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Category: Middle East

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s tariff threats fit a growing global phenomenon: hardball migration diplomacy

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nicholas R. Micinski, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, University of Maine

    View at the entrance of the United States Embassy taken in Bogota, Colombia Pablo Vera/AFP via Getty Images

    As diplomatic spats go, it was short-lived.

    On Jan 26, 2025, Colombian President Gustavo Petro turned away American military planes carrying people being deported from the United States. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 25% tariffs and travel bans on Colombian government officials. Despite insisting that “the U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals” and needed to “establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them,” Petro’s government backed down and resumed cooperation with U.S. immigration officials.

    All this took place in the span of just a few hours. But “migration diplomacy” – the use of diplomatic tools and threats to control the number and flow of migrants – isn’t new. Indeed, it was a feature of Trump’s first administration. And it is not unique to Trump; it has been in the foreign policy playbook of previous U.S. presidents as well as the European Union and governments around the world.

    As an expert on migration policy and international affairs, I have observed the evolution of this global trend, in which nations leverage migration policies for geopolitical ends.

    Richer countries with increasingly populist, nationalist bases are putting in place anti-migrant policies. But these same nations depend on poorer countries to accept deportations and host the majority of the world’s refugees – governments can’t unilaterally “dump” deported immigrants back into the home country, or in a third country.

    And while migration diplomacy can be cooperative, there’s always the possibility a disagreement will spiral into diplomatic spats or outright conflict.

    Threats to control migration

    Migration diplomacy is a relatively recent academic term. But the practice of using foreign policy tools to control migration is centuries old. Common tools of migrant diplomacy fall between the “carrots” of bilateral treaties, development aid and infrastructure investment, and the “sticks” of tariffs, travel bans and sanctions.

    Trump, during his first term, focused more on the sticks, frequently threatening tariffs or cuts in aid to push through deals on migration. For example, in 2018, Trump posted on Twitter that if Honduras and other Central American governments did not stop migrant caravans to the U.S., he would cut all aid: “no more money or aid will be given … effective immediately!”

    A few months later, Trump followed through with the threat, suspending US$400 million in aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

    Trump then upped the ante, posting: “Now we are looking at the ‘BAN,’ … Tariffs, Remittance Fees, or all of the above. Guatemala has not been good.”

    Within three days, Guatemala signed a deal with the U.S. to cooperate on asylum and deportations. Honduras and El Salvador followed suit two months later.

    Similarly, in 2019, Trump threatened Mexico that the U.S. would impose a 5% tariff on goods “until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP.”

    Within 11 days, Mexico signed the Migrant Protection Protocols, known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, institutionalizing what human rights groups called “illegal pushbacks” that put people at risk of torture, sexual violence and death.

    Imposing visa restrictions

    Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the U.S. government can stop granting visas to any country that “denies or unreasonably delays accepting an alien who is a citizen.”

    And during his first term, Trump imposed visa restrictions on people from Cambodia, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sierra Leone because those countries were deemed to be not cooperating with deportations.

    Such visa restrictions worked with Guinea and Ghana, which both began accepting deportations of their citizens from the U.S.

    Migration as diplomatic weapon

    Nations also use migration policy as tools to push other foreign policy goals not necessarily related to migration. As political scientist Kelly Greenhill explored in her book “Weapons of Mass Migration,” governments are using coercive engineered migration to create pressure against other rival nations. This was seen in 2021 when Belarus bused asylum seekers to the Polish border in an apparent effort to overwhelm the EU’s asylum system.

    Migrants at the Belarusian-Polish border in 2021.
    Leonid Shcheglov/BELTA/AFP via Getty Images

    Similarly, Trump used migration policies to bully other nations into cooperating with the United States. The “Muslim ban” of his first administration – rebranded in later iterations as travel bans – banned entry of citizens from Chad, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. While the first executive order pertaining to the ban was immediately criticized as Islamophobic, the administration changed legal reasoning in front of the Supreme Court, arguing that the ban stemmed from nations not sharing information about potential terrorists and due to their passports being vulnerable to fraud.

    The travel bans were an attempt to coerce nations into sharing information with the U.S. and enforcing U.S. standards of identity documents. Indeed, Chad was later removed from the ban when it adopted these standards.

    The use of migration diplomacy by the U.S. government predates Trump. Tit-for-tat restrictions on travel were common throughout the Cold War. In 2001, President George W. Bush applied visa sanctions to Guyana when its government refused to cooperate on deportations. In 2016, President Barack Obama also applied retaliatory visa restrictions on Gambia for failing to accept U.S. deportation flights.

    Conditional aid from EU

    The European Union tends to use carrots rather than sticks to encourage cooperation on deportations. For example, a 2016 EU-Turkey deal provided 6 billion euros (US$6.25 million) in aid for refugees in Turkey in exchange for accepting the deportation of what the EU describes as “irregular migrants.” In 2023, the EU also struck a 105 million euro ($109 million) deal with Tunisia in return for the North African country’s cooperation on preventing irregular migration.

    But like Trump, the EU is not opposed to punishing states for refusing to cooperate on deportations. In April 2024, the EU tightened rules on visas for Ethiopians because their government refused to accept the return of citizens who had asylum claims denied. Earlier, the EU suspended 15 million euros ($15.6 million) in development aid to Ethiopia on similar grounds.

    Migration interdependence

    Trump’s threats and EU migration deals reveal a type of migration interdependence: Rich states in the Global North don’t want to host large numbers of migrants and refugees and need willing partners in the Global South to accept deportations, enforce emigration restrictions and continue hosting the majority of the world’s refugees.

    This interdependence is typically balanced by rich countries footing the bill and poor countries accepting deportations. But migration diplomacy is also used by less powerful nations aware of the opportunity of exacting concessions out of countries, blocs or international bodies. For example, the Kenyan government repeatedly threatened to close the Dadaab refugee camp and expel all Somali refugees unless it received more international aid. Similarly, Pakistan threatened to deport Afghan refugees unless the international community did more, but backed down after significant increases in aid.

    Rwanda extracted around $310 million from the British government without resettling a single person after a 2022 plan aimed at deterring asylum seekers to the U.K. by deporting them to Rwanda – where their cases would be reviewed and eventually settled – was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights and the U.K.’s Supreme Court.

    Similarly, the small South Pacific island nation of Nauru was paid more than $118 million with the aim of hosting all asylum seekers to Australia. The policy broke down after reports of abysmal conditions in Nauru’s detention facilities.

    While migration diplomacy does work both ways, richer countries by and large have the upper hand. And Trump’s threats against Colombia – and others – are just one example of this hardball migration diplomacy.

    Nicholas R. Micinski 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. Trump’s tariff threats fit a growing global phenomenon: hardball migration diplomacy – https://theconversation.com/trumps-tariff-threats-fit-a-growing-global-phenomenon-hardball-migration-diplomacy-248380

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President el-Sisi of Egypt

    Source: The White House

    On Saturday, President Donald J. Trump received a call from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, in which President el-Sisi congratulated President Trump on his inauguration.  President Trump thanked President el-Sisi for his friendship, and discussed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.  The two leaders also discussed Egypt’s important role in the release of hostages from Gaza and President el-Sisi expressed his confidence that President Trump’s leadership could usher in a golden age of Middle East peace.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: While plastic dominates human consumption, the global economy will remain hooked on fossil fuels

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adam Hanieh, Professor of Political Economy and Global Development, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter

    Plastic waste in the Maldives. MOHAMED ABDULRAHEEM/Shutterstock

    In early December 2024, hopes for a landmark global treaty to curb plastic pollution were dashed as negotiations in South Korea stalled. Leading the campaign against the deal were major oil-producing nations, especially Saudi Arabia and Russia, who argued for a more flexible approach to any legally binding limits on plastic manufacturing.

    The collapse of any agreement came despite scientific research delivering ever more alarming warnings about the dangers of plastic pollution. Over the last two years, an avalanche of studies have revealed the pervasive presence of tiny plastic particles in human blood, brains, and even placental tissue.

    These particles, which stem from the breakdown of larger plastic waste, have been linked to everything from inflammation to hormonal disruption, and potential long-term health risks such as cancer. Aside from their effects on human health, plastics are wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems, with microplastics now found in Arctic ice and in the bodies of fish and birds.

    Behind these alarming studies stands a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of plastic production. The annual global production of plastics reportedly grew nearly two hundredfold between 1950 (two million tonnes) and 2015 (381 million tonnes), and the pace of growth is accelerating.

    Over half of all plastics ever made were produced in the past 25 years, and production levels are estimated to double or triple again by 2050. And more production brings more waste.

    Less than 10% of all plastics ever produced have been recycled. And the volume of “mismanaged plastics” – those which are not recycled, incinerated, or sealed in landfills – is also estimated to double by 2050.

    It seems as if humans have become the organic detritus within a plastic world of our own creation.

    Plastic elephants

    But despite growing awareness around the problems associated with plastic, there is a fundamental flaw in how we tend to think about it as a product.

    For there is a tendency to frame plastic as a problem of pollution and recycling, rather than as an integral part of our fossil fuel-driven world. This narrative is also promoted by major oil companies, such as the American giant, ExxonMobil, which stated in the lead up to the South Korean summit: “The issue is pollution. The issue is not plastic.”

    The problem with this perspective is that it obscures the fact that plastics are petrochemical products: substances which are ultimately derived from oil and gas.

    Indeed, the future of fossil fuels is increasingly tied to the future of plastics. It has been estimated that by 2040, plastics will account for as much as 95% of net growth in oil demand.

    This is perhaps why 220 fossil fuel lobbyists attended those recent treaty discussions, outnumbering all other delegations. It could also explain why Saudi Arabia, home to one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies, led the opposition to any global limits on plastic production.

    At the core of capitalism

    The problem we confront is not simply the presence of an oil lobby, it is the systemic role that plastics play within capitalism.

    Plastics, and the wider petrochemical industry, played a crucial part in the transformation of global capitalism from the mid-20th century onwards.

    As I explore in my book, Crude Capitalism, the things we used to need to build and make things previously relied on sourcing naturally occurring, labour-intensive goods like timber, cotton or metals. But the invention of plastics and other synthetic materials separated commodity production from nature.

    More plastic in the pipeline.
    Kodda/Shutterstock

    Oil became more than a fuel – it was the substance that came to dominate our lives. A petrochemical shift to the rise of an oil-dominated world. With capitalism untethered from natural cycles, there was a radical reduction in the time taken to produce commodities and an end to any limits on the quantity and diversity of goods produced.

    Along with this, consumption habits became centred around notions of disposability and obsolescence. Plastics made the essential features of contemporary capitalism possible: a drive to limitless growth, continual acceleration of production and consumption, and the frenzied expansion of markets.

    The emergence of fast fashion is just one example. Alongside poorly paid garment workers in countries such as Bangladesh, really cheap clothing was only made possible through the massive expansion of polyester production (a kind of plastic), which freed the industry from its dependence on supplies of wool and cotton.

    The consumption of plastics looms large in today’s ecological crisis. And having become so accustomed to thinking about oil and gas as primarily an issue of energy and fuel choice, perhaps we have lost sight of how much of our lives depend upon the products of petroleum.

    These synthetic materials drove a post-war revolution in productivity, bringing labour-saving technology and mass consumption. It is now almost impossible to identify an area of life that has not been radically transformed by the presence of plastics and other petrochemicals.

    Plastic products have become normalised as natural parts of our daily existence. And it is this paradox which must be fully confronted if we are to move beyond fossil fuels.

    Adam Hanieh’s research into petrochemicals has been supported by a Political Economy Fellowship from the Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF).

    – ref. While plastic dominates human consumption, the global economy will remain hooked on fossil fuels – https://theconversation.com/while-plastic-dominates-human-consumption-the-global-economy-will-remain-hooked-on-fossil-fuels-247393

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Will multinational companies flock to Syria? Maybe, if foreign aid arrives first

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ana Carolina Garriga, Professor of Political Science, University of Essex

    hanohiki / Shutterstock

    Syria’s new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, recently appeared at the World Economic Forum’s annual conference in the Swiss resort of Davos. He announced that his country is open for business and seeking foreign investment.

    After more than 13 years of civil war and decades of dictatorship that saw Syria become a pariah state, the country needs all the financial support it can get. But will foreign firms set up shop in Syria?

    Countries like Syria, emerging from conflict, face the challenge of convincing investors they are a safe environment for investment. Our research suggests companies look at what governments are doing in terms of aid when considering whether to invest. In general, post-war countries that receive more foreign aid subsequently receive more foreign investment.

    Foreign direct investment (FDI) typically involves multinational companies building factories, opening stores or investing capital in businesses abroad. It can be highly beneficial for developing countries.

    FDI is the most stable source of international financing, and generally has positive long-term effects on economic growth and poverty reduction. More importantly for incumbent governments, FDI has positive short-term effects on domestic employment, government financing and spending, and foreign exchange reserves.

    It also has a potential positive effect on government approval ratings, as attracting inward FDI signifies political competence to voters. These reasons are why almost all governments compete to receive these financial flows.

    FDI is especially important in post-conflict countries. Civil wars typically destroy or seriously harm the productive capacity of countries. In Syria, the conflict destroyed tens of billions of US dollars worth of infrastructure, and incapacitated more than half its electrical grid.

    After 13 years of civil war, Syria needs all the financial support it can get.
    Vagabjorn / Shutterstock

    War often disrupts a country’s access to the international economic exchanges that help economic growth. Since the beginning of its conflict in March 2011, Syria’s annual exports have dropped from US$8.8 billion (£7.1 billion) to US$1 billion, due to the war and war-related sanctions. Its economy has shrunk by 54%.

    Foreign investment can contribute substantially to rebuilding the economy. But post-conflict countries might seem risky to investors.

    Foreign firms sometimes avoid countries plagued by violence, political instability, or political risk. Conflict could reemerge in Syria, and multinational corporations probably do not want their business in a place where factories could be bombed or customers killed.

    Post-conflict situations are also relatively information-poor environments. Conflict often hampers data collection efforts, and governments, in desperate need of capital, may be incentivised to misrepresent the actual state of the economy or strength of the political system.

    In the case of Syria, foreign observers do not know what to make of the new ruling coalition, which is led by a designated terrorist organisation in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. While the international community seems to want to support Syria – the UK, for example, has been clear about its intention to help the country – observers are unsure about the environment and how it might change in the coming years.

    In these kinds of situation, international investors look at a variety of signals. In our research, we show that one key signal is whether other governments have sent official development aid to post-conflict countries.

    Following the aid

    We argue that the decision to send aid to a country signals the donors’ trust of local authorities. What matters is this presence of aid, whether or not the aid achieves its intended purpose.

