law. Holder is a proud graduate of Calhoun County High School and holds an associate degree from Darton College, a bachelor’s degree from Albany State University, and a master’s degree from LaGrange College. Beyond her judicial responsibilities, she is actively engaged in community service. She currently serves as the president of the missionary department of the Southwest Georgia Missionary Baptist Association, the district associate matron of Cuthbert District #13 OES, and a board member of Albany Technical College. Holder is married to Rev. Julian Holder and they share three daughters, as well as nine beloved grandchildren.

State Board of Veterinary Medicine

Matthew Bradley and Wendy Cuevas-Espelid were reappointed.

Seth Stowers grew up on a small family farm in Dawsonville, Georgia. In 2005, he began his own small beef cattle operation that he continues to grow today. Stowers graduated from the University of Georgia in 2014 where he received a bachelor of science in poultry science. While at UGA he was active in UGA Cattleman’s Association, Block and Bridle, UGA Poultry Science Club, and competed on UGA’s Poultry Judging Team. Dr. Stowers attended the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine where his studies were emphasized in food animal medicine and production. He graduated with his doctor of veterinary medicine in 2018. Throughout the curriculum at UGA CVM, he lived and worked at Rose Creek Farm, UGA’s Veterinary School farm. To gain a better knowledge and develop his skills in cattle medicine he completed externships at Krebs Ranch in Nebraska and bovine veterinary practices in Texas, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. Stowers began Hillside Veterinary Services in May of 2018. His professional interests encompass anything involving beef cows, especially herd health and preventative medicine. Stowers is excited to have an opportunity to give back to FFA and 4-H, two programs that provided him with numerous opportunities, through working with local youth. In 2023, he was elected to serve as the district 1 Commissioner on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners.

John Tarabula is a seasoned veterinary professional with over 30 years of experience in small animal and exotic medicine. He earned his D.V.M. and B.S. degrees from the University of Georgia and has served as the medical director at the Animal Medical & Surgical Center in Canton, Georgia, since 1988. Additionally, he is the owner of Creekside Animal Hospital in Cumming, Georgia, where he has been practicing since 2015. Tarabula’s extensive career also includes roles as an associate veterinarian at Beach St. John Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, and as an emergency clinician at Jacksonville Veterinary Emergency Clinic. Beyond clinical practice, Tarabula is actively involved in professional service, having served on the Board of Directors for Cobb and Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinics, as well as holding leadership positions within the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. He also has a history of public service, having been a city councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem in Holly Springs, Georgia. Tarabula has participated in medical missions with the Flying Doctors of America, providing veterinary care in Ecuador, Peru, and Bhutan.

OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee

Senator Larry Walker, III and Representative Butch Parrish were reappointed.

Georgia Board of Behavior Analyst Licensing Board

Christina “Nina” Holland is an experienced office administrator with nearly 20 years of expertise in managing operations both in-office and remotely. She has spent eight years with ICB Construction Group, overseeing contracts, financial management, and accounts, and has worked with Southern Structures Fencing for the past decade. In addition to her professional success, Holland is a passionate advocate for children with autism. After recognizing early on that her son had unique needs, she became dedicated to navigating complex medical and governmental systems to ensure her son received the therapies and care required for his development. Holland’s personal journey through autism advocacy has fueled her desire to help other families, offering support in early intervention, Medicaid, and ABA therapy, while striving to improve access to essential services for children in need.

Board of Public Safety

Neal Jump is currently serving his fourth term as the Sheriff of Glynn County. Jump has been in law enforcement since he was 17 years old. Prior to being elected sheriff, Jump worked with the Georgia State Patrol for more than 30 years, beginning his career as a radio operator in 1975. Jump studied criminal justice at South Georgia College.

Georgia Board of Nursing

Lydia Watkins is the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at College of Coastal Georgia, as well as a professor of nursing. She has worked as a registered nurse since 1997, first in pediatric hematology/oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, and then as a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse practitioner at Sparrow Health System in Lansing, Michigan. She was an adjunct instructor with the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine prior to joining the faculty at College of Coastal Georgia. Since joining the college, Watkins has served in other roles such as the BSN program coordinator, interim program director of radiologic sciences, and chair of nursing and health sciences, prior to becoming the dean. Watkins holds a doctor of nursing practice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a master of science in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a bachelor of science in nursing and an associate of science in nursing from Samford University. She is also a certified nurse educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing.

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee

Senator Tonya Anderson, Senator Steve Gooch, Representative Demetrius Douglas, Representative Scott Hilton, and Representative Martin Momtahan were reappointed.

Senator Sonya Halpern represents Senate District 39 and is the Minority Caucus Vice Chair. Halpern was elected to the General Assembly in 2020. She is the vice chair for the Committee on Urban Affairs and a member of Senate Appropriations, the Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions, the Committee on Education and Youth, the Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Committee on Public Safety.

Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Jim Waters is a local farmer from Blackshear, Georgia. He is the elected Pierce County Supervisor for Satilla River Conservation District. He also serves as the chairman. He is a full-time farmer, planting crops that consist of cotton and peanuts. He is passionate about educating the community on conservation efforts and farmers on good conservation practices to protect our croplands.

Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission

P.K. Martin, Doug Roper, Jim Squire, and Pranay Udutha were reappointed.

Michael Foor is the president of state operations for Georgia for Kinetic. Foor previously served as vice president of state government affairs in Georgia, building relationships with legislators, electric cooperatives, and communities to support the deployment of rural broadband. Prior to joining Kinetic, Foor was the president of Georgia Communications Cooperative and part of Habersham Electric Membership’s efforts to build fiber-to-the-premise broadband service to communities in North Georgia. In addition to his responsibilities at Kinetic, Foor currently serves as chair for White County Development Authority and is a past president of Habersham Rotary Club, where he remains an active member. Foor holds an M.B.A. from Brenau University. He lives in Cleveland with his wife. They have three daughters and twin grandsons

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Homeless Venezuelan alien asks to be taken into ICE custody

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

February 10, 2025Detroit, MI, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

DETROIT – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a homeless, 23-year-old Venezuelan illegal alien in Detroit Feb. 6 when he entered the agency’s lobby and asked to be taken into custody, stating that if ICE did not arrest him, he would go out and commit crimes.

“We’re grateful that this individual self-reported and turned himself over to ICE before going out and threatening public safety,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit Field Office Director Robert Lynch.

The Venezuelan national will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.

Members of the public can report immigration crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE Detroit’s mission to increase public safety in our Michigan and Ohio communities on X at @ERODetroit.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Italian Government Authority Censures Eyewear Giant Luxottica for Failing to Uphold Fair Union Organizing Standards in U.S. Operations

Source: Communications Workers of America

A report by the OECD’s Italian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP), has exposed global eyewear giant Luxottica for violating workers’ rights during union organizing efforts by the Communications Workers of America at the company’s Atlanta, Georgia logistics center in 2021. Despite publicly embracing its obligations under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Luxottica failed to rectify these violations and undermined collaborative efforts to address them under the good offices of the NCP’s conciliation mechanism.

The report concludes a multi-year process initiated by a formal complaint from IUE-CWA, AFL-CIO, IndustriALL, and UNI labor unions regarding Luxottica’s egregious anti-union tactics and failure to uphold internationally recognized labor standards at its U.S. facilities.

In its Final Statement on the case, published in late December 2024, the Italian authority found that Luxottica rejected the NCP conciliator’s recommendations on fair union organizing by workers in the United States. The Final Statement confirmed the conciliator’s conclusion that the breakdown of the conciliation process was caused by Luxottica’s refusal to recognize the validity of the Guidelines, and the company’s insistence on U.S. law as the only relevant standard.

Key Findings from the Italian NCP’s Report

1. International labor standards, and not domestic law, govern any OECD Guidelines proceeding.

2. Luxottica failed to engage constructively in the conciliation process, in contrast to the union’s efforts.

3. As per the conciliator’s instructions, Luxottica should have remained neutral regarding union organizing efforts by its workers.

IUE-CWA President Carl Kennebrew issued the following statement on the Italian NCP’s findings in the case:

“Luxottica has deliberately violated OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business by interfering with its employees’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. Although Luxottica publicly claims adherence to these guidelines, its actions tell a different story, as the company undermined workers’ attempts to organize at its Atlanta facility.”

“Luxottica global management has made a fundamental mistake by following the advice of its anti-union American lawyers instead of the conciliator’s recommendations. Luxottica’s failure to live up to its obligations under the OECD Guidelines creates reputational and financial risk for the company and its investors as it seeks to expand its global footprint in North America and other regions.”

“There is still time for Luxottica to rectify its refusal to adopt the Italian conciliator’s recommendations. We urge Luxottica to return to the table with IUE-CWA for agreement on management neutrality and other fair rules for organizing. Many firms have adopted such neutrality agreements with their union, most recently Microsoft and General Electric. Many other companies have reached global framework agreements with unions promising to respect workers’ organizing and bargaining rights worldwide.”

“If trade unions are unable to reach an agreement with Luxottica on fair rules for union organizing, we will explore other avenues to persuade Luxottica to halt its violations of international standards on workers’ freedom of association in the United States. These include increased engagement with socially responsible investors, and the enforcement of U.S. and European due diligence laws on human rights in Luxottica’s supply chain. But the solution is really simple: Luxottica can apply the same standards of good faith and respect for trade unions that it maintains in Italy to its operations in the United States.”

IndustriALL General Secretary Atle Høie issued the following statement on the Italian NCP’s findings:

“This case exposes what the OECD considers actions taken by Luxottica in violation with the OECD guidelines on multinational companies. The conclusions clearly denounce anti union behavior put in place by companies during organizing. Such union busting tactics are not uncommon in the US, but have now been unequivocally condemned by the OECD contact point in Italy. We demand that Luxottica follow the recommendations, take a neutral stance in future organizing activities and invite CWA back to the table.”

UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman issued the following statement on the Italian NCP’s findings in the case:

“It is shameful that companies operating in the US routinely believe that they can violate international standards with impunity. The NCP in this case did not back down from calling this out as a violation of the Guidelines. The NCP also took a clear decision that the Italian management was responsible for anti-union actions of its US subsidiary, another good precedent. The company should reverse course, follow the rules on which we all depend, and go back to the table with CWA. An end to this kind of union-busting is long overdue.”

Background and Details

The report comes at the end of a six-month conciliation process held from September 2023 to March 2024 under the aegis of the National Contact Point (NCP), which is an authority constituted by the Italian Government’s Ministry of Businesses, following the NCP’s review of the unions’ complaint that Luxottica created a “climate of fear” which destroyed an organizing effort by American workers at Luxottica’s North American logistics hub in McDonough (Atlanta), Georgia in 2021.

Italy-based Luxottica (EssilorLuxottica following its 2017 merger with global French-based lens producer Essilor) is a major employer in the United States, which is its largest single market, with operations in eyewear retail, vision insurance, ophthalmic labs, and lens and frame manufacturing.

The IUE-CWA, joined by the AFL-CIO and global unions IndustriALL and UNI, complained that management’s aggressive anti-union tactics violated workers’ organizing rights under the OECD Guidelines.

Luxottica blatantly disregarded these labor principles in 2021 despite its obligations under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct which call on multinational companies to respect core labor standards, including the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Instead, as workers at its Atlanta logistics center sought to unionize for better health protections and fair wages during the COVID-19 crisis, Luxottica launched an aggressive anti-union campaign.

American management at the Georgia center forced employees into “captive-audience” meetings in which managers and anti-union consultants vilified trade unions as swindlers who only want workers’ dues payments, and told employees they could lose pay and benefits if they support the union. Management repeated the same insults and threats in an anti-union website and in text messages, workplace posters, and TV screens throughout the plant. Luxottica interfered with organizers’ access to the workers. The climate of fear and intimidation became so severe that IUE-CWA ultimately withdrew its organizing effort.

Such actions would be unthinkable in Italy, where unions have long enjoyed collective bargaining relationships with Luxottica management based on good faith and mutual respect. Italian unions joined the call for Luxottica to apply these same principles when workers in its American facilities exercise rights to freedom of association.

