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Category: Middle East

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales, Milrem Robotics, and EM&E Group sign a MoU for strategic cooperation in the United Arab Emirates

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales, Milrem Robotics, and EM&E Group sign a MoU for strategic cooperation in the United Arab Emirates

    February 18, 2025 — Abu Dhabi, UAE: Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, EM&E Group, a prominent defence technology provider, and Thales in Belgium, a subsidiary of Thales a global tech leader in defence, aerospace and cyber have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly address commercial cooperation in the United Arab Emirates.

    This MoU provides a framework that focuses on joint innovation and robotics capability integration projects. One of the main goals of this partnership is to integrate EM&E Group’s SECUTOR Remote Weapon Station together with Thales in Belgium’s 70mm rocket systems into Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS modular unmanned ground vehicle. This integration will enhance the operational capabilities of this platform, making it more versatile and suited to meet the specific needs of the UAE, particularly in terms of drones countermeasures (C-UAS).

    This system will be displayed by the EDGE Group at IDEX 2025, which will be held in Abu Dhabi from 17-21 February.

    The agreement also outlines opportunities for further collaborative development projects that combine the expertise of all three parties to advance cutting-edge defence solutions.

    “Milrem Robotics, EM&E Group, and Thales in Belgium share a vision of leveraging our combined technological strengths to address the evolving needs for robotic systems and to build efficient defence capabilities. Through this partnership, we aim to drive innovation, strengthen regional security, and contribute to the UAE’s defence and technological capabilities,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

    “We are excited to enter into this strategic partnership, bringing together cutting-edge technologies to meet defence needs in a rapidly evolving landscape. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing security and technological excellence, in keeping with the UAE’s vision for innovation in defence,” said Alain Quevrin, CEO of Thales in Belgium

    “It is an honour to participate in this strategic project, which will bring together the capabilities and technologies necessary for the development of a cutting-edge system such as the Secutor Rocket. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to respond to the needs of the ever-changing Defence sector”, said Javier Escribano, President of EM&E Group.

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

    The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.

    Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.

    About Thales in Belgium

    Thales Belgium, a subsidiary of the Thales Group, has operated in Belgium for over 50 years, serving three core markets — Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space and Digital Identity & Security — and developing products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

    Thales employs over 1,200 people in Belgium at nine sites (Herstal, Tubize, Brussels, Charleroi, Hasselt, Leuven, Zaventem and Hasselt). Thales Belgium consistently contributes to the country’s research and development programmes, in particular in key sectors of innovation such as quantum technologies, edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity.

    About Milrem

    milremrobotics.com

    About EM&E Group

    www.eme-es.com

    Media contacts

    Thales in Belgium

    Lou Uniak – lou.uniack@thalesgroup.com

    Thales Group

    Camille Heck – Camille.heck@thalesgroup.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: EU/Israel: Ministers should not ‘roll out the red carpet’ for Israeli foreign minister

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar to visit Brussels on Monday

    EU leaders will welcome Sa’ar whose prime minister and former defense minister are subject to arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity

    Israel’s military is actively engaged in committing crimes under international law, including genocide

    Commenting on EU foreign ministers hosting Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, in Brussels for the EU-Israel Association Council on Monday 24 February, Eve Geddie, Amnesty International’s Director at European Institutions Office, said:

    “It is unconscionable that the EU is rolling out the red carpet for Foreign Minister Sa’ar whose boss, Prime Minister Netanyahu, is wanted by the ICC.

    “Discussions on the EU’s future relationship with Israel should above all be premised on an insistence that Netanyahu and former defence minister Gallant face justice at the ICC for the crimes they are alleged to have committed, as well as on Israel’s adherence to international law and an end to apartheid.

    “EU leaders must put their commitments to international law, human rights and the ICC above carefully choreographed diplomatic conferences with Israel.

    “The EU’s shameful silence on threats to the ICC and lack of urgent practical mitigating measures gives the firm impression that the EU has prioritised relations with a government implicated in the commission of genocide and war crimes, over support to an institution which is pursuing individual accountability for these crimes.

    “EU leaders should be deciding what measures to take to prevent the EU from aiding Israeli genocide, apartheid and unlawful occupation instead of brushing these under the carpet for a diplomatic handshake in Brussels.”

    Israeli settlements

    Despite the International Court of Justice clearly laying out the responsibility of third states to prevent trade and investment that contributes to maintaining the unlawful occupation, the EU continues to trade and invest in Israeli settlements.

    Amnesty calls on the EU with over 160 civil society organisations and in our letter on 10 February urging leaders to use the meeting to present Israel with clear requests to address its grave violations of international law and ensure justice and reparation for crimes under international law, while laying out the consequences for the relationship between the EU and Israel if no action is taken. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: EU/Israel: Stop supporting Israel’s genocide, occupation and apartheid in Palestine and start upholding international law 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    On Monday 24 February, EU foreign ministers will host Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, in Brussels for the EU-Israel Association Council. It is the first time in the EU’s history that its leaders will welcome the foreign representative of a state whose prime minister and former defense minister are subject to arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity and whose military is actively engaged in committing crimes under international law, including genocide.

    “It is unconscionable that the EU is rolling out the red carpet for foreign minister Sa’ar whose boss, Prime Minister Netanyahu, is wanted by the ICC. Discussions on the EU’s future relationship with Israel should above all be premised on an insistence that Netanyahu and Gallant face justice at the ICC for the crimes they are alleged to have committed, as well as on Israel’s adherence to international law and an end to apartheid. EU leaders must put their commitments to international law, human rights and the ICC above carefully choreographed diplomatic conferences with Israel,” said Eve Geddie, Director at Amnesty International European Institutions Office.

    “The EU’s shameful silence on threats to the ICC and lack of urgent practical mitigating measures which it should have already taken following President Trump’s egregious sanctions on the ICC, gives the firm impression that the EU has prioritized relations with a government implicated in the commission of genocide and war crimes, over support to an institution which is pursuing individual accountability for these crimes.

    “EU Leaders should be deciding what measures to take to prevent the EU from aiding Israeli genocide, apartheid and unlawful occupation instead of brushing these under the carpet for a diplomatic handshake in Brussels.”

    Background

    Despite the International Court of Justice clearly laying out the responsibility of third states to prevent trade and investment that contributes to maintaining the unlawful occupation, the EU continues to trade and invest in Israeli settlements.

    For more information, see Amnesty International’s calls on the EU with over 160 civil society organizations and our letter on 10 February urging leaders to use the meeting to present Israel with clear requests to address Israel’s grave violations of international law and ensure justice and reparation for crimes under international law, while laying out the consequences for the relationship between the EU and Israel if no action is taken. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tomb of Egyptian pharaoh is first found in Luxor since Tutankhamun – here’s how we know who lay inside

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Claire Isabella Gilmour, PhD Candidate, Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Bristol

    Thutmose II was the fourth ruler of the illustrious ancient Egyptian 18th dynasty, which included Tutankhamun. Now, the location of his long-lost tomb, one of the last missing royal tombs, has been confirmed by the New Kingdom Research Foundation, a British-Egyptian archaeological team led by Piers Litherland. It’s the first pharaoh’s tomb to be discovered in Luxor for over a century.

    Thutmose II had a relatively short and uneventful reign, but his enduring legacy is his family. He was husband and half-brother of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, and father of Thutmose III, arguably ancient Egypt’s greatest military leader.

    Thutmose was himself of royal blood as a biological son of Thutmose I. But as his mother was only a minor wife, his marriage to Hatshepsut (also a daughter of Thutmose I, by his principal wife Ahmose) cemented his position in line to the throne.

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    Around 500 years after Thutmose II’s death, ancient Egyptian officials of the 21st dynasty realised that his tomb (and that of other royals from the New Kingdom) had become vulnerable to damage from flooding and the attentions of tomb robbers. They chose a secret place in the Theban cliffs to relocate the royal remains to.

    The mummified bodies of kings, queens and other significant people were interred in their new resting place near Hatshepsut’s temple. The entrance was well disguised by sand and rocks, and was inaccessible by foot. There they lay there until the late 19th century.



    Read more:
    The scent of the ancient Egyptian afterlife has been recreated – here’s what it smelled like

    When the area became known to Egyptologists in 1881, the cache was found to contain the bodies of, among others, Ramesses II, Seti I, Thutmose III and, of course, Thutmose II.

    They were moved from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Cairo, in a spectacular, globally broadcast parade to the newly opened National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in 2021. But the search for Thutmose II’s original tomb continued.

    Stone block relief showing Thutmose II, found at Karnak Temple in Luxor.
    WikiCommons, CC BY

    This tomb, designated C4, is located in a relatively inaccessible position. It is next to the magnificent mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, Thutmose’s principal wife and later pharaoh in her own right, at the site of Deir el-Bahri on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor.

    Discovered in 2022, the site is some 1.2 miles away from the Valley of the Kings, where tombs for Thutmose I and III and Hatshepsut were planned. Women of the royal family had been found there, so the initial theory was that this newly found tomb belonged to one of Thutmose’s lesser wives.

    The tomb was also blocked by flood debris. The excavation team had to work through a deep entrance staircase, collapsed ceilings, corridors filled with flooding debris, and tonnes of limestone fragments.

    What was in the tomb?

    Further exploration by the excavation team has now brought to light evidence that confirms the tomb is that of Thutmose II himself.

    Initial observations showed that the form of the entrance bore a strong resemblance to that of Hatshepsut’s KV20 tomb in the Valley of the Kings. It features a wide staircase, doorway and descending corridor, and therefore a significant space lay beyond.

    As the ceilings and walls were cleared, beautiful decoration of a starred sky and extracts from a funerary text known as the Amduat emerged, strongly suggesting that this was a king’s burial. Sifting through the limestone fragments revealed broken alabaster vessels bearing the king’s name and – crucially – that of Hatshepsut, reducing the list of potential candidates to just one.

    Even though C4 has otherwise been emptied of funerary goods such as sarcophagi, this is actually good news. It indicates that the tomb contents were moved elsewhere, perhaps due to the flooding. These items were not found with Thutmose II’s relocated body, so the search is still on to find them.

    Hatshepsut’s original tomb has not yet been found.
    Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC BY-SA

    Contrary to many reports, C4 is not the first royal tomb to be found since that of Tutankhamun in 1922 by Howard Carter. Pierre Montet’s excavations at the third intermediate period (1069–664BC) capital city of Tanis in the 1930s revealed the royal necropolis of the 21st and 22nd dynasties, with some undisturbed. However, C4 is the first since Tutankhamun in Luxor, and it is the last missing king’s tomb of the 18th dynasty.

    Still up for discovery are a handful of tombs belonging to other rulers of Egypt: Nefertiti; Ramesses XIII; the 21st-dynasty high priest of Amun, Herihor; Cleopatra VII; and Alexander the Great. Other significant tombs which may yet come to light are Ankhesenamun, wife of Tutankhamun, and the great architect Imhotep.

    Some of these tombs may never be found. But the New Kingdom Research Foundation are now looking to find the next stage in Thutmose II’s postmortem journey – where was he taken after C4, but before the royal cache in the Theban cliffs?

    Claire Isabella Gilmour 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. Tomb of Egyptian pharaoh is first found in Luxor since Tutankhamun – here’s how we know who lay inside – https://theconversation.com/tomb-of-egyptian-pharaoh-is-first-found-in-luxor-since-tutankhamun-heres-how-we-know-who-lay-inside-250433

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Codere Online Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Total revenue was €50.0 mm in Q4 2024, while net gaming revenue1 was €52.6 mm in the period, 5% above Q4 2023.
    • Net income excluding the non-cash variation in fair value of public warrants2 was €6.8 mm in 2024 versus a net loss of €4.0 mm in 2023.
    • Total cash position of €40.5 mm as of December 31, 2024.
    • Providing full year 2025 net gaming revenue outlook of €220-230 mm and Adj. EBITDA3 outlook of €10-15 mm.
    • The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan of up to $5.0 mm, subject to shareholder approval.

    Madrid, Spain and Tel Aviv, Israel, February 20, 2025 – (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Codere Online (Nasdaq: CDRO / CDROW, the “Company”), a leading online gaming operator in Spain and Latin America, has released its preliminary unaudited4 financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

    Below are the main financial and operating metrics of the period.