    Examining decades of global data, we have found a robust relationship between foreign aid and subsequent investment in post-conflict countries – with one striking exception.

    There does not seem to be a relationship between aid from the US and foreign investment. Because so much of US foreign aid is geostrategic – to shore up alliances or secure access to particular areas – investors do not seem to view it as a valuable signal about the recipient country.

    So, Syria should perhaps not worry too much about the new US president Donald Trump’s plan to cut American foreign aid. If aid from other government donors can still flow in, this could encourage investment to follow.

    Fortunately for Syria, some countries and international organisations have already pledged aid – including the UK, which has announced £50 million in humanitarian aid for the country and its refugees. This seems like a good sign for Syria’s future – even more so because of the signal it sends to foreign investors.

    Specific domestic policies that encourage FDI and build stronger institutions will be necessary to secure investment in the longer term. Syria will need to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law and property rights, while creating a stable environment for investment.

    However, if the pledged aid materialises – and if more countries chip in – this could lead to substantial economic benefits for Syria.

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

    – ref. Will multinational companies flock to Syria? Maybe, if foreign aid arrives first – https://theconversation.com/will-multinational-companies-flock-to-syria-maybe-if-foreign-aid-arrives-first-248406

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to set healthy boundaries

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Gio Dolcecore, Assistant Professor, Social Work, Mount Royal University

    Boundaries are about what you do when something triggers an emotional response from you, and how you communicate to others what you are feeling. (Shutterstock)

    Setting our boundaries can sometimes be tough. Maybe you’re living with someone who’s always in your space. Or you’ve got that friend who feels a little too comfortable trauma-dumping on you. Maybe you feel your spouse isn’t respecting your choices.

    Whatever the reason, telling others how you feel isn’t always easy. And it can be difficult to figure out where to draw your lines and how to communicate them to others.

    There’s also a lot of misunderstanding about what boundaries are and what they aren’t. The prevalence of “therapy-speak” can make figuring that out even harder.

    Setting boundaries can often seem complicated and feel uncomfortable. That’s because it can take a lot of courage to stick up for yourself. It also takes a lot of emotional regulation and self-awareness.

    However, setting boundaries doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. Taking time to figure out how to communicate them effectively can lead to healthier relationships with the people in your life.

    Ready to make a change? The Quarter Life Glow-up is a new, six-week newsletter course from The Conversation’s UK and Canada editions.

    Every week, we’ll bring you research-backed advice and tools to help improve your relationships, your career, your free time and your mental health – no supplements or skincare required. Sign up here to start your glow-up at any time.

    Setting healthy boundaries

    Think of boundaries as promises you make to yourself about how you will respond to others when their actions or words conflict with your self-worth, communication style and relationship expectations. Things that influence our beliefs towards boundaries can include our cultural, religious and political identities.

    Boundaries are about what you do when something triggers an emotional response from you, and how you communicate to others what you are feeling. Boundaries are not about telling others what to do or how to feel.

    People in different places approach them in different ways. American authors like Brené Brown see boundaries as a way of loving ourselves by saying no, even if that means we let someone else down.

    Looking at cultures around the world can also help us learn more about the intricate relationship between boundaries, communication style and relationship expectations. For example, in Iran the term gheirat refers to a moral-emotional experience. It is a concept referring to an experience when there is a violation involving people, such as romantic partners, family dynamics and politics.

    A healthy boundary can be invitational, meaning you are inviting others to participate in the problem-solving process. In relationships we have to balance our feelings, their feelings and what is needed for the relationship to blossom. This tricky balance means inviting others in, while indicating what is needed for you to safely participate.

    For example saying “let’s finish this conversation when neither of us is raising our voices” is a healthy way of setting a boundary compared to “leave me alone right now” or “don’t speak to me like that.”

    Telling someone not to speak to you during a hard conversation can sound dismissive of their feelings, especially if they’re feeling unheard. The boundary is not about the conversation ending, it’s about what is needed for the conversation to continue in a respectful way.

    You don’t always owe others your time to communicate and explain what you need. Sometimes, it’s about walking away from a situation that you know isn’t serving you.
    (Shutterstock)

    Communication is key

    Healthy boundaries can be a way to mutually emotionally regulate. For example, saying “it makes me uncomfortable when you tell your friends personal details about our relationship” is offering others two opportunities. The first, awareness of how their actions are making you feel. And second, the opportunity to problem-solve with you.

    Most people will respond by explaining why they are doing what they are doing. With that information, you can decide how you want to respond. Maybe they’re choosing to disclose information to their friends because they rely on external processing to help make decisions. Or maybe they’re looking for external validation. You get to choose how to respond now that you have their rationale.

    As a therapist, I often tell clients you have options when it comes to setting and maintaining boundaries. The next time you have to set a boundary, think of the following tips.

    Do:

    • Express how you’re feeling in response to someone’s actions or inaction.

    • Identify your priorities and know your limits. Provide an opportunity for repair.

    • If someone tells you why they did what they did, remind them it’s important for you they recognize how you’re feeling versus rationalizing their behaviour.

    Don’t:

    • Tell someone how to act or feel.

    • Expect others to know what you need or what you’re thinking.

    • Rely on others to uphold your boundaries.

    You don’t always owe others your time to communicate and explain what you need. Sometimes, it’s about walking away from a situation that you know isn’t serving you. Based on how you observe people living their life, how they talk about social or political issues, conduct themselves when you express your feelings, you can choose not to give people access to your life.

    Sometimes walking away is about preserving your self-worth, especially after you’ve tried communicating and problem solving. This is where boundaries become hard to maintain, because we have to determine whether someone’s actions are enough to protect ourselves and uphold our self worth.

    However you choose to set your boundaries, communicating them honestly and calmly is key to getting others to understand and respect them.

    Gio Dolcecore 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. How to set healthy boundaries – https://theconversation.com/how-to-set-healthy-boundaries-237745

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Wearable Devices Unveils the LLM of Gesture Control: Large MUAP Models (LMM) Set to Revolutionize Human-Computer Interaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Pioneering AI-powered neural gesture technology enables personalized, intuitive interactions for the AI and XR era

    Yokneam Illit, Israel, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd. (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), an award-winning pioneer in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-based wearable gesture control technology, announced a groundbreaking advancement in human-computer interaction: Large MUAP Models (“LMM”). Building on the success of LLMs in natural language processing, Wearable Devices is actively developing LMMs with the goal to revolutionize how we interact with digital devices, aiming to offer personalized, intuitive gesture control powered by neural data. While still in development, this innovative technology holds immense potential to redefine human-device interaction.

    The LMM Revolution: Decoding the Neural Alphabet

    Just as LLMs unlocked the power of language for AI, LMMs aim to unlock the power of neural gestures for seamless, natural interactions. By decoding Motor Unit Action Potentials (MUAPs)—the body’s language for communicating with muscles—Wearable Devices has created a new paradigm for gesture control. LMMs are harnessing the potential of big data to enable devices to understand and predict user intentions with unprecedented speed and precision, making interactions faster and more intuitive than ever before. Personalized Gestures for a Natural User Experience

    At the heart of LMMs is personalization. The technology learns from individual users, creating a unique neural profile that will enable gestures tailored to each person’s natural movements. Whether it’s a subtle thumb swipe to select an option or a pinch-to-zoom gesture in augmented reality, LMMs will make interactions feel effortless and intuitive. “With LMMs, we are decoding the neural alphabet, potentially unlocking a strategically vital technology that fuses human neurology with AI. This breakthrough has the potential to create sci-fi-like superhuman abilities, giving a fundamental edge to whoever masters it first,” said Guy Wagner, Chief Scientific Officer of Wearable Devices.

    Wearable Devices’ flagship products, such as the Mudra Band for Apple Watch and the Mudra Link for universal device control, are already demonstrating the power of neural interfaces. These devices allow users to control their digital environments with simple, natural gestures. LMMs have the potential to make our current technology user-personalized, paving the way for a future where wearable technology is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives.

    The Future of AI and XR: Powered by Neural Gestures

    As spatial computing becomes the next computing platform, LMMs will provide the intuitive, natural interactions needed to unlock its full potential. Wearable Devices is focused on developing this technology and plans to seek collaboration with leading companies to integrate LMMs into next-generation extended reality (XR) platforms, ensuring that users can interact with their digital environments in ways that feel as natural as moving their hands.

    “The future of XR and AI interactions is here, and it starts with your wrist,” added Mr. Wagner. “With LMMs, we are not just imagining the future—we are building it.”

    About Wearable Devices Ltd.

    Wearable Devices Ltd. is a pioneering growth company revolutionizing human-computer interaction through its AI-powered neural input technology for both consumer and business markets. Leveraging proprietary sensors, software, and advanced AI algorithms, the Company’s innovative products, including the Mudra Band for iOS and Mudra Link for Android, enable seamless, touch-free interaction by transforming subtle finger and wrist movements into intuitive controls. These groundbreaking solutions enhance gaming, and the rapidly expanding AR/VR/XR landscapes. The Company offers a dual-channel business model: direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing. Its flagship Mudra Band integrates functional and stylish design with cutting-edge AI to empower consumers, while its enterprise solutions provide businesses with the tools to deliver immersive and interactive experiences. By setting the input standard for the XR market, Wearable Devices is redefining user experiences and driving innovation in one of the fastest-growing tech sectors. Wearable Devices’ ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

    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, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the benefits and advantages of our devices and technology, including the potential of LMMs, and that we are focused on developing this technology and plan to seek collaboration with leading companies to integrate LMMs into next-generation XR platforms. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 15, 2024 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact

    Michal Efraty
    IR@wearabledevices.co.il

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LeddarTech Announces First OEM Design Win for LeddarVision ADAS Solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, today announced a major milestone: one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) has selected LeddarTech as the fusion and perception software supplier for their advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) program for 2028 model year vehicles.

    LeddarVision was selected for this mainstream commercial vehicle platform after a comprehensive evaluation by the customer of the leading solutions available in the market today. LeddarVision stood out for its superior performance and efficiency in a multi-modal sensor system with both cameras and radars, and the ability to scale to various models and sensor configurations. LeddarTech revenue from this design win is expected to begin in 2025 for engineering services, with per-vehicle royalty revenue anticipated in late 2027. While project work is to commence immediately, the arrangement remains subject to the parties entering into definitive agreements.

    “This award comes on the heels of the recently announced Texas Instruments collaboration and license agreement with close to US$ 10 million in pre-paid royalties. These developments evidence the industry’s pivot towards low-level fusion―an approach pioneered by LeddarTech―that enables cost-effective deployment of L2/L2+ ADAS for commercial and passenger vehicles and our leadership position in multi-modal, low-level fusion and perception software,” said Frantz Saintellemy, president and CEO of LeddarTech. “These wins also reflect the momentum that is building with our business.”

    LeddarTech’s LeddarVision platform delivers an environmental model that enhances driver safety and enables greater autonomy. By leveraging cutting-edge AI and sensor fusion technology, LeddarTech enables automotive OEMs to meet increasingly challenging industry safety standards while addressing consumer demands for more advanced ADAS features.

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s selection by the OEM referred to above, anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the risk that LeddarTech and the OEM referred to above are unable to agree to final terms in definitive agreements; (ii) the volume of future orders (if any) from this OEM, actual revenue derived from expected orders, and timing of revenue, if any; (iii) the possibility that anticipated benefits of LeddarTech’s recent business combination will not be realized; (iv) the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the business combination or other settlements or investigations may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (v) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (vi) possible disruptions from the business combination that could harm LeddarTech’s business; (vii) the ability of LeddarTech to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (viii) potential adverse reactions or changes to relationships with customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (ix) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships following the business combination that could affect LeddarTech’s financial performance; (x) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xi) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak or escalation of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including COVID‑19), as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (xii) access to capital and financing and LeddarTech’s ability to maintain compliance with debt covenants; (xiii) LeddarTech’s ability to execute its business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; and (xiv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Chris Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
    Tel.: + 1-514-427-0858, chris.stewart@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BOS Starts 2025 Growth Plans with a New $2.3 Million Defense Related Order

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RISHON LE ZION, Israel, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BOS Better Online Solutions Ltd. (“BOS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BOSC), an integrator of supply chain technologies, announced today that its Supply Chain division has secured a new $2.3 million order from one of its primary customers in the defense sector. The order is for delivery by the first half of year 2025.

    Avidan Zelicovski, BOS President, said: “BOS is increasingly recognized as a trusted partner to both our primary customers and their subcontractors worldwide. This newest contract award reflects our continued success in supporting our primary customer base and capitalizing on the substantially increased defense budgets. We expect to secure additional contracts throughout 2025 as we continue to expand our business activities and global defense spending continues to rise.”

    About BOS Better Online Solutions Ltd.
    BOS integrates cutting-edge technologies to streamline and enhance supply chain operations across three specialized divisions:

    • Intelligent Robotics Division: Automates industrial and logistics inventory processes through advanced robotics technologies, improving efficiency and precision.
    • RFID Division: Optimizes inventory management with state-of-the-art solutions for marking and tracking, ensuring real-time visibility and control.
    • Supply Chain Division: Integrates franchised components directly into customer products, meeting their evolving needs for developing cutting-edge products.

    Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of BOS. These risk factors and uncertainties include, amongst others, the dependency of sales being generated from one or few major customers, the uncertainty of BOS being able to maintain current gross profit margins, inability to keep up or ahead of technology and to succeed in a highly competitive industry, inability to maintain marketing and distribution arrangements and to expand our overseas markets, uncertainty with respect to the prospects of legal claims against BOS, the effect of exchange rate fluctuations, general worldwide economic conditions, the effect of the war against the Hamas and other terrorist organizations, the continued availability of financing for working capital purposes and to refinance outstanding indebtedness; and additional risks and uncertainties detailed in BOS’ periodic reports and registration statements filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. BOS undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

    For additional information, contact:

    Matt Kreps, Managing Director
    Darrow Associates
    +1-214-597-8200
    mkreps@darrowir.com

    Eyal Cohen, CEO
    +972-542525925
    eyalc@boscom.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Outbrain Completes the Acquisition of Teads

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Highlights:

    • The combination will merge two open internet category leaders to create a unified omnichannel platform that delivers outcomes from branding to performance across all screens, including CTV, mobile and web. The new company will operate under the name Teads.
    • The union creates one of the largest open internet companies, with combined advertising spend of approximately $1.7 billion (FY24), reaching 2.2 billion consumers.
    • The company will unite two of the richest contextual and interest data sets on the open internet, powering an advanced AI prediction engine to optimize advertiser outcomes.
    • Outbrain CEO, David Kostman, will serve as CEO of the combined company, with Jeremy Arditi and Bertrand Quesada, former Teads CEOs, assuming the roles of Co-President, Chief Business Officer of the Americas and International respectively.
    • The two companies are preliminarily reporting a combined Ex-TAC Gross Profit of $623 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $230 million in 2024 including $65-75 million of estimated synergies1.
    • Transaction value of approximately $900 million, comprised of $625 million in cash and 43.75 million Outbrain shares.
    • Altice, selling shareholder of Teads, will nominate two out of a total of 10 board members.
    • Outbrain is providing selected preliminary results for the fourth quarter, in line with previously issued guidance in Outbrain’s November 2024 earnings call, and selected preliminary results for Teads and the combined company.