CWA Union representatives were optimistic about reaching an agreement with Luxottica in the NCP conciliation process when it began with a meeting in Rome in September 2023 under guidance of conciliator Enzo Cannizzaro, a prominent Italian international law professor at the University of Rome and at Columbia Law School. The unions hoped to reach an agreement with Luxottica based on the conciliator’s recommendations, which included measures for management neutrality, union representatives’ access to facilities to meet with workers, and other measures adhering to international labor rights standards under the OECD Guidelines.

The union accepted the conciliator’s recommendations. But, advised by its American anti-union lawyers, Luxottica management refused even to respond to the conciliator’s recommendations. The conciliator closed the proceeding in April 2024 without a resolution to the dispute.

The Unions contend that Luxottica failed to engage in good faith during the OECD’s six-month conciliation process. Rather than seeking a resolution, the company obstructed the process and ignored opportunities provided to rectify its transgressions.

In its Final Report, the Italian NCP makes clear why the process failed.The NCP also reiterated the Conciliator’s recommendation as to how the Company should honor the principle of non-interference moving forward:

“The owners and the management of a Company … should refrain from expressing their opinion on matters of unionisation, under the principle on non-interference, in order to contribute to a fair and equitable framework for industrial relations, as also pursued by the OECD Guidelines.”

The NCP concluded its Final Report with

“regrets that it has not been possible to resolve the issues raised by applying the Guidelines,” stressing that “settling the case on the basis of the Guidelines’ provisions, rather than by applying the national law, alone, would have ensured a balanced, constructive and long-lasting solution. Indeed, the Guidelines themselves refer to principles and standards of international law.”

Final Considerations and Next Steps

The Italian NCP’s findings put Luxottica at a crossroads. IUE-CWA, AFL-CIO, IndustriALL and UNI union confederations demand that Luxottica adopt a fair framework that guarantees neutrality and non-interference in future organizing efforts across the U.S. By doing so, Luxottica can begin to repair the damage caused by its anti-union practices and demonstrate its commitment to the workers who drive its business forward.

As pressure mounts, IUE-CWA remains resolute in its fight for fair labor standards and urges Luxottica to make a decisive shift toward responsible business conduct worldwide. The union will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for vision workers’ rights at every turn.

For more information on the NCP Final Statement and its implications for Luxottica’s labor practices, contact CWA Communications at +1 (202) 434-1168 and comms@cwa-union.org

###

About National Contact Points for RBC

“National Contact Points for Responsible Business Conduct (NCPs for RBC) are agencies established by governments. Their mandate is twofold: to promote the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and related due diligence guidance, and to handle cases (referred to as “specific instances”) as a non-judicial grievance mechanism. To date, 51 governments have an NCP for RBC. Also see: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/ncps/

All 51 governments adhering to the OECD Guidelines have the legal obligation to set up an NCP. Today, NCPs make up a network and a community of practitioners, dealing with a wide array of impacts involving companies either through their operations or their supply chains. In 2020, NCPs celebrated 20 years as non-judicial grievance mechanisms. Find out more about NCPs | Browse resources on NCPs”

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental organization with 38 member countries from Europe, North America, South America and Asia-Pacific, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It originates from the organization set up to manage US Marshall Aid to post-WW2 Europe. The United States is one of its founding members. It is headquartered in Paris.

About CWA

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech and other fields. IUE-CWA is the Industrial Division of the CWA, it represents manufacturing and industrial workers in a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, furniture, and appliances, and vision.

About AFL-CIO

Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is the democratic, voluntary federation of 60 national and international labor unions that represent more than 12.5 million working people in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

About IndustriALL Global Union

IndustriALL Global Union is a global union federation, founded in Copenhagen on 19 June 2012. IndustriALL represents more than 50 million working people in more than 140 countries, working across the supply chains in mining, energy and manufacturing sectors at the global level. The Global headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.

About UNI Global Union

UNI Global Union, formally Union Network International, is a Global Union Federation for the skills and services sectors, uniting national and regional trade unions. It has affiliated unions in 150 countries representing 20 million workers. The Global headquarters is in Nyon, Switzerland.

About EssilorLuxottica

EssilorLuxottica was created through the 2017 merger between French multinational corporation Essilor and Italian multinational corporation Luxottica, with Essilor headquartered in France and Luxottica in Italy. EssilorLuxottica is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses. With over 200,000 employees across 150 countries, 650 operations facilities and 18,000 stores, in 2023 the Company generated consolidated revenue of Euro 25.4 billion. EssilorLuxottica is home to advanced lens technologies including Varilux, Stellest and Transitions, eyewear brands including Ray-Ban and Oakley, luxury licensed brands and world-class retailers including LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut. EssilorLuxottica shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market and are included in the Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 indices. Codes and symbols: ISIN: FR0000121667; Reuters: ESLX.PA; Bloomberg: EL:FP. www.essilorluxottica.com.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: The Week at State – Week of February 3

Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

This week at State, @SecRubio traveled to countries in our hemisphere: Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. In each country, he discussed the illegal mass migration crisis and ways to expand regional economic opportunities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tf0AZTNpmQ

MIL OSI Video –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Power vacuum in west Africa’s Sahel: 3 ways China could fill the gap as west exits

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi, Faculty member, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University

With France fast losing its influence in west Africa’s Sahel region and an unpredictable US president in power, will China fill the vacuum?

The Sahel region covers 10 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.

French troops have been expelled from three of these – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – after military coups. Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast have also expelled French troops. The troops were there because of the security threat from extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

Niger also ended an agreement to keep about 1,000 US troops involved in a counter-terrorism mission. Niger’s military government described the US as having a “condescending attitude”.

While it has been rightly argued that the presence of the western powers did not resolve the security challenges of the region, their withdrawal creates a vacuum.

I am a political science and international relations researcher who has been studying China-Africa relations for over a decade.

I argue that Beijing could take advantage of the vacuum in the Sahel in at least three ways: expansion of investments in critical minerals; resolution of the Ecowas crisis (when Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali exited the regional bloc); and increased arms sales.

This is especially so as China is not new to the Sahel region of west Africa. For instance, China is constructing a US$32 million headquarters for Ecowas in Abuja, Nigeria.

Three ways China could benefit

First, China could expand its influence – and the next four years hold enormous opportunities in this regard.

US president Donald Trump’s likely transactional and unpredictable approach to international relations may force African countries to look to China. For instance, they may need China to help fill the void created by the US decision to dismantle USAID and freeze international development aid.

Nigeria joined Brics as a partner country a few days before the inauguration of Trump. Brics is a group of emerging economies determined to act as a counterweight to the west and to whittle down the influence of global institutions. It was established in 2006 and initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. This decision by the largest economy in the Sahel is an expression of its commitment to China – with potential implications for other Sahelian countries.

The vacuum offers Beijing the opportunity to strengthen its investment and position as a top beneficiary of the critical minerals, such as gold, copper, lithium and uranium, in the Sahel region.

In 2024, west African gold production was estimated to be 11.83 million ounces. Ghana, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Guinea and Mali were the major contributors.

Second, China is in a unique position to push for a resolution of the Ecowas crisis.

Following military coups, the Ecowas regional economic bloc sanctioned Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Ecowas even threatened Niger with a military invasion. The three countries then decided to leave Ecowas to form the Alliance of Sahel States.

As a neutral actor whose non-interference policy accommodates both civil and military regimes, Beijing is in a position to bring Ecowas and the Alliance of Sahel States into negotiation before the final departure date of 29 July 2025.

If it succeeds, China would look more like a peaceful power, an image that is contested by others.

Building on its soft power projects like the Confucius Institutes and scholarships, China would look like the “saviour” of Ecowas integration.

This is what it did in the case of the Tazara railway project, where China supported Tanzania and Zambia to build a railway line together. It supported the African countries when the US and Europe had failed, were reluctant or were not interested.

Third is Chinese arms sales.

Chinese arms are already in the Sahel. In 2019, Nigeria signed a US$152 million contract with the China North Industries Corporation Limited (Norinco) to provide some of the weapons needed to fight the Boko Haram terror group. Since then, Chinese drones and other equipment have become a feature in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism response.

The Chinese arms market could receive a major boost beyond Nigeria with the withdrawal of western countries from the Sahel. Western countries are likely to be reluctant to sell arms to the countries that have evicted their military.

Sanctions on Russia have also increased the likelihood of Chinese arms in the Sahel.

For example, a few months after France and the US left the region, some reports suggested that Russian mercenaries in the Sahel region were using Chinese weapons. Norinco – China’s top arms manufacturer and seventh largest arms supplier in the world – has opened sales offices in Nigeria and Senegal.

In June 2024, Burkina Faso received 100 tanks from China. Three months after, Mali signed an agreement with Norinco to bolster its fight against terrorism.

Bumpy road ahead

China’s non-interference can accommodate both civil and military governments in the Sahel. This is an advantage for Beijing in some ways. But it could also have unexpected impacts.

There are competing local interests in the Sahel and Beijing’s deepening involvement could be (mis)interpreted as supporting one over the other.

This could make Chinese interests a target in the violence.

It is also unclear if China is capable or willing to fill the vacuum created by the evicted western powers. But it looks as though China can benefit from the situation in the Sahel in the short term.

Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi has previously received research funding or travel support from organisations like the KU Leuven, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Social Science Research Council (SSRC), Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Lagos State University, Chatham House (i.e. Robert Bosch Stiftung), Centre for Population and Environmental Development (CPED), Think Tank Initiative, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund), Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF), American Council of Learned Societies’ African Humanities Program (ACLS-AHP), Merian Institute of Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA), Development Studies Association (DSA) UK, Collective for the Renewal of Africa (CORA), Ford Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS). However, I must clearly and strongly state that none of these funders have at any time sought to influence or influenced my writings or public engagement. Thus, this article is one of my many expressions of my academic freedom.

– ref. Power vacuum in west Africa’s Sahel: 3 ways China could fill the gap as west exits – https://theconversation.com/power-vacuum-in-west-africas-sahel-3-ways-china-could-fill-the-gap-as-west-exits-248353

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Power vacuum in west Africa’s Sahel: 3 ways China could fill the gap as west exits

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi, Faculty member, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University

With France fast losing its influence in west Africa’s Sahel region and an unpredictable US president in power, will China fill the vacuum?

The Sahel region covers 10 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.

French troops have been expelled from three of these – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – after military coups. Chad, Senegal and Ivory Coast have also expelled French troops. The troops were there because of the security threat from extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

Niger also ended an agreement to keep about 1,000 US troops involved in a counter-terrorism mission. Niger’s military government described the US as having a “condescending attitude”.

While it has been rightly argued that the presence of the western powers did not resolve the security challenges of the region, their withdrawal creates a vacuum.

I am a political science and international relations researcher who has been studying China-Africa relations for over a decade.

I argue that Beijing could take advantage of the vacuum in the Sahel in at least three ways: expansion of investments in critical minerals; resolution of the Ecowas crisis (when Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali exited the regional bloc); and increased arms sales.

This is especially so as China is not new to the Sahel region of west Africa. For instance, China is constructing a US$32 million headquarters for Ecowas in Abuja, Nigeria.

Three ways China could benefit

First, China could expand its influence – and the next four years hold enormous opportunities in this regard.

US president Donald Trump’s likely transactional and unpredictable approach to international relations may force African countries to look to China. For instance, they may need China to help fill the void created by the US decision to dismantle USAID and freeze international development aid.

Nigeria joined Brics as a partner country a few days before the inauguration of Trump. Brics is a group of emerging economies determined to act as a counterweight to the west and to whittle down the influence of global institutions. It was established in 2006 and initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. This decision by the largest economy in the Sahel is an expression of its commitment to China – with potential implications for other Sahelian countries.

The vacuum offers Beijing the opportunity to strengthen its investment and position as a top beneficiary of the critical minerals, such as gold, copper, lithium and uranium, in the Sahel region.

In 2024, west African gold production was estimated to be 11.83 million ounces. Ghana, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Guinea and Mali were the major contributors.

Second, China is in a unique position to push for a resolution of the Ecowas crisis.