      Quarter ended December 31   Year ended December 31
      2023 2024 Chg. %   2023 2024 Chg. %
                   
    Net Gaming Revenue (EUR mm)1              
    Spain 20.8 22.8 10%   75.7 87.7 16%
    Mexico 25.1 25.1 –   81.7 106.6 30%
    Other 4.2 4.6 10%   14.5 17.3 19%
    Total 50.1 52.6 5%   171.9 211.6 23%
                   
    Avg. Monthly Active Players (000s)5              
    Spain 47.4 48.7 3%   42.3 49.7 17%
    Mexico 59.1 68.9 17%   52.5 64.4 23%
    Other 32.6 29.8 (9%)   33.5 30.8 (8%)
    Total 139.2 147.5 6%   128.3 144.9 13%

    Aviv Sher, CEO of Codere Online, stated, “We delivered another solid quarter, with net gaming revenue reaching €52.6 million, a 5% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. In Mexico, net gaming revenue was flat at €25.1 million, driven by the significant devaluation of the Mexican peso. On a constant currency basis, our growth in Mexico would have been 14%. Meanwhile, Spain continued to perform well, with net gaming revenue rising 10% to €22.8 million.”

    Oscar Iglesias, CFO of Codere Online, commented, “Our strong fourth-quarter performance brought our full-year net gaming revenue to nearly €212 million, 10% above the midpoint of our initial €185-200 million outlook from early 2024. More importantly, we delivered a fourth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, allowing us to reach €6.4 million for the full year, at the higher end of our outlook of €2.5-7.5 million.”

    Mr. Iglesias added, “We are very encouraged by our 2024 results and our ability to meet our commitment to investors despite the headwinds faced, mostly on the currency front. For 2025, we anticipate net gaming revenue of €220-230 million and Adj. EBITDA of €10-15 million. Also, we are pleased to announce an up to $5.0 million share buyback plan, subject to shareholder approval, which reflects our confidence in the business and future cash flow generation.”

    Recent Events

    Listing Extension from Nasdaq

    • Following a hearing on January 16, 2025, at which the Company presented its plan to regain compliance, the Nasdaq Hearings Panel granted the Company’s request to continue its listing on Nasdaq on February 12, 2025;
    • The extension is subject to the Company filing its 2023 annual report on or before May 12, 2025;
    • The Company continues to work diligently to complete and file its 2023 annual report as soon as possible and expects to do so within the extension period it has been granted.

    Implementation of a Share Buyback Plan

    • The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized (subject to obtaining shareholder approval) the repurchase of up to $5.0 million of the Company’s ordinary shares over a one-year period;
    • A general meeting of shareholders will be convened today and held on March 3, 2025 to approve the plan and the conditions under which it may be executed;
    • The share buyback plan does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated at any time. Repurchases of shares pursuant to the share buyback plan will be conducted in accordance with applicable law, including U.S. securities laws.

    New Tax in Colombia

    • On February 14, 2025, Colombia’s Ministry of Finance introduced, through executive decree, a value added (i.e. indirect) tax of 19% on all online deposits;
    • The tax will be effective on February 21, 2025, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2025, though we expect legal challenges from the industry with respect to its constitutionality;
    • The Company is currently assessing how it will respond from a legal and operating perspective to this tax and potential impacts on its business in Colombia.

    Conference Call Information

    Codere Online’s management will host a conference call to discuss the results and provide a business update at 8:30 am US Eastern Time today, February 20, 2025. Dial-in details as well as the audio webcast and presentation will be accessible on Codere Online’s website at www.codereonline.com. A recording of the webcast will also be available following the conference call.

    Reconciliation of Revenue (IFRS) to Net Gaming Revenue (non-IFRS)

      Quarter ended December 31   Year ended December 31
    Figures in EUR mm 2023 2024 Chg. %   2023 2024 Chg. %
                   
    Total              
                   
    Revenue 46.9 50.0 7%   162.6 201.4 24%
    (+) Accounting Adjustments6 3.1 2.6 (16%)   9.2 10.2 11%
    Net Gaming Revenue 50.1 52.6 5%   171.9 211.6 23%
                   
    Spain              
                   
    Revenue 20.8 22.8 10%   75.7 87.7 16%
    (+) Accounting Adjustments6 – – n.m.   – – n.m.
    Net Gaming Revenue 20.8 22.8 10%   75.7 87.7 16%
                   
    Mexico              
                   
    Revenue 22.6 22.3 (1%)   73.3 95.7 31%
    (+) Accounting Adjustments6 2.5 2.8 12%   8.4 10.9 30%
    Net Gaming Revenue 25.1 25.1 –   81.7 106.6 30%
                   
    Other              
                   
    Revenue 3.6 4.9 36%   13.7 17.9 31%
    (+) Accounting Adjustments6 0.6 (0.2) (133%)   0.8 (0.7) n.m.
    Net Gaming Revenue 4.2 4.6 10%   14.5 17.3 19%

    Reconciliation of Net Income (IFRS) to Adj. EBITDA (non-IFRS)7

      Quarter ended December 31   Year ended December 31
    Figures in EUR mm 2023 2024 Chg.   2023 2024 Chg.
                   
    Net Income (Loss) (1.0) 6.7 7.7   (3.1) 3.7 6.8
    (+/-) Provision for Corporate Income Tax (4.5) (1.0) 3.5   (7.2) 2.0 9.2
    (+/-) Interest Expense / (Income) 5.0 (1.6) (6.6)   (4.9) (4.4) 0.5
    (+/-) Var. In Fair Value of Public Warrants (0.2) (2.7) (2.5)   (0.9) 3.1 4.0
    (+) D&A 0.0 0.3 0.2   0.1 0.4 0.3
    EBITDA (0.7) 1.7 2.4   (16.0) 4.8 20.8
    (+) Employee LTIP Expense 0.9 0.1 (0.8)   3.5 1.7 (1.8)
    (+/-) Other Accounting Adjustments (4.3) 0.0 4.4   0.4 (0.1) (0.4)
    Adj. EBITDA (Pre Non-Recurring Items) (4.1) 1.9 6.0   (12.2) 6.4 18.6
    (+) Non-Recurring Items 0.0 0.0 0.0   0.5 0.0 (0.5)
    Adj. EBITDA (4.1) 1.9 6.0   (11.7) 6.4 18.1

    About Codere Online

    Codere Online refers, collectively, to Codere Online Luxembourg, S.A. and its subsidiaries. Codere Online, launched in 2014 as part of the renowned casino operator Codere Group, offers online sports betting and online casino through its state-of-the art website and mobile applications. Codere Online currently operates in its core markets of Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Panama and Argentina; this online business is complemented by Codere Group’s physical presence in Spain and throughout Latin America, forming the foundation of the leading omnichannel gaming and casino presence.

    About Codere Group
    Codere Group is a multinational group devoted to entertainment and leisure. It is a leading player in the private gaming industry, with four decades of experience and with presence in seven countries in Europe (Spain and Italy) and Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay).

    Note on Rounding. Due to decimal rounding, numbers presented throughout this report may not add up precisely to the totals and subtotals provided, and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this document may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Codere Online Luxembourg, S.A. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Codere Online”) or Codere Online’s or its management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, for example, statements about Codere Online’s financial performance and, in particular, the potential evolution and distribution of its net gaming revenue; any prospective and illustrative financial information; and changes in Codere Online’s strategy, future operations and target addressable market, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans as well as he Company’s expectations about the timing of completion and filing of the Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”), and statements related to the Company’s plan, timing and actions taken to regain compliance with the Listing Rule 5250(c)(1).

    These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this document and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Codere Online’s or its management team’s views as of any subsequent date, and Codere Online does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

    As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, Codere Online’s actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Codere Online does not presently know or that Codere Online currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include (i) changes in applicable laws or regulations, including online gaming, privacy, data use and data protection rules and regulations as well as consumers’ heightened expectations regarding proper safeguarding of their personal information, (ii) the impacts and ongoing uncertainties created by regulatory restrictions, changes in perceptions of the gaming industry, changes in policies and increased competition, and geopolitical events such as war, (iii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and identify and realize additional opportunities, (iv) the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which Codere Online operates, (v) the risk that Codere Online and its current and future collaborators are unable to successfully develop and commercialize Codere Online’s services, or experience significant delays in doing so, (vi) the risk that Codere Online may never achieve or sustain profitability, (vii) the risk that Codere Online will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, (viii) the risk that Codere Online experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations, (ix) the risk that third-party providers, including the Codere Group, are not able to fully and timely meet their obligations, (x) the risk that the online gaming operations will not provide the expected benefits due to, among other things, the inability to obtain or maintain online gaming licenses in the anticipated time frame or at all, (xi) the risk that Codere Online is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property, (xii) the risk that Codere Online’s securities may be delisted from Nasdaq and (xiii) the possibility that Codere Online may be adversely affected by other political, economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional information concerning certain of these and other risk factors is contained in Codere Online’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Codere Online or other matters and attributable to Codere Online or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above.

    Financial Information and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    Codere Online’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”), which can differ in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

    This document includes certain financial measures not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP or IFRS (“non-GAAP”), such as, without limitation, net gaming revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and constant currency information. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures of financial performance in accordance with U.S. GAAP or IFRS and may exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing Codere Online’s financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to revenue, net income, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under U.S. GAAP or IFRS. You should be aware that Codere Online’s presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies. In addition, the audit of Codere Online’s financial statements in accordance with PCAOB standards, may impact how Codere Online currently calculates its non-GAAP financial measures, and we cannot assure you that there would not be differences, and such differences could be material.

    Codere Online believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends in comparing Codere Online’s financial measures with other similar companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. These non-GAAP financial measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgments by management about which expense and income are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable measure under IFRS are included herein.

    This document may include certain projections of non-GAAP financial measures. Codere Online is unable to quantify certain amounts that would be required to be included in the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP or IFRS financial measures without unreasonable effort, due to the inherent difficulty and variability of accurately forecasting the occurrence and financial impact of the various adjusting items necessary for such comparable measures or such reconciliation that have not yet occurred, are out of our control, or cannot be reasonably predicted, ascertained or assessed, which could have a material impact on its future IFRS financial results. Consequently, no disclosure of estimated comparable U.S. GAAP or IFRS measures is included and no reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures is included.

    Use of Projections
    This document contains financial forecasts with respect to Codere Online’s business and projected financial results, including net gaming revenue and adjusted EBITDA. Codere Online’s independent auditors have not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the projections for the purpose of their inclusion in this document, and accordingly, they did not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance with respect thereto for the purpose of this document. These projections should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results. The assumptions and estimates underlying the prospective financial information are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the prospective financial information. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the prospective results are indicative of the future performance of Codere Online or that actual results will not differ materially from those presented in the prospective financial information. Inclusion of the prospective financial information in this document should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results contained in the prospective financial information will be achieved.

    For further information on the limitations and assumptions underlying these projections, please refer to Codere Online’s filings with the SEC.

    Preliminary Information
    This document contains figures, financial metrics, statistics and other information that is preliminary and subject to change (the “Preliminary Information”). The Preliminary Information has not been audited, reviewed, or compiled by any independent registered public accounting firm. This Preliminary Information is subject to ongoing review including, where applicable, by Codere Online’s independent auditors. Accordingly, no independent registered public accounting firm has expressed an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect to the Preliminary Information. During the course of finalizing such Preliminary Information, adjustments to such Preliminary Information presented herein may be identified, which may be material. Codere Online undertakes no obligation to update or revise the Preliminary Information set forth in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. The Preliminary Information may differ from actual results. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance upon this Preliminary Information. The Preliminary Information is not a comprehensive statement of financial results, and should not be viewed as a substitute for full financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, the Preliminary Information is not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved in any future period.

    No Offer or Solicitation
    This document does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

    Trademarks
    This document may contain trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of Codere Online or other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights referred to in this document may be listed without the TM, SM, © or ® symbols, but Codere Online will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, the rights of the applicable owners, if any, to these trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights.

    Industry and Market Data
    In this document, Codere Online relies on and refers to certain information and statistics obtained from publicly available information and third-party sources, which it believes to be reliable. Codere Online has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any such publicly-available and third-party information, does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such data and does not undertake any obligation to update such data after the date of this document. You are cautioned not to give undue weight to such industry and market data.

    Contacts:

    Investors and Media
    Guillermo Lancha
    Director, Investor Relations and Communications
    Guillermo.Lancha@codere.com
    (+34) 628.928.152

    1 Net Gaming Revenue is a non-IFRS measure; please see reconciliation of Net Gaming Revenue to Revenue at the end of the report.

    2 Net income excluding the non-cash variation in fair value of public warrants is a non-IFRS measure and reflects a net income of €3.7 mm (€3.1 mm net loss in 2023) excluding a €3.1 mm loss (€0.9 mm gain in 2023) from the variation in fair value of public warrants. Figures presented for illustrative purposes and do not include any potential impacts on the provision for corporate income taxes.

    3 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure; please see reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income at the end of the report. Net gaming revenue and Adjusted EBITDA outlooks are forward-looking non-IFRS measures; please see important disclaimers at the end of the report.

    4 See “Preliminary Information” below.        

    5 Average Monthly Active Players include real money (i.e. exclude free bets) sports betting and casino actives.

    6 Figures primarily reflect differences in recognition of revenue related to certain partner and affiliate agreements in place in Colombia, VAT impact from entry fees in Mexico and the impact from the application of inflation accounting (IAS 29) in Argentina.