    NEW YORK, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Outbrain Inc. (NASDAQ: OB) today announced the closing of its acquisition of Teads, following receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The two companies will merge their respective branding and performance offerings to create the omnichannel outcomes platform for the open internet, and will operate under the name Teads.

    The new Teads will create one of the largest optimized supply paths on the premium open internet, with a focus on connecting curated, exclusive media environments with elevated, data-driven creative experiences. The combined company offering will be strengthened by Outbrain’s proprietary predictive technology and AI optimization. It will provide a solution for marketers to leverage a single partner to deliver concrete outcomes at every step of the marketing funnel— offering unique ways to combine advertising solutions from awareness to sales. The company’s combined data set will power expanded contextual, audience and purchase-based targeting capabilities, connecting CTV experiences to digital moments to drive measurable outcomes.

    “I am extremely excited about this new chapter in our journey. This transformative merger creates a company that directly addresses a large gap in the advertising industry: a scaled end-to-end platform that can drive outcomes, from branding to consideration to purchase, across screens,” said CEO, David Kostman.

    “Together, we are creating an extraordinary new company, combining the best of both organizations’ deep expertise in omnichannel video branding solutions and performance advertising. The new Teads’ mission is to drive lasting value with an offering that invites marketers to expect better outcomes, media owners to expect sustainable value, and consumers to expect elevated experiences. I want to thank the teams of both Outbrain and Teads, who have pioneered major advertising categories, and have built leading global companies over more than a decade. It is their innovation and commitment that have brought us to this moment and will propel us to new heights,” added Kostman.

    Co-President & Chief Business Officer, Jeremy Arditi, added: “We’re committed to creating a solution that will harness the untapped opportunity of the open internet, and allow all of its constituents to thrive. We believe that by prioritizing beautiful creative experiences, trust and transparency in media, and delivery of meaningful outcomes, we can create a stronger ecosystem that provides value for all.”

    “The merger between Teads and Outbrain makes a lot of sense strategically. We look forward to exploring the new possibilities this provides us with to reach our audiences in a new and interesting way, to deliver full funnel solutions and better business outcomes,” said Sital Banerjee, Global Head of Integrated Media, Performance Marketing, and BMI Management at Lipton Teas and Infusions.

    Key Combined Strengths

    With the completion of the combination, the new Teads will offer clients and partners:

    • Exceptional reach at great scale, across exclusive environments
      • 96 percent open internet audience reach*
      • Number one most direct supply path, as rated by Jounce**
      • Direct access to 10,000 media environment
      • Connected to the top 4 OEMs and several of the top Streaming Apps unlocking access to 50bn CTV Monthly Ad Opportunities, including unique CTV homescreen inventory
      • Proprietary code-on-page relationships with premium editorial properties globally, providing access to incremental inventory and yielding extensive audience interest and engagement insights
    • Creatives built for outcomes
      • Data-driven, beautiful creative solutions designed to connect brand moments across the marketing funnel — from CTV to editorial and beyond
      • Proven impact from unique experiences, with 74 percent higher attention for unique CTV native creative
      • Strategic Joint Business Partnerships with more than 50 of the world’s most premium brands
    • AI-powered predictive technology
      • Proprietary prediction engine, cultivated over 18+ years to drive performance outcomes, making 1 billion predictions each minute
      • 4 billion signals processed each minute via AI and machine learning
      • 50 live AI models
    • Expansive omnichannel graph, expanded on the Teads Omnichannel Graph foundation
      • The Teads Omnichannel Graph (OG), a proprietary tool extending contextual and audience-targeting capabilities into the CTV environment, will be further expanded by Outbrain engagement, interest, and conversion data
      • Extensive data signals feeding an understanding of audiences across screens, including:
        • 130,000 articles scanned per minute
        • 500,000 CTV programs enriched with data per month
        • 1 billion engagement and contextual signals processed each minute

    *According to Comscore, Media Metrix, Key Metrix, US, December 2024 for Teads.
    **According to 2024 Jounce SPO analyses, specific to Teads platform.

    Transaction Details

    Outbrain, Altice and Teads have amended the previously announced share purchase agreement, dated August 1, 2024. Under the terms of the revised agreement, Outbrain will be paying a total consideration of approximately $900 million, consisting of $625 million upfront cash and 43.75 million shares of common stock of Outbrain (valued at approximately $263 million based on the closing price of Outbrain’s common stock as of January 31, 2025, of $6.01).

    Under the revised terms, there is no deferred cash payment or convertible preferred equity component. The revised terms have meaningfully reduced the level of required debt financing and simplified the transaction structure.

    Outbrain intends to finance the transaction with existing cash resources and $625 million in committed debt financing from Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Jefferies Finance LLC and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., subject to customary funding conditions. Outbrain will also issue to Altice 43.75 million shares of common stock. Altice will nominate two directors to the board of Outbrain and will be bound by a stockholder agreement with Outbrain containing arrangements and restrictions concerning voting and disposition of the shares issued to Altice.

    Financial Highlights

    Preliminary Estimated Unaudited Financial Information for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2024

    Today Outbrain is furnishing on Form 8-K selected preliminary estimated unaudited financial information for each of Outbrain and Teads on a standalone basis and on a combined company basis for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. Excerpts of such financial information can be found below. You are encouraged to refer to the Form 8-K and other documents filed or furnished by Outbrain with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

    The Company previously announced its expectation to achieve $50 – 60 million of annual revenue and cost synergies in the second full year following completion of the acquisition, with further opportunities for expanded synergies in the following years. The Company now expects to realize approximately $65 – 75 million of annual synergies in FY 2026 with further opportunities for expanded synergies in the following years. Of this amount, approximately $60 million relates to cost synergies, including approximately $45 million of compensation related expenses. The Company plans to action approximately 70% of the compensation related expense savings during the first month post-closing. The upsize in expected synergies follows a robust integration planning process, enabling a larger and more rapid synergy capture.

    Outbrain is providing selected preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, as follows:

    • Ex-TAC gross profit of $68.3 million for Q4 2024, and $236.1 million for FY 2024
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $17.0 million for Q4 2024, and $37.3 million for FY 2024

    For Teads, we are providing the following selected preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, as follows:

    • Ex-TAC gross profit of $119.9 million for Q4 2024, and $386.6 million for FY 2024
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $52.2 million for Q4 2024, and $122.7 million for FY 2024

    The two companies are preliminarily reporting a combined Ex-TAC Gross Profit of approximately $623 million and Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $230 million in 2024, including $65-75 million of estimated synergies2.

    Conference Call and Webcast:
    Outbrain will host an investor conference call this morning, Monday, February 3rd at 9:00 am ET. Interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call which can be accessed live by phone by dialing 1-877-497-9071 or for international callers, 1-201-689-8727. A replay will be available two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-660-6853, or for international callers, 1-201-612-7415. The passcode for the live call and the replay is 13751603. The replay will be available until February 17, 2025. Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the Investors Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.outbrain.com. The online replay will be available for a limited time shortly following the call.

    Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which Outbrain and Teads operate, and beliefs and assumptions of Outbrain’s management. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives, expected synergies and statements of a general economic or industry-specific nature. You can generally identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “foresee,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions, or are not statements of historical fact. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: risks that the acquisition disrupts current plans and operations or diverts management’s attention from its ongoing business; the initiation or outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Outbrain or Teads, or their respective directors or officers, related to the acquisition; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the acquisition; the ability of Outbrain to successfully integrate Teads’ operations, technologies and employees; the ability to realize anticipated benefits and synergies of the acquisition, including the expectation of enhancements to Outbrain’s services, greater revenue or growth opportunities, operating efficiencies and cost savings; overall advertising demand and traffic generated by Outbrain and the combined company’s media partners; factors that affect advertising demand and spending, such as the continuation or worsening of unfavorable economic or business conditions or downturns, instability or volatility in financial markets, and other events or factors outside of Outbrain and the combined company’s control, such as U.S. and global recession concerns; geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing war between Ukraine-Russia and conditions in Israel and the Middle East; supply chain issues; inflationary pressures; labor market volatility; bank closures or disruptions; the impact of challenging economic conditions; political and policy uncertainties; and other factors that have and may further impact advertisers’ ability to pay; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to continue to innovate, and adoption by Outbrain and the combined company’s advertisers and media partners of expanding solutions; the success of Outbrain and the combined company’s sales and marketing investments, which may require significant investments and may involve long sales cycles; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to grow their business and manage growth effectively; the ability to compete effectively against current and future competitors; the loss or decline of one or more large media partners, and Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to expand advertiser and media partner relationships; conditions in Israel, including the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and other terrorist organizations, may limit Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to market, support and innovate their products due to the impact on employees as well as advertisers and advertising markets; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to maintain revenues or profitability despite quarterly fluctuations in results, whether due to seasonality, large cyclical events or other causes; the risk that research and development efforts may not meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technology market; any failure of Outbrain or the combined company’s recommendation engine to accurately predict attention or engagement, any deterioration in the quality of Outbrain or the combined company’s recommendations or failure to present interesting content to users or other factors which may cause us to experience a decline in user engagement or loss of media partners; limits on Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to collect, use and disclose data to deliver advertisements; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to extend their reach into evolving digital media platforms; Outbrain and the combined company’s ability to maintain and scale their technology platform; the ability to meet demands on our infrastructure and resources due to future growth or otherwise; the failure or the failure of third parties to protect Outbrain and the combined company’s sites, networks and systems against security breaches, or otherwise to protect the confidential information of Outbrain and the combined company; outages or disruptions that impact Outbrain or the combined company or their service providers, resulting from cyber incidents, or failures or loss of our infrastructure; significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates; political and regulatory risks in the various markets in which Outbrain and the combined company operate; the challenges of compliance with differing and changing regulatory requirements; the timing and execution of any cost-saving measures and the impact on Outbrain and the combined company’s business or strategy; and the other risk factors and additional information described in the section entitled “Risk Factors”, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Outbrain’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024 for the year ended December 31, 2023, Outbrain’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 8, 2024 for the period ended June 30, 2024, Outbrain’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 7, 2024 for the period ended September 30, 2024 and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

    Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as an indication of future performance. Outbrain cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur, and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Outbrain and the combined company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Outbrain undertakes no obligation, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About The Combined Company
    Outbrain Inc. (Nasdaq: OB) and Teads combined on February 3, 2025 and are operating under the new Teads brand. The new Teads is the omnichannel outcomes platform for the open internet, driving full-funnel results for marketers across premium media. With a focus on meaningful business outcomes, the combined company ensures value is driven with every media dollar by leveraging predictive AI technology to connect quality media, beautiful brand creative, and context-driven addressability and measurement. One of the most scaled advertising platforms on the open internet, the new Teads is directly partnered with more than 10,000 publishers and 20,000 advertisers globally. The company is headquartered in New York, with a global team of nearly 1,800 people in 36 countries.

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

    Media Contact

    press@outbrain.com

    Investor Relations Contact

    IR@outbrain.com
    (332) 205-8999

    Non-GAAP Reconciliations

    The following table presents the reconciliation of Gross profit to Ex-TAC gross profit, for the periods presented:

        Three Months Ended December 31, 2024   Year Ended December 31, 2024
        Outbrain   Teads   Combined   Outbrain   Teads   Combined
    Revenue   $ 234,586     $ 188,953     $ 423,539     $ 889,875     $ 617,435     $ 1,507,310  
    Traffic acquisition costs     (166,247 )     (69,091 )     (235,338 )     (653,731 )     (230,831 )     (884,562 )
    Other cost of revenue (a)     (12,277 )     (26,441 )     (38,718 )     (44,042 )     (106,414 )     (150,456 )
    Gross profit     56,062       93,421       149,483       192,102       280,190       472,292  
    Other cost of revenue (a)     12,277       26,441       38,718       44,042       106,414       150,456  
    Ex-TAC Gross Profit   $ 68,339     $ 119,862     $ 188,201     $ 236,144     $ 386,604     $ 622,748  

    ___________
    (a) Other cost of revenue for Teads is subject to accounting policy harmonization.

    The following table presents the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, for the periods presented:

        Three Months Ended December 31, 2024   Year Ended December 31, 2024
        Outbrain   Teads   Combined   Outbrain   Teads   Combined
    Net (loss) income   $ (167 )   $ 69,613     $ 69,446     $ (711 )   $ 89,318     $ 88,607  
    Interest expense/financial costs     699     $ 116       815       3,649       1,176       4,825  
    Interest income and other income, net     (1,522 )   $ –       (1,522 )     (9,209 )     –       (9,209 )
    Gain related to convertible debt     –       –       –       (8,782 )     –       (8,782 )
    Other financial income and (expenses)     –       (13,973 )     (13,973 )     –       (26,404 )     (26,404 )
    Provision for income taxes     3,525       16,143       19,668       2,415       38,256       40,671  
    Depreciation and amortization     4,985       3,027       8,012       19,479       12,834       32,313  
    Share-based compensation     3,974       (28,089 )     (24,115 )     15,461       –       15,461  
    Severance costs     –       393       393       742       1,593       2,335  
    Merger and acquisition costs     5,469       4,930       10,399       14,256       5,890       20,146  
    Adjusted EBITDA, excluding synergies   $ 16,963     $ 52,160     $ 69,123     $ 37,300     $ 122,663     $ 159,963  
    The Company expects to realize approximately $65 – 75 million of annual synergies in the second full year following completion of the Acquisition. (midpoint)                         70,000  
    Combined company Adjusted EBITDA (incl. synergies)                       $ 229,963  

    1Represents estimated full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA synergies, with further opportunities for expanded synergies in the following years. Ex-TAC Gross Profit and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” below.
    2Represents estimated full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA synergies, with further opportunities for expanded synergies in the following years

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LeddarTech Enters Into Amendments to Credit Facility and Bridge Financing Offer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, today announced that it has entered into:

    • a fifteenth amending agreement (the “Fifteenth Amending Agreement”) with Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec (“Desjardins”) with respect to the amended and restated financing offer dated as of April 5, 2023 (the “Desjardins Credit Facility”), pursuant to which Desjardins has agreed to, among other things, (i) temporarily postpone payment of interest for the months of July through December 2024 until the earlier of (x) the date of the final disbursement of one or several equity investments in the borrower for minimum gross proceeds amount of US$35,000,000 in the aggregate (the “Short-Term Outside Date”), and (y) February 28, 2025; and (ii) temporarily reduce the minimum cash covenant under the Desjardins Credit Facility to C$1,000,000 until the earlier of (x) the Short-Term Outside Date, and (y) February 28, 2025, and a minimum cash balance of C$5,000,000 at all times after such date;
    • a third amending agreement (the “Third Amending Agreement”) with the initial bridge lenders and certain members of management and the board of directors (collectively, the “Bridge Lenders”) with respect to the bridge financing offer dated as of August 16, 2024 (the “Bridge Financing Offer”) pursuant to which the Bridge Lenders have agreed to, among other things, extend the maturity of the bridge loan to the earlier of (x) February 28, 2025 and (y) the business day following the Short-Term Outside Date.