Following military coups, the Ecowas regional economic bloc sanctioned Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Ecowas even threatened Niger with a military invasion. The three countries then decided to leave Ecowas to form the Alliance of Sahel States.

As a neutral actor whose non-interference policy accommodates both civil and military regimes, Beijing is in a position to bring Ecowas and the Alliance of Sahel States into negotiation before the final departure date of 29 July 2025.

If it succeeds, China would look more like a peaceful power, an image that is contested by others.

Building on its soft power projects like the Confucius Institutes and scholarships, China would look like the “saviour” of Ecowas integration.

This is what it did in the case of the Tazara railway project, where China supported Tanzania and Zambia to build a railway line together. It supported the African countries when the US and Europe had failed, were reluctant or were not interested.

Third is Chinese arms sales.

Chinese arms are already in the Sahel. In 2019, Nigeria signed a US$152 million contract with the China North Industries Corporation Limited (Norinco) to provide some of the weapons needed to fight the Boko Haram terror group. Since then, Chinese drones and other equipment have become a feature in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism response.

The Chinese arms market could receive a major boost beyond Nigeria with the withdrawal of western countries from the Sahel. Western countries are likely to be reluctant to sell arms to the countries that have evicted their military.

Sanctions on Russia have also increased the likelihood of Chinese arms in the Sahel.

For example, a few months after France and the US left the region, some reports suggested that Russian mercenaries in the Sahel region were using Chinese weapons. Norinco – China’s top arms manufacturer and seventh largest arms supplier in the world – has opened sales offices in Nigeria and Senegal.

In June 2024, Burkina Faso received 100 tanks from China. Three months after, Mali signed an agreement with Norinco to bolster its fight against terrorism.

Bumpy road ahead

China’s non-interference can accommodate both civil and military governments in the Sahel. This is an advantage for Beijing in some ways. But it could also have unexpected impacts.

There are competing local interests in the Sahel and Beijing’s deepening involvement could be (mis)interpreted as supporting one over the other.

This could make Chinese interests a target in the violence.

It is also unclear if China is capable or willing to fill the vacuum created by the evicted western powers. But it looks as though China can benefit from the situation in the Sahel in the short term.

– Power vacuum in west Africa’s Sahel: 3 ways China could fill the gap as west exits
– https://theconversation.com/power-vacuum-in-west-africas-sahel-3-ways-china-could-fill-the-gap-as-west-exits-248353

MIL OSI Africa –

February 11, 2025

MIL-OSI: Ormat Commences Commercial Operation of 35 MW Ijen Geothermal Facility in Indonesia, Delivering Low Carbon Geothermal Power

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

RENO, Nev., Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ormat Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ORA), a leading geothermal and renewable energy company, today announced the successful commencement of commercial operations (COD) for the 35MW Ijen geothermal power plant. The power plant is jointly owned with PT Medco Power Indonesia (“Medco Power”), through their subsidiary company, PT Medco Cahaya Geothermal (“MCG”). Ormat’s share of the facility is 17MW. This is the first geothermal power plant in East Java, Indonesia, contributing to Indonesia’s plan for an additional 7.2 GW of geothermal capacity by 2035.

The Ijen Geothermal Power Plant, equipped with Ormat Energy Converter (“OEC”), began operations with its first phase, delivering 35 MW of electricity power to the Java grid. The commencement of this first phase marks a significant step of the Ijen Facility, which has a total planned capacity of 110 MW under a 30-year power purchase agreement.

MCG, a jointly owned company between Medco Power (51% equity share) and Ormat Technologies (49% equity share), will operate the Ijen geothermal facility.

Doron Blachar, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat Technologies, stated, “We are pleased to announce the commencement operations of the Ijen geothermal facility. The launch of the Ijen facility is a key step in our strategy to consistently and accretively grow our leading global geothermal energy portfolio and expand our presence in Indonesia. Indonesia has one of the largest geothermal potentials globally and with the geothermal targets set by the Indonesian government, we plan to expand our operations in the country. Achieving COD at Ijen demonstrates our strong development capabilities and our commitment towards advancing our short and long-term growth targets in our Electricity segment. We look forward to supporting Indonesia’s goal of increasing geothermal deployment and aiding in their efforts to achieve net zero emissions.”

ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES

With over five decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company, and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (“REG”), with robust plans to accelerate long-term growth in the energy storage market and to establish a leading position in the U.S. energy storage market. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter – a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed for utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,400MW of gross capacity. Ormat leveraged its core capabilities in the geothermal and REG industries and its global presence to expand the Company’s activity into energy storage services, solar Photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage plus Solar PV. Ormat’s current total generating portfolio is 1,537MW with a 1,247MW geothermal and solar generation portfolio that is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe, and a 290MW energy storage portfolio that is located in the U.S.

ORMAT’S SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such matters as our projections of annual revenues, expenses and debt service coverage with respect to our debt securities, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, development or operation of generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our business and operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, or “contemplate” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat’s plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties and other risks described under “Risk Factors” as described in Ormat’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 23, 2024, and in Ormat’s subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that are filed from time to time with the SEC.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and, except as legally required, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Ormat Technologies Contact:
Smadar Lavi
VP Head of IR and ESG Planning & Reporting
775-356-9029 (ext. 65726)
slavi@ormat.com

Investor Relations Agency Contact:
Joseph Caminiti or Josh Carroll
Alpha IR Group
312-445-2870
ORA@alpha-ir.com

The MIL Network –

February 11, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Why the price of your favorite chocolate will continue to rise

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Narcisa Pricope, Professor of Geography and Land Systems Science and Associate Vice President for Research, Mississippi State University

Chocolate prices spiked amid very dry conditions in Africa. Chuck Fishman/Getty Images

Valentine’s Day often conjures images of chocolates and romance. But the crop behind this indulgence faces an existential threat.

Regions like northeastern Brazil, one of the world’s notable cocoa-producing areas, are grappling with increasing aridity – a slow, yet unrelenting drying of the land. Cocoa is made from the beans of the cacao tree, which thrives in humid climates. The crop is struggling in these drying regions, and so are the farmers who grow it.

This is not just Brazil’s story. Across West Africa, where 70% of the world’s cacao is grown, and in the Americas and Southeast Asia, shifting moisture levels threaten the delicate balance required for production. These regions, home to vibrant ecosystems and global breadbaskets that feed the world, are on the frontlines of aridity’s slow but relentless advance.

A farmer in Colombia holds a cacao pod, which holds the key ingredients for chocolate.
©2017CIAT/NeilPalmer, CC BY-NC-SA

Over the past 30 years, more than three-quarters of the Earth’s landmass has become drier. A recent report I helped coordinate for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification found that drylands now cover 41% of global land, an area that expanded by nearly 1.7 million square miles (4.3 million square kilometers) over those three decades — about half the size of Australia.

This creeping dryness is not just a climate phenomenon. It’s a long-term transformation that may be irreversible and that carries devastating consequences for ecosystems, agriculture and livelihoods worldwide.

What causes aridity?

Aridity, while often thought of as purely a climate phenomenon, is the result of a complex interplay among human-driven factors. These include greenhouse gas emissions, land use practices and the degradation of critical natural resources, such as soil and biodiversity.

These interconnected forces have been accelerating the transformation of once-productive landscapes into increasingly arid regions, with consequences that ripple across ecosystems and economies.

Greenhouse gas emissions: A global catalyst

Human-induced climate change is the primary driver of rising aridity.

Greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, increase global temperatures. Rising temperatures, in turn, cause moisture to evaporate at a faster rate. This heightened evaporation reduces soil and plant moisture, exacerbating water scarcity – even in regions with moderate rainfall.

Aridity began accelerating globally in the 1950s, and the world has seen a pronounced shift over the past three decades.

This process is particularly stark in regions already prone to dryness, such as Africa’s Sahel region and the Mediterranean. In these areas, reduced precipitation – combined with increased evaporation – creates a feedback loop: Drier soils absorb less heat, leaving the atmosphere warmer and intensifying arid conditions.

The number of people living in dryland regions has been rising in each region in recent years. Years 1971-2020. Scales vary.
UNCCD

Unsustainable land use practices: A hidden accelerator

Aridity is also affected by how people use and manage land.

Unsustainable agricultural practices, overgrazing and deforestation strip soils of their protective vegetation cover, leaving them vulnerable to erosion. Industrial farming techniques often prioritize short-term yields over long-term sustainability, depleting nutrients and organic matter essential for healthy soils.

For example, in cocoa-producing regions like northeastern Brazil, deforestation to make room for agriculture disrupts local water cycles and exposes soils to degradation. Without vegetation to anchor it, topsoil – critical for plant growth – washes away during rainfall or is blown away by winds, taking with it vital nutrients.

These changes create a vicious cycle: Degraded soils also hold less water and lead to more runoff, reducing the land’s ability to recover.

Aridity can affect the ability to grow many crops. Large parts of the country of Chad, shown here, have drying lands.
United Nations Chad, CC BY-NC-SA

The soil-biodiversity connection

Soil, often overlooked in discussions of climate resilience, plays a critical role in mitigating aridity.

Healthy soils act as reservoirs, storing water and nutrients that plants depend on. They also support biodiversity below and above ground. A single teaspoon of soil contains billions of microorganisms that help cycle nutrients and maintain ecological balance.

However, as soils degrade under aridity and mismanagement, this biodiversity diminishes. Microbial communities, essential for nutrient cycling and plant health, decline. When soils become compacted and lose organic matter, the land’s ability to retain water diminishes, making it even more susceptible to drying out.

In short, the loss of soil health creates cascading effects that undermine ecosystems, agricultural productivity and food security.

Global hot spots: Looming food security crises

Cocoa is just one crop affected by the encroachment of rising aridity.

Other key agricultural zones, including the breadbaskets of the world, are also at risk. In the Mediterranean, Africa’s Sahel and parts of the U.S. West, aridity already undermines farming and biodiversity.

By 2100, up to 5 billion people could live in drylands – nearly double the current population in these areas, due to both population growth and expansion of drylands as the planet warms. This puts immense pressure on food systems. It can also accelerate migration as declining agricultural productivity, water scarcity and worsening living conditions force rural populations to move in search of opportunities.

A map shows average aridity for 1981-2010. Computer simulations estimate that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities caused a 1.2% larger increase in the four types of dry regions combined for the periods between 1850 and 1981–2010 than simulations with only solar and volcanic effects considered.
UNCCD

Aridity’s ripple effects also extend far beyond agriculture. Ecosystems, already strained by deforestation and pollution, are stressed as water resources dwindle. Wildlife migrates or dies, and plant species adapted to moister conditions can’t survive. The Sahel’s delicate grasslands, for instance, are rapidly giving way to desert shrubs.

On a global scale, economic losses linked to aridification are staggering. In Africa, rising aridity contributed to a 12% drop in gross domestic product from 1990 to 2015. Sandstorms and dust storms, wildfires and water scarcity further burden governments, exacerbating poverty and health crises in the most affected regions.

The path forward

Aridity is not inevitable, nor are its effects completely irreversible. But coordinated global efforts are essential to curb its progression.

Countries can work together to restore degraded lands by protecting and restoring ecosystems, improving soil health and encouraging sustainable farming methods.

Communities can manage water more efficiently through rainwater harvesting and advanced irrigation systems that optimize water use. Governments can reduce the drivers of climate change by investing in renewable energy.

Continued international collaboration, including working with businesses, can help share technologies to make these actions more effective and available worldwide.

So, as you savor chocolate this Valentine’s Day, remember the fragile ecosystems behind it. The price of cocoa in early 2025 was near its all-time high, due in part to dry conditions in Africa. Without urgent action to address aridity, this scenario may become more common, and cocoa – and the sweet concoctions derived from it – may well become a rare luxury.

Collective action against aridity isn’t just about saving chocolate – it’s about preserving the planet’s capacity to sustain life.

Narcisa Pricope is a member of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Science-Policy Interface, which works to translate scientific findings and assessments into policy-relevant recommendations, including collaboration with different scientific panels and bodies.