    7 Please refer to page 26 of our Q4 2024 Earnings Presentation for further details regarding this reconciliation.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s video message to the 19th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean

    Source: United Nations – English

    strong>Download the video: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+31+Jan+25/3334563_MSG+SG+19TH+PLENARY+PAM+ROME+31+JAN+25.mp4

    Excellencies,

    Dear Parliamentarians,

    I am pleased to convey my warm greetings as you gather for this 19th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.

    Your region is an extraordinary bridge between continents, cultures and traditions.  And your collective voice resonates far beyond Mediterranean shores.

    As a former Parliamentarian myself, I greatly value that voice in addressing shared challenges. I know you are focusing on a number of those challenges at your Plenary Session. 

    As I look around the world, four tests stand out because they represent, at best, threats that could disrupt every aspect of our agenda and, at worst, upend our very existence:

    Rampant inequalities. 

    The raging climate crisis. 

    Out-of-control technology, including Artificial Intelligence without guardrails.

    And, of course, runaway conflicts.   

    As you know so well, the Middle East is in a period of profound transformation – rife with uncertainty, but also possibility.

    It is clear the region is being re-shaped.  But it is not clear what will emerge.  

    We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action. 

    In Gaza – that means – as we have long been calling for – the release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire and irreversible progress towards a two-State solution.

    In Lebanon – we are working to consolidate the cessation of hostilities, support a government where all Lebanese will feel represented, and a State that will be able to guarantee security to all its citizens.

    And in Syria – we are stand behind an inclusive process in which the rights of all are fully respected, and that paves the way towards a united and sovereign Syria with its territorial integrity fully reestablished.

    Finally, I want to thank you for your support for the implementing the UN Pact for the Future. 

    You understand that this ties directly to advancing trust – which you have rightly defined as a strategic issue – and to shaping global governance institutions fit for the 21st century.

    Once again, thank you for your vital voice and leadership.

    Let’s keep working for peace, sustainable development and human rights for the people of the Mediterranean region and our world.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Kaltura Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kaltura, Inc. (“Kaltura” or the “Company”), the video experience cloud, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, as well as outlook for first quarter and full year 2025.

    “We surpassed our guidance for the fourth quarter, delivering record total and subscription revenue, as well as the highest Adjusted EBITDA since the second quarter of 2020, fueled by record high gross margin. We also posted sequential and year-over-year growth in gross and net dollar retention rates, and in new bookings for the third quarter in a row,” said Ron Yekutiel, Co-founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaltura.

    “For the full year, we are pleased to report we achieved record annual subscription revenue, total revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA profit, surpassing our annual guidance for all. We also achieved record gross margin and cash flow from operations. We ended the year with record ARR and RPO, having delivered on our plans to reaccelerate new bookings and revenue throughout the second half of the year, and posted positive cash flow from operations for the year, for the first time since 2020.” Mr. Yekutiel continued, “As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we anticipate continued improvement in the market environment for enterprise video offerings, and believe our path to increased growth and profitability will be fueled by customer consolidation around our platform, maturity of our newer products, leveraging our exciting new generative artificial intelligence (“Gen AI”) capabilities, growth potential within our great customer base, and a regrowth of our sales force.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

    • Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $45.6 million, an increase of 3% compared to $44.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
    • Subscription revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $43.4 million, an increase of 6% compared to $40.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
    • Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) was $173.9 million, an increase of 6% compared to $164.7 million in 2023.
       
    • GAAP Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $32.3 million, representing a gross margin of 71% compared to a GAAP gross profit of $28.6 million and gross margin of 64% for the fourth quarter of 2023. 
       
    • Non-GAAP Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $32.6 million, representing a non-GAAP gross margin of 71%, compared to a non-GAAP gross profit of $29.1 million and non-GAAP gross margin of 65% for the fourth quarter of 2023. 
       
    • GAAP Operating loss was $3.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to an operating loss of $8.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
    • Non-GAAP Operating income was $1.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to a non-GAAP operating loss of $0.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
    • GAAP Net loss was $6.6 million or $0.04 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to a GAAP net loss of $12.1 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
    • Non-GAAP Net loss was $1.3 million or $0.01 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
       
    • Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Full Year 2024 Financial Highlights:

    • Revenue for the full year of 2024 was $178.7 million, an increase of 2% compared to $175.2 million for the full year of 2023.
       
    • Subscription revenue for the full year of 2024 was $167.7 million, an increase of 3% compared to $162.8 million for the full year of 2023.
       
    • GAAP Gross profit for the full year of 2024 was $119.1 million, representing a gross margin of 67% compared to a GAAP gross profit of $112.2 million and gross margin of 64% for the full year of 2023. 
       
    • Non-GAAP Gross profit for the full year of 2024 was $120.5 million, representing a gross margin of 67% compared to a non-GAAP gross profit of $113.8 million and gross margin of 65% for the full year of 2023. 
       
    • GAAP Operating loss was $24.1 million for the full year of 2024, compared to an operating loss of $38.7 million for the full year of 2023.
       
    • Non-GAAP Operating income was $2.7 million for the full year of 2024, compared a non-GAAP operating loss of $6.7 million for the full year of 2023.
       
    • GAAP Net loss was $31.3 million or $0.21 per diluted share for the full year of 2024, compared to a GAAP net loss of $46.4 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the full year of 2023.
       
    • Non-GAAP Net loss was $4.5 million or $0.03 per diluted share for the full year of 2024, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $14.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the full year of 2023.
       
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $7.3 million for the full year of 2024, compared to an Adjusted EBITDA of negative $2.5 million for the full year of 2023.
       
    • Net cash provided by operating activities was $12.2 million for the full year of 2024, compared to $8.3 million net cash used in operating activities for the full year of 2023.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Business Highlights:

    • Closed four new seven-digit deals and twenty-nine six-digit deals – the highest combined number of six and seven-digit deals since the third quarter of 2022.
    • Highest new subscription bookings since the fourth quarter of 2022 – third quarter in a row of sequential and year-over-year growth.
    • Sequential and year-over-year improvement in gross retention, and 103% Net Dollar Retention rate.
    • Launched Gen AI based “Class Genie” and “Work Genie” that power real-time hyper-personalized video-first experiences. Our Beta program for evaluating our Work and Class Genies saw strong interest from dozens of large organizations.
    • Kaltura’s Media and Telecom new Gen AI features for streaming services earned a place in the FEED Magazine 2024 Honors List, in the “Special Recognition in AI” category.

    Financial Outlook:

    For the first quarter of 2025, Kaltura expects:

    • Subscription Revenue to grow by 5%-7% year-over-year to between $43.4 million and $44.2 million.
    • Total Revenue to grow by 2%-4% year-over-year to between $45.7 million and $46.5 million.
    • Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

    For the full year ending December 31, 2025, Kaltura expects:

    • Subscription Revenue to grow by 2%-3% year-over-year to between $170.4 million and $173.4 million.
    • Total Revenue to grow 1%-2% year-over-year to between $179.9 million and $182.9 million.
    • Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $12.7 million to $14.7 million.

    The guidance provided above contains forward-looking statements and actual results may differ materially. Refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” below for information on the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Kaltura has not provided a quantitative reconciliation of forecasted Adjusted EBITDA to forecasted GAAP net loss within this press release because the Company is unable, without making unreasonable efforts, to calculate certain reconciling items with confidence. The reconciliation for Adjusted EBITDA includes but is not limited to the following items: stock-based compensation expenses, depreciation, amortization, financial expenses (income), net, provision for income tax, and other non-recurring operating expenses. These items, which could materially affect the computation of forward-looking GAAP net loss, are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, some of which are outside of the Company’s control. The guidance above is based on the Company’s current expectations relating to the macro-economic climate trends.

    Additional information on Kaltura’s reported results, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP measures, is included in the financial tables below.

    Investor Deck

    Our fourth quarter and full year 2024 Investor Deck has been posted in the investor relations page on our website at: www.investors.kaltura.com.         

    Conference Call

    Kaltura will host a conference call today on February 20, 2025 to review its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results and to discuss its financial outlook.

      Time: 8:00 a.m. ET  
      United States/Canada Toll Free: 1-877-407-0789  
      International Toll: 1-201-689-8562  
           

    A live webcast will also be available in the Investor Relations section of Kaltura’s website at: https://investors.kaltura.com/news-and-events/events

    A replay of the webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s web site approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and remain available for approximately 30 calendar days.

    About Kaltura

    Kaltura’s mission is to power any video experience for any organization. Our Video Experience Cloud offers live, real-time, and on-demand video products for enterprises of all industries, as well as specialized industry solutions, currently for educational institutions and for media and telecom companies. Underlying our products and solutions is a broad set of Media Services that are also used by other cloud platforms and companies to power video experiences and workflows for their own products. Kaltura’s Video Experience Cloud is used by leading brands reaching millions of users, at home, at school and at work, for communication, collaboration, training, marketing, sales, customer care, teaching, learning, virtual events, and entertainment experiences.

    Investor Contacts:
    Kaltura
    John Doherty
    Chief Financial Officer
    IR@Kaltura.com

    Sapphire Investor Relations
    Erica Mannion and Michael Funari
    +1 617 542 6180
    IR@Kaltura.com

    Media Contacts:
    Kaltura
    Nohar Zmora
    pr.team@kaltura.com

    Headline Media
    Raanan Loew
    raanan@headline.media
    +1 347 897 9276

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements regarding our future financial and operating performance, including our guidance; our business strategy, plans and objectives for future operations, including new products and capabilities and growth of our salesforce; our expectations regarding growth and profitability goals; and general economic, business and industry conditions, including expectations with respect to trends in customer consolidation and adoption of Gen AI technology.

    In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “positioned,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our historical performance and our current plans, estimates and expectations and are not a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change, and we disclaim any obligation to update the forward-looking statements in the future, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations.

    Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the current volatile economic climate and its direct and indirect impact on our business and operations; political, economic, and military conditions in Israel and other geographies; our ability to retain our customers and meet demand; our ability to achieve and maintain profitability; the evolution of the markets for our offerings; our ability to keep pace with technological and competitive developments; risks associated with our use of certain artificial intelligence and machine learning models; our ability to maintain the interoperability of our offerings across devices, operating systems and third-party applications; risks associated with our Application Programming Interfaces, other components in our offerings and other intellectual property; our ability to compete successfully against current and future competitors; our ability to increase customer revenue; risks related to our approach to revenue recognition; our potential exposure to cybersecurity threats; our compliance with data privacy and data protection laws; our ability to meet our contractual commitments; our reliance on third parties; our ability to retain our key personnel; risks related to revenue mix and customer base; risks related to our international operations; risks related to potential acquisitions; our ability to generate or raise additional capital; and the other risks under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as such factors are updated in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC, and as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, to be filed with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations page of our website at investors.kaltura.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Kaltura has provided in this press release and the accompanying tables measures of financial information that have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”), including non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin (calculated as a percentage of revenue), non-GAAP research and development expenses, non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP operating margin (calculated as a percentage of revenue), non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss per share and Adjusted EBITDA. Kaltura defines these non-GAAP financial measures as the respective corresponding GAAP measure, adjusted for, as applicable: (1) stock-based compensation expense; (2) the amortization of acquired intangibles; (3) facility exit and transition costs; (4) restructuring charges; and (5) war-related costs. Kaltura defines EBITDA as net profit (loss) before financial expenses (income), net, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (as defined above), adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance, such as non-cash stock-based compensation expenses, facility exit and transition costs, restructuring charges and other non-recurring operating expenses. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to Kaltura’s financial condition and results of operations. These non-GAAP metrics are a supplemental measure of our performance, are not defined by or presented in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net profit (loss) or any other performance measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures are presented because we believe that they provide useful supplemental information to investors and analysts regarding our operating performance and are frequently used by these parties in evaluating companies in our industry.

    By presenting these non-GAAP financial measures, we provide a basis for comparison of our business operations between periods by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. We believe that investors’ understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for comparing our ongoing results of operations. Additionally, our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental measures of our performance because they assist us in comparing the operating performance of our business on a consistent basis between periods, as described above. Although we use the non-GAAP financial measures described above, such measures have significant limitations as analytical tools and only supplement but do not replace, our financial statements in accordance with GAAP. See the tables below regarding reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

    Key Financial and Operating Metrics

    Annualized Recurring Revenue. We use Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) as a measure of our revenue trend and an indicator of our future revenue opportunity from existing recurring customer contracts. We calculate ARR by annualizing our recurring revenue for the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Recurring revenues are generated from SaaS and PaaS subscriptions, as well as term licenses for software installed on the customer’s premises (“On-Prem”). For the SaaS and PaaS components, we calculate ARR by annualizing the actual recurring revenue recognized for the latest fiscal quarter. For the On-Prem components for which revenue recognition is not ratable across the license term, we calculate ARR for each contract by dividing the total contract value (excluding professional services) as of the last day of the specified period by the number of days in the contract term and then multiplying by 365. Recurring revenue excludes revenue from one-time professional services and setup fees. ARR is not adjusted for the impact of any known or projected future customer cancellations, upgrades or downgrades or price increases or decreases. The amount of actual revenue that we recognize over any 12-month period is likely to differ from ARR at the beginning of that period, sometimes significantly. This may occur due to new bookings, cancellations, upgrades or downgrades, pending renewals, professional services revenue, foreign exchange rate fluctuations and acquisitions or divestitures. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue as it is an operating metric and is not intended to be a replacement or forecast of revenue. Our calculation of ARR may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies.