    The Fifteenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility also provides for a monthly payment by LeddarTech to Desjardins of C$125,000, which monthly fee is earned and payable on the first day of each month, until the Short-Term Outside Date, which must occur on or prior to February 28, 2025. The payment of the monthly fees applicable for the month of August 2024 and for the months up until (and including) January 2025 is postponed to the earlier of (x) the Short-Term Outside Date, and (y) February 28, 2025.

    The foregoing descriptions of the Fifteenth Amending Agreement to the Desjardins Credit Facility and the Third Amending Agreement to the Bridge Financing Offer do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to such amendments, copies of which will be filed under LeddarTech’s SEDAR+ and EDGAR profiles at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (ii) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (iii) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (iv) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (v) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, projects, prospects and plans; (vi) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (vii) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (viii) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (ix) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (x) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xi) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xii) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Maram Fityani, Media and Public Relations, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
    Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 623, maram.fityani@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GT Protocol wraps up a busy 2024 with numerous milestones including launching AI agents Builder

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Peter Ionov, CEO and Co-Founder of GT Protocol

    From a successful TGE to the launch of its Global AI Executive Technology, GT Protocol’s AI agents will make AI accessible to industries worldwide and are being integrated with major brands such as Nike, Amazon, and Shein

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GT Protocol, a blockchain AI execution protocol building advanced AI agents, enters 2025 on a high following a momentous 2024 defined by more than 100 strategic partnerships, key hires including the creation of an AI Solutions team, and recognition from major industry platforms as a top AI token. Enhancing all GT Protocol’s milestones and achievements is the launching of its Global AI Executive Technology, a powerful suite of tools, including the AI Agents Builder and AI Agents Marketplace with personalized AI agents designed to enhance the user experience. After initially starting out as an AI-powered Web3 investment and portfolio management platform, GT Protocol introduced its Global AI Executive Technology to expand its ecosystem into non-crypto services.

    As more companies deploy advanced generative AI tools, AI agents have emerged as software systems designed to go beyond today’s expansive AI models by reasoning, planning, and executing actions completely independent of humans. A recent Google white paper on the future of AI agents concluded that for enterprises, these agents aren’t just smarter AI models or a theoretical concept. The report states they are a practical tool that can reshape how businesses function.

    As GT Protocol advances its Global AI Executive Technology by creating AI agents designed to automate complex tasks and adapt to individual preferences, it enables businesses to embed its decentralized AI technology into their platforms through the GT API SDK. GT’s AI agents aren’t just tools but rather personal systems that smoothly integrate into both crypto and non-crypto services, changing how people engage with the digital world.

    To redefine efficiency and make AI accessible to all industries, these are GT Protocol’s AI agents:

    • Personalized AI Agent Auto caller: Used for streamlining bookings, meetings, and daily tasks for individuals and businesses. The personalized AI agents can also book restaurant reservations via the auto caller feature which integrates Google Maps, a speech API, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to provide a more intuitive experience.
    • Global AI Translator: Real-time translations of voice messages across more than 100 languages. This AI agent features grammar checks and is compatible with Telegram and WhatsApp group chats.
    • Sexuality Meme Analyzer: This fun and lighthearted AI agent enables users to take a selfie and then have their sexuality rated.
    • Trading AI Agent: Automates crypto trading while delivering unique insights and optimized portfolio management. This AI agent also conducts marketing activities and can monitor competitors.

    Despite generative AI’s revolutionary impact, common chatbots often fail to meet users’ needs due to their generic nature. GT Protocol’s AI Agents Marketplace counters this by allowing users to create or select AI agents that are customized to fit their specific desires—whether to help with personal tasks, business operations, or creative endeavors. All AI agents, whether custom-built or from GT Protocol’s existing lineup, are rigorously tested to guarantee peak performance and reliability, enhancing productivity and creativity. Furthermore, if a custom-built agent becomes popular, it can receive crowdfunding with the potential of being listed on Raydium—providing a unique opportunity for scaling and community engagement.

    Powered by its Global AI Executive Technology, GT Protocol enables users to design their own AI agents to be featured in its AI Marketplace. Its AI Agent Builder is currently in a closed testing phase but recently opened up an early access program for early adopters to sign up and engage with the systems, including the AI Agents Marketplaces. GT Protocol is currently building additional AI agents.

    In 2024 GT Protocol’s Global AI Executive Technology highlighted the end of the year but the project made noise throughout the year, starting with a successful launch of its native $GTAI token in January. The $GTAI utility token garnered much recognition throughout the year, as it was listed as “Top Gainer” on BNB Chain seven times, achieved the top ranking for AI tokens on CoinGecko twice, and was trending on CoinMarketCap.

    GT Protocol was also recognized by Forbes as a leading AI-driven crypto project and was one of the top 10 most-voted projects on Skynet and Certik. GT Protocol was very active during 2024 participating in six major global conferences, including Token2049 and EthCC2024, while its CEO and Co-Founder Peter Ionov served as a judge for seasons six and seven of HackaTRON.

    During 2024, GT Protocol was featured in 67 publications including Cointelegraph, Finance Magnates, Investing.com, Crypto.news, and other leading publications where its advancements in AI and blockchain were highlighted. As part of its mission to consistently engage with its community, GT Protocol team members participated in an unprecedented 33 X (formerly Twitter) Spaces to discuss everything from AI, blockchain, and Web3 with other industry experts.

    “We couldn’t have wished for a better 2024 and look forward to continuing on our path in 2025,” says Peter Ionov, CEO and Co-Founder of GT Protocol. “Our achievements over the past year couldn’t have been done without the unwavering support we’ve received from our dedicated community, who will always be the backbone of our expanding ecosystem. We will continue building tools and products that provide simplicity, intelligence, and user empowerment as we look to redefine what is possible in AI and blockchain.”

    “It has been a real pleasure to collaborate with GT Protocol and its amazing team over the last year plus,” says Ilan Rakhmanov, CEO and Founder of ChainGPT. “GT Protocol was one of the most promising and groundbreaking projects to come through our ChainGPT Pad and its achievements in 2024 support this. As they transition to focusing on AI agents, I have no doubt this journey will be nothing short of a great success.”

    “I greatly appreciated working with GT Protocol over the last year as they integrated our decentralized settlement layer to enhance their wonderful Web3 investment platform by facilitating cross-chain transactions using $GTAI,” says Eitan Katz, CEO and Co-Founder of Kima. “They truly are a great team with a lot of talented individuals who work together effectively, so it’s no surprise they are one of the most promising projects bridging AI and digital assets.”

    About GT Protocol:
    GT Protocol is revolutionizing the landscape with its AI Layer for Web3, targeting the onboarding of 100 million users through cutting-edge technology. The company develops AI infrastructure specifically designed for Web3 investments, trading, and portfolio management. With a robust community presence, GT Protocol is set to transform how users interact with the crypto market. For more information, visit: https://www.gt-protocol.io/

    Contact:
    Ari Karp
    ari@reblonde.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by GT Protocol. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dedcd6b2-66f4-4cc2-a6fd-92b19780e406

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: The Importance of Collaboration between Statisticians and Policymakers for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    National Statistics Offices (NSOs) and Policy departments have had a long-standing relationship where the NSO prepares statistical information to help policy departments make effective policy decisions.  Often, the dialogue between NSOs and policy departments has been limited to the NSO preparing data tables or microdata files for the use of policy makers, with little real communication taking place. 

    However, the enormous amount of data and statistical information required for SDGs coupled with the complex nature of the intersectionality of the SDGs, translates into a need for policy makers and national statistics offices to collaborate and enhance communication to be able to adequately respond to the ambitious nature of the 2030 Agenda.

    This webinar will bring together policy makers and statisticians to discuss how the SDGs have given rise to a deeper level of collaboration.  It will provide opportunity to discuss what works and what does not work from those working on SDG policy and those working to provide the necessary statistics.  It will also provide space to share best practices from real experiences in different countries.

    The webinar was organized by the CES Steering Group on Statistics for SDGs in collaboration with Statistics Canada.

    Keynote speech:

    Mogens Lykketoft – Former Danish Minister of Finance, President of the United Nations General Assembly’s 70th session

    Moderator:

    Cara Williams – IAEG-SDGs Co-chair, SDG statistics focal point, Statistics Canada

    Panelists:

    Cristina Mattson Lundberg – Swedish Ministry of the Environment

    Gabriel Wikström – Sweden’s National Coordinator on the 2030 Agenda

    Viggo Barmen – Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs 

    Amit Yagur-Kroll – National focal point for SDG statistics, Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics

    Live Rognerud – SDG data focal point, Statistics Norway

    Olivier Bullion – Director SDG unit, Employment and Social Development Canada

    Renata Bielak – Director SDGs, Statistics Poland

    Presentations:
    Collaboration between statisticians and policy makers for the 2030 Agenda – Sweden

    Broadening the SDG dialogue in Poland – Poland

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Whether Biden Or Trump, US’ Latin American Policy Will Be Contemptible

    Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs –

    By John Perry and Roger D. Harris

    Migration, Drugs, and Tariffs.

    With Donald Trump as the new US president, pundits are speculating about how US policy towards Latin America might change.

    In this article, we look at some of the speculation, then address three specific instances of how the US’s policy priorities may be viewed from a progressive, Latin American perspective. This leads us to a wider argument: that the way these issues are dealt with is symptomatic of Washington’s paramount objective of sustaining the US’s hegemonic position. In this overriding preoccupation, its policy towards Latin America is only one element, of course, but always of significance because the US hegemon still treats the region as its “backyard.”

    First, some examples of what the pundits are saying. In Foreign Affairs, Brian Winter argues that Trump’s return signals a shift away from Biden’s neglect of the region. “The reason is straightforward,” he says. “Trump’s top domestic priorities of cracking down on unauthorized immigration, stopping the smuggling of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, and reducing the influx of Chinese goods into the United States all depend heavily on policy toward Latin America.”

    Ryan Berg, who is with the thinktank, Center for Strategic and International Studies, funded by the US defense industry, is also hopeful. Trump will “focus U.S. policy more intently on the Western Hemisphere,” he argues, “and in so doing, also shore up its own security and prosperity at home.”

    According to blogger James Bosworth, Biden’s “benign neglect” could be replaced by an “aggressive Monroe Doctrine – deportations, tariff wars, militaristic security policies, demands of fealty towards the US, and a rejection of China.” However, notwithstanding the attention of Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Bosworth thinks there is still a good chance of policy lapsing into benign neglect as the new administration focuses elsewhere.

    The wrong end of the telescope

    What these and similar analyses share is a concern with problems of importance to the US, including domestic ones, and how they might be tackled by shifts in policy towards Latin America. They view the region from the end of a US-mounted telescope.

    Trump’s approach may be the more brazen “America first!,” but the basic stance is much the same as these pundits. The different scenarios will be worked out in Washington, with Latin America’s future seen as shaped by how it handles US policy changes over which it has little influence. Analyses by these supposed experts are constrained by their adopting the same one-dimensional perspective as Washington’s, instead of questioning it.

    Here’s one example. The word “neglect” is superficial because it hides the immense involvement of the US in Latin America even when it is “neglecting” it: from deep commercial ties to a massive military presence. It is also superficial because, in a real sense, the US constantly neglects the problems that concern most Latin Americans: low wages, inequality, being safe in the streets, the damaging effects of climate change, and many more. “Neglect” would be seen very differently on the streets of a Latin American city than it is inside the Washington beltway.

    Who has the “drug problem”?

    The vacuum in US thinking is nowhere more apparent than in responses to the drug problem. Trump threatens to declare Mexican drug cartels to be terrorist organizations and to invade Mexico to attack them.

    But, as academic Carlos Pérez-Ricart told El Pais: “This is a problem that does not originate in Mexico. The source, the demand, and the vectors are not Mexican. It is them.” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also points out that it is consumption in the US that drives drug production and trafficking in Mexico.

    Trump could easily make the same mistake as his predecessor Clinton did two decades ago. Back then, billions were poured into “Plan Colombia” but still failed to solve the “drug problem,” while vastly augmenting violence and human rights violations in the target country.

    A foretaste of what might happen, if Trump carries out his threat, occurred last July, when Biden’s administration captured Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. That caused an all-out war between cartels in the Mexican state of Sinaloa.

    Sheinbaum rightly turns questions about drug production and consumption back onto the US. Rhetorically, she asks: “Do you believe that fentanyl is not manufactured in the United States?…. Where are the drug cartels in the United States that distribute fentanyl in US cities? Where does the money from the sale of that fentanyl go in the United States?”

    If Trump launches a war on cartels, he will not be the first US president to the treat drug consumption as a foreign issue rather than a concomitantly domestic one.

    Where does the “migration problem” originate?

    Trump is also not the first president to be obsessed by migration. Like drugs, it is seen as a problem to be solved by the countries where the migrants originate, while both the “push” and “pull” factors under US control receive less attention.

    Exploitation of migrant labor, complex asylum procedures, and schemes such as “humanitarian parole” to encourage migration are downplayed as reasons. Biden intensified US sanctions on various Latin American countries, which have been shown conclusively to provoke massive emigration. Meanwhile Trump threatens to do the same.

    Many Latin American countries have been made unsafe by crime linked to drugs or other problems in which the US is implicated. About 392,000 Mexicans were displaced as a result of conflict in 2023 alone, their problem aggravated by the massive, often illegal, export of firearms from the US to Mexico.

    Costa Rica, historically a safe country, had a record 880 homicides in 2023, many of which were related to drug trafficking. In Brazil and other countries, US-trained security forces contribute directly to the violence, rather than reducing it.

    Mass deportations from the US, promised by Trump, could worsen these problems, as happened in El Salvador in the late 1990s. They would also affect remittances sent home by migrant workers, exacerbating regional poverty. The threatened use of tariffs on exports to the US could also have serious consequences if Latin America does not stand up to Trump’s threats. Economist Michael Hudson argues that countries will have to jointly retaliate by refusing to pay dollar-based debts to bond holders if export earnings from the US are summarily cut.