– ref. Why the price of your favorite chocolate will continue to rise – https://theconversation.com/why-the-price-of-your-favorite-chocolate-will-continue-to-rise-246227

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Gut-wrenching love: What a fresh look at the ‘Good Samaritan’ story says for ethics today

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Meghan Sullivan, Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame

A mural outside St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Silao, Mexico, quotes the Good Samaritan story: ‘Go and do likewise.’ Enrique López-Tamayo Biosca/Flickr via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

The Bible story of the Good Samaritan is more than a mainstay of Sunday school courses. “Good samaritan” is the catch-all way to describe a do-gooder – someone who stops to change the tire of a stranded motorist, helps a lost child find their parents in a store and gives money to disaster relief programs.

But as an ethicist, I’d argue that the parable’s moral vision is much more radical than merely advising people to help out when they can. The parable raises profound philosophical questions about what it means to love another person, and our sometimes astonishing capacity to feel connected to others.

Love thy neighbor

The parable of the Good Samaritan occurs in the Gospel of Luke, in a part of the Bible where Jesus is attracting followers and preparing them to spread his movement.

During one of these sessions, a religious scholar asks him to explain the fundamental commandment in Jewish ethics: “You will love God with all of your heart, all of your mind, and all of your strength. And you will love your neighbor as yourself.” In response, Jesus tells the now-iconic story:

One time a man was traveling down the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The Bible describes absolutely nothing else about this man, but the tradition assumes he is Jewish. The man was attacked and beaten within an inch of his life. As he lay in a ditch, a temple priest and a temple functionary both noticed him but hurried past.

Then a member of another tribe, a Samaritan, saw him. The Samaritan was immediately moved and rushed over, hoisted the man onto his donkey, took him to a nearby inn and stayed up with him all night, nursing him back to life. The next morning he paid the innkeeper two denarii – Roman silver coins, about two days’ salary – and offered to pay the tab for anything else the man might require as he recuperated.

‘The Good Samaritan’ by Aimé Morot (1880), now in the Petit Palais museum in Paris.
Marc Baronnet/Wikimedia Commons

Jesus turns the question back to the scholar: Who loved their neighbor? The scholar concedes the point – the Samaritan who had mercy.

“Go and do likewise,” Jesus replies.

What exactly did the Samaritan do that reveals the core of the love ethic? Jesus says specifically that the Samaritan’s “guts churned” when he saw the man in need: the Greek word used in the text is “splagchnizomai.”

The term occurs in other places in the Gospels, as well, evoking a very physical kind of emotional response. This “gut-wrenching love” is spontaneous and visceral.

Mortal and immortal

Ancient philosophers spent plenty of time trying to understand the ways humans love, often using highly intellectual frames. “The Symposium,” a dialogue by Plato, depicts Socrates drunkenly debating the essence of erotic love with his friends. Aristotle beautifully theorizes about friendship, “philia,” in his teachings about ethics. He introduces the idea that when we truly love a friend, we think of them as our “second self” – the lives of your closest friends become entangled within your own.

Many of the early Christian philosophers debated the nature of “agape,” the Greek word the New Testament uses to describe the selfless, unconditional love that characterizes the very nature of God. Saint Augustine introduced the concept of “amoris ordo,” the order of loves: that morality compels someone to first love the highest good, which is God, and then organize the rest of their loves to serve this highest love.

These concepts present love as an intellectual attitude that is often reserved for a select group, such as God, or one’s family, or one’s countrymen. And Christian notions of “agape” specifically put love just out of reach, only possible for a divine being, though humans should aspire to it and can experience its effects.

Splagchnizomai is different – such a physical emotion is only possible for creatures like us, with bodies. And as the parable of the Good Samaritan shows, it is an emotion that can be triggered by anyone, at any time, if we are – like the Samaritan – ready to be so moved.

A relief in St. Paul’s Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one of countless artworks that reference the Good Samaritan.
Hantsheroes/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Love and modern moral thinking

Much like their ancient counterparts, philosophers of the past century have struggled to explain how love can be one of the most morally significant elements of our lives, while also being so extraordinarily partial, biased and seemingly arbitrary.

To resolve the tension, many treat love not as a source of insight but as a messy feature of human psychology – an impediment that ethical reasoning must navigate around.

Indeed, the most prominent recent movements in applied ethics are wholly oriented around rational efficiency. The Effective Altruism movement argues that people should use evidence to transform themselves into the most efficient do-gooders they can possibly be. Proponents discourage college graduates looking to make a difference from pursuing public service and recommend high-paying jobs instead, arguing that they can have a bigger impact giving away wealth than directly caring for others. Emotions are viewed with suspicion, as sources of potential bias – not sources of moral wisdom.

In the book “Against Empathy,” psychologist Paul Bloom warns that such emotions “do poorly in a world where there are many people in need and where the effects of one’s actions are diffuse, often delayed, and difficult to compute.”

Compare that to the parable of the Good Samaritan, which portrays ethics as an emotional, deeply personal and almost absurdly inefficient matter. Those two denarii were a weighty sum – they could have been used to beef up security on the road and prevent other robberies, rather than save a single man. Nor did the Samaritan off-load the injured man onto a local healer. He cared for him directly, the way someone might sit with a gravely ill family member.

Neighbors and fences

In Jesus’ time, as in our own, there was significant debate about how to understand the commandments to love one’s neighbor. One school of thought considered a “neighbor” to be a member of your community: The Book of Leviticus says not to hold grudges against fellow countrymen. Another school held that you were obligated to love even strangers who are only temporarily traveling in your land. Leviticus also declares that “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself.”

In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus seems to come down on the side of the broadest possible application of the love ethic. And by emphasizing a particular type of love – the gut-wrenching kind – Jesus seems to indicate that the way of progress in ethics is through emotions, rather than around them.

My current work focuses on the upshots of reading this parable as a philosophical guide to ethics in our own time. For instance, if the love ethic is right, preparing students to make progress on complex social issues requires more than cost-benefit analysis. It also requires helping them to recognize and cultivate emotions, especially loving compassion.

There are clear parallels between the original parable of the good Samaritan and pressing political issues today, especially migration – and also, I believe, polarization. His story calls closer attention to humans’ innate capacity to love beyond the limits of familiar relationships or “tribes” – and just how much is lost when we do not.

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

– ref. Gut-wrenching love: What a fresh look at the ‘Good Samaritan’ story says for ethics today – https://theconversation.com/gut-wrenching-love-what-a-fresh-look-at-the-good-samaritan-story-says-for-ethics-today-247988

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Russia’s shrinking world: The war in Ukraine and Moscow’s global reach

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ronald H. Linden, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh

Russia President Vladimir Putin sent a guarded message of congratulations to Donald Trump on inauguration day, but then held a long direct call with his “dear friend,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

From Putin’s perspective, this makes sense. Russia gets billions of dollars from energy sales to China and technology from Beijing, but from Washington, until recently, mostly sanctions and suspicion.

Moscow is hoping for a more positive relationship with the current White House occupant, who has made his desire for a “deal” to end the Ukraine war well known.

But talk of exit scenarios from this 3-year-old conflict should not mask the fact that since the invasion began, Putin has overseen one of the worst periods in Russian foreign policy since the end of the Cold War.

Transatlantic unity

The war in Ukraine has foreclosed on options and blunted Russian action around the world.

Unlike the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the 2022 invasion produced an unprecedented level of transatlantic unity, including the expansion of NATO and sanctions on Russian trade and finance. In the past year, both the U.S. and the European Union expanded their sanction packages.

And for the first time, the EU banned the re-export of Russian liquefied natural gas and ended support for a Russian LNG project in the Arctic.

EU-Russian trade, including European imports of energy, has dropped to a fraction of what it was before the war.

The two Nordstrom pipelines, designed to bring Russian gas to Germany without transiting East Europe, lie crippled and unused. Revenues from energy sales are roughly one-half of what they were two years ago.

At the same time, the West has sent billions in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, enabling a level of resilience for which Russia was unprepared. Meanwhile, global companies and technical experts and intellectuals have fled Russia in droves.

While Russia has evaded some restrictions with its “shadow fleet” – an aging group of tankers sailing under various administrative and technical evasions – the country’s main savior is now China. Trade between China and Russia has grown by nearly two-thirds since the end of 2021, and the U.S. cites Beijing as the main source of Russia’s “dual use” and other technologies needed to pursue its war.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has moved from an energy-for-manufactured-goods trade relationship with the West to one of vassalage with China, as one Russia analyst termed it.

Hosting an October meeting of the BRICS countries – now counting 11 members, including the five original members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South America – is unlikely to compensate for geopolitical losses elsewhere.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and China President Xi Jinping toast their friendship in March 2023.
Pavel Byrkin/AFP via Getty Images

Problems at home …

The Russian economy is deeply distorted by increased military spending, which represents 40% of the budget and 25% of all spending. The government now needs the equivalent of US$20 billion annually in order to pay for new recruits.

Russian leaders must find a way to keep at least some of the population satisfied, but persistent inflation and reserve currency shortages flowing directly from the war have made this task more difficult.

On the battlefield, the war itself has killed or wounded more than 600,000 Russian soldiers. Operations during 2024 were particularly deadly, producing more than 1,500 Russian casualties a day.

The leader who expected Kyiv’s capitulation in days now finds Russian territory around Kursk occupied, its naval forces in the Black Sea destroyed and withdrawn, and its own generals assassinated in Moscow.

But probably the greatest humiliation is that this putative great power with a population of 144 million must resort to importing North Korean troops to help liberate its own land.

… and in its backyard

Moscow’s dedication to the war has affected its ability to influence events elsewhere, even in its own neighborhood.

In the Caucasus, for example, Russia had long sided with Armenia in its running battle with Azerbaijan over boundaries and population after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Moscow has brokered ceasefires at various points. But intermittent attacks and territorial gains for Azerbaijan continued despite the presence of some 2,000 Russian peacekeepers sent to protect the remaining Armenian population in parts of the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan’s forces abruptly took control of the rest of Nagorno-Karabakh. More than 100,000 Armenians fled in the largest ethnic cleansing episode since the end of the Balkan Wars. The peacekeepers did not intervene and later withdrew. The Russian military, absorbed in the bloody campaigns in Ukraine, could not back up or reinforce them.

The Azeris’ diplomatic and economic position has gained in recent years, aided by demand for its gas as a substitute for Russia’s and support from NATO member Turkey.

Feeling betrayed by Russia, the Armenian government has for the first time extended feelers toward the West — which is happy to entertain such overtures.

Losing influence and friends

Russia’s loss in the Caucasus has been dwarfed by the damage to its military position and influence in the Middle East. Russia supported the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad against the uprisings of the Arab Spring in 2011 and saved it with direct military intervention beginning in 2015.

Yet in December 2024, Assad was unexpectedly swept away by a mélange of rebel groups. The refuge extended to Assad by Moscow was the most it could provide with the war in Ukraine having drained Russia’s capacity to do more.

Russia’s possible withdrawal from the Syrian naval base at Tartus and the airbase at Khmeimim would remove assets that allowed it to cooperate with Iran, its key strategic partner in the region.

More recently, Russia’s reliability as an ally and reputation as an armory has been damaged by Israeli attacks not only on Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed forces in Lebanon and Syria, but on Iran itself.

Russia’s position in Africa would also be damaged by the loss of the Syrian bases, which are key launch points for extending Russian power, and by Moscow’s evident inability to make a difference on the ground across the Sahel region in north-central Africa.

Dirty tricks, diminishing returns

Stalemate in Ukraine and Russian strategic losses in Syria and elsewhere have prompted Moscow to rely increasingly on a variety of other means to try to gain influence.

Disinformation, election meddling and varied threats are not new and are part of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. But recent efforts in East Europe have not been very productive. Massive Russian funding and propaganda in Romania, for example, helped produce a narrow victory for an anti-NATO presidential candidate in December 2024, but the Romanian government moved quickly to expose these actions and the election was annulled.

Nearby Moldova has long been subject to Russian propaganda and threats, especially during recent presidential elections and a referendum on stipulating a “European course” in the constitution. The tiny country moved to reduce its dependency on Russian gas but remains territorially fragmented by the breakaway region of Transnistria that, until recently, provided most of the country’s electricity.