    Net Dollar Retention Rate. Our Net Dollar Retention Rate, which we use to measure our success in retaining and growing recurring revenue from our existing customers, compares our recognized recurring revenue from a set of customers across comparable periods. We calculate our Net Dollar Retention Rate for a given period as the recognized recurring revenue from the latest reported fiscal quarter from the set of customers whose revenue existed in the reported fiscal quarter from the prior year (the numerator), divided by recognized recurring revenue from such customers for the same fiscal quarter in the prior year (denominator). For annual periods, we report Net Dollar Retention Rate as the arithmetic average of the Net Dollar Retention Rate for all fiscal quarters included in the period. We consider subdivisions of the same legal entity (for example, divisions of a parent company or separate campuses that are part of the same state university system) ,as well as Value-add Resellers (“VARs”) (meaning resellers that directly manage the relationship with the customer) and the customers they manage, to be a single customer for purposes of calculating our Net Dollar Retention Rate. Our calculation of Net Dollar Retention Rate for any fiscal period includes the positive recognized recurring revenue impacts of selling new services to existing customers and the negative recognized recurring revenue impacts of contraction and attrition among this set of customers. Our Net Dollar Retention Rate may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including the growing level of our revenue base, the level of penetration within our customer base, expansion of products and features, and our ability to retain our customers. Our calculation of Net Dollar Retention Rate may differ from similarly titled metrics presented by other companies.

    Remaining Performance Obligations. Remaining Performance Obligations represents the amount of contracted future revenue that has not yet been delivered, including both subscription and professional services revenues. Remaining Performance Obligations consists of both deferred revenue and contracted non-cancelable amounts that will be invoiced and recognized in future periods. We expect to recognize 58% of our Remaining Performance Obligations as revenue over the next 12 months, and the remainder over the next four years. However, we cannot guarantee that any portion of our Remaining Performance Obligations will be recognized as revenue within the timeframe we expect or at all.

     
    Consolidated Balance Sheets (U.S. dollars in thousands; Unaudited)
     
        December 31,
          2024       2023  
    ASSETS        
    CURRENT ASSETS:        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 33,059     $ 36,684  
    Marketable securities     48,275       32,692  
    Trade receivables     19,978       23,312  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     9,481       8,410  
    Deferred contract acquisition and fulfillment costs, current     10,765       10,636  
             
    Total current assets     121,558       111,734  
    LONG-TERM ASSETS:        
    Marketable securities     3,379       5,844  
    Property and equipment, net     16,190       20,113  
    Other assets, noncurrent     2,983       3,100  
    Deferred contract acquisition and fulfillment costs, noncurrent     13,605       17,314  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     12,308       13,872  
    Intangible assets, net     212       689  
    Goodwill     11,070       11,070  
             
    Total noncurrent assets     59,747       72,002  
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 181,305     $ 183,736  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
    CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
    Current portion of long-term loans     3,110       1,612  
    Trade payables     3,265       3,629  
    Employees and payroll accruals     15,399       12,651  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     14,262       17,279  
    Operating lease liabilities     2,504       2,374  
    Deferred revenue, current     63,123       62,364  
    Total current liabilities     101,663       99,909  
    NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
    Deferred revenue, noncurrent     67       369  
    Long-term loans, net of current portion     29,153       33,047  
    Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent     15,263       17,796  
    Other liabilities, noncurrent     10,772       2,295  
             
    Total noncurrent liabilities     55,255       53,507  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   $ 156,918     $ 153,416  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:        
    Common stock     15       14  
    Treasury stock     (7,801 )     (4,881 )
    Additional paid-in capital     500,024       471,635  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     959       1,047  
    Accumulated deficit     (468,810 )     (437,495 )
             
    Total stockholders’ equity     24,387       30,320  
             
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 181,305     $ 183,736  
     
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (U.S. dollars in thousands, except for share data; Unaudited)
     
        Three Months ended
    December 31    		   Twelve Months ended
    December 31,
         2024    2023     2024       2023  
                     
    Revenue:                
                     
    Subscription   $ 43,414   $ 40,787   $ 167,681     $ 162,750  
    Professional services     2,195     3,689     11,036       12,422  
                     
    Total revenue     45,609     44,476     178,717       175,172  
                     
    Cost of revenue:                
                     
    Subscription     9,852     11,118     42,552       44,224  
    Professional services     3,476     4,712     17,059       18,714  
                     
    Total cost of revenue     13,328     15,830     59,611       62,938  
                     
    Gross profit     32,281     28,646     119,106       112,234  
                     
    Operating expenses:                
                     
    Research and development     12,970     12,737     49,430       52,400  
    Sales and marketing     12,345     12,309     47,766       48,798  
    General and administrative     10,759     12,420     46,009       48,718  
    Restructuring     —     —     —       973  
                     
    Total operating expenses     36,074     37,466     143,205       150,889  
                     
    Operating loss     3,793     8,820     24,099       38,655  
                     
    Financial expenses (income), net     1,238     1,847     (434 )     (1,200 )
                     
    Loss before provision for income taxes     5,031     10,667     23,665       37,455  
    Provision for income taxes     1,574     1,400     7,650       8,911  
                     
    Net loss     6,605     12,067     31,315       46,366  
                     
    Net loss per share   $ 0.04   $ 0.09   $ 0.21     $ 0.34  
                     
    Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share     150,452,462     141,791,191     147,925,797       138,237,017  
     
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (U.S. dollars in thousands, except for share data; Unaudited)
     
    Stock-based compensation included in above line items:
     
        Three Months ended
    December 31,    		   Twelve Months ended
    December 31,
         2024    2023    2024    2023
                     
    Cost of revenue   $ 195   $ 301   $ 1,002   $ 1,128
    Research and development     1,178     1,295     4,775     4,734
    Sales and marketing     518     840     2,701     3,187
    General and administrative     3,308     5,588     17,786     20,931
                     
    Total   $ 5,199   $ 8,024   $ 26,264   $ 29,980
     
    Revenue by Segment (U.S. dollars in thousands; Unaudited):
     
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
         2024    2023    2024    2023
                     
    Enterprise, Education and Technology   $ 32,958   $ 31,569   $ 128,704   $ 125,154
    Media and Telecom     12,651     12,907     50,013     50,018
                     
    Total   $ 45,609   $ 44,476   $ 178,717   $ 175,172
     
    Gross Profit by Segment (U.S. dollars in thousands; Unaudited):
     
        Three Months Ended
    December 31,    		   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,
         2024    2023    2024    2023
                     
    Enterprise, Education and Technology   $ 25,901   $ 22,998   $ 96,928   $ 91,624
    Media and Telecom     6,380     5,648     22,178     20,610
                     
    Total   $ 32,281   $ 28,646   $ 119,106   $ 112,234
     
    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (U.S. dollars in thousands; Unaudited)
     
        Twelve Months Ended December 31,
          2024       2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:        
    Net loss   $ (31,315 )   $ (46,366 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
    Depreciation and amortization     5,064       4,717  
    Stock-based compensation expenses     26,264       29,980  
    Amortization of deferred contract acquisition and fulfillment costs     11,447       11,669  
    Non-cash interest income, net     (1,219 )     (1,023 )
    Gain on foreign exchange     (90 )     (728 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
    Decrease in trade receivables     3,334       5,475  
    Decrease (Increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets, noncurrent     (949 )     648  
    Increase in deferred contract acquisition and fulfillment costs     (7,497 )     (6,561 )
    Decrease in trade payables     (534 )     (5,884 )
    Increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities     5,376       797  
    Increase (Decrease) in employees and payroll accruals     2,748       (2,233 )
    Increase (Decrease) in other liabilities, noncurrent     (14 )     443  
    Increase in deferred revenue     458       1,626  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, net     (840 )     (863 )
             
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     12,233       (8,303 )
             
    Cash flows from investing activities:        
             
    Investment in available-for-sale marketable securities     (50,874 )     (47,708 )
    Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale marketable securities     38,981       51,976  
    Purchases of property and equipment     (521 )     (2,607 )
    Capitalized internal-use software development costs     —       (1,493 )
    Investment in restricted bank deposit     —       (1,751 )
             
    Net cash used in investing activities     (12,414 )     (1,583 )
             
    Cash flows from financing activities:        
             
    Proceeds from long-term loans     —       3,500  
    Repayment of long-term loans     (2,187 )     (4,500 )
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options     1,620       1,383  
    Payment of debt issuance costs     (17 )     (274 )
    Repurchase of common stock     (2,920 )     —  
    Payments on account of repurchase of common stock     (30 )     —  
             
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (3,534 )     109  
             
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $ 90     $ 728  
             
    Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $ (3,625 )   $ (9,049 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year     36,784       45,833  
             
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year   $ 33,159     $ 36,784  
     
    Reconciliation from GAAP to Non-GAAP Results (U.S. dollars in thousands; Unaudited)
     
        Three Months   Twelve Months
        Ended December 31,   Ended December 31,
          2024       2023       2024       2023  
    Reconciliation of gross profit and gross margin                
    GAAP gross profit   $ 32,281     $ 28,646     $ 119,106     $ 112,234  
    Stock-based compensation expense     195       301       1,002       1,128  
    Amortization of acquired intangibles     107       107       427       426  
    Non-GAAP gross profit   $ 32,583     $ 29,054     $ 120,535     $ 113,788  
    GAAP gross margin     71 %     64 %     67 %     64 %
    Non-GAAP gross margin     71 %     65 %     67 %     65 %
    Reconciliation of operating expenses                
    GAAP research and development expenses   $ 12,970     $ 12,737     $ 49,430     $ 52,400  
    Stock-based compensation expense     1,178       1,295       4,775       4,734  
    Amortization of acquired intangibles     —       —       —       —  
    Non-GAAP research and development expenses   $ 11,792     $ 11,442     $ 44,655     $ 47,666  
    GAAP sales and marketing   $ 12,345     $ 12,309     $ 47,766     $ 48,798  
    Stock-based compensation expense     518       840       2,701       3,187  
    Amortization of acquired intangibles     11       13       50       128  
    Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses   $ 11,816     $ 11,456     $ 45,015     $ 45,483  
    GAAP general and administrative expenses   $ 10,759     $ 12,420     $ 46,009     $ 48,718  
    Stock-based compensation expense     3,308       5,588       17,786       20,931  
    Amortization of acquired intangibles     —       —       —       —  
    Facility exit and transition costs (a)     —       —       —       154  
    War related costs (b)     22       331       44       331  
    Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses   $ 7,429     $ 6,501     $ 28,179     $ 27,302  
    Reconciliation of operating loss and operating margin                
    GAAP operating loss   $ (3,793 )   $ (8,820 )   $ (24,099 )   $ (38,655 )
    Stock-based compensation expense     5,199       8,024       26,264       29,980  
    Amortization of acquired intangibles     118       120       477       554  
    Restructuring (c)     —       —       —       973  
    Facility exit and transition costs (a)     —       —       —       154  
    War related costs (b)     22       331       44       331  
    Non-GAAP operating income ( loss)   $ 1,546     $ (345 )   $ 2,686     $ (6,663 )
    GAAP operating margin     (8 )%     (20 )%     (13 )%     (22 )%
    Non-GAAP operating margin     3 %     (1 )%     2 %     (4 )%
    Reconciliation of net loss                
    GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (6,605 )   $ (12,067 )   $ (31,315 )   $ (46,366 )
    Stock-based compensation expense     5,199       8,024       26,264       29,980  
    Amortization of acquired intangibles     118       120       477       554  
    Restructuring (c)     —       —       —       973  
    Facility exit and transition costs (a)     —       —       —       154  
    War related costs (b)     22       331       44       331  
    Non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (1,266 )   $ (3,592 )   $ (4,530 )   $ (14,374 )
                     
    Non-GAAP net loss per share – basic and diluted   $ 0.01     $ 0.03     $ 0.03     $ 0.10  

            

     
    Adjusted EBITDA (U.S. dollars in thousands; Unaudited)
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
       