    China in the US “backyard”

    Trump also joins the Washington consensus in its preoccupation with China’s influence in Latin America. Monica de Bolle is with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a thinktank partly funded by Pentagon contractors. She told the BBC: “You have got the backyard of America engaging directly with China. That’s going to be problematic.”

    Recently retired US Southern Command general, Laura Richardson, was probably the most senior frequent visitor on Washington’s behalf to Latin American capitals, during the Biden administration. She accused China of “playing the ‘long game’ with its development of dual-use sites and facilities throughout the region, “adding that those sites could serve as “points of future multi-domain access for the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] and strategic naval chokepoints.”

    As Foreign Affairs points out, Latin America’s trade with China has “exploded” from $18 billion in 2002 to $480 billion in 2023. China is also investing in huge infrastructure projects, and seemingly its only political condition is a preference for a country to recognize China diplomatically (not Taiwan). Even here, China is not absolute as with Guatemala, Haiti, and Paraguay, which still recognize Taiwan. China still has direct investments in those holdouts, though relatively more modest than with regional countries that fully embrace its one-China policy.

    Peru, currently a close US ally, has a new, Chinese-funded megaport at Chancay, opened in November by President Xi Jinping himself. Even right-wing Argentinian president Milei said of China, “They do not demand anything [in return].”

    What does the US offer instead? While Antony Blinken proudly displayed old railcars that were gifted to Peru, the reality is that most US “aid” to Latin America is either aimed at “promoting democracy” (i.e. Washington’s political agenda) or is conditional or exploitative in other ways.

    The BBC cites “seasoned observers” who believe that Washington is paying the price for “years of indifference” towards the region’s needs. Where the US sees a loss of strategic influence to China and to a lesser extent to Russia, Iran, and others, Latin American countries see opportunities for development and economic progress.

    Remember the Monroe Doctrine

    Those calling for a more “benign” policy are forgetting that, in the two centuries since President James Monroe announced the “doctrine,” later given his name, US policy towards Latin America has been aggressively self-interested.

    Its troops have intervened thousands of times in the region and have occupied its countries on numerous occasions. Just since World War II, there have been around 50 significant interventions or coup attempts, beginning with Guatemala in 1954. The US has 76 military bases across the region, while other major powers like China and Russia have none.

    The doctrine is very much alive. In Foreign Affairs, Brian Winter warns: “Many Republicans perceive these linkages [with China], and the growing Chinese presence in Latin America more broadly, as unacceptable violations of the Monroe Doctrine, the 201-year-old edict that the Western Hemisphere should be free of interference from outside powers.”

    Bosworth adds that Trump wants Latin America to decisively choose a side in the US vs China scrimmage, not merely underplay the role of China in the hemisphere. Any country courting Trump, he suggests, “needs to show some anti-China vibes.”

    Will Freeman is with the Council on Foreign Relations, whose major sponsors are also Pentagon contractors. He thinks that a new Monroe Doctrine and what he calls Trump’s “hardball” diplomacy may partially work, but only with northern Latin America countries, which are more dependent on US trade and other links.

    Trump has two imperatives: while one is stifling China’s influence (e.g. by taking possession of the Panama Canal), another is gaining control of mineral resources (a reason for his wanting to acquire Greenland). The desire for mineral resources is not new, either. General Richardson gave an interview in 2023 to another defense-industry-funded thinktank in which she strongly insinuated that Latin American minerals rightly belong to the US.

    Maintaining hegemonic power against the threat of multipolarity

    Neoconservative Charles Krauthammer, writing 20 years ago for yet another thinktank funded by the  defense industry, openly endorsed the US’s status as the dominant hegemonic power and decried multilateralism, at least when not in US interests. “Multipolarity, yes, when there is no alternative,” he said. “But not when there is. Not when we have the unique imbalance of power that we enjoy today.”

    Norwegian commentator Glen Diesen, writing in 2024, contends that the US is still fighting a battle – although perhaps now a losing one – against multipolarity and to retain its predominant status. Trump’s “America first!” is merely a more blatant expression of sentiments held by his other presidential predecessors for clinging on to Washington’s contested hegemony.

    The irony of Biden’s presidency was that his pursuit of the Ukraine war has led to warmer relations between his two rivals, Russia and China. In this context, the growth of BRICS has been fostered – an explicitly multipolar, non-hegemonic partnership. As Glen Diesen says, “The war intensified the global decoupling from the West.”

    Other steps to maintain US hegemony – its support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the regime-change operation in Syria and the breakdown of order in Haiti – suggest that, in Washington’s view, according to Diesen, “chaos is the only alternative to US global dominance.” Time and again, Yankee “beneficence” has meant ruination, not development.

    These have further strengthened desires in the global south for alternatives to US dominance, not least in Latin America. Many of its countries (especially those vulnerable to tightening US sanctions) now want to follow the alternative of BRICS.

    Unsurprisingly, Trump has been highly critical of this perceived erosion of hegemonic power on Biden’s watch. Thomas Fazi argues in UnHerd that this is realism on Trump’s part; he knows the Ukraine war cannot be conclusively won, and that China’s power is difficult to contain. Accordingly, this is leading to a “recalibrating of US priorities toward a more manageable ‘continental’ strategy — a new Monroe Doctrine — aimed at reasserting full hegemony over what it deems to be its natural sphere of influence, the Americas and the northern Atlantic,” stretching from Greenland and the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica.

    The pundits may not agree on quite what Trump’s approach towards Latin America will be, but they concur with Winter’s judgment that the region “is about to become a priority for US foreign policy.” His appointment of Marco Rubio is a signal of this. The new secretary of state is a hawk, just like Blinken, but one with a dangerous focus on Latin America.

    However, the mere fact that such pundits hark back to the Monroe Doctrine indicates that this is only, so to speak, old wine in new bottles. Even in the recent past, an aggressive application of the 201-year-old Monroe Doctrine has never seen a hiatus.

    Recall US-backed coups that deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya (2009) and Bolivian Evo Morales (2019), plus the failed coup against Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua (2018), along with the parliamentary coup that ousted Paraguayan Fernando Lugo (2012). To these, US-backed regime change by “lawfare” included Dilma Rousseff in Brazil (2016) and Pedro Castillo in Peru (2023). Currently presidential elections have simply been suspended in Haiti and Peru with US backing.

    Even if Trump is more blatant than his predecessors in making clear that his policymaking is based entirely on what he perceives to be US interests, rather than those of Latin Americans, this is not new.

    As commentator Caitlin Johnstone points out, the main difference between Trump and his predecessors is that he “makes the US empire much more transparent and unhidden.” From the other end of the political spectrum, a former John McCain adviser echoes the same assessment: “there will likely be far more continuity between the two administrations than meets the eye.”

    Regardless, Latin America will continue to struggle to set its own destiny, patchily and with setbacks, and this will likely draw it away from the hegemon, whatever the US does.

    Nicaragua-based John Perry is with the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition and writes for the London Review of Books, FAIR, and CovertAction.

    Roger D. Harris is with the Task Force on the Americas, the US Peace Council, and the Venezuela Solidarity Network

    Featured image courtesy of Cornell University/Wikimedia Commons

    First published by Popular Resistance: https://popularresistance.org/whether-biden-or-trump-us-latin-american-policy-will-still-be-contemptible/

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2025
    Special traffic and transport arrangements for Hong Kong Marathon 2025
    **********************************************************************

         The Transport Department (TD) today (February 3) reminded members of the public that, to facilitate the holding of the Hong Kong Marathon 2025 this Sunday (February 9), temporary road closures will be implemented at various locations in phases from Saturday (February 8) at 11.30pm and will be reopened subject to the progress of the race. It is anticipated all closed roads will be reopened by about 2pm on Sunday.      This year, the full and half marathon races will start at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The full marathon race will route through major road sections including Nathan Road (from Granville Road to Argyle Street), Argyle Street, Lin Cheung Road, West Kowloon Highway, Stonecutters Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC), Connaught Road West flyover, Lung Wo Road, Expo Drive, Hung Hing Road, Lockhart Road, Percival Street, Hennessy Road, Yee Wo Street and Sugar Street, and finish at Victoria Park. The half marathon race route will follow that of the full marathon race from the starting point at Nathan Road to Lin Cheung Road with the turning point at Tsing Kwai Highway and then rejoin the full marathon race route at West Kowloon Highway.      As for other races, the starting point will be set at different locations on Hong Kong Island while all the finishing points will be set at Victoria Park. The 10-kilometre race will start at the Island Eastern Corridor (IEC) near the exit/entrance of Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel (CWBT) and run along the IEC eastwards to the turning point near Oi Tak Street and then return to the finishing point. The 10-kilometre wheelchair race will start at Wan Chai Sports Ground and route through Hung Hing Road, Expo Drive, Lung Wo Road and Central Ferry Piers area and then return to run along Lung Wo Road, Hung Hing Road, Marsh Road, Lockhart Road and Hennessey Road heading for the finishing point. The Wheelchair Trial and Leaders Cup will also start at Wan Chai Sports Ground and route through Hung Hing Road and Marsh Road and then rejoin the 10-km wheelchair race route heading for the finishing point.      According to the arrangements for the full and half marathon race routes, temporary closures of major road sections and their vicinities in Yau Tsim Mong area will be implemented extensively, including (i) the whole section of Nathan Road (in both directions) between Salisbury Road and Gascoigne Road, (ii) the northbound carriageway of Nathan Road between Gascoigne Road and Argyle Street, and (iii) the westbound carriageway of Argyle Street between Nathan Road and Tong Mi Road. The above road sections will be reopened at or before about 10.30am in phases, subject to the progress of the races. At the same time, public transport services in this area will also be subject to extensive adjustments. Members of the public heading to this area are advised to use railway services.      Moreover, since the full marathon will use the Kowloon-bound carriageways of Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Nam Wan Tunnel as the race route, vehicles on Lantau Link (Tsing Ma Bridge) heading to Kowloon will be diverted to use North West Tsing Yi Interchange, Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsuen Wan Road, Kwai Chung Road, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Lai Chi Kok Road. It is anticipated that traffic congestion along North Lantau Highway, Tsing Ma Bridge and the vicinity of North West Tsing Yi Interchange may occur.      The above road closures will not affect vehicles from Hong Kong Island/Kowloon/New Territories East heading for Hong Kong International Airport and Lantau Island. Vehicles from the New Territories West to the airport and Lantau Island could travel via Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Tunnel. Due to the closure of the Kowloon-bound carriageway of Ting Kau Bridge, vehicles travelling via Tuen Mun Road or Tai Lam Tunnel to the airport and Lantau Island will be diverted to use Tsuen Wan Road, Tsuen Tsing Interchange, Tsing Tsuen Road, Tsing Tsuen Bridge and Tsing Yi North Coastal Road to enter Tsing Ma Bridge.      During the races, the Kowloon-bound tube of the WHC will remain opened, while the Hong Kong-bound tube of the WHC will be temporarily closed from 0.45am on Sunday till about 1.15pm, subject to the progress of the races. Motorists in Kowloon West heading for Hong Kong Island are advised to use the Cross-Harbour Tunnel or Eastern Harbour Crossing (EHC). For the race routes in Causeway Bay, Yee Wo Street eastbound will be temporarily closed to serve as a race route. Most of the public transport services operating along Yee Wo Street (in the direction of North Point) will be diverted to use Percival Street, Leighton Road and Pennington Street during the closure period.      According to the arrangements for the 10-km race, both bound carriageways of the IEC between Victoria Park Road and Shau Kei Wan, and the CWBT linking to and from the IEC will be closed from 1.15am on Sunday in phases, and traffic will be diverted via appropriate alternative routes such as Connaught Road Central, Gloucester Road, King’s Road, Shau Kei Wan Road, etc. Traffic to and from the EHC will be diverted to the Sai Wan Ho or Kornhill exit/entrance. Depending on the progress of the races, different sections of the CWBT will be reopened in phases to minimise the impact on traffic. Upon the anticipated reopening of the IEC before noon, the section of the CWBT between Central and North Point will be reopened while the Wan Chai North exit from and entrance to the CWBT will be closed for most of the race time.      In connection with the road closure arrangements, starting from 11.15pm on Saturday until the reopening of the roads, 211 daytime bus routes and 33 daytime green minibus (GMB) routes will be subject to suspension, truncation or diversion, and the stopping points concerned of the affected bus and GMB services will be relocated accordingly in phases. Also, 49 overnight bus routes and six overnight green minibus routes to be affected by the road closures will be subject to the associated service adjustments. These affected bus routes include the cross-harbour routes and bus services operating in the following areas:     Hong Kong Island – bus routes operating along the IEC, the CWBT, in Central and Western District, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay areas;     Kowloon – bus routes operating along Nathan Road, Argyle Street, Shanghai Street, Jordan Road and Yau Tsim Mong areas; and New Territories – bus routes operating along Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel and Nam Wan Tunnel.     The following bus termini and public transport interchanges on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon will be suspended: Hong Kong Island – Tin Hau Station Public Transport Interchange, Expo Drive East Bus Terminus, Central Ferry Piers Bus Terminus and Whitfield Road Bus Terminus; and      Kowloon – China Ferry Terminal Public Transport Interchange and Star Ferry Bus Terminus.     To enable participants of the full/half marathon and 10-km races that start in the early morning to go to Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay, the first departures of eight rail lines of MTR services will be advanced suitably on Sunday, with the first departures on the Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line to be operated at 3.25am. In addition, 28 special bus routes will also be operated to serve participants going to Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay on Sunday.      During the road closure period, bus stops, taxi stands, taxi pick-up/drop-off points, public light bus/GMB stands, roadside parking spaces and private car parks within the closed roads and their vicinities may be suspended subject to the situation.      The commencement time of the pedestrian precinct on Lockhart Road, East Point Road and Great George Street in Causeway Bay will be postponed to 3pm on Sunday subject to the road reopening situation in the vicinity of Causeway Bay.     Members of the public and tourists heading for Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station of the Airport Express Line, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, China Ferry Terminal (China Hong Kong City) or Ocean Terminal are advised to plan their journeys early to avoid any delays caused by road closures and traffic diversions.      The TD anticipates that the traffic at various locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon and the New Territories will be more significantly congested when compared with normal Sundays, including:     Hong Kong Island – King’s Road, Shau Kei Wan Road, Victoria Park Road, Leighton Road, Hennessy Road, Gloucester Road, Queensway, Connaught Road Central, Aberdeen Tunnel (Wan Chai bound) and Central Ferry Piers areas;     Kowloon – Nathan Road and its vicinity, Argyle Street, Wylie Road, Gascoigne Road flyover, West Kowloon Corridor and Cross-Harbour Tunnel (both bounds), with a higher chance of long traffic queues along Gascoigne Road flyover and West Kowloon Corridor; and     New Territories – Lantau Link (Kowloon bound) and North West Tsing Yi Interchange.     Motorists should avoid driving to the above affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, they should exercise patience and drive with care, and follow the instructions of the Police on-site.      Members of the public should plan their journeys early and use alternative routes to avoid unexpected delays, and take railway services as far as possible. Public transport users are advised to pay attention to the arrangements of route diversions and changes of stop locations.      Other ad-hoc traffic and public transport measures, including adjusting the extent of road closures, traffic diversions, alterations and suspensions of public transport services, may be implemented by the Police on-site at short notice depending on the actual traffic and crowd conditions. The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media.      For information about the above special traffic and transport adjustments, members of the public may browse the TD’s website at www.td.gov.hk or the “HKeMobility” mobile application.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 3, 2025Issued at HKT 15:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN/ANGELUS – Pope Francis on the day of the Presentation of the Lord: “In Jesus dwells all the fullness of God”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Sunday, 2 February 2025