Despite these factors, the results were not what Moscow wanted. In both votes, a European direction was favored by the electorate. When the Transnistrian legislature in February 2024 appealed to Moscow for protection, none was forthcoming.

When Moldova thumbs its nose at you, it’s fair to say your power ranking has fallen.

Wounded but still dangerous

Not all recent developments have been negative for Moscow. State control of the economy has allowed for rapid rebuilding of a depleted military and support for its technology industry in the short term. With Chinese help and evasion of sanctions, sufficient machinery and energy allow the war in Ukraine to continue.

And the inauguration of Donald Trump is likely to favor Putin, despite some mixed signals. The U.S. president has threatened tariffs and more sanctions but also disbanded a Biden-era task force aimed a punishing Russian oligarchs who help Russia evade sanctions. In the White House now is someone who has openly admired Putin, expressed skepticism over U.S. support for Ukraine and rushed to bully America’s closest allies in Latin America, Canada and Europe.

Most importantly, Trump’s eagerness to make good on his pledge to end the war may provide the Russian leader with a deal he can call a “victory.”

The shrinking of Russia’s world has not necessarily made Russia less dangerous; it could be quite the opposite. Some Kremlin watchers argue that a more economically isolated Russia is less vulnerable to American economic pressure. A retreating Russia and an embattled Putin could also opt for even more reckless threats and actions – for example, on nuclear weapons – especially if reversing course in Ukraine would jeopardize his position. It is, after all, Putin’s war.

All observers would be wise to note that the famous dictum “Russia is never as strong as she looks … nor as weak as she looks” has been ominously rephrased by Putin himself: “Russia was never so strong as it wants to be and never so weak as it is thought to be.”

Ronald H. Linden has in the past received funding from Fulbright, DAAD, German Marshall Fund, National Council for Eurasian and East European Research, Woodrow Wilson Center, US Institute of Peace.

– ref. Russia’s shrinking world: The war in Ukraine and Moscow’s global reach – https://theconversation.com/russias-shrinking-world-the-war-in-ukraine-and-moscows-global-reach-247754

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Newark arrests Mexican national convicted for sex crimes against minor

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Jorge Luis Sanchez-Luna, 45, a citizen of Mexico and registered sex offender, in Newark Feb. 4.

“Sanchez-Luna is a deviant criminal who has a record of repeat heinous offenses against a minor,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Deputy Field Office Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr. “ERO Newark considers this insidious child abuse a danger to our communities and seeks justice for the traumatized victim.”

ICE issued Sanchez-Luna a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge following his arrest.

Sanchez-Luna entered the United States on Oct. 29, 2015, at New York as lawful permanent resident.

The New Jersey Superior Court in Monmouth County found Sanchez-Luna guilty July 12, 2024, of endangering-sexual conduct with child by caretaker. He was sentenced to parole supervision for life and required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in New Jersey communities on X: @ERONewark.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Salvadoran National Sentenced On Reentry Of Removed Aliens

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Carlos Vides-Torres, age 46, a native of El Salvador, was sentenced on February 7, 2025, to time-served, by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for one count of reentry of removed aliens.

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Vides-Torres was discovered on September 10, 2022, in Bradford County, having been arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police for driving under the influence of alcohol. Vides-Torres was previously removed from the United States in 2008, and twice in 2011, and had not sought or obtained permission to reenter the United States.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti prosecuted the case.

# # #

MIL Security OSI –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: New Mexico State Council Rallies at Roundhouse for Workers’ Rights

Source: US GOIAM Union

The legislative building in Santa Fe, N.M., is known as the Roundhouse. Citizens can spend hours there going round and round with different lobbyists and interest groups trying to sway state politicians. This session, IAM members from New Mexico Locals 1635 (Albuquerque), 794 (Albuquerque), and 2515 (Alamogordo) –along with IAM International President Brian Bryant, Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez, General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, and Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett–took matters into their own hands and scored some impressive wins.

“The reason we do this is because we fight for working people, and when we fight for working people – we win,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “And what you were able to do yesterday, by getting an anti-captive audience bill out of committee, that’s a win for working people!”

Bryant was speaking about the lobbying efforts of these IAM members to move the Employees Free Speech Act, sponsored by State Rep. Eleanor Chavez, which is aimed at preventing employers from monitoring employees’ political activities and from holding mandatory attendance, anti-union captive audience meetings.

“We believe that you don’t only fight for things at the bargaining table, you also have to simultaneously fight for things through legislative action and advocacy,” said IAM Local 794 President Ashley Long. “Secondly, we are advocating for paid family medical leave. We know that our members have needs. They’re caregivers to children, to their elders in their family, and we want to make sure this legislation is passed, so that it’s easier for us to codify it in our collective bargaining agreements”

“We are building people, to build power, to make significant change for our members in their work life and their communities,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. That concept grows from legendary organizer of the United Farm Workers, Marshall Ganz. “Engaging our members will get us better contracts, win more elections, and we’re just going to win overall. Real change is made when we invest in people!

IAM members also gathered at a nearby conference center to install new officers to the state council and update their bylaws to reflect needed changes.

New Mexico State Council President John Dyrcz noted that across the country, people are turning to organized labor to do things for workers that have long been ignored.

“You see states like Alaska, that are ruby red, but their voters are passing family medical leave because we all need it,” said Dyrcz. “We are going to continue to fight for laws that support workers because it’s the right thing to do. We are going to keep up the fight here in New Mexico.”

[ Council Meeting Photo Gallery]

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MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston lodges immigration detainer against Dominican national accused of grisly murder

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

February 10, 2025Lynn, MA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

LYNN, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer against Eric Dionida German-Pena, 25, a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic, following his apprehension in Lynn for his alleged role in the murder of a Massachusetts sandwich shop owner during an apparent home-invasion robbery.

“Eric Dionida German-Pena will have his day in court, but he stands accused of a very serious and disturbing crime against a member of our Massachusetts community. ICE Boston takes its public safety mission extremely seriously — which is why we’ve lodged an immigration detainer against him with Lynn police,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has charged him with murder, and with the cooperation of the Lynn District Court, we intend to take him into ICE custody after he has paid his debt to society. ICE Boston will continue our mission of arresting and removing egregious alien offenders from New England.”

The Lynn Police Department police arrested German February 5 and charged him with the murder. ICE discovered that German illegally entered the United States in September 2022.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X: @EROBoston.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE HSI assists Peru’s National Police in large joint operation to arrest Tren de Aragua members

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

LIMA, Peru – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement supported the National Police of Peru in Lima to arrest and dismantle the illicit activities of Tren de Aragua members in the country, Feb. 7.

Members of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Lima and the ICE HSI Transnational Criminal Investigations Unit supported more than 300 National Police of Peru officers from the Directorate Against Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Trafficking in an operation which targeted at least eight specific locations in Santa Anita, San Martin de Porres, and Puente Piedra in Lima, Peru. Approximately 23 individuals suspected of being involved with a human trafficking network were arrested, and more than 80 human trafficking victims were rescued, including three minors.

“Peru is a dedicated partner in the fight against transnational criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua,” said ICE HSI Lima Attaché Paul Salamon. “Together, ICE HSI and the National Police of Peru are protecting our nations to ensure the safety of our citizens,”

“Last night, an operation was carried out with the support of ICE HSI Lima to dismantle the remnants of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua in various districts in Peru,” said National Police of Peru General Aldo Juan Ávila Novoa from the Directorate Against Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Trafficking. “We have deployed a force of 300 police officers from specialized units and the Shock Force, such as the National Division of Special Operations and the GRECCO group.”

“Transnational criminal organizations have no place in the strong, secure and prosperous region we are building with our partners,” said U.S. Ambassador to Peru Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath. “The success of this operation, led by the Peruvian National Police with the support of the United States, is a testament to the great work we can accomplish together to improve the security of our citizens and our shared region.”

Members of the public with information related to criminal activities of transnational organizations can submit an anonymous tip by calling 877-4-HSI-TIP.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI: Amerigo Resources to Present at the Metals and Mining Growth Virtual Investor Conference February 13th
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amerigo Resources Ltd. (“Amerigo”) (ARG:TSX, ARREF:OTCQX), based in Vancouver, British Columbia focused on producing copper from mining waste are retuning capital to shareholders, today announced that Aurora Davidson, President & CEO, will present live at the Metals and Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on February 13^th, 2025

DATE: February 13th
TIME: 10:30 AM EST
LINK: https://bit.ly/4gxYz6m
Available for 1×1 meetings: February 12, 13, 14, and 17

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights
- Amerigo recently announced its 2024 production results which beat guidance on all measurables
- In addition to 2024 results, Amerigo announced 2025 guidance which projects a strong year of production and cash generation
- Amerigo provides investors direct exposure to copper prices, while returning capital through quarterly dividends, performance dividends, and share buybacks
About Amerigo and MVC

Amerigo is an innovative copper producer with a long-term relationship with Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (“Codelco”), the world’s largest copper producer.

Amerigo produces copper concentrate and molybdenum concentrate as a by-product at the MVC operation in Chile by processing fresh and historic tailings from Codelco’s El Teniente mine, the world’s largest underground copper mine. Tel: (604) 681-2802; Web: www.amerigoresources.com; Listing: ARG: TSX.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:
Amerigo Resources
Name: Aurora Davidson
Title: President & CEO
Phone: +1-416-842-9003
Email: ad@amerigoresources.com

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –
February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI: DynaResource to Present at the Metals and Mining Growth Virtual Investor Conference February 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DYNR-DynaResource, Inc. (OTCQX:DYNR) (“DynaResource”, or “Company”) focused on mining its high-grade gold San Jose de Gracia Mine today announced that Rohan Hazelton, President & CEO will present live at the Metals and Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on February 13, 2025.

DATE: February 13, 2025
TIME: 12:00 pm ET
LINK: https://bit.ly/3WNMCCb
Available for 1×1 meetings: February 13

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights
- Resource Redefinition & Growth with +1M oz Potential: Updated Mineral Resource Estimate expected in 2025 with Long-term District exploration potential 1Moz
- Optimizing for Profitability: ongoing focus on optimizing operations to improve profitability at the mine and mill
- Profit Margin Optimization: Cost cutting efforts over last 6 months resulting in progressively improved operating margins – 2025 AISC target $1,850-$2,050/oz produced
- New Focused and Lean Management Team: New Corporate leadership in late 2024 has extensive experience mining in Latin America and Mexico specifically
About DynaResource

DynaResource is a U.S listed high-grade gold producer operating its 100% owned San Jose de Gracia mine located in Mexico, approximately 100 km northeast of Guamuchil and situated in the center of the prolific Sierra Madre Occidental geological zone. Mining commenced in 2016 with a 10,000 oz per year operation and has grown a 25,500+ oz producer today. The Company is focused on creating value through growth by optimization for increased operating margins and both near mine and regional exploration to increase production and expand mine life of its extensive land package of 33 contiguous concessions totaling approximately 10,000 hectares.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

On behalf of DynaResource, Inc.
Rohan Hazelton President & CEO

For Information on DynaResource, Inc. please visit www.dynaresource.com, or contact:
Investor Relations
Katherine Pryde, Investor Relations Manager
+1 972-869-9400
info@dynaresource.com

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –
February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI: ACT-ion Raises $7.5 million in Pre-Series A Round Led by BASF Venture Capital

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DALLAS, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACT-ion Battery Technologies, a startup in the field of lithium ion battery cathode active materials (CAM), announced today the successful closing of its Pre-Series A funding round. Founded in 2019, ACT-ion has developed both an efficient and cost-effective means to produce single crystalline cathode active materials. This chemistry agnostic process addresses a critical challenge in the lithium-ion battery value chain: the need to both reduce CAM production costs and increase production throughput.

The USD 7.5 million round was led by BASF Venture Capital, with participation from Hunt Energy Enterprises, Mirae Asset Capital, Arosa Capital Management, and LG Technology Ventures. ACT-ion will use the proceeds to accelerate its innovative CAM production technology, aiming to establish an operational pilot facility by 2025, with validations from leading industry partners.