    Net loss $ (6,605 )   $ (12,067 )   $ (31,315 )   $ (46,366 )
    Financial expenses (income), net (d)   1,238       1,847       (434 )     (1,200 )
    Provision for income taxes   1,574       1,400       7,650       8,911  
    Depreciation and amortization   1,230       1,308       5,065       4,717  
    EBITDA   (2,563 )     (7,512 )     (19,035 )     (33,938 )
    Non-cash stock-based compensation expense   5,199       8,024       26,264       29,980  
    Facility exit and transition costs (a)   —       —       —       154  
    Restructuring (c)   —       —       —       973  
    War related costs (b)   22       331       44       331  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 2,658     $ 843     $ 7,273     $ (2,500 )
    (a)   Facility exit and transition costs for the year ended December 31, 2023, include losses from sale of fixed assets and other costs associated with moving to our temporary office in Israel.
    (b)   The years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 include costs related to conflicts in Israel. These costs are attributable to the temporary relocation of key employees from Israel for business continuity purposes, the purchase of emergency equipment for key employees, charitable donations to communities directly impacted by the war, and office fixes and modifications.
    (c)   The year ended December 31, 2023 includes employee termination benefits incurred in connection with our 2023 reorganization plan.
    (d)   The three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 include $551, $692, $2,682 and $3,178, respectively, of interest expenses and $902, $538, $3,355, and $2,735, respectively, of interest income.
    Reported KPIs
     
        December 31,
         2024    2023
        (U.S. dollars amounts in thousands)
    Annualized Recurring Revenue             $ 173,900   $ 164,723
    Remaining Performance Obligations             $ 203,379   $ 185,305
     
        Three Months Ended December 31,
        2024     2023  
    Net Dollar Retention Rate             103 %   98 %

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Meeting of Wednesday 12 March 2025, Strasbourg – Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

    Source: European Parliament

    The Delegation will hold an exchange of views on Lebanon’s political priorities following the election of President Joseph Aoun on 9 January 2025 with:

    • H.E. Mr Fadi HAJALI, Ambassador of Lebanon to the EU
    • Ambassador Sandra DE WAELE, Head of the EU Delegation in Lebanon

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Take part in the ESU Olympiad and get admitted to a master’s degree program on a budget

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The State University of Management invites you to take part in the II Eurasian Olympiad – the international student Olympiad of the Eurasian Network University.

    SUM is a member of the Eurasian Network University and a co-organizer of the ESU Olympiad. It should be noted that it is held in Russian in an online format by participating universities with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, as well as the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).

    This year the Olympiad is held in the form of a personal championship in 5 profiles:

    Economics and Management; International Relations and Humanities; Information and Computer Sciences; Biomedicine and Cognitive Sciences; Engineering and Future Technologies.

    Students and graduates of Russian and foreign universities who are receiving or already have higher education (bachelor’s or specialist’s degree level) and who are citizens of member countries and observer states of the Eurasian Economic Union can take part:

    Russian Federation; Republic of Belarus; Republic of Kazakhstan; Republic of Armenia; Kyrgyz Republic; Republic of Moldova; Republic of Uzbekistan; Republic of Cuba; Islamic Republic of Iran.

    Registration and portfolio submission are available until March 16 on the official website of the Olympiad. The winners of the selection round will be invited to online interviews, which will be held from March 24 to 30.

    Winners and prize winners of the main track of the Olympiad (except for citizens of the Russian Federation) have the opportunity to enroll in budget places in master’s programs of Russian universities participating in the ESU in areas of training in accordance with the declared profile of the Olympiad.

    Citizens of the Russian Federation and other EAEU countries, including observer countries, can take part in the international track of the Olympiad, the winners and prize winners of which will qualify for benefits and preferences provided by Russian and foreign universities of the ESU for the development of student exchanges, summer schools, scientific and educational cooperation and dual degree programs.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/20/2025

    II Евразийской олимпиаде – международной студенческой олимпиаде Евразийского сетевого университета….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/7ioj804y4G4.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8-%d1%83%d1%87%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%b5-%d0%b2-%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%bf%d0%b8%d0%b0%d0%b4%d0%b5-%d0%b5%d1%81%d1%83-%d0%b8-%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82%d1%83%d0%bf/”>

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video message to the 19th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Download the video: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+31+Jan+25/3334563_MSG+SG+19TH+PLENARY+PAM+ROME+31+JAN+25.mp4

    Excellencies,

    Dear Parliamentarians,

    I am pleased to convey my warm greetings as you gather for this 19th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.

    Your region is an extraordinary bridge between continents, cultures and traditions.  And your collective voice resonates far beyond Mediterranean shores.

    As a former Parliamentarian myself, I greatly value that voice in addressing shared challenges. I know you are focusing on a number of those challenges at your Plenary Session. 

    As I look around the world, four tests stand out because they represent, at best, threats that could disrupt every aspect of our agenda and, at worst, upend our very existence:

    Rampant inequalities. 

    The raging climate crisis. 

    Out-of-control technology, including Artificial Intelligence without guardrails.

    And, of course, runaway conflicts.   

    As you know so well, the Middle East is in a period of profound transformation – rife with uncertainty, but also possibility.

    It is clear the region is being re-shaped.  But it is not clear what will emerge.  

    We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action. 

    In Gaza – that means – as we have long been calling for – the release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire and irreversible progress towards a two-State solution.

    In Lebanon – we are working to consolidate the cessation of hostilities, support a government where all Lebanese will feel represented, and a State that will be able to guarantee security to all its citizens.

    And in Syria – we are stand behind an inclusive process in which the rights of all are fully respected, and that paves the way towards a united and sovereign Syria with its territorial integrity fully reestablished.

    Finally, I want to thank you for your support for the implementing the UN Pact for the Future. 

    You understand that this ties directly to advancing trust – which you have rightly defined as a strategic issue – and to shaping global governance institutions fit for the 21st century.

    Once again, thank you for your vital voice and leadership.

    Let’s keep working for peace, sustainable development and human rights for the people of the Mediterranean region and our world.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE discussed cooperation in agriculture

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Patrushev met with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, First Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

    February 20, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev met with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, First Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

    February 20, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev met with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, First Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

    Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev met with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates, First Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. The main topics of the talks were cooperation in the field of agriculture and the financial and banking sector.

    “The relations between our countries are developing dynamically. We sincerely appreciate the constructive dialogue that has been built in many areas. One of the key areas is the agro-industrial complex. Over the past year, the turnover of agricultural products and food between the countries has grown by almost a third. We expect that this positive trend will continue this year,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Russian Deputy Prime Minister added that our country is ready to increase supplies of grain, meat and confectionery products to the United Arab Emirates. Russia is actively developing the production and export of halal products that meet all the standards applied in the UAE.

    The meeting also considered the possibility of intensifying dialogue between financial institutions of the two countries.

    The discussion of bilateral issues was attended by the Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, the Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, the Director of the Department of Economy and Tourism of the Emirate of Dubai Hilal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri and the UAE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Mohammed Ahmed Sultan Essa Al Jaber.

     

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dubai International Financial Center marks 20 years, strengthens ties with China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has strengthened its position as the leading financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region after 20 years of growth, with a strong focus on deepening economic ties with China.

    In recent years, the center has witnessed a notable rise in the number of Chinese companies joining its ecosystem, further establishing Dubai as a key gateway for Chinese financial institutions seeking access to the Middle East and the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, according to press releases issued recently by Dubai authorities. 

    In 2024, DIFC reported a 25% year-on-year increase in active companies, reaching a total of 6,920 firms, with a significant surge in the number of Chinese financial institutions and multinational corporations establishing a presence. Notably, China’s Bank of Communications inaugurated its regional headquarters in DIFC in November 2024, following in the footsteps of other Chinese financial giants such as the Agricultural Bank of China and the Bank of China. Collectively, these Chinese institutions now account for over 30% of DIFC’s total banking and capital markets assets, solidifying Dubai’s reputation as the UAE’s largest hub for Chinese financial firms.

    “DIFC has become the financial center of choice for Chinese entities within the finance sector as well as multinational companies,” said Arif Amiri, chief executive officer of DIFC Authority. “We remain committed to providing Chinese businesses with the best-in-class platform that will help shape their growth and expansion within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.”

    The growing role of Chinese financial institutions in Dubai is also evident in their active participation in the bond market. Chinese banks have been issuing bonds on Nasdaq Dubai, including green bonds that fund renewable energy, clean transportation and water desalination projects across the UAE and beyond. Most recently, in November 2024, bonds worth $2 billion were listed on Nasdaq Dubai by China’s Ministry of Finance.

    In 2024, DIFC achieved impressive performances across multiple sectors. The center’s combined revenues reached $484 million, a 37% increase from the previous year, with operating profit soaring 55% to $363 million. The technology and innovation sector was a standout performer, growing by 38% to 1,245 companies in 2024.

    Looking ahead, DIFC remains committed to expanding its financial and technology sectors, with major initiatives such as the Dubai AI Campus, and the upcoming DIFC Funds Center, which is set to open in 2025. These efforts, combined with Dubai’s ambition to become the top global financial center, further highlight DIFC’s role in attracting Chinese businesses and fostering long-term growth across the region, according to press releases from the center. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era.
    A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows:
    To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide.
    I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum.
    As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one.
    I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability.
    Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community.
    I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs.
    As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions:
    First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity.
    Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost.
    I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. 
    Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world.
    Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains. 
    For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains.
    As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position. 
    We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security.
    Third, let’s unite to usher in peace.
    China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
    As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security.
    Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you.
    Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cohen’s Statement on Support for Ukraine

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

    MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the House Ranking Member on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, made the following statement on his support for Ukraine as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly prepares to meet in Vienna:

    “As the House Ranking Member of the Helsinki Commission, the U.S. delegation to the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), which is convening this weekend in Vienna for its Annual Meeting, I have strongly supported Ukraine as a free and democratic country since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022. 

    “As Hannah Arendt would say, it is ‘preposterous’ to suggest Ukraine started this war. By parroting this and other Russian propaganda, President Trump is betraying and abandoning President Zelensky who is fighting on behalf of the entire free world. Despite enduring military and civilian casualties, continued bombings and war crimes including child abductions, the people of Ukraine have maintained pride in their country and love for democracy by fighting on. 

    “I am appalled by the conduct of President Trump who ordered U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia that not only excluded our European allies but excluded Ukraine itself. If this war is to come to a successful conclusion, Ukraine and all our NATO allies need to be at the negotiating table. We cannot discuss the future of Ukraine without Ukraine. There must be security assurances and mechanisms strong enough to enforce peace by deterring Putin from starting any new wars. 

    “I advise President Trump not to believe Putin so readily. Putin has a terrible track record for telling the truth including saying he wouldn’t invade Ukraine days before doing it and refusing to call his war anything other than a ‘special military operation.’ 

    “I will continue my strong support for Ukraine and admire the work of President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine. They are on the front lines of democracy and are fighting for democracy in Europe and around the world.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy News – Statement on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s Double Standards in Engagement – PFNZ

    Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    We are deeply disappointed that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to meet with the New Zealand Jewish Council while repeatedly refusing multiple requests from Palestinians and their allies for a meeting. This blatant double standard is unacceptable and undermines the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and balanced political engagement.

    Palestinians in New Zealand, alongside their allies, have consistently sought an open and constructive dialogue with the Prime Minister to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the ongoing occupation, and New Zealand’s role in advocating for justice and human rights. Despite our repeated requests, the Prime Minister has refused to meet with us, sending a clear message that Palestinian voices are not valued in his government’s decision-making process.

    New Zealand has a proud history of standing for justice, human rights, and the dignity of all people. By selectively engaging with certain communities while excluding others, Prime Minister Luxon is failing to uphold these values. We urge him to end this double standard and meet with Palestinian representatives in good faith—anything less is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of New Zealand’s commitment to fairness and equity.

    Maher Nazzal
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Boosting First Nations trade and investment

    Source: Minister for Trade

    The Albanese Labor Government is backing First Nations people, businesses and communities to take up new trade and investment opportunities through a new First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group.

    Growing trade and investment links for First Nations people delivers well paying, secure jobs in communities across Australia. We know that First Nations businesses who export generated over $670 million in revenue in 2022-23 and typically employed over seven times more workers than other First Nations businesses.

    The group will help First Nations businesses tap into a wide array of trade and economic opportunities, including our recently signed free trade agreement with United Arab Emirates, so that First Nations businesses can reap more of the benefits from international trade.

    By establishing this pilot Advisory Group we are delivering on our commitment to share the benefits of trade widely across our community.