    Vatican Media

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “This always leaves us astounded: universal salvation concentrated in just one! Yes, because in Jesus dwells the fullness of God, of His Love”, said Pope Francis during the Sunday Angelus prayer with the pilgrims and believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.Commenting on the Sunday Gospel, which tells of the meeting of the Holy Family with Simeon and Anna in the Temple of Jerusalem, the Pope noted how the “moving voices” of the two old people “resound among the ancient stones of the Temple, announcing the fulfilment of Israel’s expectations. Truly God is present in the midst of His people: not because He dwells within the four walls, but because He lives as a man among men. And this is the novelty of Jesus”.In this context, the Bishop of Rome referred to the three words with which Simeon describes Jesus: He is “salvation”, “light” and “a sign of contradiction”.But above all, Jesus is salvation, “the salvation of the world is concentrated in everyone”, “because in Jesus dwells the fullness of God”. Jesus is also the light, because he “will redeem it from the darkness of evil, pain and death. How much we need light, this light, even today!”.And then Jesus is “a sign of contradiction. Jesus reveals the criterion for judging the whole of history and its drama, and also the life of each one of us”, namely love.After the blessing, the Pope recalled the “Day for Life” that the Italian Church is celebrating today: “I join with the Italian bishops in expressing gratitude to the many families who eagerly welcome the gift of life and in encouraging young couples not to be afraid of bringing children into the world”.And speaking of the primary value of human life, the Pontiff reiterated the ‘no’ to war, which destroys, it destroys everything, it destroys life and induces us to disregard it”. In this Jubilee Year, he renewed his appeal “especially to Christian governors, to do their utmost in the negotiations to bring all the ongoing conflicts to an end. Let us pray for peace in tormented Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and North Kivu.” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/2/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: VAALCO Energy, Inc. Announces Significant Milestone in Its Côte D’Ivoire FPSO Dry Dock Refurbishment Project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY; LSE: EGY) (“Vaalco” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its Côte d’Ivoire Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (“FPSO”) Dry Dock Refurbishment Project.

    In alignment with the project timeline, the FPSO Baobab Ivoirien MV10, operated by Canadian Natural Resources International (“CNRI”), ceased hydrocarbon production as scheduled on January 31, 2025. The final lifting of crude oil from the vessel is set to take place on or around February 6, 2025.

    The project team has commenced mobilization efforts, deploying the necessary workforce support vessels and equipment to facilitate the safe disconnection of the FPSO. The vessel is planned to be wet towed to the shipyards in Dubai for refurbishment upon departure from the field on March 24, 2025.

    “We are pleased with the progress of this critical project and remain committed to ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for the FPSO disconnection and refurbishment which we expect, when complete, will allow production to continue until at least 2038, subject to the final regulatory approvals on the license extension and further investment,” said George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer. “This milestone represents another step forward in delivering on our strategic objectives while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence. We have already been paid back 1.8x1 our initial net investment in Côte d’Ivoire in the eight months since closing and the performance of the asset has tracked well ahead of our expectations at the time of the acquisition.”

    Vaalco will provide further updates as the project progresses.

    About Vaalco

    Vaalco, founded in 1985 and incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is a Houston, Texas, USA based, independent energy company with a diverse portfolio of production, development and exploration assets across Gabon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Canada.

    For Further Information

       
    Vaalco Energy, Inc. (General and Investor Enquiries) +00 1 713 543 3422
    Website: www.vaalco.com
       
    Al Petrie Advisors (US Investor Relations) +00 1 713 543 3422
    Al Petrie / Chris Delange  
       
    Buchanan (UK Financial PR) +44 (0) 207 466 5000
    Ben Romney / Barry Archer Vaalco@buchanan.uk.com
       

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws and other applicable laws and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Where a forward-looking statement expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “aim,” “target,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “likely,” “plan” and “probably” or similar words 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 press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to (i) estimates of future drilling, production, sales and costs of acquiring crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; (ii) expectations regarding Vaalco’s ability to effectively integrate assets and properties it has acquired as a result of the Svenska acquisition into its operations; (iii) expectations regarding future exploration and the development, growth and potential of Vaalco’s operations, project pipeline and investments, and schedule and anticipated benefits to be derived therefrom; (iv) expectations regarding future acquisitions, investments or divestitures; (v) expectations of future balance sheet strength; and (vi) expectations of future equity and enterprise value.

    Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks relating to any unforeseen liabilities of Vaalco; the ability to generate cash flows that, along with cash on hand, will be sufficient to support operations and cash requirements; risks relating to the timing and costs of completion for scheduled maintenance of the FPSO servicing the Baobab field; and the risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Vaalco’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.

    Inside Information

    This announcement contains inside information as defined in Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse which is part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“MAR”) and is made in accordance with the Company’s obligations under article 17 of MAR. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Vaalco is Matthew Powers, Corporate Secretary of Vaalco.

    ____________________

    1 Payback of 1.8x is based on unaudited operational cash flow for the Côte d’Ivoire assets compared to the acquisition price of $40.2MM as of 31st December 2024.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: With the Gaza ceasefire in the balance, all eyes are on Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Washington

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University

    The brittle Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues against all odds, given the depth of distrust and animosity between the warring parties.

    Since its enactment nearly three weeks ago, Hamas has released more than a dozen Israeli hostages captured on October 7 2023, in return for some 400 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Should the process move forward as relatively smoothly as it has so far, more hostages and prisoners are set to be freed during the remainder of the first stage of the truce.

    This is cause for a degree of optimism. However, negotiating the length, terms and implementation of the second and third stages of the ceasefire will prove very rocky.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for instance, has already declared the ceasefire to be “temporary”.

    During the second stage, all Israeli hostages (alive and dead) are supposed to be freed in exchange for hundreds of prisoners. Israel is also expected to withdraw all its forces from Gaza as a prelude to the reconstruction of the coastal enclave in the final stage of the ceasefire.

    There are many issues that could derail the process, two of which are crucial:

    • Israel’s unrealised goal of wiping out Hamas and securing Gaza for itself

    • Hamas’ resolve to regain sovereign control over Gaza.

    Another factor is the influence of the new US president, Donald Trump. While
    Netanyahu has the full support of Trump, it remains unclear how much appetite the US leader has for more conflict in the Middle East.

    A meeting between the two in Washington this week could be pivotal to the success of the next phase of the ceasefire – or the resumption of the Gaza war.

    Hamas’ survival at odds with Israel’s war aims

    Israel has certainly degraded Hamas over the past 15 months of its scorched-earth operations in Gaza, which it launched in response to Hamas’ attacks on October 7 2023. However, it has not eliminated the group.

    The appearance of well-armed and well-composed Hamas fighters in the choreographed three rounds of hostage transfers in the areas that Israel has demolished testifies to the group’s survival.

    It essentially signals the failure of Netanyahu and his extremist supporters to achieve their main goals of uprooting Hamas and securing the release of the hostages through military action.

    Netanyahu’s acceptance of the ceasefire at this point clearly underlines the futility of the use of force as the only means to seek vengeance against Hamas. With the conflict in a stalemate for months, he could have embraced the ceasefire much earlier, thereby securing a quicker hostage release without more lives lost or more damage to Israel’s already-tarnished international reputation.

    Hamas’ survival means it is still a dangerous force, former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in mid-January. He said the group has “recruited almost as many new militants as it has lost” in the war.

    Reports also indicate Hamas has also maintained its control over Gaza’s administration and security forces, despite Israel’s efforts to destroy it.

    If that is the case, Israeli citizens – who have been highly polarised between those wanting the return of the hostages via a ceasefire and those backing Netanyahu’s government to continue the war – have the right to seriously question the prime minister’s leadership.

    The same applies to Israel’s outside supporters, especially the United States.

    Yet, this may not happen. The war-makers may win over the peace aspirants. For Netanyahu and his backers, the job is not finished. Many observers believe the very survival of Hamas can only motivate them further to resume the war once all the hostages are freed.

    What does Trump want?

    The future of the ceasefire now seems to hinge on Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump in Washington. According to media reports, the Israeli leader is keen to see where Trump stands on the second phase of the deal before negotiations continue.

    Trump recently doubled down on his suggestion to “clear out” Gaza’s 2.3 million citizens – though he has mentioned a figure of 1.5 million – by relocating them to Egypt and Jordan. Given the previous statements of the extremists in Netanyahu’s shaky coalition, nothing would please them more than a depopulated and annexed Gaza.

    Cairo and Amman, as well as other Arab countries, have firmly rejected the idea. Hamas and the enfeebled Palestinian Authority in the West Bank have outrightly condemned it.

    But Trump has insisted the Egyptian and Jordanian leaders would eventually come around because the US does a lot for them – referring presumably to their dependence on substantial annual American aid.

    If this plan were to transpire, it would not only be a recipe for more bloodshed and instability in the Middle East, but also more betrayal of the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution by the international community.

    While a ray of hope exists for the continuation of the ceasefire and the implementation of the ceasefire’s second stage, it is still very possible that Netanyahu will return to military action to destroy Hamas and annex part or all of Gaza along the lines of what Trump has suggested.

    The Trump-Netanyahu bond is so strong that it could even enable the Israeli leader to declare sovereignty over the West Bank.

    Given these uncertainties, the third stage of the ceasefire regarding the reconstruction of Gaza, which is estimated to be upwards of US$80 billion (A$1.3 trillion), is at this point nothing more than words on a piece of paper.

    Amin Saikal 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. With the Gaza ceasefire in the balance, all eyes are on Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Washington – https://theconversation.com/with-the-gaza-ceasefire-in-the-balance-all-eyes-are-on-benjamin-netanyahus-trip-to-washington-248873

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Poison baits were used on 1,400 feral cats, foxes and dingoes. We studied their fate to see what works

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pat Taggart, Adjunct Fellow in Ecology, University of Adelaide

    Bee Stephens, CC BY

    Poisoned baits are the main way land managers control foxes, feral cats and dingoes. Baiting is done to reduce livestock and economic losses, or pressure on endangered wildlife.

    Millions of baits are laid annually. But we still don’t understand how effective baiting actually is. Current evidence paints a mixed picture. That’s a problem, because baiting can have unintended consequences, such as killing native animals we don’t want to target. Some research suggests baiting can actually increase attacks on livestock, or that poisoning dingoes can increase feral cat and fox numbers and worsen the damage to native wildlife.

    We need better evidence on what baiting does and doesn’t do. Our new research draws on data from 34 previous studies assessing baiting effectiveness. In total, these largely Australian studies summarised the fate of more than 1,400 cats, foxes and dingoes. We used these data sets to conduct the most comprehensive analysis of baiting effectiveness to date.

    Biosecurity officers drying meat baits for a baiting program in Broken Hill in 2019.
    NSW Government, Local Land Services, Western Region, CC BY

    Baiting is ubiquitous

    Baits can be purchased commercially or produced in-house. In some states, land managers can bring meat baits to government authorities to have poison added free of charge. They are then distributed by vehicle along tracks and roads or dropped from aircraft across vast areas of Australia, New Zealand and islands worldwide.

    Single baiting programs can sometimes cover areas larger than 9,000 square kilometres – a land area similar to Puerto Rico or Cyprus.

    So how can we best undertake these baiting programs?

    1. Baiting does work

    Across the 34 studies, baiting cut predator survival in half (51.7%) – substantially higher than the death rate in unbaited areas (16%).

    This finding was broadly consistent regardless of whether baits were placed along tracks and roads or scattered over broader areas.

    In some cases, predator numbers can recover rapidly following baiting. Under favourable conditions, feral cat and fox populations can double in a year, while dingo populations can grow 50% annually. But, under average conditions, such high rates of population increase are likely uncommon.

    Predators from outside the control area can rapidly repopulate areas after a baiting program. For example, multiple studies have found no change in fox numbers even when baiting was conducted at monthly intervals. Similar results have been found after intensive fox shooting.

    But there are also examples where prolonged, broad-scale baiting has worked well. To protect the threatened yellow footed rock wallaby, researchers baited around wallaby populations in New South Wales and South Australia and largely eliminated foxes from large areas. Wallaby numbers then increased.

    2. Feral cats take baits too

    Feral cats are opportunistic ambush predators and hunt a wide range of prey. They’re visually driven and prefer fresh meat. For these reasons, it’s long been thought they are less likely to eat poisoned bait than foxes and dingoes.

    Feral cats are silent, stealthy hunters who prefer to hunt rather than scavenge.
    Vanessa Westcott, CC BY

    But our analysis doesn’t support this – feral cats appeared to be just as susceptible to baits as foxes and dingoes. That’s good news for wildlife.

    Significant and ongoing work has been put into designing better baits for feral cats to increase consumption rates. The most widely known of these baits is Eradicat, a sausage-style bait.

    While this bait is aimed at feral cats, our analysis didn’t provide strong evidence showing Eradicat actually killed more feral cats than other poison bait recipes. This suggests any bait is more effective than no bait when it comes to cat control.

    Eradicat baits have to be sweated to bring out the oils and make them more appealing.
    Luke Bayley, CC BY

    3. Blanket coverage works better

    In land manager circles, there’s a long-running debate over how best to bait. Some advocate putting out more baits over the same area, while others suggest more frequent baiting is better.

    So which is it? Our analysis shows more baits in an area is likely to equate to better control of predators, while distributing baits more frequently may not have the same effect.

    Why is this? Like people, animals are individuals, with their own behavioural tendencies. Wary animals may never take baits. Some foxes are known to store baits to eat later, by which time the baits may be less toxic, sickening rather than killing the animal.

    This is believed to lead to bait aversion, where foxes avoid baits in the future due to previous bad experiences – just as we might avoid foods which made us sick.