ACT-ion is the recent recipient of a R&D 100 award which recognized the Company’s innovation to overcome the complexity and cost of CAM manufacturing. ACT-ion’s continuous process generates coated single crystal CAM leading to higher performance and longer cycle life lithium-ion batteries. ACT-ion has successfully demonstrated this manufacturing platform for a variety of chemistries.

“We are excited to have the support of Pre-Series A investors who share our vision for battery materials and manufacturing,” said Jin Lim, CTO and Interim CEO of ACT-ion. “This funding will allow us to bring our innovative solutions to market faster and make a meaningful impact on the global energy landscape.”

“We are excited to have led this financing round and to support ACT-ion as a partner. With the market need for novel battery materials, and the processes to produce them, ACT-ion’s mission to improve CAM aligns well with BASF efforts to deliver innovation to our customers,” said Joshua Speros, Investment Manager at BASF Venture Capital.

“The domestic production of battery materials at cost will mark a significant milestone in the US CAM industry,” said Lillian Shattock, Director of Private Investments at Arosa Capital Management. “We are thrilled to support ACT-ion, as we believe their technology can be a pivotal enabler of domestic CAM manufacturing.”

Incubated within and spun-out of Hunt Energy Enterprises LLC, “the ACT-ion venture was developed to target the largest cost constraint within lithium batteries and thereby help enable growth for markets such as electric drones, electric vehicles and power tools,” said Victor Liu, Chairman of ACT-ion.

About ACT-ion Battery Technologies

ACT-ion Battery Technologies is a leading lithium battery cathode active material (CAM) technology company. As an advanced manufacturing technology company, ACT-ion’s rapid continuous process produces coated single crystal CAMs for lithium batteries through a novel, clean, and chemistry-agnostic process, requiring lower energy and cost. For more information, please visit www.act-ion.com.

About Hunt Energy Enterprises

Hunt Energy Enterprises is the corporate energy technology venture group within Hunt Energy Company, LP. As such, Hunt Energy Enterprises has incubated several technologies that leverage its operations and knowledge to create new energy companies and partnerships with entrepreneurs in both the conventional petroleum business and cleantech power. It is part of a larger privately-owned group of companies managed by the Ray L. Hunt family that engages in oil and gas exploration, refining, power, real estate, ranching and private equity investments. For more information, please visit www.huntenergyenterprises.com.

About BASF Venture Capital GmbH

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF Venture Capital GmbH also contributes to this corporate purpose. Founded in 2001, BASF Venture Capital invests in Europe, the United States, Canada, China, India, Brazil, and Israel. Our goal is to generate new growth potential for current and future business areas of BASF by investing in innovative startups. The focus of our venture investments includes decarbonization, circular economy, Agtech, new materials, digitalization and new, disruptive business models. For more information, please visit https://www.basf.com/global/en/who-we-are/organization/group-companies/BASF_Venture-Capital

About Arosa Capital Management

Arosa Capital Management is an alternative investment manager that focuses on investments in alternative energy, traditional energy and related sectors. Founded in 2013, Arosa’s approach is rooted in rigorous fundamental analysis and deep sector expertise to invest in private and public companies as well as in credit and commodities on a cross asset basis. The focus of Arosa’s ventures strategy is investments in private companies that primarily pursue alternative, renewable, or efficient energy technologies. For more information, please visit www.arosacapital.com.

About Mirae Asset Capital

Mirae Asset Capital is a leading financial institution specializing in fostering innovation and driving new growth opportunities as a trusted financial partner. Established in 1997, the firm invests in groundbreaking ideas across sectors including AI, robotics, energy, and biotechnology. Leveraging the extensive global network of the Mirae Asset Financial Group, Mirae Asset Capital operates across key markets such as Korea, the United States, India, and China. For more information, please visit vc.miraeassetcapital.com.

About LG Technology Ventures

LG Technology Ventures is the venture capital investment arm of the LG Group. LG Technology Ventures was established in 2018 and its team consists of experienced investors, entrepreneurs, technologists, and industry domain experts. Currently, LG Technology Ventures is managing over $805 million of fund assets and invests in early-stage start-ups in artificial intelligence, mobility, advanced materials, life-sciences, next generation display, mobile, and 5G. We strive to create value for our portfolio companies by helping them develop strategic partnerships with LG Companies. For more information, please visit https://www.lgtechventures.com/.

For more information, please contact: ACT-ion Communications, Email: inquiry@act-ion.com

The MIL Network –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Philadelphia removes Mexican national wanted for domestic violence

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Serafin Leon Rojas, a citizen of Mexico with a final order of removal, to Mexico on Feb. 4. Leon is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in Mexico for domestic violence.

“The removal of Serafin Leon Rojas demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that criminal aliens face justice,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane. “By collaborating with our international law enforcement partners and enforcing immigration laws, we protect our communities and support our national security objectives.”

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Leon near Laredo, Texas, for entering the United States without inspection or parole by an immigration official and served him with a notice and order of expedited removal, charging inadmissibility. He was removed to Mexico on July 23, 2016.

Leon again entered the U.S. without admission or parole by an immigration official on an unknown date and at an unknown location.

The Philadelphia Police Department in Pennsylvania arrested Leon on August 7, 2024, for driving under the influence, and this charge remains pending.

ICE arrested Leon in Philadelphia on Dec. 12, 2024, during a routine enforcement action and served him with a notice of intent to reinstate the prior order from July 21, 2016, charging removability. Leon remained in ICE custody throughout removal proceedings.

Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE Philadelphia’s mission to increase public safety in our Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia communities on X: @EROPhiladelphia.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Embaixada do Reino Unido abre ed. 2025 do Embaixadora Por um Dia
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Mulheres de 18 a 25 anos, com histórico de engajamento social e interesse em política, poderão concorrer a uma experiência imersiva na diplomacia britânica.
A Embaixada do Reino Unido no Brasil se prepara para lançar a edição 2025 do concurso cultural “Embaixadora Por um Dia”, uma iniciativa que celebra o Dia Internacional da Mulher e incentiva a participação feminina na política e nas relações internacionais.

O concurso busca identificar jovens líderes mulheres (cis e trans) pretas, pardas ou indígenas, com idade entre 18 e 25 anos, que tenham interesse em diplomacia e engajamento político. A vencedora terá a oportunidade de vivenciar de perto a rotina diplomática, participando de reuniões, eventos e experiências imersivas na Embaixada do Reino Unido e em Brasília.

Como participar

As inscrições serão abertas em 10 de fevereiro de 2025. Para concorrer, as candidatas deverão produzir um vídeo de até 90 segundos, respondendo à pergunta:

“Como o engajamento político pode transformar sua comunidade e o mundo?”

Os vídeos deverão ser publicados no Instagram, com a hashtag #AmbassadorForADayUK, mencionando os perfis @UKinBrazil e @embaixadorabritanica. O perfil da participante deve estar público durante o período de avaliação.

Quem pode participar?

O concurso é destinado a mulheres que atendam aos seguintes critérios:

Idade entre 18 e 25 anos;

Pretas, pardas ou indígenas;

Ensino médio cursado em escola pública e/ou renda familiar de até três salários mínimos;

Interesse por política e relações internacionais;

Experiência em projetos sociais;

Passaporte válido e disponibilidade para viajar em março de 2025.

O que a vencedora ganha?

Uma viagem surpresa de cinco dias para participar de reuniões diplomáticas;

Um dia na Embaixada do Reino Unido, acompanhando a Embaixadora britânica no Brasil;

Oportunidade de compartilhar ideias com líderes políticos;

Tour por Brasília/DF;

Custos de hospedagem, alimentação e deslocamento cobertos.

Critérios de seleção

A escolha da vencedora será baseada em criatividade, história de vida e engajamento com questões políticas e sociais. A seleção é subjetiva e busca reconhecer jovens que demonstrem potencial para promover mudanças positivas em suas comunidades.

Para mais informações entre em contato com:

Embaixada do Reino Unido no Brasil

Mariana Luz – Gerente de Imprensa

Mariana.luz@fcdo.gov.uk

(61) 98187-8240

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Updates to this page

Published 10 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 11, 2025

MIL-OSI: Tower Semiconductor Reports 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ: TSEM & TASE: TSEM) reports today its results for the fourth quarter of 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Fourth Quarter of 2024 Results Overview
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $387 million as compared to $371 million for the third quarter of 2024 and $352 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, representing 5% quarter over quarter growth and 10% year over year growth. The Company met its expressed target of sequential quarter over quarter revenue growth within 2024, resulting in 18% growth fourth quarter over first quarter.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $87 million, compared to $84 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company took on for the first time its portion of incremental costs of the greenfield Agrate facility.

Operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $46 million as compared to $45 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Net profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $55 million, reflecting $0.49 basic and diluted earnings per share. Net profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $54 million, or $0.49 basic and $0.48 diluted earnings per share.

Cash flow generated from operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $101 million and investments in property and equipment, net were $93 million.

Full year 2024 Results Overview
Revenues for the full year of 2024 were $1.44 billion, gross profit was $339 million, operating profit was $191 million. Net profit for the full year of 2024 was $208 million, or $1.87 basic and $1.85 diluted earnings per share. For the full year of 2023, revenues were $1.42 billion, gross profit was $354 million, operating profit was $547 million and included $314 million, net, from the Intel merger contract termination and $33 million of restructuring income, net, from the previously disclosed reorganization and restructure of our Japan operations during 2022. Net profit for the full year of 2023 was $518 million, or $4.70 basic and $4.66 diluted earnings per share and included $290 million, net, due to the merger contract termination payment by Intel and $11 million restructuring income, net.

Cash flow generated from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $449 million. Investments in property and equipment, net for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $432 million and debt payments, net totaled $32 million.

6” Fab Consolidation Update
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the lower margin legacy of 150mm flows were discontinued in Fab1, with last Fab outs occurring in January 2025. The forward-looking strategic flows have been transferred into the Fab2 200mm factory. This strategic integration enables the Company to streamline its production processes, enhancing overall efficiency.

Business Outlook
Tower Semiconductor guides revenues for the first quarter of 2025 to be $358 million, with an upward or downward range of 5%. First quarter mid-range guidance reflects about 10% year-over-year growth.

Russell Ellwanger, Chief Executive Officer of Tower Semiconductor, stated:
“With the close of 2024, we are pleased with our progress, in having brought to market highly differentiated end application advancing platforms, hence strengthening our position for sustainable growth. Our 2025 revenue target is year-over-year growth, with sequential quarter-over-quarter revenue growth, and an acceleration in the second half of the year. This momentum is fueled by increasing production shipments as our previously announced capacity investments progress through the final stages of customer qualifications.”

Ellwanger further added: “Our commitment to customer partnered innovation and streamlined execution continues to drive our ability to meet the growing and evolving needs of our customers in a quickly changing business environment, whilst expanding our available market size and share. We look forward to the year ahead with confidence and enthusiasm.”

Teleconference and Webcast
Tower Semiconductor will host an investor conference call today, Monday, February 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time (9:00 a.m. Central time, 8:00 a.m. Mountain time, 7:00 a.m. Pacific time and 5:00 p.m. Israel time) to discuss the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 and its business outlook.