    The membership includes a range of First Nations business leaders, industry groups and experts in international trade including:

    • Mr Bevan Mailman, Desert Springs Octopus
    • Mr Joshua Gilbert, Gilbert Consulting
    • Mr Cameron Costello, Costello Consultancy
    • Mr Brian Bero, First Nations Clean Energy Network
    • Ms Sharon Brindley, First Nations Bushfood and Botanical Alliance Australia
    • Mr Michael Dickerson, Gambarra Kaha
    • Ms Shannon McGuire, Kirrikin Foundation
    • Ms Leah Armstrong, First Nations Representative on the Indigenous Peoples Economic Trade and Cooperation Agreement (IPETCA)
    • Mr Leslie Delaforce, Dreamspark
    • Ms Jenny Wardrop, Supply Nation Representative
    • Ms Michelle Deshong, Deshong Consulting

    More information, including terms of reference, will be available at Advisory Group webpage.

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell:

    “Our First Nations people were our first traders, exchanging goods with Makassan seafarers from Indonesia.

    “These days First Nations businesses export a range of goods including native botanicals, art, design, cyber and clean energy solutions to the world markets.

    “We know First Nations business involved in trade create more jobs and grow faster.

    “That’s why our government is focussed on helping more First Nations businesses tap into the many opportunities provided by exporting to the world.”

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy:

    “First Nations Australians are the holders of traditional knowledge and culture, and these perspectives can only benefit Australia’s international trade and investment agenda.

    “Initiatives like the First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group ensure First Nations perspectives, experiences and interests are embedded in our international economic agenda.

    “Working in partnership demonstrates the value of knowledge sharing and can deliver real, long-term economic empowerment and self-determination for First Nations Australians.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lebanon recovers three antiquities from Switzerland

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture received on Wednesday three archaeological artifacts confiscated by Swiss authorities, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.

    The artifacts, which had been illegally removed from Lebanon, include a blue glass bottle with raised decorations, a small headless statue of the goddess Aphrodite dating from the 2nd-3rd century BC, and a small bronze statue from the 2nd century BC.

    The handover is part of the Ministry of Culture’s efforts to protect Lebanon’s cultural heritage and was coordinated with the Lebanese Embassy in Switzerland, according to the NNA.

    The ministry reiterated its commitment to combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property and recovering looted artifacts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Egypt announces 1st discovery of royal tomb in over 100 years

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Egypt has identified the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, the last lost royal tomb of the kings of the 18th Dynasty, in the Theban mountain region west of Luxor, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced.

    It marks the first discovery of a royal tomb since King Tutankhamun’s tomb was unearthed in 1922, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the ongoing excavations by a joint Egyptian-British archaeological mission, which continue to unveil treasures of Egypt’s ancient civilization.

    The joint mission initially found the tomb’s entrance and main corridor in 2022, but experts then believed it might belong to a queen due to its proximity to the tombs of royal wives, according to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

    “This is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in recent years, as the artifacts uncovered are a significant addition to the history of the site and the era of King Thutmose II,” the SCA chief added.

    He noted that this was also the first time the funerary furniture belonging to Thutmose II had been found.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Abu Dhabi to enhance trade, investment with China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) is currently leading a high-level delegation of 140 government and business leaders on an official visit to China. The visit, which commenced on Feb. 17, aims to further strengthen partnership with a leading economy and cement Abu Dhabi’s stature as a global magnet for talent, businesses and investment.

    The delegation is meeting with senior government officials, key businesses and investors in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong to explore business opportunities and foster strategic relations with their Chinese counterparts.

    During the visit, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the Abu Dhabi Global Market hosted the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in Beijing on Feb. 18 under the theme “Invest with Abu Dhabi.” Meanwhile, an additional session of the forum will be held in Shanghai on Feb. 20.

    The ADIF features a comprehensive agenda, including keynote addresses, panel discussions and bilateral meetings with delegates representing various sectors of Abu Dhabi’s economy. Industry experts, including executives from institutions such as Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Mubadala, HSBC and Gulf Capital, provided in-depth insights into the emirate’s investment landscape, showcasing opportunities in technology, financial services, health care and trade.

    Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce, held the Business Connect-Abu Dhabi-Shanghai in Shanghai on Feb. 19. The event focused on strengthening economic relations and partnerships between the business communities in Abu Dhabi and China.

    Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADDED, said: “Our longstanding relations with China are going from strength to strength, as reflected by the growth of bilateral trade and mutual investments over the past few years, and we are doubling down our efforts to take it to the next level by deepening cooperation and exploring new opportunities in various sectors to create more partnerships.”

    He added: “We are eager to enable investors and businesses to benefit from ample opportunities provided by our soaring ‘Falcon Economy,’ which is harmonizing between advanced technologies, sustainability, human development and economic diversification as we accelerate the transition towards the next phase of Abu Dhabi’s development.”

    According to the data from ADDED, bilateral trade between China and the United Arab Emirates is projected to reach $200 billion by 2030. Abu Dhabi is already home to many of the over 6,000 Chinese companies operating in UAE’s key sectors including technology, financial services and energy. As such, the emirate continues to reinforce its position as the main gateway for Chinese investment in the Middle East and beyond.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hamas proposes ‘all for all’ prisoner-for-hostage swap with Israel

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Released Palestinian prisoners are welcomed upon arrival in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, Feb. 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Hamas said on Wednesday that it had submitted a proposal to Israel, through mediators, for a comprehensive prisoner-for-hostage swap based on the principle of “all for all” as part of ongoing negotiations.

    A senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proposal calls for “the immediate release of all Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in exchange for Israel releasing all Palestinian prisoners in its custody.”

    The official did not specify whether the proposal is part of the first phase of the agreement or linked to the upcoming second phase of negotiations.

    In a press statement on Tuesday, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem affirmed the movement’s readiness for “a one-time prisoner swap in the second phase.”

    However, he stressed that such a deal must be “part of an agreement leading to a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”

    Israel has not yet issued an official response to the proposal, while international efforts continue to push negotiations forward.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Palestine and Gaza’s Hamas resistance condemn Fiji over embassy plan

    By Anish Chand in Suva

    Palestine has strongly condemned Fiji’s decision to open a Fiji embassy in Jerusalem, calling it a violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

    The Palestinian Foreign Ministry and the Hamas resistance group that governs the besieged enclave of Gaza issued separate statements, urging the Fiji government to reverse its decision.

    According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, the Fijian decision is “an act of aggression against the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights”.

    The Palestinian group Hamas said in a statement that the decision was “a blatant assault on the rights of our Palestinian people to their land and a clear violation of international law and UN resolutions, which recognise Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory”.

    Fiji will become the seventh country to have an embassy in Jerusalem after the US, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay.

    Republished from The Fiji Times with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: New container shipping route connects Dalian with the Mediterranean

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

    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows the MSC SVEVA vessel docking at the container terminal of Dalian Port in Dalian, northeast China’s Liaoning Province. The MSC SVEVA vessel departed from the Dalian Container Terminal on Tuesday, marking the official launch of a direct container shipping route linking the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian with several Mediterranean countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

    DALIAN, Feb. 18 — The MSC SVEVA vessel departed from the Dalian Container Terminal on Tuesday, marking the official launch of a direct container shipping route linking the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian with several Mediterranean countries.

    The new route connects major ports in countries such as Egypt, Türkiye and Israel, contributing to a more efficient, reliable maritime logistics corridor between China’s northeastern region and the Mediterranean.

    The new service is operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, which plans to deploy 16 container ships, each with a capacity of 19,000 TEUs, to provide weekly services.

    The ships will transport a wide range of goods, including chemical products, automobiles and auto parts, mechanical equipment, and mineral resources.

    The shipping service is expected to promote economic and trade cooperation between China’s northeastern region and Mediterranean countries.

    China is Türkiye’s third-largest trading partner. The new route will call at major Turkish ports such as Canakkale, Istanbul and Tekirdag, deepening bilateral economic and trade exchange, as well as industrial and supply chain integration.

    Jilin Flying Tiger Logistics Group Co., Ltd., an international freight forwarding agency, has loaded over 200 tonnes of cargo onto the MSC SVEVA for export to Türkiye.

    The new route saves about 10 days in transit time compared to other shipping routes, said Wang Nan, vice managing director of Jilin Flying Tiger Logistics Group. The service will reduce capital costs and inventory pressure, and enhance supply chain stability, Wang added.

    Dalian Port now operates 106 container shipping routes, including 93 international routes that connect over 300 ports in more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.

    This year, the port will expand and improve its container shipping network to facilitate trade and bolster supply chain stability further.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Works with USDA to Fight HPAI, Protect Iowa Poultry Farmers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide a roadmap and enhance the agency’s response to the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). They led their colleagues in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the USDA outlining solutions they can collaborate on as the administration responds to the outbreak.  
    “The United States is now entering the fourth year of an outbreak of HPAI that has devastated farms, required the depopulation of more than 136 million birds on commercial poultry operations, and infected a small but growing number of farm workers. A new urgency is required from the USDA to address the evolving situation,” the lawmakers wrote. “We stand ready to work with you as you provide leadership on this vitally important issue, the largest animal health outbreak that the department has ever dealt with.”
    “It’s crucial to highlight the impact of avian influenza (HPAI) on Iowa’s turkey farmers. The 260,800 turkeys lost in 2024 and the current outbreak in 2025 emphasize the ongoing threat this virus poses to the Iowa turkey industry. Senator Ernst’s leadership in bringing attention to this issue is vital. A stronger focus on H5Nx vaccinations could help reduce the risk and spread of HPAI, giving farmers more tools to prevent and manage outbreaks. This kind of action will be key to safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and the broader agricultural economy in Iowa,” said Gretta Irwin, Executive Director, Iowa Turkey Federation.
    “Poultry and egg farmers across Iowa are working diligently to navigate the challenges posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), but they can’t face this growing problem alone. We applaud Senator Ernst for her continued leadership in ensuring producers have the tools they need to slow the spread of HPAI. She has been a steadfast partner in protecting the livelihoods of our farmers and safeguarding our food supply throughout this ongoing outbreak,” said Dr. Craig Rowles, North Central Poultry Association President and Bruce Dooyema, Iowa Egg Council President.
    In the letter, the senators proposed:
    A forward-looking strategy for vaccination in affected laying hens and turkeys;
    Outreach to partners overseas to protect and maintain international trade;
    The establishment of an HPAI Strategic Initiative to engage with industry experts and develop methods for prevention and response;
    Support for states using the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy;
    Ensuring auditors are both in place and qualified to carry out biosecurity assessments; and
    Revising indemnity rates for laying hens and pullets to accurately compensate impacted producers.
    Read the full letter here, which was supported by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), David McCormick (R-Pa.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and led by Congressman Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) in the House.
    Background:
    Ernst has long been a champion of foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness efforts including the bipartisan Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act and her Beagle Brigade Act, which was recently signed into law.
    Following the increase in HPAI outbreaks in both Iowa poultry flocks and dairy herds, she has also worked to hold federal agencies accountable to provide public and state agencies with coordinated, up-to-date, and accurate information on the spread of HPAI.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: CDC layoffs strike deeply at its ability to respond to the current flu, norovirus and measles outbreaks and other public health emergencies

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jordan Miller, Teaching Professor of Public Health, Arizona State University

    The CDC played an instrumental, if imperfect, role in the response to COVID-19. JHDT Stock Images LLC/iStock via Getty Images

    In just a few short weeks, the Trump administration has brought drastic changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health. Beginning with the removal of websites and key public health datasets in January 2025, the Trump administration has taken actions to dismantle established public health infrastructure as part of its second-term agenda.

    In addition, the administration has begun a widespread purge of the federal public health workforce. As of Feb. 19, around 5,200 employees at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health had been let go. About 10% of the CDC’s staff have been removed, with plans for additional firings.

    As a teaching professor and public health educator, I, like thousands of other health professionals, rely on CDC data and educational resources throughout my work. CDC websites are the first stop for health information for my students and for health care practitioners, and are vital to protecting the U.S. from infectious diseases, like avian flu and COVID-19, as well as noninfectious health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

    Here’s a quick look at what the CDC does to protect Americans’ health, and how it’s likely to be affected by the Trump administration’s actions:

    Gutting the CDC’s capacity

    Prior to the February cuts, the CDC employed over 10,000 full-time staff in roles spanning public health, epidemiology, medicine, communications, engineering and beyond to maintain this critical public health infrastructure.

    In addition to the centers’ wide variety of functions to protect and promote public health in the U.S., a vast amount of research in the U.S. relies on CDC data. The CDC obtains data from all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia, which is collated into widely utilized databases such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, National Health Interview Survey and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

    Several of these datasets and CDC websites were removed at the start of the second Trump term, and while they are currently back online due to a federal court order, it remains to be seen if these important sources of information will remain accessible and updated going forward.

    The CDC also publishes the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which allows for ongoing and timely surveillance of key health conditions. The reports cover a wide range of topics, including wildfires, motor vehicle accidents, autism, asthma, opioids, mental health and many others. The CDC plays a central role in monitoring and reporting the spread of flu in winter months through its FluView, which informs clinical practice as well as public health interventions.