    A single, more intensive application of bait is likely to work better because susceptible predators eat the bait and die, and there is limited opportunity for bait aversion to develop. In contrast, more frequent baiting in a short period of time are of limited benefit because animals learn to avoid them.

    Dingoes have been routinely baited for decades.
    Ian Mayo, CC BY

    Fresh baits have long been believed to be eaten more readily than dry baits.

    But our analysis shows this may not always be true. Overall, the type of bait had little impact on whether or not it led to reduced predator survival.

    Optimising baiting

    More efficient control of predators will mean fewer baits are needed to achieve the same result. That, in turn, means less risk of harming other native animals, as well as reducing how much work and money it costs to control feral cats, foxes and dingoes.

    Our research shows baiting does indeed cut the number of predators prowling an area. But it also shows many factors we thought were important in making a baiting program effective may only have a limited effect.

    The goal of poison baiting is to reduce the damage predators do to livestock and wildlife. Baiting is an important and effective tool in reducing predator pressure on threatened species. But its efficacy – and the risk other animals could take the bait – means we have a responsibility to continually optimise its use and ensure its application is targeted.

    Pat Taggart receives funding from the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

    Daniel Noble receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Yong Zhi Foo receives funding from the the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Poison baits were used on 1,400 feral cats, foxes and dingoes. We studied their fate to see what works – https://theconversation.com/poison-baits-were-used-on-1-400-feral-cats-foxes-and-dingoes-we-studied-their-fate-to-see-what-works-246324

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can you get sunburnt or UV skin damage through car or home windows?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong

    Zac Harris/Unsplash

    When you’re in a car, train or bus, do you choose a seat to avoid being in the sun or do you like the sunny side?

    You can definitely feel the sun’s heat through a window. But can you get sunburn or skin damage when in your car or inside with the windows closed?

    Let’s look at how much UV (ultraviolet) radiation passes through different types of glass, how tinting can help block UV, and whether we need sunscreen when driving or indoors.

    What’s the difference between UVA and UVB?

    Of the total UV radiation that reaches Earth, about 95% is UVA and 5% is UVB.

    UVB only reaches the upper layers of our skin but is the major cause of sunburn, cataracts and skin cancer.

    UVA penetrates deeper into our skin and causes cell damage that leads to skin cancer.

    UVA penetrates deeper than UVB.
    Shutterstock/solar22

    Glass blocks UVA and UVB radiation differently

    All glass used in house, office and car windows completely blocks UVB from passing through.

    But only laminated glass can completely block UVA. UVA can pass through other glass used in car, house and office windows and cause skin damage, increasing the risk of cancer.

    Car windscreens block UVA, but the side and rear windows don’t

    A car’s front windscreen lets in lots of sunshine and light. Luckily it blocks 98% of UVA radiation because it is made of two layers of laminated glass.

    But the side and rear car windows are made of tempered glass, which doesn’t completely block UVA. A study of 29 cars found a range from 4% to almost 56% of UVA passed through the side and rear windows.

    The UVA protection was not related to the car’s age or cost, but to the type of glass, its colour and whether it has been tinted or coated in a protective film. Grey or bronze coloured glass, and window tinting, all increase UVA protection. Window tinting blocks around 95% of UVA radiation.

    In a separate study from Saudi Arabia, researchers fitted drivers with a wearable radiation monitor. They found drivers were exposed to UV index ratings up to 3.5. (In Australia, sun protection is generally recommended when the UV index is 3 or above – at this level it takes pale skin about 20 minutes to burn.)

    So if you have your windows tinted, you should not have to wear sunscreen in the car. But without tinted windows, you can accumulate skin damage.

    UV exposure while driving increases skin cancer risk

    Many people spend a lot of time in the car – for work, commuting, holiday travel and general transport. Repeated UVA radiation exposure through car side windows might go unnoticed, but it can affect our skin.

    Indeed, skin cancer is more common on the driver’s side of the body. A study in the United States (where drivers sit on the left side) found more skin cancers on the left than the right side for the face, scalp, arm and leg, including 20 times more for the arm.

    Another US study found this effect was higher in men. For melanoma in situ, an early form of melanoma, 74% of these cancers were on the on the left versus 26% on the right.

    Earlier Australian studies reported more skin damage and more skin cancer on the right side.

    Cataracts and other eye damage are also more common on the driver’s side of the body.

    What about UV exposure through home or office windows?

    We see UV damage from sunlight through our home windows in faded materials, furniture or plastics.

    Most glass used in residential windows lets a lot of UVA pass through, between 45 and 75%.

    Residential windows can let varied amounts of UVA through.
    Sherman Trotz/Pexels

    Single-pane glass lets through the most UVA, while thicker, tinted or coated glass blocks more UVA.

    The best options are laminated glass, or double-glazed, tinted windows that allow less than 1% of UVA through.

    Skylights are made from laminated glass, which completely stops UVA from passing through.

    Most office and commercial window glass has better UVA protection than residential windows, allowing less than 25% of UVA transmission. These windows are usually double-glazed and tinted, with reflective properties or UV-absorbent chemicals.

    Some smart windows that reduce heat using chemical treatments to darken the glass can also block UVA.

    So when should you wear sunscreen and sunglasses?

    The biggest risk with skin damage while driving is having the windows down or your arm out the window in direct sun. Even untinted windows will reduce UVA exposure to some extent, so it’s better to have the car window up.

    For home windows, window films or tint can increase UVA protection of single pane glass. UVA blocking by glass is similar to protection by sunscreen.

    When you need to use sunscreen depends on your skin type, latitude and time of the year. In a car without tinted windows, you could burn after one hour in the middle of the day in summer, and two hours in the middle of a winter’s day.

    But in the middle of the day next to a home window that allows more UVA to pass through, it could take only 30 minutes to burn in summer and one hour in winter.

    When the UV index is above three, it is recommended you wear protective sunglasses while driving or next to a sunny window to avoid eye damage.

    Theresa Larkin 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. Can you get sunburnt or UV skin damage through car or home windows? – https://theconversation.com/can-you-get-sunburnt-or-uv-skin-damage-through-car-or-home-windows-246599

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Omar, Booker Reintroduce Bill to Address Rising Islamophobia Worldwide

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    Full Text of Bill (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) have reintroduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation to address the rise in Islamophobic incidents worldwide. The bill requires the State Department to create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia and develop a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in confronting anti-Muslim bigotry across the globe.

    From the violent atrocities against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma to the crackdowns on Muslim communities in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees in Hungary and Poland, and the rise of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, Islamophobia remains a global crisis. Minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran, also continue to face systemic oppression and persecution.

    Here in the United States, incidents of Islamophobic hate crimes and discrimination have surged. Mosques have been vandalized, Muslims have been harassed in public spaces, and anti-Muslim rhetoric continues to be normalized in political discourse. The urgent need for federal action to combat this growing threat cannot be overstated.

    “Anti-Muslim bigotry is on the rise in the U.S., and around the world, and we have a duty to stop it once and for all,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I’m joining my colleagues, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Senator Cory Booker, in reintroducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This critical legislation will create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia and will ensure the United States has the resources necessary to safeguard human rights and religious and cultural freedom around the world. I hope all our colleagues join us in standing together against Islamophobia. We must promote peace and acceptance for all.”

    “Islamophobia is not just a problem overseas—it is on the rise here at home. From the desecration of mosques to the violent attacks on Muslim Americans, we are witnessing a dangerous resurgence of anti-Muslim bigotry in our communities,” said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. “We cannot turn a blind eye while Muslim communities face targeted violence and systemic discrimination worldwide. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Combating International Islamophobia Act alongside Senator Booker and Representative Schakowsky. The United States must take a stand and lead in the fight against this global crisis.”

    “Religious freedom is one of our nation’s most foundational values, and no one should ever have to live in fear of discrimination or violence for practicing their faith,” said Senator Cory Booker. “Islamophobic attacks and rhetoric are on the rise in the United States and around the world, and this legislation would establish a Special Envoy at the State Department to monitor and combat Islamophobia in all its forms. We must dedicate resources to protecting people’s fundamental right to practice their faith and put an end to bigotry.”

    During the 117th Congress, this bill was successfully passed in the House, marking a historic step forward in the fight against anti-Muslim hate.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressmen Cohen and McClintock Condemn Iran’s Brutal Treatment of Political Prisoners

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

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Tom McClintock (CA-5), co-chairs of the Congressional Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, today released the following statement:

    “As the co-chairs of the Congressional Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus, we again condemn the Iranian regime’s brutal treatment of political prisoners, particularly the six men recently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran: Abolhassan Montazer, Akbar (Shahrokh) Daneshvarkar, Babak Alipour, Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, Pouya Ghobadi, and Vahid Bani Amerian.

    “Additionally, political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani were transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, a move that often precedes execution. These men have endured grave violations of their fundamental rights, including arbitrary arrest, torture, and the denial of a fair trial. Their cases reflect a systemic pattern of human rights abuses in Iran.

     “We stand in solidarity with all political prisoners in Iran and call on the international community to exert all available pressure on the Iranian government to stop these executions and ensure the safety and well-being of all political prisoners.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Climate Action Under Trump Administration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    January 31, 2025

    Lisle, IL — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) convened Illinois stakeholders, leaders, and advocates for a roundtable discussion on how a federal funding freeze impacts climate action, as well as what needs to be done to protect the Inflation Reduction Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act from the Trump Administration.

    “It is no secret that the Trump Administration prioritizes the wants of energy producers over the needs of American energy consumers,” said Rep. Casten. “A federal funding freeze would limit Americans’ ability to access cheaper, cleaner energy sources. American consumers would feel the brunt of a freeze, but President Trump’s friends in the fossil fuel industry will thank him for their soaring profits.”

    “It is illegal and unconstitutional for the president to impound funds that have been appropriated by Congress,” continued Rep. Casten. “Every American should be alarmed that the president has shown he does not feel constrained by the law or the constitution.”

    Photos from the event can be found here.

    In addition to Rep. Casten, the following people participated in the roundtable discussion:

    • Sarah Wochos, VP of Policy and Business Development, New Leaf Energy
    • Linda Sullivan, Member, River Prairie Group of the Sierra Club
    • Jack Darin, Chapter Director, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter
    • Tucker Barry, Communications Director, Illinois Environmental Council (IEC)
    • Chelsea Biggs, Chief of Staff, Illinois Environmental Council (IEC)
    • Jordan Berman-Cutler, Director of Government Affairs, Invenergy
    • Kevin O’Rourke, SVP of Development and Public Affairs, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
    • Jonathan Sack, Midwest Government Affairs Director, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
    • John Moore, Director, Sustainable FERC Project, Climate & Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
    • Madeline Semanisin, Illinois Policy Director, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
    • Barry Matchett, Head of External Affairs, Midwest and Gulf, Clearway Energy Group
    • Bill Parsons, Chief Advocacy Office, Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG)

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: (WIP) In Touch:February 2025

    Source: Allens Insights

    The latest in competition and consumer law 6 min read

    A greener future: final sustainability collaborations guide released by the ACCC 

    On 18 December 2024, the ACCC released its final guide on sustainability collaborations.

    The guide is intended to alert businesses of when competition law risks may arise when considering sustainability collaborations (and when they are unlikely to do so), as well as the exemptions that may be available for collaborations in the public interest.

    The ACCC has sought to clarify its views on the operation of competition laws for such collaborations, acknowledging the importance of ensuring that businesses do not unnecessarily limit participation in lawful sustainability collaborations.

    The guide includes a 5 step checklist for businesses considering sustainability collaborations to help assess whether competition laws are likely to apply.

    Updates to the immunity policy for cartel conduct

    On 18 December 2024, the ACCC announced that it had updated its ‘ACCC immunity and cooperation policy for cartel conduct‘ (the Immunity Policy).

    The updates are intended to increase transparency about how the Immunity Policy is administered by the ACCC, and to update and clarify the requirements for immunity applicants.

    It is now a criteria for corporate conditional immunity (and corporate derivative conditional immunity) from ACCC-initiated civil proceedings that the corporation has implemented measures, or undertaken to implement measures, to mitigate the risk of future non-compliance with the CCA.

    The updated policy also confirms that, at the proffer stage, the ACCC will not generally permit representatives of an immunity applicant to attend ACCC interviews with a derivative immunity applicant. The ACCC will provide the immunity applicant with sufficient information to enable it to:

    • understand how its immunity application is progressing; and
    • identify and provide further material relevant to its immunity application.

    However, the ACCC will not otherwise disclose to the immunity applicant or its legal representatives the questions asked or the evidence given by a derivative immunity applicant.

    ACCC alleges price fixing cartel against Defence contractors and senior executives 

    In December 2024, the ACCC commenced civil cartel proceedings in the Federal Court against Spotless Facility Services (Spotless), Ventia Australia (Ventia) and four senior executives for alleged price fixing in relation to the supply of estate maintenance and operation services to the Department of Defence (Defence).

    Spotless and Ventia provide services to major Defence force bases under billion-dollar contracts. The ACCC alleges that, on three occasions between April 2019 and August 2022, Spotless and Ventia made or attempted to make arrangements or understandings containing provisions that had the purpose, effect or likely effect of fixing, controlling or maintaining the price at which Spotless, Ventia and a third company, BGIS, would supply these services to Defence. Spotless and Ventia are also alleged to have given effect to some of these arrangements or understandings.

    The three arrangements or understandings are alleged to have involved:

    • the exchange of text messages about what BGIS and Spotless would charge Defence;
    • communications between Spotless, Ventina and BGIS regarding seeking additional compensation from Defence; and
    • meetings in which one of the senior executives said words to the effect that Spotless, Ventia and BGIS should jointly ask Defence to pay a project management fee.

    The ACCC is seeking declarations, civil penalties, and costs against Spotless and Ventia and the four senior executives, as well as qualification orders against three of the senior executives.

    Viva Energy’s proposed acquisition of LOC Global not opposed subject to divestiture

    On 12 December 2024, the ACCC confirmed that it will not oppose (subject to undertakings) Viva Energy Group’s (Viva) proposed acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in LOC Global (LOC) from New World Corporation (NWC).

    LOC is a joint venture between Viva and NWC (with a 50% stake each) that operates over 100 ‘Liberty’ branded retail fuel and convenience sites across Australia. Viva conducts downstream fuel refining, importing, distribution and marketing in Australia. It is also the exclusive supplier of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in Australia. Viva Energy and LOC overlap in the supply of retail fuel across metropolitan and/or regional locations in local markets across SA, Victoria, WA, NSW, Queensland and NT.

    In the absence of the undertaking, the ACCC was concerned that the proposed acquisition would reduce competition in certain local areas in Adelaide, Darwin, regional Queensland and regional Victoria, where LOC and Viva Energy compete closely and where there are few remaining competitors to constrain Viva.

    Viva committed to divest 14 retail fuel and convenience sites to Solo Oil Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of NWC).

    Furniture frenzy: Koala Living fined for false and misleading statements about consumer rights 

    Koala Living has paid a $56,340 fine after being issued three infringement notices by the ACCC for making false and misleading statements regarding consumers’ rights under the consumer guarantees and available remedies for faulty products.

    Koala Living has admitted to incorrectly informing consumers that:

    • remedies for faulty products were only available within a 72-hour period after purchase or the period of the manufacturer’s warranty;
    • Koala Living could independently determine the type of remedy provided for minor or major faults; and
    • delivery charges were not refundable.

    The ACCC’s investigation was initiated in response to consumer complaints. Koala Living has given a court-enforceable undertaking under which Koala Living has committed to:

    • provide additional compensation (amounting to 20% of the purchase price) to consumers to whom Koala Living represented that a consumer’s right to seek remedies for faulty products was limited to 72 hours and have not yet received a remedy;
    • establish a competition and consumer law compliance program and review and update its internal policies, procedures, complaints handling practices and training to ensure ACL compliance; and
    • publish corrective notices.

    Cleared for takeoff: Virgin and Qatar granted ACCC interim authorisation for cooperative conduct

    On 29 November 2024, the ACCC granted interim authorisation to Virgin Australia (Virgin) and Qatar Airways (Qatar) to engage in cooperative conduct under an integrated alliance. Subject to certain exceptions:

    • Qatar will become Virgin’s exclusive interline, codeshare and loyalty partner headquartered in the Middle East or Türkiye; and
    • Virgin will become Qatar’s exclusive interline, codeshare and loyalty partner headquartered in Australia.

    The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to allow Virgin and Qatar enough lead time to undertake the necessary planning discussions, marketing, selling and system alignment to permit Virgin to commence flying the new services by June 2025 if authorisation is ultimately granted.

    Virgin and Qatar have provided a court-enforceable undertaking under which they have committed to:

    • offering tickets to the new service as ‘subject to regulatory approval’ to ensure consumers are made aware of the nature of the tickets they are purchasing; and
    • if authorisation is not ultimately granted, re-accommodate passengers who purchased tickets for the new service during the period of interim authorisation.

    Interim authorisation remains in place until it is revoked, the application for authorisation is withdrawn, or the date the ACCC’s final determination comes into effect. A draft determination from the ACCC is expected in February 2025, with the final determination expected in March-April 2025. The parties are seeking authorisation for five years.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sara Jacobs Releases Statement on One Year Since October 7th Attack in Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    October 07, 2024

    On the first anniversary of Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), the youngest Jewish Member of Congress, released the following statement:

    “Like millions of Jews around the world, I woke up one year ago today in complete horror. I am still grappling with the aftermath of that day – the loss of nearly 1,200 innocent people, the trauma of many more who were assaulted, raped, tortured, and kidnapped, the pain felt by San Diego’s sister city Sha’ar HaNegev, and the stark rise of antisemitism since. I remain heartbroken for all the families who are still living this nightmare because Hamas is holding their loved ones hostage and because of new attacks from Iran and Hezbollah. This attack was heinous, inexcusable, and will never be forgotten.

    “I’m focused on bringing the remaining 100 hostages home as soon as possible and finding tangible solutions to achieve long-term peace, safety, and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the region. October 7th started a devastating war in Gaza, where entire cities have been leveled, tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed, and nearly 2 million people have been displaced and are in desperate need of assistance and refuge. That’s why I believe we need an immediate ceasefire and to use our considerable leverage to deescalate tensions in the region – so we can secure the release of the remaining hostages, protect civilian lives, deliver much-needed aid and relief to Gazans, and begin the hard work of ensuring all people can live in safety, security, and autonomy.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Bush Joins 64 House Democrats Urging Unimpeded Media Access to Gaza in a Letter to the Biden Administration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01)

    October 21, 2024

     

    Members asking Biden Administration to take immediate action to advocate for unrestricted, unimpeded media access

    Washington, D.C. (October 21, 2024) — Congresswoman Bush joins Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, Rep. James P. McGovern (MA-02), and 62 members of Congress in a letter to President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for the United States to push for Israel to allow unimpeded access for U.S. and international journalists. The constantly shifting dynamics on the ground inside Gaza make unimpeded press access more urgent than ever.

    “The restrictions on media reporting have created significant challenges in obtaining accurate, verifiable information from Gaza, leading to increased skepticism about the limited reports that do emerge. At a time when reliable information is more critical than ever, the restrictions on foreign reporting undermine the very foundation of press freedom and democratic accountability,” wrote the members.

    In July, over 70 media and civil society organizations signed an open letter calling on Israel to grant journalists access to Gaza. Yet foreign media remains largely prohibited from entering the region, except for a few controlled trips arranged by the Israeli military. This effective ban on foreign reporting has placed an overwhelming burden on local journalists who are documenting the war they are living through. Tragically, at least 130 journalists have lost their lives since the start of the war, and those who remain face conditions of extreme hardship and danger.

    The International Federation of Journalists has reported that the mortality rate for media workers in Gaza is over 10%. Seventy-five percent of all reporters killed worldwide in 2023 lost their lives between October 7 and the end of the year.4 In December 2023, just two months into the conflict, the Committee to Protect Journalists declared Gaza the “most dangerous ever” war zone for reporters. These staggering statistics underscore the critical importance of allowing independent journalists to document and report from the ground.

    “We urge the administration to take immediate action to advocate for unrestricted, independent media access to Gaza. A free press is essential to ensuring that the world can bear witness to the realities on the ground and hold all parties accountable,” conclude the members.

    A full copy of the letter can be found here.  

    In addition to Representatives Bush (MO-01) and McGovern (MA-02), the letter was signed by Representatives Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), André Carson (IN-07), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16), Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Greg Casar (TX-35), John Garamendi (CA-08), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sean Casten (IL-06), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Daniel T. Kildee (MI-08), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Al Green (TX-09), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Mark Takano (CA-39), Jason Crow (CO-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Gabe Amo (RI-01), John B. Larson (CT-01), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Dwight Evans (PA-03).

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Bush Calls on Biden, Blinken, Garland to Investigate Israeli Attack on American Journalist

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01)

    October 24, 2024

    The attack – that has gone uninvestigated for over a year – killed a Reuters journalist and left six others from Reuters, AFP, and Al Jazeera injured, including Vermonter Dylan Collins

    Washington, D.C. (October 24, 2024) — Congresswoman Bush joins Sen. Bernie Sanders and ten other Members of Congress in writing to the Biden Administration, demanding the United States open an independent investigation into an Israeli attack on a group of journalists, including American journalist Dylan Collins.

    “It has now been more than one year since Mr. Collins was injured in a targeted Israeli strike while on assignment for AFP,” wrote the members in the letter to President Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “To date, Mr. Collins has received no explanation for the attack, and there have been no steps toward accountability. Given the inaction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the United States must open an independent investigation into this incident.”

    On October 13, 2023, American journalist Dylan Collins was injured in a targeted Israeli strike while on assignment for Agence France-Presse (AFP). Collins was part of a group of journalists covering the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The group was clearly marked as press and had selected an open and highly visible position to minimize the risk of misidentification – one that was clearly visible to several Israeli military positions. The group had been filming from that location for close to an hour when they were struck twice by Israeli tank rounds and machine gun fire. 

    Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah was killed. Six other journalists from Reuters, AFP, and Al Jazeera were seriously wounded. Collins – the only U.S. citizen involved in the incident – sustained shrapnel wounds to his face, arms, and back. Despite Collins’s efforts to apply a tourniquet, his colleague lost her leg in the attack. 

    Six rigorous investigations – by UNIFIL, Reuters, AFP, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research – have all independently corroborated these details, based on video footage and multiple first-hand accounts, and concluded that it was an unlawful attack on civilians.  

    In response to an earlier letter sent in May by the Vermont delegation, the State Department indicated that the incident was under investigation in Israel. In fact, more than one year later, no survivors or other witnesses have been approached to provide testimony. No updates have been provided to the public, the survivors, or the media organizations that they worked for. Given the Israeli government’s failure to investigate numerous similar attacks on journalists, “there is no reason to believe the Netanyahu government will take any action,” wrote the members. “The U.S. government must therefore act to ensure accountability for attacks on its citizens.”

    In addition to criminal culpability under the War Crimes Act of 1996 (18 USC 2441), as well as other relevant U.S. and customary international law, the U.S. must also credibly establish whether the Israeli attack violated applicable laws governing the use of U.S. security assistance.  

    This is particularly important as the U.S. Congress will soon consider Joint Resolutions of Disapproval – introduced in September by Sen. Sanders, Welch, and Merkley – regarding the sale of additional arms to Israel, including 32,739 additional 120mm tank cartridges, the same rounds used against Collins and his journalist colleagues.

    Joining Congresswoman Bush (MO-o1) on the letter are Sens. Bernie Sanders (), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Reps. Becca Balint (VT-AL), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Rashida Tlaib. (D-Mich.).

    “Mr. Collins deserves better from his own government,” wrote the members.

    Read the full letter here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bush, Tlaib Lead War Powers Letter to President Biden

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01)

    November 01, 2024

    Washington, D.C. (November 1, 2024) — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) led a letter to President Biden questioning the involvement of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Israeli government’s expanding regional war across the Middle East, including in the ground invasions of Lebanon and Gaza, and the recent exchanges of hostilities between Israel and Iran.

    The Biden administration has deepened U.S. involvement in the Israeli government’s devastating regional war through comprehensive intelligence sharing and operational coordination, and now even the direct deployment of U.S. servicemembers to Israel. Not only do these actions encourage further escalation and violence, but they are unauthorized by Congress, in violation of Article I of the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973. 

    “American military involvement in these wars has not been authorized by the United States Congress, as required by the Constitution and U.S. law. The American people have made it clear that they want to see an immediate ceasefire, an end to these wars, and the return of hostages, not deepening American involvement in potentially endless regional war,” the lawmakers wrote.

    The lawmakers asked President Biden for a detailed account of the United States military’s involvement to “command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or accompany” Israeli forces currently engaged in hostilities in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, the West Bank, Syria, or elsewhere in the Middle East.  

    Since the start of its genocidal campaign, the Israeli government has killed over 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including over 16,700 children, and displaced over 90 percent of the population. With complete impunity and a blank check from the United States’ government, Netanyahu has now invaded Lebanon, where Israeli forces have killed over 2,700 people and displaced 1.2 million.

    “The Executive Branch cannot continue to ignore the law without Congressional intervention. In the absence of an immediate ceasefire and end of hostilities, Congress retains the right and ability to exercise its Constitutional authority to direct the removal of any and all unauthorized Armed Forces from the region pursuant to Section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution,” the lawmakers concluded.  

    The letter was also signed by Congressman André Carson (IN-07), Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05). 

    Through a war powers resolution, Congress holds the power to direct the removal of any Armed Forces engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the United States without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization. War powers resolutions are privileged, meaning that any member of the House of Representatives could force a vote on the legislation. 

    The letter is endorsed by Friends Committee on National Legislation, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Just Foreign Policy, A New Policy, Action Corps, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, National Iranian American Council Action, Peace Action, Institute for Policy Studies – New Internationalism Project, Presbyterian Church USA – Office of Public Witness, Common Defense, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, and Center for Constitutional Rights. 

    A full copy of the letter can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on One Year Anniversary of Hamas-led Attack on Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    October 07, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement as the world mourns the first anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, where more than 1,200 Israelis died in the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and nearly 100 Israelis remain held hostage by Hamas. We also mourn the more than 40,000 people in Gaza who have been killed following the aftermath of the October 7th attack. 

    In a statement, Rep. Frost says:

    “Today’s anniversary weighs heavy on my heart as we mark one year since the horrendous October 7th terrorist attack and atrocities were carried out. Families in Israel and across the world, and those whose loved ones remain captive, continue to endure unimaginable pain– the largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. Hostages are still not home with their families, and we cannot stop working till they are home. 

    “The horrific attack on October 7th led to the start of a devastating year-long war that has killed tens of thousands and caused millions of Palestinians to suffer and be displaced. The fear, grief, and loss are felt far beyond borders as the toll of war grows ever deeper with no clear end in sight.

    “As we honor the memories of those lost, we must also carry forward a shared hope and commitment for peace. Today, let us reflect on our pain but remind ourselves of our collective responsibility to push for a ceasefire, hostages returning home, establish a lasting peace, and seek healing for those so devastatingly impacted.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland Statement On Iran Attacks On Israel, Eve Of Rosh Hashanah 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Washington, D.C.– Today, U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) released the following statement on the Iran missile attacks sent to Israel. 

    “On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, Israel is being struck with an aggressive, horrific, and direct attack from Iran. Israel has a right to defend itself against this act of terror.

    The United States must remain committed to supporting and protecting democracies in the region.”

    U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is whip for the Congressional Black Caucus, a member of the New Democrat Coalition, and one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Iran unveils 3 new homegrown satellites

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Iran on Sunday unveiled three new domestically developed satellites in the Iranian capital Tehran to mark its National Space Technology Day, the official news agency IRNA reported.

    The satellites, namely Navak-1, Pars-2, and an upgraded model of Pars-1, were unveiled in a ceremony attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyyed Sattar Hashemi, as well as a number of cabinet members, officials, and military commanders, the report said.

    Developed by the Iranian Space Research Center, the Navak-1 communications satellite is designed to test the function of an improved version of the homegrown Simorgh launch vehicle in the near future. The carrier is expected to put the satellite into an elliptic orbit, according to IRNA.

    Weighing approximately 34 kg, Navak-1 is equipped with a dosimetry payload to measure cosmic rays, the report said, adding the satellite has a magnetometer sensor to measure the Earth’s electromagnetic field.

    According to IRNA, the Pars-2 remote-sensing satellite weighs 150 kg and is equipped with two imaging payloads with two different homegrown linear position sensors.

    The satellite features a propeller and is capable of carrying out diverse missions in the fields of environmental monitoring, forestry, natural disaster response, and urban management.

    The upgraded model of Pars-1 remote-sensing satellite, weighing under 150 kg, has three imaging payloads: multispectral, short-wave infrared, and thermal infrared, according to IRNA.

    The satellite is powered by energy generated from its gallium arsenide solar cells, according to the report. The first model of the satellite, weighing 134 kg, was launched on Feb. 29, 2024, aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny space base.

    Speaking at another ceremony in Tehran on Sunday to mark the occasion, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said the country plans to conduct two space launches in the coming weeks, before the end of the current Iranian calendar year on March 20. 

    MIL OSI China News –