The call will be webcast and available through the Investor Relations section of Tower Semiconductor’s website at ir.towersemi.com. The pre-registration form required for dial-in participation is accessible here. Upon completing the registration, participants will receive the dial-in details, a unique PIN, and a confirmation email with all necessary information. To access the webcast, click here. The teleconference will be available for replay for 90 days.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company presents its financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The financial information included in the tables below includes unaudited condensed financial data. Some of the financial information, which may be used and/or presented in this release and/or prior earnings related filings and/or in related public disclosures or filings with respect to the financial statements and/or results of the Company, which we may describe as adjusted financial measures and/or reconciled financial measures, are non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G and related reporting requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as they apply to our Company. These adjusted financial measures are calculated excluding the following: (i) amortization of acquired intangible assets as included in our costs and expenses, (ii) compensation expenses in respect of equity grants to directors, officers, and employees as included in our costs and expenses, (iii) merger contract termination fees received from Intel, net of associated cost and taxes following the previously announced Intel contract termination as included in net profit in 2023 and (iv) restructuring income, net, which includes income, net of cost and taxes associated with the reorganization and restructure of our operations in Japan including the cessation of operations of the Arai facility, which occurred during 2022, as included in net profit. These adjusted financial measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, GAAP financial measures. The tables also present the GAAP financial measures, which are most comparable to the adjusted financial measures used and/or presented in this release, as well as a reconciliation between the adjusted financial measures and the comparable GAAP financial measures. As used and/or presented in this release and/or prior earnings related filings and/or in related public disclosures or filings with respect to the financial statements and/or results of the Company, as well as may be included and calculated in the tables herein, the term Earnings Before Interest Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization which we define as EBITDA consists of operating profit in accordance with GAAP, excluding (i) depreciation expenses, which include depreciation recorded in cost of revenues and in operating cost and expenses lines (e.g., research and development related equipment and/or fixed other assets depreciation), (ii) stock-based compensation expense, (iii) amortization of acquired intangible assets, (iv) merger contract termination fees received from Intel, net of associated cost following the previously announced Intel contract termination, as included in operating profit and (v) restructuring income, net in relation to the reorganization and restructure of our operations in Japan including the cessation of operations of the Arai facility, as included in operating profit. EBITDA is reconciled in the tables below and/or prior earnings-related filings and/or in related public disclosures or filings with respect to the financial statements and/or results of the Company from GAAP operating profit. EBITDA and the adjusted financial information presented herein and/or prior earnings-related filings and/or in related public disclosures or filings with respect to the financial statements and/or results of the Company, are not a required GAAP financial measure and may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure employed by other companies. EBITDA and the adjusted financial information presented herein and/or prior earnings-related filings and/or in related public disclosures or filings with respect to the financial statements and/or results of the Company, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating profit, net profit or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities, per share data or other profit or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. The term Net Cash, as may be used and/or presented in this release and/or prior earnings-related filings and/or in related public disclosures or filings with respect to the financial statements and/or results of the Company, is comprised of cash, cash equivalents, short-term deposits, and marketable securities less debt amounts as presented in the balance sheets included herein. The term Net Cash is not a required GAAP financial measure, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure employed by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash, debt, operating profit, net profit or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities, per share data or other profit or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. The term Free Cash Flow, as used and/or presented in this release and/or prior earnings related filings and/or in related public disclosures or filings with respect to the financial statements and/or results of the Company, is calculated to be net cash provided by operating activities (in the amounts of $101 million, $125 million and $126 million for the three months periods ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively and in the amounts of $449 million and $677 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (less cash used for investments in property and equipment, net (in the amounts of $93 million, $128 million and $136 million for the three months periods ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively and in the amounts of $432 million and $432 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively). The term Free Cash Flow is not a required GAAP financial measure, may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure employed by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating profit, net profit or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing, and financing activities, per share data or other profit or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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

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

Forward-Looking Statements
This release, as well as other statements and reports filed, stated and published in relation to this quarter’s results, includes certain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, among others, projections and statements with respect to our future business, financial performance and activities. The use of words such as “projects”, “expects”, “may”, “targets”, “plans”, “intends”, “committed to”, “tracking”, or words of similar import, identifies a statement as “forward-looking.” Actual results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements and you should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which describe information known to us only as of the date of this release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) demand in our customers’ end markets, (ii) reliance on acquisitions and/or gaining additional capacity for growth, (iii) difficulties in achieving acceptable operational metrics and indices in the future as a result of operational, technological or process-related problems, (iv) identifying and negotiating with third-party buyers for the sale of any excess and/or unused equipment, inventory and/or other assets, (v) maintaining current key customers and attracting new key customers, (vi) over demand for our foundry services resulting in high utilization and its effect on cycle time, yield and on schedule delivery, as well as customers potentially being placed on allocation, which may cause customers to transfer their business to other vendors, (vii) financial results that may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, making it difficult to forecast future performance, (viii) our debt and other liabilities that may impact our financial position and operations, (ix) our ability to successfully execute acquisitions, integrate them into our business, utilize our expanded capacity and find new business, (x) fluctuations in cash flow, (xi) our ability to satisfy the covenants stipulated in our agreements with our debt holders, (xii) pending litigation, (xiii) meeting the conditions set in approval certificates and other regulations under which we received grants and/or royalties and/or any type of funding from the Israeli, US and/or Japan governmental agencies, (xiv) receipt of orders that are lower than the customer purchase commitments and/or failure to receive customer orders currently expected, (xv) possible incurrence of additional indebtedness, (xvi) the effects of global recession, unfavorable economic conditions and/or credit crisis, (xvii) our ability to accurately forecast financial performance, which is affected by limited order backlog and lengthy sales cycles, (xviii) possible situations of obsolete inventory if forecasted demand exceeds actual demand when we create inventory before receipt of customer orders, (xix) the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the resulting periodic overcapacity, fluctuations in operating results and future average selling price erosion, (xx) financing capacity acquisition related transactions, strategic and/or other growth or M&A opportunities, including funding Agrate fab’s significant 300mm capacity investments and acquisition or funding of equipment and other fixed assets associated with the capacity corridor transaction with Intel as announced in September 2023, in addition to other capacity and capability expansion plans, and the possible unavailability of such financing and/or the availability of such financing on unfavorable terms, (xxi) operating our facilities at sufficient utilization rates necessary to generate and maintain positive and sustainable gross, operating and net profit, (xxii) the purchase of equipment and/or raw material (including purchases beyond our needs), the timely completion of the equipment installation, technology transfer and raising the funds therefor, (xxiii) product returns and defective products, (xxiv) our ability to maintain and develop our technology processes and services to keep pace with new technology, including artificial intelligence, evolving standards, changing customer and end-user requirements, new product introductions and short product life cycles, (xxv) competing effectively, (xxvi) the use of outsourced foundry services by both fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers, (xxvii) our dependence on intellectual property rights of others, our ability to operate our business without infringing others’ intellectual property rights and our ability to enforce our intellectual property against infringement, (xxviii) the Fab 3 landlord’s alleged claims that the noise abatement efforts made thus far are not adequate under the terms of the amended lease that caused him to request a judicial declaration that there was a material non-curable breach of the lease and that he would be entitled to terminate the lease, as well the ability to extend such lease or acquire the real estate and obtain the required local state and/or approvals required to be able to continue operations beyond the current lease term, (xxix) retention of key employees and recruitment and retention of skilled qualified personnel, (xxx) exposure to inflation, currency rates (mainly the Israeli Shekel, the Japanese Yen and the Euro) and interest rate fluctuations and risks associated with doing business locally and internationally, as well as fluctuations in the market price of our traded securities, (xxxi) meeting regulatory requirements worldwide, including export, environmental and governmental regulations, as well as risks related to international operations, (xxxii) potential engagement for fab establishment, joint venture and/or capital lease transactions for capacity enhancement in advanced technologies, including risks and uncertainties associated with the Agrate fab and the capacity corridor transaction with Intel as announced in September 2023, such as their qualification schedule, technology, equipment and process qualification, facility operational ramp-up, customer engagements, cost structure, required investments and other terms, which may require additional funding to cover their significant capacity investment needs and other payments, the availability of which funding cannot be assured on favorable terms, if at all, (xxxiii) potential liabilities, cost and other impacts that may be incurred or occur due to reorganization and consolidation of fabrication facilities, including the impact of cessation of operations of our facilities, including with regard to our 6 inch facility, (xxxiv) potential security, cyber and privacy breaches, (xxxv) workforce that is not unionized which may become unionized, and/or workforce that is unionized and may take action such as strikes that may create increased cost and operational risks, (xxxvi) the issuance of ordinary shares as a result of exercise and/or vesting of any of our employee equity, as well as any sale of shares by any of our shareholders, or any market expectation thereof, as well as the issuance of additional employee stock options and/or restricted stock units, or any market expectation thereof, which may depress the market value of the Company and the price of the Company’s ordinary shares and in addition may impair our ability to raise future capital, and (xxxvii) climate change, business interruptions due to floods, fires, pandemics, earthquakes and other natural disasters, the security situation in Israel, global trade “war” and the current war in Israel, including the potential inability to continue uninterrupted operations of the Israeli fab, impact on global supply chain to and from the Israeli fab, power interruptions, chemicals or other leaks or damages as a result of the war, absence of workforce due to military service as well as risk that certain countries will restrict doing business with Israeli companies, including imposing restrictions if hostilities in Israel or political instability in the region continue or exacerbate, and other events beyond our control. With respect to the current war in Israel, if instability in neighboring states occurs, Israel could be subject to additional political, economic, and military confines, and our Israeli facility’s operations could be materially adversely affected. Any current or future hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this release or which may otherwise affect our business is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F and 6-K, as were filed with the SEC and the Israel Securities Authority. Future results may differ materially from those previously reported. The Company does not intend to update, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, the information contained in this release.

TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)
	December 31,	December 31,
	2024	2023
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 271,894	$ 260,664
Short-term deposits	946,351	790,823
Marketable securities	—	184,960
Trade accounts receivable	211,932	154,067
Inventories	268,295	282,688
Other current assets	61,817	35,956
Total current assets	1,760,289	1,709,158
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET	1,286,622	1,155,929
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET	10,196	12,115
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS	23,378	41,315
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 3,080,485	$ 2,918,517
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Short-term debt	$ 48,376	$ 58,952
Trade accounts payable	130,624	139,128
Deferred revenue and customers’ advances	21,655	18,418
Other current liabilities	84,409	60,340
Total current liabilities	285,064	276,838
LONG-TERM DEBT	132,437	172,611
LONG-TERM CUSTOMERS’ ADVANCES	7,690	25,710
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	15,114	16,319
TOTAL LIABILITIES	440,305	491,478
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	2,640,180	2,427,039
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 3,080,485	$ 2,918,517

TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars and share count in thousands, except per share data)
	Three months ended
	December 31,	September 30,	December 31,
	2024	2024	2023
REVENUES	$ 387,191	$ 370,512	$ 351,711
COST OF REVENUES	300,338	277,451	267,294
GROSS PROFIT	86,853	93,061	84,417
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Research and development	20,622	19,867	20,849
Marketing, general and administrative	19,812	17,432	18,401
	40,434	37,299	39,250

OPERATING PROFIT	46,419	55,762	45,167
FINANCING AND OTHER INCOME, NET	8,315	6,104	16,682
PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX	54,734	61,866	61,849
INCOME TAX EXPENSE, NET	(2,149)	(7,026)	(10,130)
NET PROFIT	52,585	54,840	51,719
Net loss (profit) attributable to non-controlling interest	2,553	(193)	2,128
NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	$ 55,138	$ 54,647	$ 53,847
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 0.49	$ 0.49	$ 0.49
Weighted average number of shares	111,493	111,237	110,796
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 0.49	$ 0.49	$ 0.48
Weighted average number of shares	112,967	112,474	111,308
RECONCILIATION FROM GAAP NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY TO ADJUSTED NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY:
GAAP NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	$ 55,138	$ 54,647	$ 53,847
Stock based compensation	10,684	8,611	6,662
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	574	448	442
ADJUSTED NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	$ 66,396	$ 63,706	$ 60,951
ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic	$ 0.60	$ 0.57	$ 0.55
Diluted	$ 0.59	$ 0.57	$ 0.55

TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars and share count in thousands, except per share data)
	Year ended
	December 31,
	2024	2023
REVENUES	$ 1,436,122	$ 1,422,680
COST OF REVENUES	1,096,680	1,069,161
GROSS PROFIT	339,442	353,519
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Research and development	79,434	79,808
Marketing, general and administrative	74,964	72,454
Restructuring income, net *	(6,270)	(32,506)
Merger-contract termination fee, net **	—	(313,501)
	148,128	(193,745)

OPERATING PROFIT	191,314	547,264
FINANCING AND OTHER INCOME, NET	26,113	37,578
PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX	217,427	584,842
INCOME TAX EXPENSE, NET	(10,205)	(65,312)
NET PROFIT	207,222	519,530
Net loss (profit) attributable to non-controlling interest	642	(1,036)
NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	$ 207,864	$ 518,494
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 1.87	$ 4.70
Weighted average number of shares	111,153	110,289
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 1.85	$ 4.66
Weighted average number of shares	112,343	111,216
* Restructuring income, net resulted from the previously disclosed reorganization and restructure of our Japan operations during 2022.
** Merger-contract termination fee received from Intel during the third quarter of 2023, net of associated cost.

RECONCILIATION FROM GAAP NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY TO ADJUSTED NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY:
GAAP NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	$ 207,864	$ 518,494
Stock based compensation	33,837	27,931
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	1,918	1,923
Restructuring income, net ***	(2,634)	(11,224)
Merger-contract termination fee, net ****	—	(289,988)
ADJUSTED NET PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	$ 240,985	$ 247,136
ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic	$ 2.17	$ 2.24
Diluted	$ 2.15	$ 2.22
*** Restructuring income, net resulted from the previously disclosed reorganization and restructure of our Japan operations during 2022, net of tax.
**** Merger-contract termination fee received from Intel during the third quarter of 2023, net of associated cost and tax.

TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SOURCES AND USES REPORT (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)
	Three months ended
	December 31,	September 30,		December 31,
	2024	2024		2023
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – BEGINNING OF PERIOD	$ 270,979	$ 265,313		$ 314,816
Net cash provided by operating activities	100,816	124,743		126,098
Investments in property and equipment, net	(93,396)	(127,624)		(136,426)
Debt received (repaid), net	2,795	(16,402)		(8,950)
Effect of Japanese Yen exchange rate change over cash balance	(4,972)	5,537		2,101
Proceeds from (investment in) deposits, marketable securities and other assets, net	(4,328)	19,412		(36,975)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – END OF PERIOD	$ 271,894	$ 270,979		$ 260,664
	Year ended
	December 31,	December 31,
	2024	2023
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – BEGINNING OF PERIOD	$ 260,664	$ 340,759
Net cash provided by operating activities	448,682	676,561	*
Investments in property and equipment, net	(431,653)	(432,184)
Debt repaid, net	(32,455)	(32,346)
Proceeds from investment in subsidiary	—	1,932
Effect of Japanese Yen exchange rate change over cash balance	(4,758)	(5,395)
Proceeds from (investment in) deposits, marketable securities and other assets, net	31,414	(288,663)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – END OF PERIOD	$ 271,894	$ 260,664
* Merger-contract termination fee received from Intel during 2023, net of associated cost, in the amount of $313,501
was included within the net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023.

TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)
	Year ended
	December 31,	December 31,
	2024	2023
CASH FLOWS – OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net profit for the period	$ 207,222	$ 519,530
Adjustments to reconcile net profit for the period
to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income and expense items not involving cash flows:
Depreciation and amortization *	266,279	258,021
Effect of exchange rate differences and fair value adjustment	133	(1,632)
Other expense (income), net	24,721	(7,047)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	(60,169)	(3,160)
Other current assets	(33,992)	(9,541)
Inventories	4,778	8,682
Trade accounts payable	35,784	(8,254)
Deferred revenue and customers’ advances	(14,783)	(35,676)
Other current liabilities	22,021	(70,163)
Other long-term liabilities	(3,312)	25,801
Net cash provided by operating activities	448,682	676,561	**
CASH FLOWS – INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investments in property and equipment, net	(431,653)	(432,184)
Proceeds from (investments in) deposits, marketable securities and other assets, net	31,414	(288,663)
Net cash used in investing activities	(400,239)	(720,847)
CASH FLOWS – FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt repaid, net	(32,455)	(32,346)
Proceeds from investment in subsidiary	—	1,932
Net cash used in financing activities	(32,455)	(30,414)
EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE	(4,758)	(5,395)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	11,230	(80,095)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – BEGINNING OF PERIOD	260,664	340,759
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – END OF PERIOD	$ 271,894	$ 260,664
* Includes amortization of acquired intangible assets and stock based compensation in the amounts of $35,755
and $29,854 for the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
** Merger-contract termination fee received from Intel during the third quarter of 2023, net of associated cost, in the amount
of $313,501 was included within the net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The MIL Network –

February 11, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Opens Seventy-Seventh Session

Source: United Nations – Geneva

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights today opened its seventy-seventh session. The Committee adopted its agenda and programme of work for the session, during which it is scheduled to review the reports of Croatia, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda and the United Kingdom.

Opening the session, Wan-Hea Lee, Chief of the Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Urgent Actions Section, Human Rights Treaties Branch, Human Rights Council and Treaties Mechanisms Division, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, welcomed the five new members of the Committee: Lazhari Bouzid (Algeria), Peijie Chen (China), Charafat El Yedri Afailal (Morocco), Giuseppe Palmisano (Italy) and Laura Elisa Pérez (Mexico).

Despite the liquidity situation currently facing the United Nations, Ms. Lee said, the first sessions of all the treaty bodies this year would be held, allowing the important work undertaken by these bodies to proceed. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations more broadly had and would continue to do its utmost to ensure that their work could proceed to the maximum extent possible.

Ms. Lee reported that, at the upcoming fifty-eighth session of the Human Rights Council, a number of key panel discussions and interactive dialogues would be held that were of great relevance to economic, social and cultural rights, and the Council would also consider several reports related to the Committee’s mandate, including the Secretary-General’s report on the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights and the report of the intersessional workshop on cultural rights and the protection of cultural heritage. She was sure that the work of the Committee would guide some of these discussions.

In 2024, Ms. Lee said, significant efforts had been made to enhance indigenous peoples’ participation in human rights processes. A second intersessional meeting held in October 2024 explored ways to strengthen indigenous peoples’ involvement in United Nations processes. Indigenous peoples’ representatives also addressed the fifty-seventh session of the Human Rights Council in September 2024 for the first time as direct representatives of their communities and organizations. Resolution 57/15 of October 2024 would facilitate the engagement of indigenous peoples with the treaty bodies going forward. These developments were especially timely given this year’s celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Ms. Lee noted that two new instruments of accession were deposited at the end of the year. St Kitts and Nevis became the one hundred and seventy-third State Party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and Côte d’Ivoire became the thirtieth State party to its Optional Protocol. While welcoming the continued march toward universal ratification, the Office of the High Commissioner was mindful of current events and modern challenges which were regrettably affecting the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights across the globe. The High Commissioner, in a recent statement, noted the widespread pushback on multilateralism and how the challenges faced in 2024 were unlikely to let up in 2025, as conflicts continued and reemerged.

The High Commissioner had been consistently urging States to commit to the global pursuit of a human rights economy, Ms. Lee said. In a comment to the Social Forum in October 2024, he stressed that States needed to build inclusive human rights economies that prioritised people and planet. Addressing the Hernan Santa Cruz Dialogue in December last year, the High Commissioner highlighted the substantial transformation necessary in economic systems to ensure the delivery of economic, social and cultural rights to all peoples around the world. He said the world could not be based on a model that offered health for some, wealth for some, jobs for some, and rights for some.

Last year was particularly challenging, Ms. Lee said. In addition to chronic resource constraints, the liquidity crisis had and continued to hamper the planning and implementation of the Committees’ work. The Office was doing its utmost to ensure that the treaty bodies could implement their mandates. Nevertheless, all indications pointed to a continuation of the difficult liquidity situation for the foreseeable future, she said.

Ms. Lee said the treaty body strengthening process remained active. It had reached a key moment with the adoption last December of the biennial resolution on the treaty body system by the General Assembly. The resolution invited the treaty bodies and the Office to continue to work on coordination and predictability in the reporting process with the aim of achieving a regularised schedule for reporting and to increase their efforts to further use digital technologies. However, the biennial resolution did not endorse certain detailed proposals made by the Chairs and corresponding resources to implement them, such as for an eight-year predictable schedule of reviews.

The Office of the High Commissioner would continue to work alongside the Chairs and all the treaty body experts to strengthen the treaty body system, using all the opportunities at its disposal to advance this essential work, Ms. Lee said.

In concluding remarks, Ms. Lee said a heavy programme for the next three weeks was before the Committee. She commended the Committee’s efforts and work in preparation for such a substantial session and wished it continued success going forward.

Laura-Maria Craciunean-Tatu, Committee Chair, thanked the Office of the High Commissioner for expressing confidence in the work of the Committee, and its contribution to the continued and heightened protection of economic, social and cultural rights around the world, in the face of today’s evermore complex challenges and setbacks. The Committee also welcomed the accession by Saint Kitts and Nevis to the Covenant and of Côte d’Ivoire to the Optional Protocol. The Chair said that the review of the periodic report of Kenya, which was scheduled for this session, had been postponed to a future session.

Given today’s numerous challenges, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said, it was clear that the Committee’s work was as important as ever in holding up the importance of human rights frameworks as a tool towards peace and sustainable development. As such, the principles of equality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights, as well their justiciability, needed to continue to guide the approach of States parties and other stakeholders to addressing the many challenges being faced worldwide.

Ms. Craciunean-Tatu announced that, during the session, the Committee would work on the draft general comment on economic, social and cultural rights and the environmental dimension of sustainable development. It would also hold internal discussions on the draft general comment on drug policies and economic, social and cultural rights, the draft general comment on armed conflict and economic, social and cultural rights, and the draft statement on effective and socially just taxation for the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights.

Further, during the session, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu said, the Committee would adopt lists of issues regarding Cabo Verde, North Macedonia and Turkmenistan. It would also consider matters related to the Optional Protocol and follow up reports for Serbia and Uzbekistan, as well as proposals regarding individual communications made by its Working Group. Additionally, it would be engaging in an informal meeting with States, as well as in its annual meeting with non-governmental organizations. It would also engage with the Special Rapporteur on climate change and the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights.

Since the last session, Ms. Craciunean-Tatu reported, the Committee received the periodic reports of Canada, Ecuador, Slovakia, Egypt, Estonia, Zambia, Paraguay and Uganda, as well the initial report of Guinea Bisau. The Committee’s concluding observations based on the consideration of reports and the dialogues held in the session would be communicated to the respective States as of Friday, 28 February, and made available publicly on the following Monday, 3 March.

The Committee’s seventy-seventh session is being held until 28 February 2025. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Webcasts of the meetings of the session can be found here, and meetings summaries can be found here.

The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. this afternoon to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Croatia (E/C.12/HRV/2).

Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media;
not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

CESCR25.001E

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Obstacle to competition in France’s outlying territories: upholding EU law in the face of the high cost of living – P-000461/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-000461/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE), David Cormand (Verts/ALE), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Younous Omarjee (The Left), Nora Mebarek (S&D), Anthony Smith (The Left), Arash Saeidi (The Left), Emma Rafowicz (S&D), Pierre Jouvet (S&D), Emma Fourreau (The Left), Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D), Claire Fita (S&D), Manon Aubry (The Left), Damien Carême (The Left), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Jean-Marc Germain (S&D), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Rima Hassan (The Left)

France’s overseas territories suffer from an economic and social situation which is unacceptable: prices of basic necessities are considerably higher than in mainland France (+ 40% in Martinique, + 39% in French Guyana and + 78% in New Caledonia) and are reaching excessive levels. A number of official reports and independent investigations have uncovered quasi-monopolies and oligopolies, suggesting the existence of cartel and anti-competitive practices detrimental to the people living there.

It is therefore likely that in these territories EU legislation on the transparency of company accounts and the functioning of the internal market is being infringed. The French authorities have so far been unable to resolve these difficulties alone so as to enforce European law and protect citizens effectively.

1.Does the Commission intend to verify France’s application of Regulation (EC) No 250/2009 and, if necessary, open infringement proceedings?

2.Does it intend to launch an antitrust investigation against the Bernard Hayot Group and the groups that dominate the outermost regions’ markets in the distribution, transport, automotive, agriculture and banking sectors?

3.How can the concept of abuse of a dominant position be assessed differently in these sectors?

Submitted: 3.2.2025
Last updated: 10 February 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
February 11, 2025

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