    Physicians are reporting that their ability to respond to the surges in respiratory viruses they are seeing has been hobbled by the missing data and by prohibitions on CDC staff communicating outside the agency.

    The CDC’s famed “disease detectives,” part of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, appear to have been spared following public outcry after more than half of its members were initially told they would be let go as part of the Feb. 14 mass layoffs.

    It remains to be seen if this group will remain intact long term. Concerns are growing that shakeups to the nation’s infectious disease surveillance teams will hamper the government’s ability to respond effectively at a time when avian flu and measles are growing concerns in the U.S.

    The CDC’s headquarters are in Atlanta.
    Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

    History of the CDC

    The CDC began as a small branch of the U.S. Public Health Service in 1946 as an outgrowth of successes fighting malaria in southern states during World War II and before. Its founder, Dr. Joseph W. Mountin, envisioned that it would come to serve all states, addressing all communicable diseases. Since that time, the CDC has evolved into the nation’s premier public health organization, leveraging both clinical and population health sciences to prevent and mitigate challenges to the nation’s health.

    In its first 40 years, the CDC helped eradicate smallpox and identify the causes of Legionnaires’ disease, toxic shock syndrome and HIV.

    As the country’s primary health challenges have shifted from communicable diseases to noncommunicable ones over recent decades, the organization has adapted, expanding its reach and priorities to meet changing public health needs. The CDC also has the ability to flex and scale up efforts rapidly when needed to respond to novel outbreaks, which is essential for containing infectious diseases and preventing escalation.

    CDC’s global reach

    Recognizing that health does not exist in a vacuum, the CDC also operates internationally to mitigate health challenges that could threaten health in the U.S. over time. The agency is active in addressing diseases that are endemic in certain areas, such as tuberculosis and HIV. It also responds to outbreaks from emerging threats, like Ebola and Marburg virus disease.

    The CDC played a crucial role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating with the World Health Organization, domestic health agencies and others to plan and execute a robust response.

    In 2024, the CDC worked with the WHO to respond to a Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda that lasted for several months. On average, about half of people infected with Marburg virus do not survive, so early detection and effective response are essential to prevent loss of life and contain outbreaks before they spread widely.

    On Jan. 20, 2025, the White House announced President Donald Trump’s plans to withdraw from the WHO. This move further weakens the country’s ability to manage and mitigate threats to Americans’ health and national security.

    Not only does the WHO do essential work to protect children around the world from needless death due to starvation, but it monitors and responds to infectious diseases. The U.S. has been the largest contributor to the WHO, with approximately 12%-15% of its operating costs coming from the U.S. That means that removal of U.S. support will also affect the WHO’s capacity to respond to international public health issues.

    As the COVID-19 pandemic made plain, a delayed response to infectious disease outbreaks can exponentially increase long-term costs and consequences. It remains to be seen what impact the established relationships between the CDC and the WHO will have on their ability to coordinate effectively during times of crisis.

    The CDC’s work around the world helps to stop outbreaks before they spread – and reach the U.S.

    Future health care workforce threatened

    The reach, flexibility, adaptability and robust foundation of relationships developed over the past eight decades enable the CDC to respond to threats quickly, wherever in the world they arise. This is important for protecting health, and it plays a vital role in global and national security as well.

    In addition to its direct actions to promote public health, the CDC provides workforce development and training to help create an enduring public health infrastructure in the U.S. and abroad. This is more important than ever, as systemic factors have placed pressure on health professionals. The domestic public health workforce has shrunk drastically, losing 40,000 workers since the start of the Great Recession in 2009 due to economic constraints and social pressures during the pandemic. The CDC’s workforce development efforts help counteract these trends.

    Public health workers were reporting high rates of burnout and stress even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which the pandemic worsened. Cuts to the federal workforce, as well as funding for public health programs, will no doubt add to these strains.

    Jordan Miller received funding from CDC in the past.

    – ref. CDC layoffs strike deeply at its ability to respond to the current flu, norovirus and measles outbreaks and other public health emergencies – https://theconversation.com/cdc-layoffs-strike-deeply-at-its-ability-to-respond-to-the-current-flu-norovirus-and-measles-outbreaks-and-other-public-health-emergencies-248486

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Fight Avian Flu Outbreak

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in writing to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, urging the administration to explore all available mitigation and prevention options to address the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

    “The United States is now entering the fourth year of an outbreak of HPAI that has devastated farms, required the depopulation of more than 136 million birds on commercial poultry operations, and infected a small but growing number of farm workers. A new urgency is required from the USDA to address the evolving situation,” the lawmakers wrote. “We stand ready to work with you as you provide leadership on this vitally important issue, the largest animal health outbreak that the department has ever dealt with.”

    “The ongoing HPAI outbreak continues to wreak havoc on turkey producers across the country, underscoring the need for decisive action and proactive solutions. We appreciate Senator Warner joining his Senate colleagues in urging USDA to explore every available tool to mitigate this threat. A comprehensive strategy — including global coordination on a vaccination strategy to ensure minimal trade impact — is critical to protecting poultry health, stabilizing our industry and ensuring consumers have access to safe, affordable turkey products for years to come,” said Leslee Oden, President and CEO, National Turkey Federation.

    In the letter, the senators proposed:

    • A forward-looking strategy for vaccination in affected laying hens and turkeys;
    • Outreach to partners overseas to protect and maintain international trade;
    • The establishment of an HPAI Strategic Initiative to engage with industry experts and develop methods for prevention and response;
    • Support for states using the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy;
    • Ensuring auditors are both in place and qualified to carry out biosecurity assessments; and
    • Revising indemnity rates for laying hens and pullets to accurately compensate impacted producers.

    In addition to Sen. Warner, the letter was signed by Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tedd Budd (R-NC), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Roger Marshall (R-KS), David McCormick (R-PA), and Jerry Moran (R-KS).

    A copy of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Putin, Trump may meet before end of February: Kremlin

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could meet as early as this month, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

    “The Western media write a lot, our media write a lot … Maybe, or maybe not,” said Peskov when asked whether Putin and Trump could meet before the end of February.

    The meeting would require some preparation from the Russian foreign ministry, he said.

    Russian and U.S. officials held talks on Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Young Palestinians in East Jerusalem shut out of UNRWA training centre

    Source: United Nations 2

    Agency chief Philippe Lazzarini said that Israeli forces and personnel from the Jerusalem local authority “forcefully entered” the Kalandia Training Centre and ordered its immediate evacuation.

    “At least 350 students and 30 staff were present and impacted. Tear gas and sound bombs were fired,” Mr. Lazzarini explained.

    The development comes after a ban on UNRWA activities in Israel came into effect, in line with laws passed in October by the Israeli Knesset.

    At least 350 students and 30 staff were present in the centre at the time.

    Israeli police accompanied by municipal staff, also visited several other UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem, demanding their closure.

    The incidents have disrupted learning for approximately 250 students attending three schools, alongside the trainees now locked out of the training centre.

    In an interview with UN News’s Abdelmonem Makki on Wednesday Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA affairs in the West Bank, spoke at length about the actions and explained that the agency is committed to continuing its services, including education for 50,000 children, healthcare for half a million patients in the occupied West Bank, and emergency education programmes for 200,000 children in Gaza.

    This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

    UN News: Israeli forces and personnel from the Jerusalem municipality entered several UNRWA’s educational facilities in East Jerusalem on Tuesday. Could you share with us what happened exactly?

    Roland Friedrich: Israeli security forces, accompanied by municipality personnel, forcefully entered our education training center in Kalandia and ordered it to be closed. That vocational training center provides training to more than 350 vulnerable Palestinian youth from all over the West Bank, and it is located in what Israel considers the sovereign territory of the state of Israel. According to international law, it’s occupied territory.

    After about three hours of discussions, Israeli security forces and the municipal representatives left, and we were able to resume education, but this was the first time that an educational installation in East Jerusalem was forcefully entered by Israeli security forces.

    And at the same time, in the morning, employees of the Israeli government paid visits to three schools in the occupied East Jerusalem and threatened to close them, asking for additional information, which was another breach of privileges and immunities of UNRWA.

    UN News

    Roland Friedrich Director of UNRWA affairs, West Bank during an interview with UN News.

    UN News: What was the stated reason for these school closures by Israel?

    Roland Friedrich: On the 30th of January the [Knesset legislation banning UNRWA] entered fully into effect. There are six schools, three inside the barrier, three in Shu’fat Camp refugee camp on the Palestinian side of the barrier.

    There are two health centers, one in the old city of Jerusalem and the other one in Shu’fat Camp refugee camp, the rest of vocational training center in Kalandia. And finally, we have our headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah. When the bills came into effect, we continued to deliver our services to the patients and to the children. We also do the garbage collection in the Shu’fat refugee camp, and these basic services continue for the time being.

    Regarding our headquarters in East Jerusalem, we are asking staff not to work from there. Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen repeated aggressions, attacks, intimidation, vandalization, and after these bills were formally adopted, we saw another uptick in incidents.

    UN News: What does this mean for Israel’s international obligations?

    Roland Friedrich: These laws are in contravention of Israel’s obligations as a Member State. The charter has a very clear provision on what is expected. Israel is party to the general Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which foresees, of course, the obligation to protect UN facilities and to ensure that privileges and immunities are respected.

    This is extremely problematic both in terms of what international law has to say but also concerning our work on the ground. Another impact of those laws has been on the impediment of coordinating directly with Israeli duty bearers and particularly the Israeli military. That means at the moment, we can’t speak to them, we can’t deconflict, we can’t raise issues concerning our installations and we can’t address access issues directly anymore.

    It’s even more problematic because now we have an unprecedented situation of forcible displacement in the northern West Bank, with more than 40,000 people displaced because of heavily militarized Israeli security forces operations since the 21st of January. And that has never happened in the history of the West Bank since Israel’s occupation that started in 1967.

    UN News: What’s the next step for the agency in response to these measures, given the fact that the agency has a clear mandate from the UN General Assembly?

    Roland Friedrich: We have a very clear mandate, and we are committed to continue delivering our services as effectively as possible, as long as possible and wherever possible, because we have an obligation here.

    To give you an example, in the West Bank, we run 96 schools with more than 50,000 students. Effectively this year, the number of students registering to go to UNRWA schools in the West Bank has increased because of the socioeconomic deterioration of the situation on the ground.

    We provide primary health care to half a million patients. We run 43 health centers and a hospital on the ground. We provide cash assistance and relief services to more than 200,000 vulnerable Palestinians, some of that in close coordination with other UN agencies.

    We have a mandate to continue doing this, and we’re committed to doing that as long as we can.

    UN News: UNRWA emphasizes the need to preserve children’s access to education and protect UN facilities. Does the agency have any alternative plans to enable those children to continue their education if this such incident happens again?

    Roland Friedrich: I think we have to differentiate between East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because the situation there is slightly different in issues concerning the schools that we run and the places where we run these schools.

    There are very, very little alternatives, if any. And there’s certainly no alternative to the Kalandia Training Centre where we provide this vocational training to the 350 trainees who come from the West Bank. That’s the training facility that UNRWA has been running since the 1950s, and there is no alternative.

    When we look at the situation in the West Bank because of the ongoing Israeli operation, it has a very direct impact on children’s ability to access education because of the displacement in the northern West Bank and because of the ongoing operations.

    There are 13 schools in four refugee camps that have not operated since 21 January, which means roughly 5,000 children who do not have access to education now. We try to provide alternative means of learning, but clearly this is an unprecedented situation of displacement.

    It’s not easy to reach all the children and their families. They are, of course, dislocated and traumatized, and we’re very concerned that there is no clear end to this operation that would allow us to reopen the schools and get the children where they belong. And this would be in a safe space, in our school.

    UN News: Beyond the immediate impact on the children and staff involved in such incidents, what are the broader implications on the education and long-term prospects for children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

    Roland Friedrich: In the OPT [Occupied Palestinian Territory] generally, UNRWA has long been the second biggest provider of education, and we do that in line with UN values, in line with UNESCO‘s standards. We have a very robust human rights tolerance-oriented curriculum, probably unique in the region.

    In the Gaza Strip, for instance, we used to provide education for more than 300,000 kids. Now, there are 600,000 children that have been out of education for more than a year and a half, deeply traumatized, living in misery.

    And everybody should have an interest to make sure that these children have access to education, quality education as quickly as possible. We’re committed to doing this to the extent possible. We have started the emergency education program in Gaza, and we’re rolling it out now, with more than 200,000 kids signed up for these emergency education programs in Gaza going forward.

    When it comes to the West Bank, we have 50,000 children in our schools, mostly from poor backgrounds, living in areas of conflict, in areas where there’s a lot of poverty, particularly the refugee camps. And we are continuing to provide those services, and we’ll do that as long as possible. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Egyptian, Chinese firms ink protocol to build Egypt’s 1st ultrasound device factory

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

    Egyptian, Chinese firms ink protocol to build Egypt’s 1st ultrasound device factory

    CAIRO, Feb. 19 — Egyptian company Tatweer Medical Industries and Chinese medical devices and solutions supplier Mindray signed Wednesday a cooperation protocol to set up Egypt’s first ultrasound device manufacturing plant, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement.

    Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, who attended the signing ceremony, stressed the protocol’s importance “in bolstering local medical industries, meeting the needs of the Egyptian health sector of advanced medical equipment, achieving self-sufficiency, and reducing import dependency,” read the statement.

    The minister said that the first locally made devices will be manufactured and launched in April and that the factory is expected to produce 2,500 devices annually.

    He noted the ministry will offer all necessary facilitations to ensure the success of the project, attract investment in Egypt’s health sector, and encourage global companies to transfer medical device manufacturing technology to Egypt, according to the statement.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In pushing for Ukraine elections, Trump is falling into Putin-laid trap to delegitimize Zelenskyy

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Lena Surzhko Harned, Associate Teaching Professor of Political Science, Penn State

    President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet on Sept. 25, 2019, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was shut out of the discussions concerning the future of his country, which took place in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18, 2025. In fact, there were no Ukrainian representatives, nor any European Union ones – just U.S. and Russian delegations, and their Saudi hosts.

    The meeting – which followed a mutually complimentary phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin just days earlier – was gleefully celebrated in Moscow. The absence of Ukraine in deciding its own future is very much in line with Putin’s policy toward its neighbor. Putin has long rejected Ukrainian statehood and the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government, or as he calls it the “Kyiv regime.”

    While the U.S. delegation did reiterate that future discussions would have to involve Ukraine at some stage, the Trump administration’s actions and words have no doubt undermined Kyiv’s position and influence.

    To that end, the U.S. is increasingly falling in line with Moscow on a key plank of the Kremlin’s plan to delegitimize Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government: calling for elections in Ukraine as part of any peace deal.

    Questioning Zelenskyy’s legitimacy

    Challenging Zelenskyy’s legitimacy is part of a deliberate ongoing propaganda campaign by Russia to discredit Ukrainian leadership, weaken support for Ukraine from its key allies and remove Zelenskyy – and potentially Ukraine – as a partner in negotiations.

    Claims by the Russian president that his country is ready for peace negotiations appear, to many observers of its three-year war, highly suspect given Russia’s ongoing attacks on its neighbor and its steadfast refusal to date to agree to any temporary truce.

    Yet the Kremlin is pushing the narrative that the problem is that there is no legitimate Ukrainian authority with which it can deal. As such, Putin can proclaim his commitments to a peace without making any commitments or compromises necessary to any true negotiation process.

    Meanwhile, painting Zelenskyy as a “dictator” dampens the enthusiastic support that once greeted him from democratic countries. This, is turn, can translate to the reduction or even end of military support for Kyiv, Putin hopes, allowing him a fillip in what has become a war of attrition.

    What Putin needs for this plan to work is a willing partner to help get the message out that Zelenskyy and the current Ukraine government are not legitimate representatives of their country – and into this gap the new U.S. administration appears to have stepped.

    Then-candidate Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a polling station during Ukraine’s presidential election in Kiev on March 31, 2019.
    Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images)

    Dictating terms

    Take the narrative on elections.

    At the meeting in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. reportedly discussed elections in Ukraine as being a key part of any peace deal. Trump himself has raised the prospect of elections, noting in a Feb. 18 press conference: “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law.” The U.S. president went on to claim, incorrectly, that Zelenskyy’s approval rating was down to “4%.” The latest polling actually shows the Ukrainian president to be sitting on a 57% approval rating.

    A day later, Trump upped the attacks, describing Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections.”

    Such statements echo Russia’s narrative that the government in Kyiv is illegitimate.

    The Kremlin’s claims regarding what it describes as the “legal aspects related to his [Zelenskyy’s] legitimacy” are based on the premise that the Ukraine president’s five-year term as president of Ukraine should have ended in 2024.

    And elections in Ukraine would have taken place in May of that year had it not been for the martial law that Ukraine put into place when the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    The Martial Law Act – which Ukraine imposed on Feb. 24, 2022 – explicitly bans all elections in Ukraine for the duration of the emergency action.

    And while the Ukrainian Constitution only includes language regarding the extension of parliament’s powers until martial law is lifted, constitutional lawyers in Ukraine tend to agree that the implication is that this also applies to presidential powers.

    Notwithstanding what the law says, the Kremlin’s questioning of the democratic institutions of Ukraine and its push for elections in Ukraine have found traction in Washington of late. Trump’s special envoy Gen. Keith Kellogg declared on Feb. 1 that elections “need to be done” as part of peace process, saying that elections are a “beauty of a solid democracy.”

    The ballot box trap

    Zelenskyy is not opposed to elections in principle and has agreed that elections should be held when the time is right. “Once martial law is over, then the ball is in parliament’s court – the parliament then picks a date for elections,” Zelenskyy stated in a Jan. 2 interview.

    And he appears to have the backing of the majority of Ukrainians. In May 2024, 69% of Ukrainians polled said Zelenskyy should remain president until the end of marshal law, after which elections should be held.

    The issue, as Zelenskyy has said, is the timing and circumstances. “During the war, there can be no elections. It’s necessary to change legislation, the constitution, and so on. These are significant challenges. But there are also nonlegal, very human challenges,” he said on Jan. 4.

    Even opposition politicians in Ukraine agree that now is not the time. Petro Poroshenko, Zelenskyy’s main political rival, has dismissed the idea of wartime elections, as has Inna Sovsun, the leader of the opposition Golos Party.

    Apart from logistical problems of ensuring free and fair elections in the middle of a war, the conflict would present logistical hurdles to campaigning and accessing polling sites. There is also the question of whether and how to include Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories and those who are internally displaced, as well as the 6.5 million who fled fighting and currently reside abroad.

    Good elections … and bad

    Russia did, of course, hold elections during the current conflict. But the 2024 election that Putin won with 87% of the vote was, according to most international observers, neither free nor fair.

    Rather, it was a sham vote that only underlined what most political scientists will confirm: Elections are at best a necessary but insufficient marker of democracy.

    This point is not wasted on Ukrainians, whose commitment to democracy strengthened in the years leading up to the 2022 invasion. Indeed, a survey taken a few months into the war found that 76% of Ukrainians agreed that democracy was the best form of governance – up from 41% three years earlier.

    There are other reasons Ukraine might be wary of elections. The adversarial nature of political campaigns can be divisive, especially among a society in high stress.

    Ukrainian politicians have openly argued that holding an election during the war would be destabilizing for Ukrainian society, undermining the internal unity in face of Russian aggression.

    Outside influence

    And then there is concern over outside influence in any election. Ukrainians have had enough experience with Russian meddling in their politics to take it for granted that the Kremlin will attempt to put a thumb on the scale.

    Russia has since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 employed its substantial resources to influence Ukraine’s politics through all available means, ranging from propaganda, economic pressures and incentives to energy blackmail, threats and use of violence.

    In 2004, Moscow’s electoral manipulations in favor of the pro-Russian candidate, Viktor Yanukovich, led to the Orange Revolution – in which Ukrainians rose up to reject rigged elections. Nine years later, Yanukovich – who became president in 2010 – was deposed though the Revolution of Dignity, which saw Ukrainians oust a man many saw as a Russian stooge in favor of a path toward greater integration with Europe.

    Putin’s history of meddling in elections extends beyond Ukraine, of course. Most recently, the Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the country’s presidential elections, citing an electoral process compromised by foreign interference.

    An impossible position

    In raising elections as a prerequisite to negotiations, Putin is setting a
    “catch-22” trap for Ukraine: The Ukrainian Constitution states that elections can happen only when martial law is lifted; but the lifting of the martial law is possible only when the “hot phase” of the war is over. So without a ceasefire, no election is possible.

    But in refusing to agree to elections, Ukraine can be cast as the blockage to any peace deal – playing to a narrative that is already forming in the U.S. administration that Kyiv is the problem and will need to be sidelined for there to be progress.

    In short, in seemingly echoing Russian talking points on an election being a prerequisite for peace, the U.S. puts the Ukrainian government in an impossible position: Agree to the vote and risk internal division and outside interference, or reject it and allow Moscow – and, perhaps, Washington – to frame Ukraine’s leaders as illegitimate and unable to negotiate on the behalf of their people.

    Lena Surzhko Harned 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. In pushing for Ukraine elections, Trump is falling into Putin-laid trap to delegitimize Zelenskyy – https://theconversation.com/in-pushing-for-ukraine-elections-trump-is-falling-into-putin-laid-trap-to-delegitimize-zelenskyy-250003

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Memphis Man Sentenced to 270 Months for Sex Trafficking Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that MACEO ROBERTS (“ROBERTS”), age 25, from Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced on February 12, 2025 before United States District Judge Susie Morgan for conspiring to commit sex trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1594(c).

    According to court documents, in about Summer 2020, ROBERTS told his co-conspirators, Dominique Peeples and Jeremy Talbert, that he was making a lot of money acting as a pimp, and offered to teach them how to be pimps, as well.  After Peeples and Talbert agreed, ROBERTS “gave” Minor Victim 2, a minor female born in 2003 who had previously performed commercial sex acts under ROBERTS’s direction, to Peeples.  Thereafter, Minor Victim 2 introduced Talbert to Minor Victim 3, a minor female born in 2003, who began performing commercial sex acts under Talbert’s direction.

    During Summer 2020, ROBERTS, Peeples, and Talbert travelled throughout the southern United States, including the New Orleans area, with multiple females, including Minor Victim 2, Minor Victim 3, and Adult Victim 1, for the purpose of having the females engage in commercial sex acts.  ROBERTS taught Peeples and Talbert techniques to oversee and advertise a prostitution operation, including the amount to charge.  ROBERTS also reminded them to keep all of the proceeds.  During this time period, including while in New Orleans, Adult Victim 1 engaged in commercial sex acts at the direction and supervision of ROBERTS, while Minor Victim 2 worked for Peeples and Minor Victim 3 worked for Talbert.

    In about October 2020, ROBERTS assumed control over Minor Victim 3, and required her, not only, to work approximately fifteen hours per day performing commercial sex acts, but also to give him all the money she earned.  ROBERTS beat Adult Victim 1 in front of Minor Victim 3 to show Minor Victim 3 the consequences for not following his instructions.  ROBERTS also provided drugs and alcohol to the victims to control their behavior.

    In about October 2020, Talbert recruited Minor Victim 1, a fourteen-year-old female, to engage in commercial sex acts under his direction.  In about late October 2020, ROBERTS, Peeples, Talbert, Adult Victim 1, Minor Victim 1, and Minor Victim 2 travelled to New Orleans, where they stayed for several months. During this time, ROBERTS, Peeples, and Talbert supervised the commercial sex work of Adult Victim 1, Minor Victim 2, and Minor Victim 1, respectively.  ROBERTS imposed rules and quotas that Adult Victim 1 had to follow and, when she did not meet those quotas or expressed reluctance, ROBERTS threatened to beat and shoot her.

    In January 2021, ROBERTS beat Adult Victim 1 so badly that she required hospitalization in a New Orleans area facility. After Adult Victim 1’s hospital discharge, ROBERTS and Peeples told Adult Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 that they would bring them home to Memphis.  Instead, ROBERTS and Peeples drove them to Houston and forced them to engage in commercial sex acts until they finally escaped.  ROBERTS and Peeples then returned to Memphis to look for Adult Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 to punish them for escaping.  ROBERTS located Adult Victim 1, hiding in a hotel bathtub, and choked her.  He also threatened Minor Victim 2.

    Additionally, in about late January 2021, ROBERTS met and began recruiting Adult Victim 2 to perform commercial sex acts under his direction.  Adult Victim 2 did so until about April 2022.  During that time, ROBERTS repeatedly beat, threatened, and victimized Adult Victim 2, including in November 2021 at a New Orleans area hotel.  In about April 2022, shortly before his arrest, ROBERTS punched Adult Victim 2 so hard that he shattered her front teeth.

    U.S. District  Judge Susie Morgan sentenced ROBERTS to 270 months’ imprisonment.  Judge Morgan ordered that this sentence be run consecutively to any sentence imposed on a pending case for attempted murder and robbery in Marion County Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana.   Judge Morgan imposed a fifteen year term of supervised release following imprisonment. ROBERTS was ordered to pay $666,000 in restitution to the victims.  ROBERTS must also participate in the sex offender registration and notification program.  In addition, Judge Morgan imposed a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

    Peeples and Talbert previously pleaded guilty to sex trafficking offenses.  Peeples’s sentencing is set for April 9, 2025, before Judge Sarah S. Vance, and Talbert’s sentencing is set for March 12, 2025, before Judge Lance M. Africk.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Memphis Police Department with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit and Jordan Ginsberg, Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –