NewzIntel.com

Category: Pandemic

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Actions to Combat Cost-of-Living Crisis, Including Rescinding 11 Pieces of Guidance

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    The Justice Department today announced that it is taking action in response to President Trump’s Presidential Memorandum “Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis.” First, the Department is withdrawing 11 pieces of guidance to streamline Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance resources for American businesses. Next, the Department is raising awareness about tax incentives for businesses related to their compliance with the ADA.

    The Jan. 20 Presidential Memorandum described the regulatory demands put in place by the prior administration and called on the heads of all executive departments and agencies to take appropriate actions to lower the cost of living throughout the country. Today’s withdrawal of 11 pieces of unnecessary and outdated guidance will aid businesses in complying with the ADA by eliminating unnecessary review and focusing only on current ADA guidance. Avoiding confusion and reducing the time spent understanding compliance may allow businesses to deliver price relief to consumers.

    In addition, to further the goals of the Presidential Memorandum and to aid businesses during tax season, the Department is highlighting tax incentives available for businesses to help cover the costs of making access improvements for customers or employees with disabilities. The Department expects that small businesses will find this reminder helpful in reducing costs, especially as they prepare their tax filings. An explanation of these tax incentives is featured prominently on the ADA.gov website.

    “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that businesses and members of the public can easily understand their rights and obligations, including the tax incentives that are available to help businesses comply with the ADA,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mac Warner of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Putting money back into the pockets of business owners helps everyone by allowing those businesses to pass on cost savings to consumers and bolster the economy.”

    The Department has identified the following 11 pieces of guidance for withdrawal:

    1. COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Can a business stop me from bringing in my service animal because of the COVID-19 pandemic? (2021)
    2. COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Does the Department of Justice issue exemptions from mask requirements? (2021)
    3. COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Are there resources available that help explain my rights as an employee with a disability during the COVID-19 pandemic? (2021)
    4. COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Can a hospital or medical facility exclude all “visitors” even where, due to a patient’s disability, the patient needs help from a family member, companion, or aide in order to equally access care? (2021)
    5. COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Does the ADA apply to outdoor restaurants (sometimes called “streateries”) or other outdoor retail spaces that have popped up since COVID-19? (2021)
    6. Expanding Your Market: Maintaining Accessible Features in Retail Establishments (2009)
    7. Expanding Your Market: Gathering Input from Customers with Disabilities (2007)
    8. Expanding Your Market: Accessible Customer Service Practices for Hotel and Lodging Guests with Disabilities (2006)
    9. Reaching out to Customers with Disabilities (2005)
    10. Americans with Disabilities Act: Assistance at Self-Serve Gas Stations (1999)
    11. Five Steps to Make New Lodging Facilities Comply with the ADA (1999)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian National Charged with Theft of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A Nigerian national residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The one-count Indictment named Funke Iyanda, 43, with no U.S. status, as the sole defendant.

    According to the Indictment, from May 27, 2020, to May 24, 2021, Iyanda prepared and submitted a false application and claim for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits in the name of another person to the PA Department of Labor, for which Iyanda received approximately $40,980 in unemployment benefits to which Iyanda was not legally entitled.

    The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The numbers add up for our economy and air quality

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Council Leader Jane Meagher reflects on the latest edition of Edinburgh by Numbers.

    As those of us who live in the city know, it’s fair to say ‘Auld Reekie’ is no more thanks to our fantastic parks and air quality.

    Edinburgh has almost halved (a 40.9% reduction) greenhouse gas emissions over the last decade or so and people are 1.5x more likely to take up cycling or running in Edinburgh than other parts of Scotland.

    The city benefits from high wages and employment. Plus, we boast some of the highest satisfaction rates in the UK for public transport – testament to the value of keeping services like Lothian Buses publicly owned.

    That’s according to data collated for our latest Edinburgh by Numbers report, an annual snapshot of statistics gathered by the Council’s data team which tells us how our city is performing.

    I’m pleased that this year’s findings paint a picture of a green and thriving city. Most of us (74%) can enjoy local green space within a five-minute walk from home, and in my own ward of Portobello / Craigmillar I’m grateful to see the first signs of spring starting to appear in our fantastic parks.

    Perhaps it is this love for our parks which leads us to be one of the most climate conscious cities in the UK? According to the data, the percentage of people who believe that climate change is an urgent problem continues to increase and has reached nearly 88% in Edinburgh, the highest in Scotland.

    This has been evident during the council’s recent work with young residents to plan for the revitalisation and regeneration of Princes Street, Princes Street Gardens and the area around Waverley Station, with over 100 primary and secondary school pupils sharing their hopes as part of our public consultation on the Waverley Valley. The plans have ignited much debate, with architects choosing to share their own vision for the future of our most famous high street.

    I recognise that Princes Street is a vital and iconic part of our city’s economy and while it experiences the same challenges all high streets face, it is performing better than most with a low vacancy rate. I’m confident that recent changes to non-domestic rates relief on vacant buildings will also encourage landlords to bring long-term empty properties back into operation.

    It’s welcome news that it continues to attract significant investment, with news last week of a Zedwell Hotel replacing the former Debenhams. Cranes along the skyline signal work underway on the former Forsyth’s/Topshop, Next/Zara and Jenners stores, which are also set to become hotels. Eateries Blank Street, Ben & Jerry’s and Popeyes plus retailers MINISO, UNIQLO, and Panerai have all opened in the past year, or have announced plans to do so.

    Plus, as the new St James Quarter fills up, we expect to see demand spill onto Princes Street. Meanwhile, a new approach has been adopted to staging a year-round programme of events at the Ross Bandstand and Princes Street Gardens.

    I have no doubt that this investor confidence is thanks to the resilience of our local economy and our healthy business community. The numbers tell us that Edinburgh has retained its position as the UK’s most economically productive city outside of London, while tourism continues to recover from the pandemic.

    Hotel occupancy rates are at their highest in 6 years (81.4%), 5 million visitors are staying overnight in Edinburgh and it has been a remarkable year for air and rail travel with Edinburgh Airport posting its highest ever passenger numbers in 2024. Edinburgh is well and truly welcoming the world to visit.

    While there is much to celebrate, these findings also speak to the challenges Edinburgh faces. Drawn by good jobs and a good quality of life, migration means our population is growing three times faster than other Scottish cities. We’re living longer, but the birth rate has dropped.

    We know these challenges are on the horizon and that’s why the council budget we set in February prioritises vital services for residents. More affordable housing and infrastructure to help our growing population to move around the city will be key, particularly as we continue to grapple with our housing emergency and work with the Scottish Government to secure the additional resources we need. The ground-breaking visitor levy will also present a unique opportunity, which will invest tens of millions of pounds in preserving and enhancing the features that make our city such a fantastic place to be.

    The latest edition of Edinburgh by Numbers is available to view now.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Labour says benefit reforms are a ‘moral mission’ – it looks more like moral panic

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By James Morrison, Associate Professor in Journalism Studies, University of Stirling

    House of Commons/Flickr, CC BY-ND

    After weeks of speculation, Liz Kendall, work and pensions secretary, has unveiled her plans to reform welfare and cut the country’s ballooning benefits bill. The proposals include:

    • stricter eligibility requirements for Personal Independence Payments (Pip), the main disability benefit
    • scrapping the work capability assessment for universal credit
    • freezing or cutting the incapacity benefit “top-up” to universal credit for new claimants
    • reducing incapacity benefits for under-22s
    • increasing the standard rate of universal credit for claimants seeking work
    • introducing a “right to try”, so that people can try work without automatically losing benefits or being reassessed.

    Kendall, along with her fellow Labour ministers, has tried to sell the proposals as a “moral mission”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly framed the cuts as a “moral duty”.

    Cabinet office minister Ellie Reeves argues it is the party’s “moral obligation” to prevent “a lost generation” of young people being consigned to long-term worklessness.

    I research the impact of how the media and politicians talk about welfare (and people who claim it) on public attitudes and benefit recipients themselves. In recent weeks, I’ve asked myself: what exactly is “moral” about welfare reform? Do ministers see it as morally wrong to leave working-aged people “on the scrap heap”? Or are they more concerned with demonstrating their moral duty to taxpayers – by cutting benefits for people they claim could be working?

    The proposals do contain measures that back up ministers’ claims to genuinely want to help people, rather than simply cut costs. The “right to try” guarantee should allow those outside the labour market to give work a go without losing benefits if this doesn’t work out.

    But if ministers are being driven by morality, I would argue they have approached the problem the wrong way round. The first priority should be not to cut the benefit bill, but to introduce proper support. This, of course, will likely push costs up in the short term. Savings will follow, but only if help translates into meaningful, dignified work.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    Starmer has pledged to stop a “wasted generation” of school leavers not in education, employment or training (Neets) missing out on the “the dignity of work”.

    But by hammering home this message with the uncompromising pro-worker slogan “this is the Labour party”, he aligns himself with a specific moral orthodoxy. This affirms the moral superiority of his government’s defining shibboleth, “working people”, by defending hardworking taxpayers who feel it is “unsustainable, indefensible and unfair” to keep footing a “spiralling bill” for welfare.

    The moral crusade to promote the virtues of honest toil is doubtless fuelled by surveys suggesting tough talk on benefits remains popular with socially conservative voters the party fears losing to Reform UK.

    However, many polls are nuanced. A new Ipsos survey identifies a “benefits paradox”, wherein 37% of Britons agree that “ensuring everyone who needs health-related benefits” should be “prioritised, even if it means some who could work do not”. The same survey had just 23% favouring tougher eligibility requirements.

    Moral mission or moral panic?

    As my own research shows, when “welfare reform” agendas are couched in the language of “moral missions”, what is really happening is moral panic. We are witnessing escalating alarm at a perceived threat to the moral order that is disproportionate to the true scale of the problem.

    True, the number of people inactive due to sickness or disability is higher than before the pandemic, but suggestions that overall inactivity has reached record levels are wrong. Although a higher percentage of 16- to 64-year-olds was inactive during 2024 than in Germany or Ireland, this was lower than the previous year’s rate (down from 22% to 21.5%), and fell further in early 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics.

    Britain’s 2024 inactivity rate was also beneath those of 15 other European countries (including France and Spain), the US and the EU average. The true high point of UK inactivity came in 1983, when more than a quarter of working-aged adults were inactive.

    Kendall has distanced herself from the language of “scroungers” I analysed in my book on welfare discourse under the 2010-15 coalition government. But connotations can be just as stigmatising as overt labels.

    In endlessly employing the mantra “those who can work should work,” ministers channel timeworn tropes distinguishing between the deserving and undeserving poor.



    Read more:
    Getting Britain to work without blaming ‘scroungers’ – can Starmer change the narrative?

    The new proposals include a ‘right to try’ work without fear of losing benefits.
    SeventyFour/Shutterstock

    There is a moral case for offering tailored, sensitive support to disabled people who want to work but face significant barriers – including inflexible employers and the pressure of caring for others.

    But this should not come at the cost of impoverishing people unable to work – as some unlikely critics of the government’s proposals point out.

    Tony Blair’s onetime Cabinet Secretary Gus O’Donnell told Radio 4 it would be “immoral” to damage people with severe disabilities “who don’t have any option but to be on benefits”. And Blairite former work and pensions secretary Lord Hutton warned that sweeping benefit cuts would “drive millions and millions of people into penury”.

    The government says its reforms are a moral mission, but they are already having immoral effects. Just how moral is it to terrify people already struggling to afford basic essentials with the prospect of being driven into deeper poverty? Or to encourage young people into work that is likely to be low-paid and insecure?

    If there’s one message we can take from the unseemly spectacle of leaks and briefings leading to this week’s announcement, it may be this: we’ve been watching a government on the brink of losing its moral compass.

    James Morrison receives funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council for a project entitled Voices from the Periphery: (De)Constructing and Contesting Public Narratives about Post-Industrial Marginalisation (VOICES).

    – ref. Labour says benefit reforms are a ‘moral mission’ – it looks more like moral panic – https://theconversation.com/labour-says-benefit-reforms-are-a-moral-mission-it-looks-more-like-moral-panic-252404

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derby Arena celebrates its 10th anniversary!

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby Arena is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The landmark building opened in 2015, with the aim of inspiring the next generation and put sport, health and physical activity at the heart of the city.

    Since opening, the Arena has offered citizens the opportunity to be more physically active and improve their health and wellbeing. It’s not just a fitness facility – it’s a national cycling hub, a stage for top performers and a venue for major sporting events, as well as conferences and tradeshows.

    In the past decade, Derby Arena has had over a 4 million visits and, in the last five years, has held over 300 events. These have included shows by top comedians Jimmy Carr, Sarah Millican, national hockey and international handball finals, and University of Derby graduations.

    It was also an important part of the city’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, becoming a huge vaccination centre which saw more than 100,000 people vaccinated.

    The Arena was constructed on behalf of Derby City Council by Bowmer + Kirkland – the same company that completed the new Becketwell Live performance venue.

    Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure said:

    For a decade, Derby Arena has thrived, becoming a leading hub for fitness, wellbeing, sport, and entertainment. Looking ahead, this ambitious facility will no doubt continue to enhance Derby’s appeal as a great place to live, work, and visit.

    As a centre for fitness and wellbeing, the Arena is continuing to inspire people to change their lives through physical activity.  

    Fitness member Dave Martin said: 

    I can now lift, press, push, and pull weights that I couldn’t have imagined handling before. Initially, even lifting the bar was a struggle. All of this progress is thanks to the dedicated personal training team. The PTs both challenge and support you at your desired level. At 56 years old, I’ve learned that with the right team and motivation, anything is possible.

    The Arena is one of only five cycling velodromes in the country and boasts four world champions coaches.

    Derby’s track cyclists have shone in national and world competitions, achieving huge medal success in both the 2024 National Masters Track Championship and the 2024 UCI Masters Track World Championships.

    Track cycling at Derby Arena

    Cyclist John Baugh is a regular at the velodome. He said:

    Since our first visit to the Arena three years ago, my son and I have shared many happy hours riding the velodrome. This venue is unique, in our experience. Where else could a father and son share an interest and passion for cycling, ride with multiple world champions, under the guidance and supervision of the finest coaches in the UK?

    The atmosphere on Track League evenings is superb – there’s a sense of camaraderie that is a joy to be a part of. I can’t thank the team at Derby Arena enough for their kindness and encouragement.

    The facility has attracted top-flight cyclists with the Great Britain Cycling Team track squads relocating to Derby Arena in 2022 while their usual home, the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, was renovated. Team GB’s track cyclists won one gold, three silver and four bronze medals at the Paris Olympics

    The Arena hosted the British University and College Sport (BUCS) cycling championships for the first time. Joe O’Loughlin, event organiser for the BUCS Track Championships, said:

    The first BUCS Track Championships in Derby was a huge success and we received amazing feedback, with members experiences overwhelmingly positive. We look forward to making next year even bigger and better and continuing to provide a platform where student riders can display their immense talent.

    The Arena is an important sporting centre for Derbyshire’s young people, as home to Derbyshire Institute of Sport. DIS provides bespoke support services to individual athletes, sports teams and club members to enable them to achieve success. 

    Managing director Chloe Maudsley said:

    We are proud to be hosted at the iconic Derby Arena, where we can deliver exceptional sports science, accessible to all the young athletes of Derbyshire. Together, we are showcasing that Derby can compete with the best in the world.

    The cast of Cinderella outside the Arena

    Beyond sport, Derby Arena has become a key entertainment venue, and has hosted Derby LIVE and Little Wolf Entertainment’s much-loved pantomimes since it opened. Last year’s Cinderella was Derby’s highest grossing panto ever, enjoyed by almost 40,000 people with sparkling reviews from audiences. The award-winning team will be back this year with Dick Whittington.

    Further exciting shows coming up this year include comedy from Jimmy Carr and Al Murray, the mind-blowing family show Jurassic Earth and music from world-renowned acts celebrating the sounds of Taylor Swift, Tina Turner and Elvis, to name a few.

    The Arena team will be celebrating the landmark 10th anniversary throughout the year with a host of events and activities, including Les Mills fitness launches, our popular family Fun-Fest, Cycle-Fest and other local, regional and national events. 

    Look out for the upcoming National Track Series Cycle Championships, the England Boxing National Amateur Championship Finals in April and, in September, the UK’s first full DEKA FIT competition –  billed as ‘the ultimate fitness test’.

    For more information visit the Derby Arena website and follow us on Facebook.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Gold Announces Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the “Company” or “Orezone”) announces that Canaccord Genuity Corp., the sole underwriter and bookrunner for the Company’s previously announced C$35 million bought deal financing that closed on March 13, 2025 (the “Offering”), has now fully exercised their over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) under the Offering to acquire an additional 6,402,450 common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) at a price of C$0.82 per Share for additional gross proceeds of C$5,250,009. The issuance and purchase of the additional 6,402,450 Shares closed earlier today.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Over-Allotment Option to accelerate both stage 2 of the hard rock expansion and additional exploration at its Bomboré Gold Mine, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes, as further described in the Company’s short form prospectus dated March 7, 2025.

    The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    About Orezone Gold Corporation

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

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

    Contact Information

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Kevin MacKenzie
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

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

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

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur.  Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Over-Allotment Option.

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Full Year 2024 Highlights

    • Revenue of $142.8 million, decrease of 8.0% year-over-year
    • Gross margin of 26.8%, a 110 bps increase year-over-year
    • Operating profit of $3.5 million, an increase of $2.4 million year-over-year
    • Approximately $25M of ACV in active ramp, resulting in an incremental step-up in margin contribution in the second half of 2024
    • Signed an exclusive, non-binding LOI to acquire Exela Technologies BPA, LLC, a potentially transformational deal that could expand XBP Europe’s revenue to ~$1 billion annually

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Revenue of $35.6 million, decrease of 7.5% year-over-year and increase of 0.7% sequentially
    • Gross margin of 28.3%, a 480 bps increase year-over-year and 440 bps decrease sequentially
    • Operating profit of $1.0 million, an increase of $3.4 million year-over-year and a decrease of $1.5 million sequentially
    • Net loss of $2.7 million includes $0.5 million of FX losses, an improvement of $2.4 million year-over-year and $0.1 million sequentially

    LONDON and SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XBP Europe Holdings, Inc. (“XBP Europe” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: XBP), a pan-European integrator of bills, payments, and related solutions and services seeking to enable the digital transformation of its clients, announced today its financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

    “We ended 2024 with growing momentum, as we continued to ramp our recently awarded contracts, leading to improving profitability and operating metrics. We are excited about our organic growth trajectory in 2025 and we continue to work towards a potential acquisition of Exela Technologies BPA, LLC in 2025 so that we can benefit from global scale,” said Andrej Jonovic, Chief Executive Officer of XBP Europe.

    Full Year Highlights

    • Revenue: Total Revenue for 2024 was $142.8 million, a decline of 8.0% year-over-year, primarily due to completion of projects, lower volumes, and client contract ends, offset by positive impact of newly won business.
      • Bills & Payments segment revenue was $101.9 million, a decline of 7.8% year-over-year, primarily attributable to completion of one-time projects, lower volumes, and client contract end, offset by the positive impact of newly won business.
      • Technology segment revenue was $40.9 million, a decrease of 8.5% year-over-year, largely due to a lower volume of licenses sold, offset by a drop in technology implementation and professional services revenue.
    • Operating Profit: Operating Profit was $3.5 million, an increase of $2.4 million compared to 2023. This improvement was driven primarily by higher gross margins coupled with SG&A cost optimizations. Our operating expenses include costs associated with accelerated migration to the cloud.
    • Net Loss: Net loss from continuing operations was $6.5 million, compared with a net loss from continuing operations of $5.6 million in 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by higher income tax expense and interest expense, offset by higher operating profit and lower related party interest expense.
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1): Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations was $13.4 million, a decrease of $2.4 million or 15.1% compared to 2023. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 9.4%, a decrease of 80 basis points from 10.2% in 2023.
    • Capital Expenditures: Capital expenditures were 1.2% of revenue compared to 1.7% of revenue in 2023, with the decrease primarily due to lower purchases of PP&E.
    • Adequate Liquidity: The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $12.1 million as of December 31, 2024.

    Other Highlights:

    • Pending Acquisition: As announced on March 4, 2025, XBP Europe has entered into an exclusive, non-binding letter of intent with Exela Technologies, Inc. to acquire Exela Technologies BPA, LLC (“BPA”), a leading provider of business process automation solutions. The closing of the acquisition will be subject to BPA completing a corporate reorganization which is expected to create a sustainable capital structure with a substantially deleveraged balance sheet. If completed, the acquisition will expand XBP Europe’s revenue to more than $1 billion from $145 million on a pro forma basis for the twelve months ending September 30, 2024. The parties have agreed to act in good faith to negotiate definitive agreements, complete due diligence, undertake necessary regulatory approvals, and seek any necessary approvals, including from XBP Europe’s shareholders. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be entered into or that the proposed transaction will be consummated. Readers are cautioned that those portions of the LOI that describe the proposed transaction are non-binding. XBP Europe only intends to announce additional details regarding the proposed transaction if and when a definitive agreement is executed.

    Segment Revenue and Profitability:

      Three months ended December 31, 2024
      Bills & Payments   Technology   Total
    Revenue, net $ 25,851   $ 9,794   $ 35,645
    Cost of revenue 20,460   5,108   25,568
    Segment Gross Profit 5,391   4,686   10,077
               
      Three months ended December 31, 2023
      Bills & Payments   Technology   Total
    Revenue, net $ 27,368   $ 11,165   $ 38,533
    Cost of revenue 24,203   5,270   29,472
    Segment Gross Profit 3,165   5,895   9,061
      Twelve months ended December 31, 2024
      Bills & Payments   Technology   Total
    Revenue, net $ 101,850   $ 40,922   $ 142,772
    Cost of revenue 85,454   19,059   104,513
    Segment Gross Profit 16,396   21,863   38,259
               
      Twelve months ended December 31, 2023
      Bills & Payments   Technology   Total
    Revenue, net $ 110,458   $ 44,719   $ 155,177
    Cost of revenue 95,572   19,738   115,310
    Segment Gross Profit 14,886   24,981   39,867
               

    Below is the note referenced above:

    (1)   Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA is attached to this release.

    Supplemental Investor Presentation
    An investor presentation relating to our fourth quarter and full year 2024 performance is available at investors.xbpeurope.com. This information has also been furnished to the SEC in a current report on Form 8-K.

    About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    This press release includes constant currency, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, each of which is a financial measure that is not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). XBP Europe believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial performance, results of operations and liquidity and allows investors to better understand the trends in our business and to better understand and compare our results. XBP Europe’s board of directors and management use constant currency, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess XBP Europe’s financial performance, because it allows them to compare XBP Europe’s operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of XBP Europe’s capital structure (such as varying levels of debt and interest expense, as well as transaction costs resulting from the combination with CF Acquisition Corp. VIII. on November 29, 2023). Adjusted EBITDA also seeks to remove the effects of restructuring and related expenses and other similar non-routine items, some of which are outside the control of our management team. Restructuring expenses are primarily related to the implementation of strategic actions and initiatives related to right sizing of the business. All of these costs are variable and dependent upon the nature of the actions being implemented and can vary significantly driven by business needs. Accordingly, due to that significant variability, we exclude these charges since we do not believe they truly reflect our past, current or future operating performance. The constant currency presentation excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We calculate constant currency revenue on a constant currency basis by converting our current-period local currency revenue using the exchange rates from the corresponding prior-period and compare these adjusted amounts to our corresponding prior period reported results. XBP Europe does not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to liquidity or financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in XBP Europe’s financial statements. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgments by management about which expenses and income are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures and therefore the basis of presentation for these measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures are not required to be uniformly applied, are not audited and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Net loss is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to the non-GAAP measures presented here. For reconciliation of the comparable GAAP measures to these non-GAAP financial measures, see the schedules attached to this release.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including certain financial forecasts and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to future results of operations and financial position, revenue and other metrics planned products and services, business strategy and plans, objectives of management for future operations of XBP Europe, market size and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends, are forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by XBP Europe and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against XBP Europe or others and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (2) the inability to meet the continued listing standards of Nasdaq or another securities exchange; (3) the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of XBP Europe and its subsidiaries; (4) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of XBP Europe and its subsidiaries to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (5) costs related to the business combination; (6) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (7) the possibility that XBP Europe or any of its subsidiaries may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (8) risks related to XBP Europe’s potential inability to achieve or maintain profitability and generate cash; (9) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any mutations or variants thereof, and its effect on business and financial conditions; (10) volatility in the markets caused by geopolitical and economic factors; (11) the ability of XBP Europe to retain existing clients; (12) the potential inability of XBP Europe to manage growth effectively; (13) the ability to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel, and (14) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed on April 1, 2024 and, our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. XBP Europe gives no assurance that either XBP Europe or any of its subsidiaries will achieve its expected results. XBP Europe undertakes no duty to update these forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.

    About XBP Europe
    XBP Europe is a pan-European integrator of bills, payments and related solutions and services seeking to enable digital transformation of its more than 2,000 clients. The Company’s name – ‘XBP’ – stands for ‘exchange for bills and payments’ and reflects the Company’s strategy to connect buyers and suppliers, across industries, including banking, healthcare, insurance, utilities and the public sector, to optimize clients’ bills and payments and related digitization processes. The Company provides business process management solutions with proprietary software suites and deep domain expertise, serving as a technology and services partner for its clients. Its cloud-based structure enables it to deploy its solutions across the European market, along with the Middle East and Africa. The physical footprint of XBP Europe spans 15 countries and 32 locations and a team of approximately 1,500 individuals. XBP Europe believes its business ultimately advances digital transformation, improves market wide liquidity by expediting payments, and encourages sustainable business practices. For more information, please visit: www.xbpeurope.com.

    For more XBP Europe news, commentary, and industry perspectives, visit: https://www.xbpeurope.com/
    And please follow us on social:
    X: https://X.com/XBPEurope
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xbp-europe/

    The information posted on XBP Europe’s website and/or via its social media accounts may be deemed material to investors. Accordingly, investors, media and others interested in XBP Europe should monitor XBP Europe’s website and its social media accounts in addition to XBP Europe’s press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

    Investor and/or Media Contacts:
    investors@xbpeurope.com

     
    XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
    (in thousands of United States dollars except share and per share amounts)
               
      December 31, 
      2024      2023
    ASSETS            
    Current assets            
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,099   $ 6,537
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,198 and $1,183, respectively   19,810     30,238
    Inventories, net   3,823     4,045
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   4,228     6,550
    Current assets held for sale   1,378     2,497
    Total current assets   41,338     49,867
    Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,325 and $39,876, respectively   11,272     12,811
    Operating lease right-of-use assets, net   4,805     5,206
    Goodwill   21,666     22,823
    Intangible assets, net   1,121     1,498
    Deferred income tax assets   7,026     6,811
    Other noncurrent assets   817     705
    Noncurrent assets held for sale   —     3,018
    Total assets $ 88,045   $ 102,739
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT            
    LIABILITIES            
    Current liabilities            
    Accounts payable $ 12,553   $ 13,281
    Related party payables   5,443     13,012
    Accrued liabilities   17,993     23,850
    Accrued compensation and benefits   16,482     16,267
    Customer deposits   277     323
    Deferred revenue   6,870     6,004
    Current portion of finance lease liabilities   12     91
    Current portion of operating lease liabilities   1,734     1,562
    Current portion of long-term debts   4,958     3,863
    Current liabilities held for sale   2,443     3,818
    Total current liabilities   68,765     82,071
    Related party notes payable   1,451     1,542
    Long-term debt, net of current maturities   23,966     12,763
    Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion   —     23
    Pension liabilities   10,339     12,208
    Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion   3,271     3,785
    Other long-term liabilities   1,599     1,635
    Noncurrent liabilities held for sale   —     1,280
    Total liabilities $ 109,391   $ 115,307
                 
               
    STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT            
    Preferred stock, par value of $0.0001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively   —     —
    Common Stock, par value of $0.0001 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 30,166,102 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively   30     30
    Additional paid in capital   1,611     —
    Accumulated deficit   (23,705)     (11,339)
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss:            
    Foreign currency translation adjustment   474     (1,416)
    Unrealized pension actuarial gains, net of tax   244     157
    Total accumulated other comprehensive loss   718     (1,259)
    Total stockholders’ deficit   (21,346)     (12,568)
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit $ 88,045   $ 102,739
               
    XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
    (in thousands of United States dollars except share and per share amounts)
               
      Year ended December 31, 
      2024      2023
    Revenue, net $ 142,408   $ 154,943
    Related party revenue, net   364     234
    Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)   104,467     115,234
    Related party cost of revenue   47     76
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)   26,525     31,173
    Related party expense   5,101     4,633
    Depreciation and amortization   3,160     2,944
    Operating profit   3,472     1,117
    Other expense (income), net            
    Interest expense, net   6,232     5,035
    Related party interest expense, net   90     1,971
    Foreign exchange losses, net   2,520     599
    Changes in fair value of warrant liability   (43)     (597)
    Pension income, net   (1,705)     (929)
    Net loss before income taxes   (3,622)     (4,962)
    Income tax expense   2,911     606
    Net loss from continuing operations   (6,533)     (5,568)
    Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes   (5,833)     (5,479)
    Net loss $ (12,366)   $ (11,047)
    Loss per share:           
    Basic and diluted – continuing operations $ (0.22)   $ (0.25)
    Basic and diluted – discontinued operations   (0.19)     (0.24)
    Basic and diluted $ (0.41)   $ (0.49)
               
    XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
    (in thousands of United States dollars)
               
      Years ended December 31, 
      2024      2023
    Cash flows from operating activities          
    Net loss $ (12,366)   $ (11,047)
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:           
    Depreciation   2,965     3,467
    Amortization of intangible assets   750     384
    Debt issuance cost amortization   216     —
    Impairment of goodwill   87     —
    Credit loss expense   16     343
    Changes in fair value of warrant liability   (43)     (597)
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,611     —
    Unrealized foreign currency losses (gains)   2,428     (616)
    Change in deferred income taxes   (247)     (422)
               
    Change in operating assets and liabilities          
    Accounts receivable   9,568     5,990
    Inventories   240     (58)
    Prepaid expense and other assets   2,297     2,123
    Accounts payable   (365)     (2,417)
    Related party payables   (8,446)     (843)
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   (4,848)     2,629
    Deferred revenue   1,099     67
    Customer deposits   (189)     (538)
    Net cash used in operating activities   (5,227)     (1,535)
               
    Cash flows from investing activities           
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (1,263)     (2,330)
    Cash paid for costs of fulfilling a contract   —     (339)
    Additions to internally developed software   (447)     —
    Net cash used in investing activities   (1,710)     (2,669)
               
    Cash flows from financing activities           
    Borrowings under secured borrowing facility   —     87,635
    Principal repayment on borrowings under secured borrowing facility   (79)     (91,662)
    Borrowings under 2024 Term Loan A Facility   3,834     —
    Borrowings under 2024 Term Loan B Facility   11,360     —
    Borrowings under 2024 Revolving Credit Facility   15,352     —
    Cash paid for debt issuance costs   (1,527)     —
    Principal payments on 2024 Term Loan A Facility   (383)     —
    Principal payments on 2024 Term Loan B Facility   (1,136)     —
    Principal payments on long-term obligations   (15,270)     (920)
    Proceeds from Secured Credit Facility   930     223
    Principal payments on finance leases   (635)     (786)
    Proceeds from Business Combination, net of transaction expenses   —     5,205
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   12,446     (305)
    Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents     (308)     3,941
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   5,201     (568)
               
    Cash and equivalents, beginning of period, including cash from discontinued operations   6,905     7,473
    Cash and equivalents, end of period, including cash from discontinued operations $ 12,106   $ 6,905
               
    Supplemental cash flow data:            
    Income tax payments, net of refunds received   567     1,059
    Interest paid         3,429     1,798
               
    XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.
    Schedule 1: Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and constant currency revenues
         
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Measures    
             
    Non-GAAP constant currency revenue reconciliation      
        Twelve Months ended December 31, 
    ($ in thousands)   2024   2023
    Revenues, as reported (GAAP)   142,772   155,177
    Foreign currency exchange impact (1)   (1,055)   – 
    Revenues, at constant currency (Non-GAAP)   141,717   155,177
             
    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations             
        Year Ended December 31, 
    (dollars in thousands)   2024      2023
    Net loss from continuing operations   $ (6,533)   $ (5,568)
    Income tax expense     2,911     606
    Interest expense including related party interest expense, net     6,322     7,006
    Depreciation and amortization     3,160     2,944
    EBITDA from continuing operations     5,860     4,988
    Restructuring and related expenses (2)     1,879     5,053
    Employee litigation matter (3)     1,283     1,431
    Related party management fee and royalties (4)     —     1,330
    Foreign exchange losses, net     2,520     599
    Non-cash equity compensation (5)     1,611     —
    Changes in fair value of warrant liability     (43)     (597)
    Transaction Fees (6)     280     2,970
    Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations   $ 13,390   $ 15,774
                 

    (1)   Constant currency excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and is computed by applying the average exchange rates for the year ended December 31, 2023, to the revenues during the corresponding period in 2024.
    (2)   Adjustment represents costs associated with restructuring, including employee severance and vendor and lease termination costs.
    (3)   Represents litigation settlement and associated expenses incurred in connection with the Company subsidiary litigation.
    (4)   Primarily represents management fee incurred in exchange for services, which included provision of legal, human resources, corporate finance, and marketing support. The management services agreement was terminated in connection with the Business Combination and was replaced by the related party service fee pursuant to the Services Agreement which reduced the fee and modified the services provided.
    (5)   Represents the non-cash charges to restricted stock units and options.
    (6)   Represents transaction costs incurred as part of the Business Combination.

         
    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA from Discontinued Operations    
        Year Ended December 31, 
    (dollars in thousands)   2024      2023
    Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes   $ (5,833)   $ (5,479)
    Income tax expense     —     —
    Interest expense, net     145     189
    Depreciation and amortization     555     907
    EBITDA from discontinued operations     (5,133)     (4,383)
    Restructuring and related expenses (7)     38     187
    Related party service fees and royalties     —     25
    Impairment of goodwill     87     —
    Foreign exchange losses (gains), net     211     (5)
    Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations   $ (4,797)   $ (4,176)
                 

    (7)   Adjustment represents costs associated with restructuring related to employee severance.

    Source: XBP Europe Holdings, Inc.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Pandemic Relief Loan Fraud and Commercial Loan Fraud

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    Defendant admitted to spending portions of fraudulent-loan proceeds on a Lamborghini and home renovations.

    Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced Andra Shirone Thompson, 48, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to a year and a day for two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    Thompson pled guilty to conspiring to defraud Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act loan programs and his role in a years-long scheme to defraud commercial equipment financing companies. He was also sentenced to three years of supervised released and ordered to forfeit $847,280, and pay $813,363.01 in restitution to the victims of his schemes.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, made the announcement with Supervisory Official Matthew Galeotti, Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C., Field Office; Jeffrey D. Pittano, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Mid-Atlantic Region; Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Eastern Region; and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

    According to his guilty plea, Thompson admitted to participating in a conspiracy to submit fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on behalf of companies he controlled. The companies included Alpha Bravo Tango LLC., Senergy Consulting Group Inc., and Novus Ordo Seclorum LLC. Through the scheme, Thompson fraudulently obtained $716,375. He spent a portion of the proceeds on vehicles, including a 2014 Lamborghini Aventador, and on renovating a home in North Carolina.

    Thompson also joined a conspiracy to defraud equipment financing companies by submitting fraudulent invoices that falsely showed the sale of substantial quantities of computer servers and related equipment. Thompson and his co-conspirators caused borrowers to submit fraudulent invoices to lenders to support their loan applications to purchase items. After approval, lenders deposited loan proceeds into accounts controlled by Thompson and his co-conspirators. The lenders were unaware that the sales on the invoices never occurred. Thompson and his co-conspirators typically “kicked back” a portion of the proceeds to the borrower who submitted the application and kept the rest for themselves. Thompson personally participated in three executions of this scheme, causing approximately $813,362 in fraudulently induced lending.

    Additionally, the co-conspirators caused more than $60 million of fraudulently induced lending across more than 350 separate loans through this scheme. Thompson’s principal co-conspirator, Craig David Davis, 49, of Venice, California, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and was sentenced earlier this month to 93 months incarceration.

    Financial assistance offered through the CARES Act included forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses, through the PPP, administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA).  The SBA also offered an EIDL and/or an EIDL advance to help businesses meet their financial obligations.

    The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the CARES Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

    For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-CI, FDIC-OIG, SBA-OIG, and the FBI who investigated the case. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wenner, along with Trial Attorney David A. Peters from the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: RBI Bulletin – March 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Today, the Reserve Bank released the March 2025 issue of its monthly Bulletin. The Bulletin includes four speeches, five articles and current statistics.

    The five articles are: I. State of the Economy; II. Spatial Distribution of Monsoon and Agricultural Production; III. Changing Dynamics of India’s Remittances – Insights from the Sixth Round of India’s Remittances Survey; IV. Decoupling Economic Growth from Emissions: A LMDI Decomposition Analysis; and V. Market Access and IMF Arrangements: Evidence from Across the Globe.

    I. State of the Economy

    The resilience of the global economy is being tested by escalating trade tensions and a heightened wave of uncertainty around the scope, timing, and intensity of tariffs. While engendering heightened volatility in global financial markets, these have also caused apprehensions about the slowdown in global growth. Amidst these challenges, the Indian economy continues to demonstrate resilience as evident in the robust performance of the agriculture sector and improving consumption. The reverberations of a tumultuous external environment, however, are being reflected in sustained foreign portfolio outflows. India’s macroeconomic strength to face these challenges is bolstered by a decline in headline CPI inflation to a seven-month low of 3.6 per cent in February 2025 on account of a further correction in food prices.

    II. Spatial Distribution of Monsoon and Agricultural Production

    By Abhinav Narayanan and Harendra Kumar Behera

    This article analyses the impact of spatial variation of rainfall across districts on production of Kharif crops. It also examines how deficient or excess rainfall during specific periods impact the production of specific crops.

    Highlights:

    • Extreme weather events such as excessive or insufficient rainfall cause significant crop damages leading to disruptions in production resulting in reduced yields or lower quality of produce.

    • The timing of extreme weather events is crucial, as crop production cycles vary.

    • Insufficient rainfall in the months of June and July negatively impacts cereal and pulses production, while oilseeds are particularly vulnerable to excessive rainfall during the harvesting period (August-September).

    III. Changing Dynamics of India’s Remittances – Insights from the Sixth Round of India’s Remittances Survey

    By Dhirendra Gajbhiye, Sujata Kundu, Alisha George, Omkar Vinherkar, Yusra Anees, Jithin Baby

    This article analyses the results of the sixth round of India’s remittances survey conducted for 2023-24. It captures various dimensions of inward remittances to India – country-wise source of remittances, state-wise destination of remittances, transaction-wise size of remittances, prevalent mode of transmission, cost of sending remittances and share of remittances transmitted through the digital modes vis-à-vis cash.

    Highlights:

    • India’s inward remittances have more than doubled during 2010-11 to 2023-24 and have been a stable source of external financing during this period. Following a pandemic-led contraction during 2020-21, remittances to India in the post pandemic period recorded a significant surge.

    • The survey results indicate that the share of inward remittances from advanced economies has risen, surpassing the share of Gulf economies in 2023-24, reflecting a shift in migration pattern towards skilled Indian diaspora.

    • Maharashtra, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu, continue to be the dominant recipient of remittances.

    • The cost of sending remittances to India has moderated significantly, driven by digitalisation, but remains higher than the SDG target of 3 per cent.

    • Additionally, on an average, 73.5 per cent of total remittances received by the money transfer operators in 2023-24 were through digital mode.

    • Furthermore, fintech companies offer affordable cross-border remittance services, fostering competition among different remittance service providers.

    IV. Decoupling Economic Growth from Emissions: A LMDI Decomposition Analysis

    By Madhuresh Kumar, Shobhit Goel, Manu Sharma, Muskan Garg

    This article examines the drivers behind India’s CO₂ emissions growth from 2012 to 2022 using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition method. It breaks down total emissions into key contributing factors, including the impact of GDP growth (activity effect), improvements in energy efficiency (energy intensity effect), shifts in the economic structure (structural effect), changes in the composition of fuel (fuel mix effect), and the growing share of renewable energy in electricity generation, which reduces the carbon intensity of electricity (emission factor effect).

    Highlights:

    • During 2012-22, energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 706 million tons. The main contributor was economic growth (+1073 Mt), with a smaller impact from the change in fuel mix of the economy (+78 Mt). However, gains in energy efficiency (-399 Mt), structural changes (-15 Mt), and improvements in emission intensity of electricity due to increased use of renewables (-30 Mt) helped curb emissions.

    • India’s energy efficiency improved by 1.9 per cent annually, exceeding the global average.

    • India’s growth decoupled from emissions, with a decoupling elasticity of 0.59, comparable to other lower-middle-income countries.

    • Renewables have had a small but significant impact on emission reduction over the past decade, with solar and wind accounting for 2.1 percent of total primary energy in 2022-23.

    • Going ahead, the emission factor effect is expected to play a more prominent role as renewables increasingly replace fossil fuels and green hydrogen usage expands in industries.

    V. Market Access and IMF Arrangements: Evidence from Across the Globe

    By Shruti Joshi and PSS Vidyasagar

    The article analyses loans availed by various countries from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during 2000-2023 and finds a negative relation between market access and dependence on IMF’s loan for those countries which resorted to IMF loans.

    Highlights:

    • During 2000-2023, dependence of Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs) on IMF resources increased on account of their limited access to international financial markets and alternate sources of funding. Several fast growing large EMDEs, including India and China, however, did not have to take recourse to the IMF loans.

    • During the crisis periods, especially the Global Financial Crisis and Euro-Zone Crisis, some Advanced Economies also resorted to IMF loans due to their reduced market access on account of sovereign rating downgrades.

    • Among countries that resorted to IMF loans, those which faced a larger country risk premium availed larger funding.

    • Access to alternative sources of funding such as Regional Financing Arrangements (RFAs) and swap lines reduces the dependence on IMF loans.

    The views expressed in the Bulletin articles are of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2418

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Effective implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the current decade.

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 19 MAR 2025 1:29PM by PIB Delhi

    The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA) aims at enhancing livelihood security of households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

    It may be noted that the budget allocation for the Financial Year 2006-07 was Rs 11,300 crores, which increased to 33,000 crore in 2013-14. This has increased continuously over the last 10 years. Current Financial year’s allocation of Rs 86,000 crore is the highest ever budgetary allocation at the BE stage. Government has spent a record Rs 1,11,000 crore under the scheme in the year 2020-21 to ensure livelihood security to people distressed during COVID19 pandemic. This shows Government’s sincere commitment towards the effective implementation of the Scheme.

    Similarly, the total persondays generated between FY 2006-07 to FY 2013-14 were 1660 crore, whereas, the total persondays between FY 2014-15 to FY 2024-25 has been 3029 crore, which is 82% more than the decade before 2014. In this process, over the last years from 2014-15 to 2024-25, the Central Government has released 7,81,302 crores which resulted in the creation of 8.07 Crore rural assets. While in the previous decade from 2006-07 to 2013-14, only 2,13,220 crores were released which resulted in creation of 1.53 Crore rural assets. Over the last 10 years, Government’s increased efforts have led to a remarkable increase in the creation of rural assets which is evident from over 526% increase in the rural assets which are geotagged and of better quality. Moreover, due to continued focus on women empowerment, the participation of women has increased from 48% in FY 2013-14 to over 58% in the current FY 2024-25.

    There are 266 works permissible under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, out of which 150 works are related to agriculture and allied, 58 are related to Natural Resource Management (NRM) and 58 works are that of Rural Infrastructure. Various water related works such as check dams, farm ponds, community ponds, irrigation open wells, etc. are taken up under the Scheme. Government’s continued thrust on water conservation has yielded remarkable results, evident in the form of significant reduction in the number of water-stressed rural blocks from 2264 to 1456 (35% reduction) in the given decade. Another major success is in the form of Mission Amrit Sarovar, which has led to the creation of over 68,000 Amrit Sarovars in the country in Phase I. Currently, Phase II of Mission Amrit Sarovar has been rolled out with a renewed focus on water availability with community participation, Jan Bhagidari, at its core.

    The Government’s focus on improving the livelihood opportunities for the most vulnerable sections of the society can been seen in the substantial increase in the creation of individual assets from 17.6% in FY 2013-14 to 56.99% in FY 2024-25.

    It is inaccurate to say that ABPS (Aadhaar Based Payment System) or NMMS(National Mobile Monitoring System) are exclusionary. In fact, these have been major reform processes to ensure effective implementation of this Scheme. For instance, ABPS helps in better targeting, increasing the efficiency of the system and reducing the delays in the payments arising out of frequent changes in the bank account, thereby, ensuring better inclusion, curbing leakages. As on date, Aadhaar seeding has been accomplished for 13.45 crores (99.49%) active workers under MGNREGA, whereas in 2014, Aadhaar seeding was done for only 76 lakh workers. Similarly, NMMS has brought about enhanced transparency in the implementation of MGNREGA. Electronic real-time attendance capturing through NMMS has streamlined the timely creation of muster rolls as well as elimination of fake attendance. Moreover, in case of exceptional circumstances, there is a provision of approving the manual attendance at the field level.

    The Government has been continuously working on improving the transparency and accountability in Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. The adoption of National Electronic Fund Management System (NeFMS) and Aadhaar Based Payment System (ABPS) in the current decade have made MGNREGA, the biggest DBT Scheme in the country. 100% of the wage disbursement is being done electronically through DBT. Earlier in the absence of such mechanisms, there was a possibility of leakages as the payment of wages through e-FMS was merely 37% in 2013. Similarly, other path breaking digital initiatives like GIS based planning, Geo-tagging of assets, SECURE for estimate calculation etc. have made this Scheme one of the most transparently run schemes in the country. This is evident from a comprehensive MIS System NREGASOFT with all data regarding persondays generation and assets available in the public domain. This along with JANMANREGA mobile app significantly increased citizen oversight of the program which was absent before 2014.

    Moreover, enhanced focus on Social Audit, inspections through Area Officer App and other interventions have resulted in a robust monitoring framework which was absent before 2014.

    Details of “Effective implementation NREGA 10 years” is in the annexure.

    ***

    MG

    (Release ID: 2112680) Visitor Counter : 52

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Danish economy well-balanced despite uncertain times

    Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

    19 March 2025

    The Danish economy is fundamentally balanced and there are prospects for good growth, continued high employment and low, stable inflation in the coming years.

    Growth in the Danish economy is expected to be fuelled by developments in the domestic economy to a greater extent than in recent years. Further progress in the activities abroad of large, global Danish companies, which are recognised in Danish value added, will also contribute to growth.

    “The relatively high growth in the projection of 3.6 per cent this year includes the development of Danish production abroad and the reopening of the Tyra field. Without these two factors, we estimate that the Danish economy will grow more moderately at 1.4 per cent this year,” says Christian Kettel Thomsen, Governor of Danmarks Nationalbank.

    “Behind the positive picture of the Danish economy, there are factors that can paint a less attractive picture. The Danish economy has adapted to new challenges in the past, most recently during the pandemic, and this will be needed again if trade conflicts and increased defence spending become commonplace,” says Thomsen.

    If global trade conflicts or the implementation of tariff barriers escalate, it could have a major impact on world trade.

    “Our analyses indicate that increased fragmentation of the global economy or a sharp decline in world trade could mean lower growth and higher prices domestically and globally,” says Thomsen.

    Denmark and Europe are also facing a significant increase in defence spending, which could increase capacity pressure in the economy.

    “If capacity pressure in Denmark increases significantly, it should be offset by fiscal measures that reduce it accordingly. This should be seen in light of the fact that Denmark is currently considered to be in a neutral economic situation,” says Thomsen.

    Danmarks Nationalbank’s expectations in a new projection:

    In our new projection, we expect HICP inflation in Denmark to be 2.0 per cent this year, 1.7 per cent in 2026 and 2027. We expect GDP growth to be 3.6 per cent this year, 2.3 per cent in 2026 and 2.0 per cent in 2027.

    Danmarks Nationalbank’s new analyses of the Danish economy and the new annual report for 2024 can be found on the bank’s website, nationalbanken.dk.

    Enquiries and registrations for the press conference can be directed to press advisor Peter Levring on 2620 1809 and pnbl@nationalbanken.dk.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Councillors to be asked to approve 2023/24 accounts in final action to clear backlog

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    Councillors are to be asked to approve St Albans City and District Council’s statement of accounts for the 2023/24 financial year.

    A decision in favour would bring a welcome end to a backlog of audit approvals which the Council has experienced in common with other local authorities.

    The 2023/24 accounts will go before an extraordinary meeting of the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee on Thursday 20 March along with auditor KPMG’s annual report.

    Delays in auditing local authority accounts have been acknowledged by the Government as a national problem.

    The causes range from staff shortages among external auditors to the adverse impact of the Covid pandemic.

    In January, the Committee approved the accounts for the financial years 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23.

    This was made possible by recent Government legislation to clear the backlog which allows for auditors to issue a ‘disclaimed opinion,’ neither giving full approval to the accounts or non-approval.

    KPMG has given a disclaimed opinion for the 2023/24 accounts as the Council expected.

    Councillor Giles Fry, Lead for the Budget and Financial Strategy, said:

    I am delighted that the 2023/24 accounts will now go before the Audit and Governance Committee for approval and we have the opportunity to put this backlog issue behind us.

    This has been a frustrating period for us and dozens of other local authorities for reasons outside of our control. Our finance team will be able to concentrate on their day-to-day work and the future rather than the past.

    I can assure residents that our 2023/24 accounts comply with all laws and regulations and nothing untoward or unexpected has been highlighted.

    In its annual report, KPMG has highlighted one issue of concern under its assessment of Value for Money: the Council’s arrangements for achieving financial efficiency and effectiveness.

    This is identified as “a risk that the Council does not have in place adequate governance arrangements to ensure compliance with its statutory financial reporting responsibilities”.

    The report recommends the Council “should invest in additional resources within the finance team to ensure future compliance with statutory reporting deadlines”.

    Cllr Fry said:

    While the KPMG report is overwhelmingly positive, we are well aware that we need to add to the overall level of our resources in our finance team and are taking steps to address this issue.

    In common with other Councils across the country, we have found there is a shortage of finance staff, especially those with experience of handling major public sector accounts.

    Our recruitment team is on the case and will continue to be proactive in searching for suitable staff in what is a very competitive job market.

    Despite these difficulties, I am pleased that the auditors could see no risk or weakness associated with our work at improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness. It shows we are meeting the challenge by providing our residents with a financially sound and stable Council.

    Media contact:  John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: TransUnion Canada Improves Credit Access for Newcomers and Young Canadians with New Credit Risk Score

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • TransUnion’s new TruVision Trended Risk Score expands lenders’ insights into consumers who may not otherwise be scoreable, helping increase financial inclusion.
    • The solution is Canada’s only credit score offering built using post-pandemic consumer data, with a view into borrowing and payment behaviour, calculated from more than 100 proprietary variables.

    TORONTO, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransUnion® (NYSE:TRU) Canada is helping expand credit access for new Canadians and those new to the credit market by providing a broader and more comprehensive view of a person’s payment behaviour and creditworthiness with TruVision® Trended Risk Score. The TruVision Trended Risk Score leverages new algorithms and attributes that provide deeper insights on consumers, utilizing data that captures how consumer credit spending and payment patterns have evolved since the pandemic. For New-to-Credit (NTC)1 consumers, TruVision Trended Risk Score leverages the power of signals early in their credit tenure to better predict future risk, giving lenders the insights they need to more confidently offer credit and grow with new consumers.

    “New Canadians and young consumers represent a significant portion of Canada’s population and economic power. They are actively working to build their credit profile and access to credit. With TruVision Trended Risk Score, consumers will be able to build their credit profile quicker and gain access to more credit opportunities,” said Juan Sebastian D’Achiardi, regional president of TransUnion Canada. “By offering lenders a more holistic view of consumers, they will now have better access to behavioural insights and information, increasing their ability to more confidently offer a wider range of products and services.”

    According to Statistics Canada, international migration, including permanent and temporary immigration, continues to drive population growth in Canada, accounting for 92% of all growth in the third quarter of 20242. In 2024, NTC consumers accounted for 28% of new credit cards opened, and 22% of all credit products opened, with new to Canada consumers estimated to account for more than half of that volume.

    Gen Z Canadians, born between 1997 and 2012, remain the fastest growing segment in credit card usage, with an 18% year-over-year (YoY) growth rate in balances, compared to a 4% YoY growth rate among other generations. Gen Z consumers have accumulated $142 billion in overall credit balances as of December 2024, representing a 29.5% YoY increase, significantly outpacing the overall 4.5% balance growth rate.

    While this generation represents a tremendous growth opportunity for lenders, these consumers exhibit higher risk, with a 0.57% delinquency rate (90 days or more days past due), compared to an average of 0.28% across other generations as of Q4 2024. Lenders can still turn to this generation to increase lending and grow by employing effective tools for credit decisioning to manage risk effectively.

    “While navigating an uncertain macroeconomic environment and turbulent market conditions, lenders can now modernize their credit strategies and more confidently grow their portfolios by extending credit to young Canadians, new immigrants, and other Canadians seeking to expand their credit portfolio,” said Pamela Dodaro, chief product officer at TransUnion Canada. “Those that explore innovative ways to monitor rapid changes in consumers’ financial health will be better positioned to capture new and growing consumer segments.”

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries, including Canada, where we’re the credit bureau of choice for the financial services ecosystem and most of Canada’s largest banks. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this by providing an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care.

    Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

    For more information visit: www.transunion.ca

    For more information or to request an interview, contact:

    Contact: Katie Duffy
    E-mail: katie.duffy@ketchum.com
    Telephone: +1 647-772-0969

    1 A New-to-Credit consumer has no prior history on their credit file.
    2 Statistics Canada, The Daily — Canada’s population estimates, third quarter 2024, 2024-12-17. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lantronix Expands Partnership With TD SYNNEX to Distribute Its Out-of-Band, Network Infrastructure and Industrial IoT Solutions Throughout Europe

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity for IoT solutions enabling AI Edge Intelligence, today announced it has expanded its partnership with TD SYNNEX (NYSE:SNX), a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. An established major distributor for Lantronix in North America, TD SYNNEX will now distribute Lantronix’s out-of-band, network infrastructure and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) throughout Europe, bringing expanded support to Lantronix’s global customers and channel partners.

    “Designed to increase Lantronix’s market presence in Europe, the expanded relationship with TD SYNNEX provides our mutual customers and channel partners with local-market access to Lantronix’s advanced out-of-band, network infrastructure and industrial IoT solutions,” said Kurt Hoff, VP of Global Sales & Marketing at Lantronix. “We are very excited about the anticipated market growth from this expanded partnership as our solutions are an excellent fit with TD SYNNEX’s specialized AI, IoT and Integration/Automation go-to-market.”

    “We are delighted to expand our partnership with market leader Lantronix. Backed by the proven success of our long-term relationship in North America, this expanded relationship brings the benefits of Lantronix’s proven products to our European customers and channel partners with the added benefit of a single-source distributor for our mutual global customers,” said Craig Smith, VP of Data, AI and Business Applications at TD SYNNEX.

    About TD SYNNEX

    TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX) is a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem. We’re an innovative partner helping more than 150,000 customers in 100+ countries to maximize the value of technology investments, demonstrate business outcomes and unlock growth opportunities. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and Fremont, California, TD SYNNEX’s 23,000 co-workers are dedicated to uniting compelling IT products, services and solutions from 2,500+ best-in-class technology vendors. Our edge-to-cloud portfolio is anchored in some of the highest-growth technology segments including cloud, cybersecurity, big data/analytics, AI, IoT, mobility and everything as a service. TD SYNNEX is committed to serving customers and communities, and we believe we can have a positive impact on our people and our planet, intentionally acting as a respected corporate citizen. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive employer of choice for talent across the IT ecosystem. For more information, visit www.tdsynnex.com.

    About Lantronix

    Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth markets, including Smart Cities, Enterprise and Transportation. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that enable AI Edge Intelligence. Lantronix’s advanced solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.

    For more information, visit the Lantronix website.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to Lantronix products or leadership team. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers’ and vendors’ supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Sept. 9, 2024, including in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of that report, as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. In addition, actual results may differ as a result of additional risks and uncertainties about which we are currently unaware or which we do not currently view as material to our business. For these reasons, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements we make speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our opinions or expectations, except as required by applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. If we do update or correct any forward-looking statements, investors should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections.

    ©2025 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

    Lantronix Media Contact:
    Gail Kathryn Miller
    Corporate Marketing &
    Communications Manager
    media@lantronix.com

    Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:
    investors@lantronix.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Defiance Launches HOOX: 2X Leveraged ETF for Robinhood Markets, Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Defiance ETFs introduces HOOX, the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HOOD ETF, a 2X leveraged single-stock ETF designed to provide amplified exposure to Robinhood Markets, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOOD). This ETF offers traders a way to seek enhanced returns on Robinhood Markets, Inc without requiring a margin account.

    HOOX seeks daily investment results that correspond to twice (200%) the daily percentage change of Robinhood Markets, a pioneer in commission-free trading that has transformed the brokerage industry with innovative technology and a user-friendly platform.

    “HOOX offers investors a compelling opportunity for investors seeking amplified exposure to Robinhood Markets, a company that has redefined retail investing,” said Sylvia Jablonski, CEO of Defiance ETFs. “As Robinhood continues to expand its offerings and shape the future of trading, this ETF allows investors to participate in its growth with enhanced returns.”

    For more information, visit DefianceETFs.com.

    The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. The Fund pursues a daily leveraged investment objective, which means that the Fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund magnifies the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.

    An investment in HOOX is not an investment in Robinhood Markets, Inc.

    About Defiance ETFs

    Founded in 2018, Defiance is at the forefront of ETF innovation. Defiance is a leading ETF issuer specializing in thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs.

    Our first-mover leveraged single-stock ETFs empower investors to take amplified positions in high-growth companies, providing precise leverage exposure without the need to open a margin account.

    IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

    Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Fund’s investment adviser is Tidal Investments, LLC (“Tidal” or the “Adviser”).

    The Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information about the investment company. Please read carefully before investing. A hard copy of the prospectuses can be requested by calling 833.333.9383.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. As an ETF, the funds’ may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country, may be subject to a higher degree of risk.

    HOOD Risks: The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of HOOD. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of HOOD even though it does not.

    Indirect Investment Risk. HOOD is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares.

    Trading Risk. The trading price of the fund may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading HOOD potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence HOOD’s stock price disproportionately.

    Performance Risk. HOOD may fail to meet publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of HOOD to decline.

    HOOD Operational Risks. HOOD’s plans to venture into new international markets introduces significant uncertainties that may not yield desired outcomes. Operations are subject to complex and evolving laws, with non-compliance posing threats to HOOD’s business. Past and potential future regulatory investigations, settlements, and litigation could lead to substantial costs and reputational damage. Intense competition from rivals with greater resources threatens HOOD’s market position and revenue.

    Financial Exchanges and Data Industry Risks. The industry is highly susceptible to fluctuations in economic conditions, changes in market sentiment, and regulatory alterations, which can significantly affect market volatility and trading volumes. Technological disruptions or failures, including cybersecurity breaches, could compromise user data and disrupt trading activities, potentially leading to financial losses for both the company and its users.

    Global Crypto Asset Trading Platform Risks. HOOD has announced plans to expand its crypto asset business. Such an expansion will subject HOOD to risks related to regulatory compliance, such as the potential for increased scrutiny, enhanced anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) requirements, and the need for additional licenses in various jurisdictions. Operational risks will also arise from the complexities of integrating the new platform’s operations, technology, and culture, as well as the need to bolster system security and manage a more extensive technology infrastructure.

    HOOX Fund Risks 

    Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil. Markets for securities or financial instruments could be disrupted by a number of events, including, but not limited to, an economic crisis, natural disasters, epidemics/pandemics, new legislation or regulatory changes inside or outside the United States.

    Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses.

    Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk of the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Diversification does not ensure a profit nor protect against loss in a declining market.

    Brokerage Commissions may be charged on trades.

    Distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC

    Contact Information

    David Hanono

    info@defianceetfs.com

    833.333.9383

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d7fe9b3-c787-4d4b-bebc-6264a3cd7e2c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: If your tween or teen doesn’t know how to swim, it’s not too late for lessons

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Peden, NHMRC Research Fellow, School of Population Health & co-founder UNSW Beach Safety Research Group, UNSW Sydney

    Marcos Castillo/ Shutterstock

    New figures show shocking numbers of Australian kids are not achieving basic swimming skills.

    Royal Life Saving Australia data estimates 48% of Year 6 students cannot swim 50 metres and tread water for two minutes. For those in high school, the results are even more worrying. Teachers estimate 39% of Year 10 students still cannot meet the same benchmark.

    These skills are based on minimum swimming and water safety standards children should achieve to have fun and stay safe in the water. They are a key strategy to reduce the risk of drowning.

    While this research indicates we may no longer be a nation of swimmers, there’s still plenty parents, schools and governments can do. And if your child’s lessons have fallen behind, it is not too late to catch up.



    Read more:
    Thinking of quitting your child’s swimming lessons over winter? Read this first

    Why are we seeing this?

    This latest research builds on previous worries about Australian children’s swimming skills. During COVID, there were concerns children would not come back to lessons after lockdowns.

    While participation in lessons post-lockdowns has been promising, some pools have had difficulty finding qualified staff.

    In 2023, Royal Life Saving Australia also cautioned about 100,000 children in late primary school were unlikely to return to swimming lessons before they started high school.

    It’s not too late

    If you have stopped lessons with your children – or if you never started – it is not too late to go to the pool.

    Research comparing children between the ages of three and eight indicates the optimum age to begin formal swimming lessons is around five to seven years.

    But children can still learn to become safe and competent swimmers in later primary years and into high school. We know this because adults can, and do learn to swim later in life.

    Research also suggests older children may learn to swim more quickly than younger children, so they may need fewer lessons to attain skills than their younger counterparts.

    Children can learn to swim in later primary school and beyond.
    Andrii Medvednikov/ Shutterstock

    Make sure lessons are regular

    If you have an older child starting swimming lessons it’s important to maintain regular classes.

    For example, a 2018 study on a group of 149 Latino children in the United States aged three to 14 showed those who had learned the most skills had the highest attendance – attending at least ten lessons over an eight-week period.

    If weekly lessons are too difficult, you could consider holiday intensive programs and supplement this with informal practice in the water. Research shows informal swimming – such as playing – can help children build their swimming skills if they are also having lessons.

    There are barriers to regular lessons

    We know some families find it difficult to commit to swimming lessons. On top of the cost, there may not be a local pool available or enough instructors.

    These barriers disproportionately impact people from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and those living in rural and remote areas. Royal Life Saving survey respondents from these groups were more likely to report their school-aged children had never attended swimming lessons.

    Some communities don’t have easy access to a local pool.
    CoolR/Shutterstock

    Schools also find it hard

    Schools can help by offering swimming lessons at key points. For example, two weeks of daily lessons when children are in Year 2 is a common model in New South Wales public schools.

    In Tasmania, children in Years 3, 4 and 5 have a mandatory requirement to attend swimming lessons. There is optional attendance for those in Year 6 if they are identified as being at high risk.

    But schools also report challenges in teaching kids how to swim.

    Swimming lessons are expensive, schools are short-staffed and dealing with a crowded curriculum. This is why 31% of surveyed schools don’t offer swimming education.

    For some children, who are behind in their swimming skills – or who cannot swim at all – a short burst of school lessons may not be enough to catch them up.

    We need to do more

    Schools still have a vital role to play in ensuring children are not missing out on developing these minimum, lifesaving skills. So Australian governments need to prioritise swimming as one of the few sports you can learn that will help to save your life.

    Royal Life Saving Australia says the following four measures would help prevent drownings:

    1. increased funding for existing school and vacation swimming programs

    2. increased grants targeting people with vulnerabilities to drowning, including those from refugee, migrant, and regional communities, as well as for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

    3. increased access to lifesaving programs in high schools

    4. building and refurbishing public swimming pools and swim schools.

    Rates of fatal drowning in Australia are increasing. They were up 16% on the ten-year average in 2024. We have just had a particularly horrific summer where 104 people drowned, a number that is higher than both last summer and the five-year average. Swimming skills are more important than ever.

    Amy Peden receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council. She maintains an honorary affiliation as a Senior Research Fellow with Royal Life Saving Society – Australia.

    – ref. If your tween or teen doesn’t know how to swim, it’s not too late for lessons – https://theconversation.com/if-your-tween-or-teen-doesnt-know-how-to-swim-its-not-too-late-for-lessons-252504

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Address to the Catholic Social Services Australia Conference, Sydney

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Thank you for the opportunity to address you today. I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and pay my respects to all First Nations people present. Their connection to community and country reminds us of our ongoing responsibility to care for each other.

    The Gospel of Matthew teaches us powerfully:

    ‘Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

    This teaching resonates deeply with Australia’s ideals of fairness and community. Yet, our society today faces a significant challenge: inequality. Inequality matters profoundly – not just economically, but morally, socially, and spiritually. It shapes opportunities, influences life outcomes, and determines who shares in our national prosperity.

    In reflecting upon inequality today, I’d like to begin with a thought experiment developed by the Dutch economist Jan Pen.

    Imagine all Australians marching in a one‑hour parade, their height reflecting their wealth.

    At first, you wouldn’t see anyone – the poorest Australians, submerged by debt, would be underground. Several minutes would pass before you see people the height of tiny insects, representing those with minimal savings and precarious jobs. At half‑time, the parade participants would be barely waist‑high, reflecting an average wealth level that is far below what many expect.

    It isn’t until the last few minutes that the parade gets dramatic. Australians become giants, several metres tall, owning investment properties and multiple cars. In the last seconds, billionaires appear, their heads literally in the clouds. The richest Australian would tower over 46 kilometres high – far above Mt Everest.

    This image vividly captures the scale and drama of inequality in Australia today.

    The historical journey of Australian inequality

    Yet it was not always like this. As I documented in my book Battlers and Billionaires, Australian history shows fluctuations in inequality, shaped by policy, events, and the collective actions of citizens.

    When British settlers first arrived in 1788, inequality was limited – not due to idealism, but survival. Governor Arthur Phillip’s invitations to dinner famously concluded, ‘Please bring your own bread,’ reflecting the scarcity of resources and the reality that inequality was limited by necessity.

    Yet inequality quickly rose through the nineteenth century, driven by land distribution favouring the wealthy. Under Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who ruled the colony from 1810 to 1821, more than half the land granted went to just the top 10 per cent of settlers. By the late nineteenth century, disparities between landowners and labourers were immense. Historian Stuart Macintyre describes colossal extremes between the luxurious life of pastoralists like Richard Casey and the hard labour endured by workers like Jock Neilson, who struggled through bush labour with minimal wages and harsh living conditions.

    The early twentieth century brought change. In 1907, the Harvester Judgement established a basic wage designed to lift families out of poverty. Australia saw the creation of institutions such as the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Court, introducing worker rights into the national conscience. Still, stark inequalities remained, with large segments of society excluded from prosperity.

    However, the post‑war period between the 1940s and 1970s marked what economists call the ‘Great Compression.’ Strong unions, progressive taxation, expanded public services, and affordable housing policies dramatically reduced inequality. For several decades, Australians experienced significant upward social mobility and rising standards of living for the majority.

    Yet since the 1980s, Australia has seen what economists describe as a ‘Great Divergence,’ reversing the gains of earlier decades. Today, the top 1 per cent of income earners receive nearly 10 per cent of national income, nearly doubling their share from 40 years ago. Wealth inequality is even more extreme, with the richest fifth owning more than 60 times the wealth of the bottom fifth.

    This widening gap is not just economic – it profoundly affects people’s everyday lives. Those at the bottom face greater health challenges, including a stark difference in life expectancy – Australians in the richest fifth of the population live an average of 6 years longer than those in the poorest fifth. The poorest Australians have 7 fewer teeth on average due to poor dental care. In education, the wealth gap translates into substantial resource disparities between affluent and poorer communities.

    Why inequality matters

    Inequality does not simply represent a difference in wealth; it shapes our society. Excessive inequality erodes social cohesion, reducing empathy and undermining community bonds. When wealth is concentrated among a few, society becomes fragmented. Our sense of collective responsibility diminishes, and the fabric that binds us as Australians weakens.

    Catholic social teaching stresses the inherent dignity of every person, the importance of community, and the imperative to act justly towards one another. From Pope Francis’ call for inclusive economies to teachings on the common good, Catholic faith underscores the urgency of addressing rising inequality.

    For too many Australians, the promise of a fair go – the belief that effort and hard work determine success, not birth or background – has felt increasingly out of reach. Inequality is not just an abstract economic issue; it affects our communities, our health, our opportunities, and our sense of national cohesion.

    No government is perfect, but I want to argue today that ours has done more to address inequality than any government in well over a decade.

    Taking office 3 years ago, on the tail of the Covid pandemic, we have acted decisively to ensure that prosperity is shared more fairly across our society.

    Lifting wages and supporting secure work

    One of the most direct ways to reduce inequality is by lifting wages and ensuring job security. Since coming to office, the Albanese government has delivered consecutive wage increases for 2.6 million Australians, particularly benefiting low‑ and middle‑income earners. These pay rises ensured that minimum wage workers were not left behind as the cost of living rises.

    Furthermore, our government has tackled insecure work by introducing stronger protections for casual employees who want to transition to permanent work, establishing minimum standards for gig economy workers, and enforcing ‘same job, same pay’ provisions to prevent labour hire workers from being exploited. These reforms help ensure that Australians can rely on stable incomes, reducing the financial precarity that fuels inequality.

    A fairer tax system

    Tax policy plays a crucial role in shaping economic fairness. The Albanese government has delivered tax cuts that benefit every Australian taxpayer, allowing people to keep more of what they earn while ensuring that the system remains progressive.

    This approach contrasts with our predecessors, whose tax policies disproportionately benefited the highest earners, widening the gap between rich and poor. By maintaining a fair and responsible tax structure, we can fund essential public services while ensuring that the most fortunate Australians contribute their fair share.

    Strengthening the social safety net

    A strong, targeted welfare system is essential to reducing inequality, and our government has taken decisive action to support those who need it most. We have increased JobSeeker and other income support payments, ensuring that Australians doing it tough can afford the basics. Recognising the unique challenges faced by older Australians, we have also expanded eligibility for higher JobSeeker rates for those over 55, providing more security and dignity in later years.

    Rent assistance has been increased by over 40 per cent, helping Australians struggling with rising housing costs. Single parents have received greater support through extended access to the parenting payment, making it easier for them to balance work and caregiving responsibilities without falling into poverty. These targeted measures lift Australians up rather than trapping them in cycles of disadvantage.

    Investing in affordable housing

    Housing inequality is one of the most pressing economic issues facing Australia today. The Albanese government has responded with the largest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade. Through the Housing Australia Future Fund, we are building over 55,000 new social and affordable homes, directly addressing homelessness and housing stress.

    Beyond construction, we have strengthened renters’ rights, introducing minimum rental standards, limiting rent increases to once per year, and requiring genuine grounds for eviction. By making renting fairer and ensuring more Australians have access to stable, affordable housing, we are creating a foundation for economic security and social mobility.

    Early childhood education and skills training

    Breaking the cycle of inequality starts with education. That’s why we have delivered cheaper childcare for 96 per cent of families with children in early education – an investment that not only reduces financial strain but also ensures that more children, regardless of their family’s income, start life with the educational support they need.

    In schools, we have delivered on the promise of the Gonski report by ensuring that all schools are funded to the schooling resource standard. This isn’t just about money, it’s about delivering the resources required to drive reform. We know that Australia’s OECD PISA scores have been slipping backwards for the past quarter‑century. If we do not turn this around, the most vulnerable stand to suffer most.

    Our government has also committed to over half a million fee‑free TAFE places, ensuring that Australians can gain the skills needed for secure, well‑paying jobs. By making education more accessible, we are expanding opportunities for people from all backgrounds, ensuring that no one is locked out of good jobs because they cannot afford the necessary training.

    Fairer pay for women

    We cannot talk about overall economic inequality without considering gender inequality. The Albanese government has delivered historic pay rises for aged care and early childhood education workers – sectors dominated by women – while expanding paid parental leave to 26 weeks by 2026 and adding superannuation to government‑paid parental leave. These measures help to close the gender wealth gap, ensuring that women are not financially penalised for caring responsibilities. The gender pay gap is still too high, but it is also at an all‑time low.

    Tackling the cost of living

    Inequality is exacerbated when basic essentials become unaffordable. That’s why we have delivered targeted cost‑of‑living relief, including $300 in energy bill relief for every household and cheaper medicines that allow millions of Australians to buy 2 months’ worth of prescription medication for the price of one. We have also ensured that HECS‑HELP loans will never grow faster than wages, reducing the financial burden on young Australians starting their careers.

    Another major reform is our work in the energy sector. By expanding investment in renewable energy and breaking down barriers to new market entrants, we are reducing energy costs for consumers while ensuring a transition to a cleaner economy. High energy prices disproportionately impact low‑income Australians, and our efforts to foster a more competitive and efficient energy market are directly reducing cost‑of‑living pressures.

    Historically, reducing inflation in Australia meant higher unemployment. In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, bouts of inflation were met by job losses. Often, it took a recession to bring prices under control. Yet this time is different. Uniquely in Australian history, we have brought inflation under control while maintaining what economists call ‘full employment’. We have tamed inflation while creating over one million jobs. Unemployment remains low, and the participation rate is at a record high. This is a remarkable achievement for our nation.

    Investing in health equity

    Health disparities are one of the most damaging consequences of inequality, with lower‑income Australians facing shorter life expectancies and higher rates of chronic illness. Our government has made the largest investment in bulk billing in Medicare’s history, restoring affordable access to GPs for millions of Australians. We have also established new urgent care clinics and expanded mental health services, ensuring that healthcare is based on need, not wealth.

    Competition reforms to reduce inequality

    A truly fair economy is one where businesses compete on a level playing field, ensuring that consumers and small businesses are not left behind. Monopolies increase inequality by transferring resources from consumers (the many) to shareholders (the few). The Albanese government has prioritised competition reform to prevent market concentration from deepening inequality.

    One of our key achievements has been strengthening competition in the grocery sector. By increasing regulatory oversight and cracking down on anti‑competitive behaviour by major supermarket chains, we are ensuring fairer prices at the checkout. We know that when competition declines, consumers pay more, and smaller businesses struggle. Our policies ensure that Australian families are not subject to artificially inflated food prices while smaller retailers have a fair chance to succeed.

    Through the biggest overhaul of merger laws in half a century and a revitalised National Competition Policy, we are putting downward pressure on prices and increasing fairness. This approach reflects our commitment to an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.

    A commitment to evidence‑based solutions

    A key principle of our government is ensuring that policies are grounded in evidence, not ideology. That is why we have created the Australian Centre for Evaluation, and committed to expanding the use of randomised trials in policymaking, ensuring that every dollar spent on social programs delivers real results. By rigorously evaluating what works, we can scale up the most effective initiatives, ensuring that public investment leads to meaningful reductions in inequality.

    Conclusion: a shared moral and national imperative

    Inequality is a profound challenge – but not insurmountable. Australian history reminds us that inequality is never inevitable. It expands or shrinks based on the decisions we make collectively as a society.

    There is much more to do, but I have given you a flavour today of what we have already done together. The Albanese government has chosen to lift wages, invest in housing and education, strengthen social protections, reform competition, and deliver targeted cost‑of‑living relief. These policies lift people up – not just economically, but socially and morally.

    As the Gospel of Matthew reminds us, true compassion is measured by our actions towards ‘the least of these.’ We must constantly ask ourselves: Are our policies fair? Are our communities inclusive? Is every Australian being given the chance to thrive?

    The Albanese government is committed to answering these questions positively – not just with words, but through meaningful action. Together, we can create a society where dignity, justice, and opportunity are the lived reality for every Australian.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Asian films scaling up content building with AI assistance

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology will continue to be vital in shaping the future of the Asian film and content sectors with experts urging industry leaders to embrace the change to stay on top of their game, a Hong Kong summit heard on March 18.

    In his welcome remarks at the Asia Content Business Summit (ACBS) Working Group Meeting, Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, said that AI is going to “speed up development” and “unite Asia” across multiple languages as content becomes accessible to a broader audience.

    Wong noted that in the past, content had to be dubbed, but now with the help of AI, subtitles have been made easily accessible on-demand.

    “Second, we have to look at how to distribute. The movie business is a streaming platform. (We) have to be one step ahead. Otherwise, we are just following trends,” said Wong, as he also encouraged current industry leaders to share their knowledge and “pass the sword to the next generation”.

    Fred Wang Cheung-yue, chairman of Hong Kong-based pan-Asia movie services group Salon Film, encouraged attendees to “take new ideas” on the use of technology and AI in movie production from the ACBS event, where speakers from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines also gave presentations on trends and initiatives in their respective countries.

    Dato Kamil Othman, chairman of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, said his organization had prioritized the training of film producers, with special attention paid to understanding legal issues such as copyright.

    Malaysia has no problems with sending films overseas and a new generation of successful movie professionals are emerging, he said. The main challenges they encounter are internal industry mechanisms, using AI and difficulties working on co-productions, he added.

    “Talent is already there. We just need a good proposition to move forward,” said Kamil, as he also urged the audience to “not be afraid of AI” as it “is not a trend, but a tool and humans are still part of it”.

    In Japan’s content industry, digitalization had also changed the content industry completely, according to Norihiko Saeki, director of the culture and creation industries division under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

    He said Japanese overseas content sales are set to achieve a market size of 20 trillion yen ($6.7 billion) by 2033, under the “New Cool Japan Strategy” adopted in 2024. METI set up 100 action plans this year in consultation with Japanese content industry leaders in order to hit that target, he added.

    He also said they have a “Shooting with Japan Program” agreement with China and Italy, which gives an incentive grant of 1 billion yen.

    Novie Riyadi, chief operating officer at Indonesian animation and post-production company Mocca Studio said Indonesia’s game industry has grown rapidly, driven by government support that helped firms there become “early adopters of AI”.

    He said there were 156 animation companies in Indonesia in 2020 and expects the number to have tripled by now. Among these companies’ successes has been the animated children’s show Baby Zu, he added, which was created to help parents with children who were slow learning to speak.

    In the Philippines, Liza Dino-Seguerra, executive director of the Quezon City Film Commission, said over 120 Filipino films were produced and released in 2023 — a notable rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

    “Streaming has become the dominant force shaping how content is produced, distributed and consumed,” said Dino-Seguerra, who is also former chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

    She said international collaborations are also on the rise because of producers’ constant participation in international events and markets, allowing Filipino stories to reach a global audience. Her organization is looking to partner with companies in the Middle East and North Africa region, and Latin America, she added.

    Sirisak Koshpasharin, vice chairman of Thailand’s National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations, said content streaming in Thailand is also a growing market.

    He put the spotlight on “movie tourism” as many films have been shot in Thailand, bringing with them tourists. Japan topped the list of countries where film producers came from to shoot in Thailand, he said, followed by India, the United States, the Republic of Korea and China. Upgraded government film incentives introduced in December last year, increasing a cash rebate on movie production from 20 percent to 30 percent, had also encouraged the industry, he added.

    “All the big players in the market come to Thailand, but the best spender is Hong Kong,” said Koshpasharin. Last year alone, 490 projects shot in Thailand, generating 6.5 billion Baht ($194 million). Two of the most notable movies filmed there include Jurassic World 4, and Alien: Earth.

    Fred Chong, group CEO of WebTVAsia and award-winning Malaysian musician, said AI “has a face now”, and is capable of taking on real celebrities. The digital human market, he said, is expected to reach $440 billion by 2031.

    When asked what steps his company has taken to fight scams, Chong said on the sidelines of the ACBS summit that content owners need to fight for their own content.

    “If you are not the content owner, you cannot stop illegal uploads. So, it’s the same thing with AI. We talk about deepfake, we talk about illegal use of the face of a famous person. The original owner of the face has to copyright their intellectual property,” said Chong.

    Later on Tuesday a signing ceremony was held for the joint launch of Zheng He’s Voyages to the West by parties from Malaysia, China including Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. Zheng, a Chinese explorer and admiral dated hundreds of years ago, is credited for leading the largest fleet in the world then on seven voyages of exploration from Asia to Africa.

    Saudi World of Sounds and Visions Company President Abdullah Al Muheisen, also a Saudi pioneering filmmaker and director, inked a deal with Fred Wang of Salon Films.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Denzil Douglas of Saint Christopher and Nevis

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-03-17
    President Lai meets Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji
    On the afternoon of March 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Japanese House of Representatives Member and Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Consultative Council for doing its utmost to strengthen the relationship between Taiwan and Japan. He also stated that Taiwan and Japan are both part of the first island chain’s key line of defense, and in addition to continuing to bolster its economic strength and enhance its self-defense capabilities, Taiwan will work together with Japan and other like-minded countries to promote regional and global democracy, peace, and prosperity. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to extend a warm welcome to Chairman Furuya, who is visiting us once again. I am also delighted to meet House of Councillors Member Yamamoto Junzo and House of Representatives Member Hiranuma Shojiro today. Although the Japanese Diet is currently in session, our distinguished guests overcame many hurdles and organized a delegation to attend the 2025 Yushan Forum and deliver speeches, providing valuable insights into issues of mutual concern in the Indo-Pacific region and demonstrating the support for Taiwan in the Diet. Here, I would like to express my deepest gratitude. During the Yushan Forum, it was especially inspiring when Chairman Furuya spoke Taiwanese when he emphasized that “if Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” Over the past few years under Chairman Furuya’s leadership, the Consultative Council has done its utmost to strengthen the relationship between Taiwan and Japan. In addition to passing resolutions every year supporting Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the council has established four internal research groups regarding the CPTPP, exchanges for women legislators, encouraging local-level exchanges, and the Taiwan Relations Act, using an issue-oriented approach to deepen Taiwan-Japan relations. Thanks to the Consultative Council’s long-term assistance and promotional efforts, the Japanese Ministry of Justice has announced that beginning this May, members of the Taiwanese overseas community in Japan included in the country’s family registry system may list “Taiwan” in the field designating their nationality or region of origin. This demonstrates the friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan, and the Taiwanese people will always remember the council’s continued concrete actions in support of Taiwan. In his remarks at the Yushan Forum today, Chairman Furuya mentioned that there are many areas in which Taiwan and Japan can engage in industrial cooperation. We can continue to deepen our partnership in semiconductors, energy, AI, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other areas related to economic security and supply chain resilience, all of which have significant room for cooperation, creating win-win situations for both Taiwan and Japan. As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity. Taiwan and Japan are both part of the first island chain’s key line of defense. In addition to bolstering our economic strength and enhancing our self-defense capabilities, Taiwan will also work with Japan and other like-minded countries to promote regional and global democracy, peace, and prosperity. All of our distinguished guests are good friends of Taiwan, and are very familiar with Taiwan. I hope to continue working together with you all to carry Taiwan-Japan relations to an even higher level. Chairman Furuya then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for taking time out of his busy schedule to see them. He then noted that Japan, Taiwan, and quite a few other nations around the world changed leaders last year, and conditions around the world are becoming increasingly unstable. One cannot see what the world will be like a few years from now, he said, which is why he is counting so heavily on the strong leadership of President Lai. Chairman Furuya said that, in addition to collaboration in foreign affairs and security matters, economic cooperation between Taiwan and Japan is also very important. He mentioned new technologies, and said he had spoken quite a bit on the topic that very morning at the Yushan Forum. The clearest example, he said, is the establishment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company of a wafer plant in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, which has sparked robust economic activity. He added that cooperation addressing such matters as cyberattacks and supply chain resilience is also very important. Chairman Furuya noted that President Lai had mentioned in his remarks that beginning from May, Taiwanese overseas community members in Japan will be able to list “Taiwan” on their family registers. The chairman expressed his view that this is not a foreign affairs issue, but rather a human rights issue for the Taiwanese people, and an excellent way to show respect for Taiwan. He further noted President Lai’s mentioning of the four research groups that the Consultative Council has established, and said that these groups will ramp up their work. He also expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan will work together to address challenges that face both countries, such as issues pertaining to democracy and peace in the Taiwan Strait, so that they can together push for international peace and stability. Chairman Furuya stated that reciprocal visits by Taiwanese and Japanese people reached an all-time high last year. He said that in the future, in addition to further promoting local exchanges between the two countries, he also hopes that Japanese middle school and high school students planning to go on overseas study trips will choose Taiwan as their destination, because he feels that any student who visits Taiwan will become a fan of this place. Also in attendance was Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

    Details
    2025-03-17
    President Lai addresses opening of 2025 Yushan Forum
    On the morning of March 17, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Yushan Forum, the theme of which was “New Southbound Policy+: Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and a New World.” In remarks, President Lai stated that the New Southbound Policy has led to great success in economic and trade cooperation, professional exchanges, resource sharing, and building regional links. He said that in the past, Taiwanese industries went from moving westward across the Taiwan Strait, to shifting southbound, to working closer with the north, but that now, Taiwan is confidently stepping across the Pacific, reaching eastward, to the Americas and other regions. While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, he said, Taiwan’s enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. The president stated that Taiwan will strive alongside its partners in democracy to bolster non-red supply chains and digital solidarity, and together respond to the threats and challenges posed by expanding authoritarianism. He indicated that the Yushan Forum is a place to share experiences, and more importantly, lay down firm foundations for exchanges and cooperation among participants’ countries to create greater stability for the region and greater prosperity for the world. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of all the people of Taiwan, I want to welcome our good friends joining us from around the world. Your presence shows support for a peaceful and stable Taiwan and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The Yushan Forum has become more than just an important platform for the New Southbound Policy. Over these eight years, more than 3,600 participants from Taiwan and 28 other countries have helped deepen Taiwan’s connections with nations around the world. The New Southbound Policy has led to great success in economic and trade cooperation, professional exchanges, resource sharing, and building regional links. Looking ahead, the Yushan Forum will be taking on the important mission of carrying its legacy forward and transforming it into action. Not only must we turn consensus into action plans for close cooperation among countries in the region; we must also work with partners around the world to forge ahead with cooperative plans for mutual prosperity. We hope to envision a new world from Taiwan – and see Taiwan in this new world. We are also embracing an era of smart technology. The government sessions of this Yushan Forum are therefore centered around topics including smart healthcare, smart transportation, and resilient supply chains for semiconductors. Taiwan is intent on working side by side with other countries to face the challenges of this new era. Today’s Taiwan celebrates not only the democratic achievements that are recognized by the international community, but also our strengths in the semiconductor and other tech industries, which enable us to play a key role in restructuring global democratic supply chains and the economic order. We are building on Taiwan as a “silicon island” for semiconductors while accelerating innovation and AI applications for industry. These efforts will help Taiwan become an “AI island” as well. We are also developing forward-looking fields such as quantum technology and precision medicine, which will create an industry ecosystem that is highly competitive and innovative. The government will also develop economic models powered by innovation. This will help SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) upgrade and transform through the power of digital transformation and net-zero transition. In the past, Taiwanese industries went from moving westward across the Taiwan Strait, to shifting southbound, to working closer with the north. But now, we are confidently stepping across the Pacific, reaching eastward, to the Americas and other regions. While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, and we welcome the world to come closer to Taiwan. As we gather here today, I am confident that we share the same goal: Through international cooperation, we hope to build an even more inclusive, resilient, prosperous Indo-Pacific, while jointly defending the democracy, freedom, and peace we so firmly believe in. I want to thank you all once again for supporting Taiwan. We will strive alongside our partners in democracy to bolster non-red supply chains and digital solidarity, and together respond to the threats and challenges posed by expanding authoritarianism. Yushan is also known as Jade Mountain. It is Taiwan’s highest peak and stands as firm as our unwavering spirit. During this critical time of global change and transformation, the Yushan Forum is a place where we can share our experiences, and more importantly, lay down firm foundations for exchanges and cooperation among our countries. This way, we can create greater stability for the region and greater prosperity for the world. I wish everyone a successful forum. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were former Prime Minister of Denmark and Alliance of Democracies Foundation Chairman Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Janez Janša, Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council Chairman Furuya Keiji, and American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    Details
    2025-03-13
    President Lai attends Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2025 Spring Banquet  
    On the evening of March 13, President Lai Ching-te attended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2025 Spring Banquet for foreign ambassadors and representatives stationed in Taiwan. In remarks, President Lai thanked our diplomatic allies and like-minded countries for continuing to demonstrate their high regard and support for Taiwan at international venues. The president stated that a stronger Taiwan will be able to contribute even more to the world, explaining that is why he established the National Climate Change Committee, the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, and the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. He added that he hopes to pool our strengths so as to formulate national development strategies and enhance Taiwan’s international collaboration. The president also expressed hope of developing opportunities for cooperation with other countries across many domains to jointly advance democracy, peace, and prosperity throughout the region and around the world. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Today is my first time attending the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spring Banquet since becoming president. It is a pleasure to be able to meet and socialize with esteemed guests from other countries and good friends from all sectors of Taiwan. The global landscape has changed rapidly over the past year. Geopolitical volatility, the restructuring of supply chains, technological advancements, and other factors have had a profound impact on nations’ strategic plans. I want to take this opportunity to thank our diplomatic allies and like-minded countries for continuing to demonstrate their high regard and support for Taiwan at international venues. Last month, the leaders of the United States and Japan, the US secretary of state and the foreign ministers of Japan and the Republic of Korea, and the G7 foreign ministers all issued joint statements emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, underscoring Taiwan’s vital role in global progress and prosperity.  I would especially like to thank members of the diplomatic corps for working with us to build even closer partnerships between our countries. I have always believed that a stronger Taiwan will be able to contribute even more to the world. That is why, after taking office, I established the National Climate Change Committee, the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, and the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee under the Office of the President. These committees continue to address global concerns and seek to solve important issues that impact our own people. I hope to pool our strengths so as to formulate national development strategies and enhance Taiwan’s international collaboration.  Last year, I visited our Pacific allies – the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Palau. I deeply appreciated our friends’ warm hospitality and came to feel very deeply that we are like a family. Through local visits and mutual exchanges, we deepened our diplomatic alliances and cooperation, creating win-win outcomes. We also showed Taiwan’s determination to work with allies to tackle the many challenges related to climate change, net-zero transition, and digital transformation. At the start of this month, Taiwan hosted the first-ever workshop on whole-of-society defense resilience under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework. Experts and scholars from 30 countries participated in the discussions. I once again thank the diplomatic corps for their support and assistance. In the future, we look forward to developing opportunities for cooperation with other countries across many domains to jointly advance democracy, peace, and prosperity throughout the region and around the world. In the face of authoritarian expansion, Taiwan will continue to bolster its national defense capabilities. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow democracies to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. We will also join hands to build non-red supply chains, strengthen our economic resilience, and promote an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. All of this will ensure steady technological and economic development.  In my New Year’s Day address, I said that in this new year, we have many more brilliant stories of Taiwan to share with the world. Everyone gathered here tonight is a dear friend of Taiwan. And each of you plays an important role in the stories this land has to tell.  I am deeply grateful to you all for the incredible efforts you make in support of Taiwan. In so many ways, you connect Taiwan to the rest of the world and allow the world to see the many different sides of this amazing nation. I believe that through even deeper and more extensive cooperation, we will create many more wonderful stories of Taiwan and build an even brighter future together. I wish you all a pleasant evening. Also in attendance at the event were Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman and other members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.

    Details
    2025-03-04
    President Lai meets US Heritage Foundation founder Dr. Edwin Feulner
    On the afternoon of March 4, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by founder of the US-based Heritage Foundation Dr. Edwin Feulner. In remarks President Lai thanked the foundation for publishing the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom, in which Taiwan ranked fourth globally and which recognized Taiwan’s sound legal foundation and ideal investment environment. The president said that Taiwan and the United States are important economic and trade partners and engage closely in industrial exchange. The president also expressed hope to expand investment in and procurement from the US in such areas as high-tech, energy, and agricultural products, and to work with the US and other democratic partners to create more resilient and diverse semiconductor supply chains to address new circumstances. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Feulner back to Taiwan today. I recall meeting with Dr. Feulner and Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts here at the Presidential Office at the end of last February. We had a fruitful discussion on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs. When President Donald Trump was elected for his first term, Dr. Feulner played a crucial role in the administration’s transition team. Today, I look forward to hearing his thoughts on possible ways to further deepen relations between Taiwan and the US. I would like to thank the Heritage Foundation for publishing the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom, in which Taiwan ranked fourth globally. The report also recognized Taiwan’s sound legal foundation and ideal investment environment. Taiwan and the US are important economic and trade partners and engage closely in industrial exchange. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) historic US$65 billion investment in Arizona–negotiated and finalized during President Trump’s first term–is a case in point. And today, TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) and President Trump jointly announced that the company would be expanding its investment in the US with new facilities. Looking ahead, we hope to expand investment in and procurement from the US in such areas as high-tech, energy, and agricultural products. We also look forward to working with the US and other democratic partners to create more resilient and diverse semiconductor supply chains to address new circumstances. At present, we continue to face authoritarian expansionism. As a country that deeply loves and staunchly defends freedom, Taiwan will collaborate with the US and other like-minded countries to maintain regional peace and stability. I would like to thank President Trump for his recent joint statement with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, which emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. And last month, the US was also part of a G7 foreign ministers’ statement in which “they strongly opposed any attempts to change unilaterally the status quo using force.” We firmly believe that only peace attained through one’s own strength can truly be called peace. Currently, Taiwan’s defense budget stands at approximately 2.5 percent of GDP. Going forward, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Also, we will continue to reform national defense in the conviction that help comes most to those who help themselves. This will allow us to contribute even more to regional peace and stability. In closing, I once again thank Dr. Feulner for visiting and for demonstrating support of Taiwan. I wish you all a smooth and successful trip. Dr. Feulner then delivered remarks, first stating that on behalf of his successor, President Roberts, and all of his colleagues at the Heritage Foundation, it is his pleasure to present President Lai with the first copy of the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom. Pointing out that in the Index the Republic of China (Taiwan) is number four of 176 countries around the world in terms of its economic freedom, Dr. Feulner extended his congratulations to President Lai.  Dr. Feulner said he looks forward to a discussion about the present situation and how we can improve relations between the US and Taiwan. Dr. Feulner expressed his gratitude on hearing the wonderful announcement from TSMC, which was released right before his visit, that it will be expanding its investment in the US. In past trips, he said, he has had the opportunity to visit the TSMC headquarters in Taiwan, and fairly recently he has had the opportunity to view the site in Arizona where the construction continues and where the initial operations are beginning. He stated that they are proud to have TSMC now as an integral part of our responsible bilateral relationship. Dr. Feulner noted that while TSMC is of course very big, he also wants to express appreciation for all of the hundreds and hundreds of Taiwan-based companies that are strong, close partners throughout the US with American companies and with American people in terms of making a close and unified alliance of two freedom-loving countries.

    Details
    2025-03-04
    President Lai attends opening ceremony of GCTF Workshop on Whole-of-Society Resilience Building, Preparation, and Response
    On the morning of March 4, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) Workshop on Whole-of-Society Resilience Building, Preparation, and Response. In remarks, President Lai stated that global challenges such as extreme weather, pandemics, and energy crises continue to emerge, and growing authoritarianism presents a grave threat to freedom-loving countries. These challenges have no borders, he said, and absolutely no single country can face them alone. The president said that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is both willing and able to contribute even more to the democracy, peace, and prosperity of the world, and that the GCTF is an important platform where Taiwan can make those contributions by sharing its experiences with the rest of the world. President Lai indicated that Taiwan will join the forces of the central and local governments to enhance social resilience across the board, enhance disaster response capabilities in the community, and leverage its strengths to make contributions to the international community. He said that we are demonstrating to the world our determination to create an even more resilient Taiwan, and expressed hope to advance mutual assistance and exchanges with all the countries involved, so that we can together promote stability and prosperity around the world. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I would like to welcome more than 60 distinguished guests from 30 countries, as well as experts from Taiwan. You are all here for this GCTF workshop to discuss whole-of-society resilience building, preparation, and response. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is both willing and able to contribute even more to the democracy, peace, and prosperity of the world. The GCTF is an important platform where Taiwan can make those contributions by sharing its experiences with the rest of the world. I want to thank our full GCTF partners, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada. Over the past several years, we have worked with even more countries through this framework and have expanded our exchanges into even more fields. Together, we have met all kinds of new challenges. I am confident that as our cooperation grows stronger, so will our ability to promote global progress. Each of today’s guests is contributing a vital force in that regard. I extend my sincere thanks to you all. Global challenges such as extreme weather, pandemics, and energy crises continue to emerge. And growing authoritarianism presents a grave threat to freedom-loving countries. These challenges have no borders, and absolutely no single country can face them alone. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, and stands at the very frontline of the defense of democracy. With this joint workshop, we are demonstrating to the world our determination to create an even more resilient Taiwan. We are also aiming to advance our mutual assistance and exchanges with all the countries involved, so that we can make our societies more resilient and together promote stability and prosperity around the world. Moving forward, we will continue advancing the following three initiatives: First, we will join the forces of the central and local governments to enhance social resilience across the board. Just last year, I established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. Civilian force training, strategic material preparation, and critical infrastructure operation and maintenance are all key discussion areas for our committee. These aim to enhance Taiwan’s resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. They are also items on the agenda for this GCTF workshop. To cover all the bases, Taiwan must unite and cooperate as a team. Last year, our committee held the very first cross-sector tabletop exercise at the Presidential Office which included central and local government officials as well as civilian observers. We aim to test the government’s emergency response capabilities in high-intensity gray-zone operations and near-conflict situations. We will continue to hold exercises to help the central and local governments work together more efficiently, and strengthen Taiwan’s overall disaster response capabilities. Second is to enhance disaster response capabilities in the community. We fully understand that to build whole-of-society resilience, we must help people increase risk awareness, know how to respond to disasters, and develop abilities to help themselves, help one another, and work together. We are grateful to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for collaborating with the Taiwan Development Association for Disaster Medical Teams to host “Take Action” workshops around the country since 2021. A 2.0 version is already in practice, and continues to train the public in first aid skills. Director of the AIT Taipei Office Raymond Greene and I took part in a Take Action event in New Taipei City last year and personally saw the positive outcomes of the training. In addition to the Take Action workshops, the government is also providing Disaster Relief Volunteer training for ages 11 to 89, and is continuing to expand its target audience. We have also set up Taiwan Community Emergency Response Teams at key facilities nationwide, enhancing the ability of these important facilities to respond independently to disasters. Civilian training will continue to be refined and expanded so that members of the public can serve as important partners in government-led disaster prevention and relief. Third, we will leverage Taiwan’s strengths to make contributions to the international community. The inspiration for our Disaster Relief Volunteer training comes from a similar program run by The Nippon Care-Fit Education Institute in Japan. I am confident that through exchanges like this workshop, Taiwan and other countries can also inspire one another in many areas, and enhance whole-of-society resilience in multiple ways. Taiwan also excels in information and communications and advanced technology. We will set up even more robust cybersecurity systems, expand usage of emerging technologies, and improve the ways we maintain domestic security. We hope that by leveraging our capabilities and sharing our experiences, Taiwan can contribute even more to the international community. I want to welcome all our partners once again, and thank AIT for co-hosting this event. Let’s continue down the path of advancing global security and developing resilience together. Because together, we can travel farther, and we can travel longer. Also in attendance at the event were Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Deputy Representative Takaba Yo, Australian Office in Taipei Representative Robert Fergusson, and Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jim Nickel.

    Details
    2025-03-13
    President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
    On the afternoon of March 13, President Lai Ching-te convened a high-level national security meeting, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai introduced 17 major strategies to respond to five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces: China’s threat to national sovereignty, its threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting Taiwan’s military, its threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan, its threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges, and its threats from using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth. President Lai emphasized that in the face of increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and expressed hope that all citizens unite in solidarity to resist being divided. The president also expressed hope that citizens work together to increase media literacy, organize and participate in civic education activities, promptly expose concerted united front efforts, and refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, he said, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: At many venues recently, a number of citizens have expressed similar concerns to me. They have noticed cases in which members of the military, both active-duty and retired, have been bought out by China, sold intelligence, or even organized armed forces with plans to harm their own nation and its citizens. They have noticed cases in which entertainers willingly followed instructions from Beijing to claim that their country is not a country, all for the sake of personal career interests. They have noticed how messaging used by Chinese state media to stir up internal opposition in Taiwan is always quickly spread by specific channels. There have even been individuals making careers out of helping Chinese state media record united front content, spreading a message that democracy is useless and promoting skepticism toward the United States and the military to sow division and opposition. Many people worry that our country, as well as our hard-won freedom and democracy and the prosperity and progress we achieved together, are being washed away bit by bit due to these united front tactics. In an analysis of China’s united front, renowned strategic scholar Kerry K. Gershaneck expressed that China plans to divide and conquer us through subversion, infiltration, and acquisition of media, and by launching media warfare, psychological warfare, and legal warfare. What they are trying to do is to sow seeds of discord in our society, keep us occupied with internal conflicts, and cause us to ignore the real threat from outside. China’s ambition over the past several decades to annex Taiwan and stamp out the Republic of China has not changed for even a day. It continues to pursue political and military intimidation, and its united front infiltration of Taiwan’s society grows ever more serious. In 2005, China promulgated its so-called “Anti-Secession Law,” which makes using military force to annex Taiwan a national undertaking. Last June, China issued a 22-point set of “guidelines for punishing Taiwan independence separatists,” which regards all those who do not accept that “Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China” as targets for punishment, creating excuses to harm the people of Taiwan. China has also recently been distorting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, showing in all aspects China’s increasingly urgent threat against Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lately, China has been taking advantage of democratic Taiwan’s freedom, diversity, and openness to recruit gangs, the media, commentators, political parties, and even active-duty and retired members of the armed forces and police to carry out actions to divide, destroy, and subvert us from within. A report from the National Security Bureau indicates that 64 persons were charged last year with suspicion of spying for China, which was three times the number of persons charged for the same offense in 2021. Among them, the Unionist Party, Rehabilitation Alliance Party, and Republic of China Taiwan Military Government formed treasonous organizations to deploy armed forces for China. In a democratic and free society, such cases are appalling. But this is something that actually exists within Taiwan’s society today. China also actively plots ways to infiltrate and spy on our military. Last year, 28 active-duty and 15 retired members of the armed forces were charged with suspicion of involvement in spying for China, respectively comprising 43 percent and 23 percent of all of such cases – 66 percent in total. We are also alert to the fact that China has recently used widespread issuance of Chinese passports to entice Taiwanese citizens to apply for the Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents, permanent residency, or the Resident Identity Card, in an attempt to muddle Taiwanese people’s sense of national identity. China also views cross-strait exchanges as a channel for its united front against Taiwan, marking enemies in Taiwan internally, creating internal divisions, and weakening our sense of who the enemy really is. It intends to weaken public authority and create the illusion that China is “governing” Taiwan, thereby expanding its influence within Taiwan. We are also aware that China has continued to expand its strategy of integrated development with Taiwan. It employs various methods to demand and coerce Taiwanese businesses to increase their investments in China, entice Taiwanese youth to develop their careers in China, and unscrupulously seeks to poach Taiwan’s talent and steal key technologies. Such methods impact our economic security and greatly increase the risk of our young people heading to China. By its actions, China already satisfies the definition of a “foreign hostile force” as provided in the Anti-Infiltration Act. We have no choice but to take even more proactive measures, which is my purpose in convening this high-level national security meeting today. It is time we adopt proper preventive measures, enhance our democratic resilience and national security, and protect our cherished free and democratic way of life. Next, I will be giving a detailed account of the five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces and the 17 major strategies we have prepared in response. I. Responding to China’s threats to our national sovereignty We have a nation insofar as we have sovereignty, and we have the Republic of China insofar as we have Taiwan. Just as I said during my inaugural address last May, and in my National Day address last October: The moment when Taiwan’s first democratically elected president took the oath of office in 1996 sent a message to the international community, that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent, democratic nation. Among people here and in the international community, some call this land the Republic of China, some call it Taiwan, and some, the Republic of China Taiwan. The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan resists any annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty. The future of the Republic of China Taiwan must be decided by its 23 million people. This is the status quo that we must maintain. The broadest consensus in Taiwanese society is that we must defend our sovereignty, uphold our free and democratic way of life, and resolutely oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (1) I request that the National Security Council (NSC), the Ministry of National Defense (MND), and the administrative team do their utmost to promote the Four Pillars of Peace action plan to demonstrate the people’s broad consensus and firm resolve, consistent across the entirety of our nation, to oppose annexation of Taiwan by China. (2) I request that the NSC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs draft an action plan that will, through collaboration with our friends and allies, convey to the world our national will and broad social consensus in opposing annexation of Taiwan by China and in countering China’s efforts to erase Taiwan from the international community and downgrade Taiwan’s sovereignty. II. Responding to China’s threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting our military (1) Comprehensively review and amend our Law of Military Trial to restore the military trial system, allowing military judges to return to the frontline and collaborate with prosecutorial, investigative, and judicial authorities in the handling of criminal cases in which active-duty military personnel are suspected of involvement in such military crimes as sedition, aiding the enemy, leaking confidential information, dereliction of duty, or disobedience. In the future, criminal cases involving active-duty military personnel who are suspected of violating the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces will be tried by a military court. (2) Implement supporting reforms, including the establishment of a personnel management act for military judges and separate organization acts for military courts and military prosecutors’ offices. Once planning and discussion are completed, the MND will fully explain to and communicate with the public to ensure that the restoration of the military trial system gains the trust and full support of society. (3) To deter the various types of controversial rhetoric and behavior exhibited by active-duty as well as retired military personnel that severely damage the morale of our national military, the MND must discuss and propose an addition to the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces on penalties for expressions of loyalty to the enemy as well as revise the regulations for military personnel and their families receiving retirement benefits, so as to uphold military discipline. III. Responding to China’s threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan (1) I request that the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), and other relevant agencies, wherever necessary, carry out inspections and management of the documents involving identification that Taiwanese citizens apply for in China, including: passports, ID cards, permanent residence certificates, and residence certificates, especially when the applicants are military personnel, civil servants, or public school educators, who have an obligation of loyalty to Taiwan. This will be done to strictly prevent and deter united front operations, which are performed by China under the guise of “integrated development,” that attempt to distort our people’s national identity. (2) With respect to naturalization and integration of individuals from China, Hong Kong, and Macau into Taiwanese society, more national security considerations must be taken into account while also attending to Taiwan’s social development and individual rights: Chinese nationals applying for permanent residency in Taiwan must, in accordance with the law of Taiwan, relinquish their existing household registration and passport and may not hold dual identity status. As for the systems in place to process individuals from Hong Kong or Macau applying for residency or permanent residency in Taiwan, there will be additional provisions for long-term residency to meet practical needs. IV. Responding to China’s threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges  (1) There are increasing risks involved with travel to China. (From January 1, 2024 to today, the MAC has received reports of 71 Taiwanese nationals who went missing, were detained, interrogated, or imprisoned in China; the number of unreported people who have been subjected to such treatment may be several times that. Of those, three elderly I-Kuan Tao members were detained in China in December of last year and have not yet been released.) In light of this, relevant agencies must raise public awareness of those risks, continue enhancing public communication, and implement various registration systems to reduce the potential for accidents and the risks associated with traveling to China. (2) Implement a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public officials at all levels of the central and local government. This includes everyone from administrative officials to elected representatives, from legislators to village and neighborhood chiefs, all of whom should make the information related to such exchanges both public and transparent so that they can be accountable to the people. The MOI should also establish a disclosure system for exchanges with China involving public welfare organizations, such as religious groups, in order to prevent China’s interference and united front activities at their outset. (3) Manage the risks associated with individuals from China engaging in exchanges with Taiwan: Review and approval of Chinese individuals coming to Taiwan should be limited to normal cross-strait exchanges and official interactions under the principles of parity and dignity, and relevant factors such as changes in the cross-strait situation should be taken into consideration. Strict restrictions should be placed on Chinese individuals who have histories with the united front coming to Taiwan, and Chinese individuals should be prohibited from coming to Taiwan to conduct activities related in any way to the united front. (4) Political interference from China and the resulting risks to national security should be avoided in cross-strait exchanges. This includes the review and management of religious, cultural, academic, and education exchanges, which should in principle be depoliticized and de-risked so as to simplify people-to-people exchanges and promote healthy and orderly exchanges. (5) To deter the united front tactics of a cultural nature employed by Chinese nationals to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty, the Executive Yuan must formulate a solution to make our local cultural industries more competitive, including enhanced support and incentives for our film, television, and cultural and creative industries to boost their strengths in democratic cultural creation, raise international competitiveness, and encourage research in Taiwan’s own history and culture. (6) Strengthen guidance and management for entertainers developing their careers in China. The competent authorities should provide entertainers with guidelines on conduct while working in China, and make clear the scope of investigation and response to conduct that endangers national dignity. This will help prevent China from pressuring Taiwanese entertainers to make statements or act in ways that endanger national dignity. (7) The relevant authorities must adopt proactive, effective measures to prevent China from engaging in cognitive warfare against Taiwan or endangering cybersecurity through the internet, applications, AI, and other such tools. (8) To implement these measures, each competent authority must run a comprehensive review of the relevant administrative ordinances, measures, and interpretations, and complete the relevant regulations for legal enforcement. Should there be any shortcomings, the legal framework for national security should be strengthened and amendments to the National Security Act, Anti-Infiltration Act, Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Laws and Regulations Regarding Hong Kong & Macao Affairs, or Cyber Security Management Act should be proposed. Communication with the public should also be increased so that implementation can happen as soon as possible. V. Responding to threats from China using “integrated development” to attract Taiwanese businesspeople and youth (1) I request that the NSC and administrative agencies work together to carry out strategic structural adjustments to the economic and trade relations between Taiwan and China based on the strategies of putting Taiwan first and expanding our global presence while staying rooted in Taiwan. In addition, they should carry out necessary, orderly adjustments to the flow of talent, goods, money, and skills involved in cross-strait economic and trade relations based on the principle of strengthening Taiwan’s foundations to better manage risk. This will help boost economic security and give us more power to respond to China’s economic and trade united front and economic coercion against Taiwan. (2) I request that the Ministry of Education, MAC, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other relevant agencies work together to comprehensively strengthen young students’ literacy education on China and deepen their understanding of cross-strait exchanges. I also request these agencies to widely publicize mechanisms for employment and entrepreneurship for Taiwan’s youth and provide ample information and assistance so that young students have more confidence in the nation’s future and more actively invest in building up and developing Taiwan. My fellow citizens, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. History tells us that any authoritarian act of aggression or annexation will ultimately end in failure. The only way we can safeguard freedom and prevail against authoritarian aggression is through solidarity. As we face increasingly severe threats, the government will not stop doing its utmost to ensure that our national sovereignty is not infringed upon, and to ensure that the freedom, democracy, and way of life of Taiwan’s 23 million people continues on as normal. But relying solely on the power of the government is not enough. What we need even more is for all citizens to stay vigilant and take action. Every citizen stands on the frontline of the defense of democracy and freedom. Here is what we can do together: First, we can increase our media literacy, and refrain from spreading and passing on united front messaging from the Chinese state. Second, we can organize and participate in civic education activities to increase our knowledge about united front operations and build up whole-of-society defense resilience. Third, we can promptly expose concerted united front efforts so that all malicious attempts are difficult to carry out. Fourth, we must refuse to participate in any activities that sacrifice national interests. The vigilance and action of every citizen forms the strongest line of defense against united front infiltration. Only through solidarity can we resist being divided. As long as every citizen plays their part toward our nation’s goals for prosperity and security, and as long as we work together, nothing can defeat us.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Soundcheck for survival: Regional live music venues burnt out by industry struggles

    Source: University of South Australia

    19 March 2025

    Small live music venue operators across regional Australia face personal and financial strain as they work to keep their doors open and sustain thriving music cultures in their communities.

    A study by the University of South Australia has found that regional live music venue operators are experiencing stress and burnout as they face challenges with audience access and fairly paying performing artists. 

    It’s estimated that in the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Australia has lost more than 1300 live music venues and stages due to a steep increase in public liability costs and rising rent and energy prices.

    This is coupled with the current cost-of-living crisis that has severely impacted venues’ bottom line and altered the spending habits of audiences, slowing both ticket and bar sales.

    While there has been high-profile media attention recently about the closure of several metropolitan venues, less attention is paid to small live music venues in country towns.

    Researcher Dr Rosie Roberts, along with Dr Sam Whiting of RMIT University, interviewed almost a dozen venue operators from regional South Australia in 2020-21 as part of a larger research project that informed the State Government’s Live Music Support Package.

    Dr Roberts, a member of UniSA’s Creative People, Products and Places Research Centre, says live music venues in regional areas often involve high levels of volunteer labour, investing a lot of time for little financial gain.

    “Many venue operators are undertaking a significant amount of the labour that’s involved for free, because they’re driven by a desire to develop and sustain a music culture in their region,” she says.

    “The people we interviewed often described feelings of burnout and exhaustion and said they were the last to get paid, if paid at all, once they had ensured that the musicians were appropriately compensated.

    “This can produce a churning cycle of music events which is difficult to sustain as operators become tired and need to step away. It’s very difficult to keep operations going in the medium to long term and this can fracture the development of regional music and produce short-term pockets of activity.”

    Regional venues face unique challenges due to the smaller resident populations which then limit the size of bands playing, the frequency of shows and the amount that can be paid to musicians. The costs associated with travel and transport are also an issue.

    While regulatory issues such as licensing and noise are often the main challenges for city-based live music venues, the issues faced by regional areas are different, Dr Roberts says.

    “Regional venues face issues with accessibility and affordability of high-quality acts that attract audiences, as well as encouraging audiences to regularly attend and spend the money required to sustain such gigs, especially in the context of rising cost of living pressures,” she says.

    The research study found that despite having different needs to metropolitan venues, regional venue operators often experience a lack of a voice in decision making around music policy.

    Dr Roberts says solutions could include localised approaches such as continued town or regional art strategies, music feedback forums that connect city-based policy makers with regional stakeholders and the development of a regional live music policy.

    She also suggests the appointment of regional live music officers, and dedicated funding schemes for small and medium sized venues in regional areas.

    “Regional live music venues perform a critical function for their communities because they provide spaces of sociality, belonging, education and skill development, so it’s important we provide a healthy and sustainable live music scene for our regional centres and towns.” Dr Roberts says.

    “Small live music venues are where emerging musicians first engage in music making, yet they also continue their connection with the regions throughout their lives. This makes them vital to an artist’s development both creatively and professionally.”

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview: Dr Rosie Roberts, Senior Lecturer, UniSA Creative E: rosie.roberts@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +61 403 659 154 E: melissa.keogh@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How Jia Zhangke’s film Caught by the Tides uses 20 years of footage to capture a changing China

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Moran, Lecturer in the Department of English, Creative Writing and Film, University of Adelaide

    MK2 Films

    Chinese independent director Jia Zhangke’s new film Caught by the Tides, now in select Australian cinemas, provides a unique vision of China’s rapid social transformation in the 21st century.

    Using a combination of documentary footage and scenes shot by Jia over the past 20 years during the making of his earlier films, Caught by the Tides follows Qiaoqiao (Zhao Tao) and her boyfriend, small-time hustler Bin (Li Zhubin).

    Bin leaves their small town to make his fortune working on the Three Gorges Dam and Qiaoqiao goes to find him, taking her on a journey through the changing landscape of contemporary China.

    The film not only registers monumental changes, like the building of the dam, but the minutiae of everyday details from changing fashion to altered streetscapes.

    Jia’s film is a quiet and meditative affair which dwells on the passage of time in a fast-paced world. The film not only captures 20 years in a rapidly changing China, but also offers a reflection on Jia’s career as a filmmaker.

    Framing the provinces

    Jia was born in 1970. He grew up in the city of Fenyang, Shanxi province, and came of age during Deng Xiaoping’s economic liberalisation and “opening up” of the 1980s.

    He studied at the Beijing Film Academy before returning home to shoot his first feature Xiao Wu (Pickpocket) in 1997.

    The films he made in Shanxi – Xiao Wu, Platform (2000) and Unknown Pleasures (2002) – have been dubbed his “hometown trilogy”.

    Shanxi is known for its notoriously dangerous coal mining industry. Jia focused on the lives of those left behind by China’s “economic miracle” and life outside of the metropolis. His use of non-actors, preference for street shooting and slow minimalist style set his work apart from commercial Chinese cinema.

    The second film in the trilogy, Platform, includes a mesmerising performance from Zhao Tao, then an unknown actor who has since starred in all of Jia’s later films. Zhao and Jia were married in 2012. Zhao is a key artistic collaborator whose portrayal of strong female protagonists is central to all the director’s later work.

    Cinema and cultural memory

    Jia’s international breakthrough came with Still Life (2006), shot in the ancient area of Fengjie on the banks of the Yangtze while cities were being demolished and thousands displaced to make way for the Three Gorges Dam.

    Working on Still Life confirmed Jia’s belief in “cinema’s function as memory” which captures the present before it disappears. Still Life combined Jia’s early realist style with a new surreal approach, including a building taking off and a mysterious flying saucer zooming into the distance.

    To Jia, this blend of realism and surrealism is essential for portraying China’s rapid historical transformation. He says the speed of development in China “has had an unsettling surreal effect”.

    To represent this, he has experimented with all the possibilities of cinema blending documentary, fiction, animation, pop music, Chinese opera and digital images to create a stunning body of work.

    Caught by the tides of history

    Caught by the Tides continues Jia’s experimentation with cinema and history in his most ambitious work to date.

    Production was influenced by the COVID pandemic, when Jia was unable to start work on a new film. Instead, he began to review footage he and his director of photography Yu Lik-Wai had shot since 2001.

    Jia describes the process of reviewing the footage as “like time-travelling” as he returned to the beginning of the 21st century and his youth.

    The film is partly composed of a collage of documentary footage which Jia and his collaborators spent over two years editing. We see excitement in the streets when Beijing is announced as the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games, before cutting to a montage of young people dancing in strobe-lit underground nightclubs.

    This kaleidoscope of documentary footage is combined with scenes shot during the making of Jia’s earlier films. From this combination of archival footage featuring Jia’s regular stars Zhao and Li Zubin, a story emerges about China’s rapid change.

    Jia began work on Caught by the Tides during COVID.
    MK2 Films

    As Qiaoqiao guides the viewer through the chaotic transformations taking place in the country, there is something particularly arresting about seeing places and actors change before our very eyes.

    The final scenes, shot with modern digital cameras, have a sleek and cold aesthetic in contrast to the pixelated early footage. It is in part a reflection of Jia’s own melancholic view of historical change in which the past is forgotten, and the everyday lives of ordinary people disappear from view. Yet as a whole, the film suggests cinema can preserve the past and give dignity and beauty to everyday experiences.

    Caught By the Tides provides viewers with a refreshing glimpse of Chinese life from within. Cinema like Jia’s remains in a unique position to promote a more nuanced view of China’s complex and ever-evolving history.

    Thomas Moran 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 Jia Zhangke’s film Caught by the Tides uses 20 years of footage to capture a changing China – https://theconversation.com/how-jia-zhangkes-film-caught-by-the-tides-uses-20-years-of-footage-to-capture-a-changing-china-252392

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul is a Guest on “PBS Newshour”

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on PBS NewsHour with Amna Nawaz to discuss how governors across the nation are responding to threats from the federal administration including DOGE, tariffs, and entitlement cuts.

    VIDEO: The interview is available to stream on YouTube here.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s interview is available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News:  As President Donald Trump’s cost cutting agenda continues through the government, Democratic governors are now looking to recruit fired federal workers to their states. The State of New York has launched a campaign for those impacted by DOGE cuts, including billboards in New York City’s Moynihan Train Hall and in train and metro stations throughout Washington, D.C.

    Joining me now to discuss that effort and the other ways that New York is pushing back against the Trump administration is New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Governor, welcome back to the NewsHour. Thank you for joining us.

    Governor Hochul: Thank you.

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: Let’s start with that effort then to recruit some of those fired federal workers. Have you had fired federal workers applying for those jobs? How many have you been able to hire so far?

    Governor Hochul: No, we certainly have. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I did a roundtable inviting a number of recently fired federal employees from the New York City area to come and one of them was a father of four. He’d done four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He worked at the VA. He was one week from ending his probation and he was dismissed and he was so upset and distraught about it.

    And I gathered others who were just really still reeling from the unexpectedness of it. They never thought this would happen to them. So, I told them we would take care of these individuals. I literally have almost 7,000 open jobs in state government. We are not back to our pre-pandemic levels, and we certainly have openings in law enforcement and education and social work, a lot of issues – we want to take care of our citizens.

    So, I think it’s a great opportunity. I was literally meeting with President Trump in the White House last week. I went to Union Station afterward and I saw our billboard that said, “DOGE may say ‘You’re fired,’ but in New York, we say, ‘You’re hired.’” And it’s been really successful. And I will give you the real numbers once we know for sure. But a lot more have applied than we expected. And I find that exciting.

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: So tell me a little bit more about that meeting with President Trump last week, because you and the President have disagreed and clashed before, right? You’ve accused him of federal overreach. You’ve disagreed on his immigration approach, but you said it’s important to keep that dialogue open. So where can you work with this president? What did you agree on in that meeting?

    Governor Hochul: One area where we should all be able to agree on is infrastructure. Continuing important investments. Many started under the Biden Administration. But I want to make sure that we look at an asset like Penn Station in New York City, which is really the welcome mat for millions of people who come through that station, and it looks deplorable. We’ve been renovating certain parts of it, but I want to make it to be a beautiful train hall. Something that natural light comes in and that people will come through there and feel that this is a really world class experience. So, knowing that Donald Trump is a New Yorker, I appealed to his sense of understanding how important this asset is to our city and its identity. And we agreed to work on this together.

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: What about on tariffs? Because we’ve seen publicly he has doubled down on the use of tariffs, particularly in Canada – which I know impacts your state quite a bit. You said you’ve told him that the tariffs are devastating for upstate farm and factory workers. Was he receptive to that?

    Governor Hochul: You know, he does believe that it’s short term pain for long term gain. Just that the people who are expecting prices to go down on Inauguration Day, are really in for a rude awakening. Not only did they not go down as promised, but they’re going up. And if you look at the possible impacts of $2,000 to $3,000 more a year for a family. I mean, especially in places like upstate New York, on the border with Quebec, and western New York – where I’m from – on the border of Ontario, this is not a foreign country to us. This is a natural trading partner. It’s part of a larger, broader community. So this really sent shockwaves through our state. And I wanted him to know that a lot of these people supported him. Many areas of Upstate New York did support him in the election, and now they’re just wondering what happened.

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: Governor, on the immigration front, we know New York City has been in this administration’s crosshairs for a while. You’ve said you are not going to allow ICE to come in and take people off the streets, but the reports show that they’ve sort of already been doing that to some extent. We saw local New York reports show that during one week in February, there were 100 people arrested. Do you know how many people ICE has arrested and potentially deported from New York?

    Governor Hochul: Well, I had a conversation with the President about this a couple of times, and I said, “I am aligned with your interest in removing dangerous criminals off the streets and sending them back to where they came from.” It’s in my interest. My number one priority is public safety, and that particularly includes Venezuelan gang members who have been terrorizing parts of our city since their arrival. So this is not a bad outcome to have them removed. But we understand there’s a difference, and I explained this once again, saying, “We’re not separating families. We’re not going to allow that to happen.”

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: But Governor, we know among the thousands of people already deported have been people who have no criminal record. Do you know how many of those people have been from New York?

    Governor Hochul: No, I don’t know how many, but I will say that we don’t cooperate in those cases. That’s why I don’t have information. We will cooperate — my State Police will cooperate — in a situation where you have a warrant, or it’s someone on a terrorism watch list; someone who’s committed crimes in their own country or here. That’s a different category from where we will not cooperate when it comes to just saying, – identifying who these people are and we’re going to take them. We’re not going to help with that.

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: I need to ask you, too, about the Democratic Party, because it’s been a rough few weeks. You’ve seen the leader of your party in the Senate under fire from fellow Democrats, including your fellow New Yorkers, Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for choosing to avoid a government shutdown and back a Republican funding bill. In your view, was that the right choice?

    Governor Hochul: I know that Senator Schumer has New York State’s best interest at heart, because he’s also not just a majority leader for the Senate, but also our state. He has delivered time and time again for New Yorkers. There can be disputes within our party. This is not unusual in a family to have disagreements on a strategy. But also at the end of the day – he and Hakeem Jeffries put out a statement together, working together to fight the Medicaid cuts. We cannot afford these cuts. So, already there’s a unity that’s restored.

    And again, going down the road, there will be more disagreements. That’s okay. But the bottom line is, who brought us to this place? Never forget it was the Republicans. And every day that we’re hitting each other, is another day that Republicans are getting away with what they’re doing. I’m going to continue to remind everybody, let’s stand together as often as we can, as loudly as we can, against what the Republicans are trying to do to undermine – not just our democracy, but our basic sense of security here. The chaos of the stock market, what you’re doing with tariffs, what you’re doing to make lives more expensive here — we have to stand up and call that out.

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: Governor, there was clearly a divide within your party though on this one issue. Was it the right choice for Senator Schumer to vote for that bill?

    Governor Hochul: Listen, I’m focused on New York State here. I spent time in Congress, I would answer questions on federal issues when it came to that. He made a decision that he thought was best not to have the shutdown. Others disagree with that. I’m focused on making sure that New York can get through this tumultuous time, whatever happens, and agree that a shutdown would have been difficult for our state.

    Amna Nawaz, PBS News: That is New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, joining us tonight. Governor Hochul, good to see you again. Thank you again for making the time.

    Governor Hochul: Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: The Oppression the Left Forgot

    Source: ACT Party

    The Haps

    Your property is safe as Parliament is shut and David Seymour is the Acting Prime Minister. Yesterday, ACT made the big announcement that for the first time ever, we’re seeking candidates to stand in local council elections. We want common-sense Kiwis to champion lower rates, less waste, equal rights, and an end to the war on cars. If that sounds like you, learn more at actlocal.nz.

    Meanwhile ACT MPs have been out in force at A&P Shows and Field Days, they report tremendous support from rural New Zealand and we are grateful to hear it.

    The Oppression the Left Forgot

    Besides a pandemic, the last decade has consisted of economic paralysis and cultural division as Governments dumped years of live-and-let-live liberalism to focus on identity politics. Jacinda Ardern and Justin Trudeau were the pin ups for this dismal movement, managing to tank their respective countries’ economies and make everyone angry at each other.

    Free Press regrets to inform you that the DEI brigade missed a large oppressed group. This group has disastrous education statistics, lives years less than the national average, in part because of their high suicide rates, and is far more likely to be arrested, charged, sentenced, and imprisoned. Some speculate this is due to years of violence, including being held in state institutions, and in armed conflict.

    In recent years, prominent members of this group have been forced by their managers into public humiliation, pronouncing that they’re sorry for being part of this group. The group is regularly ridiculed in media and advertising, and not expected to complain.

    The group is, of course, men. If any other group had the social statistics men do, there would be a special ministry, a ‘day,’ targeted support programs, and probably quotas to help them on their way.

    That there is none of that, and that some people will be angry to read any of this, is just one of those modern mysteries. Why are men such a blind spot for all the luvvies, despite dismal social statistics that would normally justify an entire Government department?

    Some will point out that women do face serious problems. Domestic and sexual violence are overwhelmingly problems for women. Even today there is a connection between domestic work and earned income. Claudia Goldin won the Nobel prize for explaining the remaining gender pay gap this way.

    Other people having problems, or even causing other peoples’ problems, has never stopped the luvvies before. There must be some better reason why men’s abysmal suffering is not the subject of some major leftie sympathy.

    Our best theory is that men doing badly blows up the whole DEI identity politics movement of the past decade. The movement’s basic story is that if anything is wrong in the world it’s because bad people have been oppressing them, perhaps for hundreds of years.

    Why are Māori doing badly in the stats? Colonisation. Women? The patriarchy. LGBTQI+. So many reasons. There is even a fattist movement claiming ‘society’ has designed its aeroplane seats, magazines, and institutions to silence fat voices (we are not making this up).

    But who oppressed men? Men can’t be oppressed. They are needed to play the villain of the piece. In a play where everyone is a victim or a villain for historic reasons, not everyone can be good, and certainly not those needed to be bad.

    A worse conclusion would be that women are oppressing boys. Practically all early childhood teachers, six-out-of-seven primary teachers, and two-out-of-three high school teachers are women.

    If it was the other way around the picture would seem sinister. Perhaps teacher gender is why last year 42 per cent of girls came out of high school with University Entrance compared with 32 per cent of boys. Oddly this explanation of oppression by a dominant group has not been emerged.

    Nor should it. The whole idea that we are not thinking and valuing individuals but instead members of a group is bunk. It’s led to more division and anger than it’s worth (which is not much to start with). It’s disempowered people by making them think they are products of history, instead of masters of their own destiny.

    A better way is to let people problem solve by innovating. Charter schools are a pin-up example of this. Vanguard Military School (run by ex-servicemen), and Te Aratika Academy (run by a civil construction firm) offered different education that some might see as filling the male role-model gap in education.

    The same could be said for most problems we’re currently blaming on colonisation, the patriarchy, or whatever cause du jour is on people’s minds. More innovation in social services, more economic opportunity for people who want to take it, a more dynamic and innovative society generally is what’s needed.

    For all those who still think the world is made up of victims and villains, with the past made up of endless oppression, what are you doing for men?

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European Commission involvement in implementing the WHO Pandemic Agreement and ensuring transparency – E-000125/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. While the Commission cannot prejudge the outcomes of the negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement[1], the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (the GSCL Network)[2] would aim to enhance equitable, timely and affordable access to pandemic-related health products[3]. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is expected to convene the GSCL Network, in consultation with the Parties to the agreement, WHO Member States not Parties to the agreement and in partnership with relevant stakeholders. In practice, the latter may include collaborations between public and private sectors, civil society organisations, and international organisations to foster the efficient and comprehensive distribution of health products. National governments would be responsible for coordinating distribution efforts, establishing regulatory frameworks, and allocating resources to ensure equitable access to health products within their territories.

    2. Transparency and stakeholder involvement are among the European Union’s key principles set out in Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union, as well as in Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The draft text of the Pandemic Agreement[4] includes a range of measures aiming to ensure that the implementation of the Agreement is transparent, inclusive, and accountable[5]. The documents pertaining to the EU position in the ongoing negotiations are publicly available[6]. If the EU decides to become a Party to the Agreement, the EU would implement it in accordance with the applicable EU law and with the provisions of the Agreement.

    3. The Commission works to ensure that any data handling provisions in the future Pandemic Agreement comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679[7].

    • [1] Information related to the ongoing negotiations is available at: https://inb.who.int/
    • [2] To be established under Article 13 of the Pandemic Agreement, available at https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA77/A77_10-en.pdf
    • [3] Such products typically refer to health products that may be needed for prevention, preparedness and response to pandemic emergencies and may include medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, personal protective equipment etc.
    • [4] The draft text of the Pandemic Agreement is available at https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA77/A77_10-en.pdf
    • [5] See in particular Articles 3, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of the draft Pandemic Agreement.
    • [6] The documents pertaining to the EU position are publicly available at the following link: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/who-pandemic-agreementihr-negotiations-related-documents_en
    • [7] Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).
    Last updated: 18 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Decision-making authority under the WHO pandemic prevention, preparedness and response accord – E-002977/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As outlined on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) webpage[1], under the draft WHO pandemic agreement on prevention, preparedness, and response, decision-making during a pandemic remains with the future parties to that agreement.

    The current draft of the agreement[2] reaffirms ‘the principle of the sovereignty of States in addressing public health matters’.

    In addition, Article 24, paragraph 2 of the draft agreement clarifies that ‘Nothing in the WHO Pandemic Agreement shall be interpreted as providing the WHO Secretariat, including the WHO Director-General, any authority to direct, order, alter or otherwise prescribe the national and/or domestic laws, as appropriate, or policies of any Party, or to mandate or otherwise impose any requirements that Parties take specific actions, such as ban or accept travellers, impose vaccination mandates or therapeutic or diagnostic measures or implement lockdowns’.

    A guiding principle of the draft agreement is the full respect for the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons.

    The aim of the agreement is to help prevent, be prepared for, and respond to future pandemic emergencies and hence help preserve people’s ability to travel, work, seek education, and lead a healthy life free of avoidable disease, as called for by the WHO Constitution.

    The agreement will not affect the responsibility of Member States for ‘the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care’ as enshrined in Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

    • [1] See reply to the question ‘How much authority could an accord have over signatory countries? Will it take sovereignty away from signatory countries?’ at https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/pandemic-prevention–preparedness-and-response-accord
    • [2] Available at https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA77/A77_10-en.pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Trade on the European Council agenda – 18-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The repeated crises of recent years, including the COVID pandemic and the Russian war on Ukraine, have disrupted trade relations in many ways. Competition on global markets has become fiercer and the rules-based multilateral order established after World War II is increasingly challenged. The tariffs imposed by the new United States (US) administration are adding to the uncertainty. Trade in goods and services accounts for 22.4 % of EU GDP – the EU is the world’s biggest trading bloc and top trading partner for 80 countries. Trade is thus crucial for the EU’s growth and competitiveness. In that context, the development of a robust trade policy, enabling the EU to defend itself effectively against unfair trade practices and to level the playing field, has become a core priority for EU leaders. Consequently, trade – an issue traditionally in the hands of the European Commission – has grown in importance on the European Council agenda in recent years. Developing a bold trade policy is also one of the core elements of the New Competitiveness Deal, which was discussed at the EU leaders’ special meeting in April 2024. The importance of EU assertiveness on the global stage to defend its trade interests was underlined in the European Council’s 2024-2029 Strategic Agenda, the document setting out the EU’s direction for the current 5-year term, as well as in the Budapest Declaration of November 2024. It is in light of recent developments that EU leaders will discuss trade at their 20-21 March meeting in Brussels.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Argentina: despite the scandals, Milei’s politics are here to stay

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Juan Pablo Ferrero, Senior Lecturer in Latin American Politics, University of Bath

    The Argentinian president, Javier Milei, is going through the toughest moment of his short but remarkable political career. He is facing impeachment calls – as well as legal action – over his promotion of a cryptocurrency on social media.

    The cryptocoin $Libra, which Milei mentioned in a social media post on February 14, quickly rose in value before nosediving, causing severe losses for people who had invested in it. Milei has insisted that his post did not constitute an endorsement.

    “I’m a techno-optimist … and this was proposed to me as an instrument to help fund Argentine projects,” he said in a television interview. “It’s true that in trying to help out those Argentines, I took a slap in the face.”

    I doubt this is it for Milei. But even if it is the beginning of the end, Milei’s politics are here to stay. His leadership style, discourse and actions represent an emerging constituency with both a present and a future.

    This is because Milei is not, in my opinion, the effect of a crisis of representation. He is instead a faithful representative of a new reactive society emerging worldwide, which is largely sceptical of institutional mediation and values problem solvers and strong executives.

    People at the inauguration of Javier Milei in December 2023.
    Facundo Florit / Shutterstock

    To explore this phenomenon, imagine if you will, “Ricardo”, a fictitious yet representative member of a vulnerable segment of Argentina’s workforce. People like Ricardo returned to the labour market after the pandemic with precarious jobs and lower wages.

    He is a delivery worker who uses multiple digital platforms to earn a living. His life, characterised by the gig economy and labour informality, reflects a broader trend affecting around 50% of workers in Argentina.

    Ricardo had previously voted for Argentina’s left-wing leader, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. But he voted for Milei in the last election, as did many others, and says he would vote for Milei again today. His sympathy for Milei has grown over the year he has been in office.

    According to a recent poll put together by political consultancy firm Tendencias, 89.6% of those who voted for Milei in the 2023 general election were happy with their choice. A growing share of Argentina’s population seemingly approves of the Milei administration.

    During the pandemic, Ricardo’s ability to support his family was diminished by government-imposed restrictions on travel and movement. These restrictions, which were often violently enforced by security forces, pushed him into poverty. The rate of poverty in Argentina increased to over 40% during the pandemic.

    This experience led Ricardo to feel a sense of satisfaction when Milei began mass layoffs of public employees to cut public spending. He thought this was payback time for those in the public sector, with job security, who did not have to endure what he had to during the pandemic.

    For Ricardo, they were all ñoquis (gnocchi), a slang term widely used in Argentina to refer to public employees who receive a salary but allegedly do little work. These workers are called ñoquis because many Argentinians traditionally eat gnocchi on the 29th day of every month, around the time people receive their monthly paychecks.

    Ricardo consumes all of the short clips circulating online from television interviews and talks at international forums of Milei “destroying” career politicians, whom he calls la casta (the caste). Milei sees the main aim of the caste as the reproduction of themselves, so he advocates for a small state or no state at all. Milei believes that nearly everything should be privatised.

    While Ricardo thinks politicians should be compensated for their job, many from across Argentina’s political spectrum have become extremely wealthy, so he’s with Milei on this one too. He even wears a chainsaw as a key ring – a nod to Milei’s promise to slash the size of the state.

    Ricardo acknowledges that life has become very expensive in Argentina since Milei took office. This is because, while inflation has gone down, the Argentinian peso has gained value, making Argentina one of the most expensive countries in the world. However, he believes this remains a price worth paying for a stable and prosperous Argentina.

    The aforementioned poll suggests that many Argentinians feel that their economic situation is better than a year ago, and will improve over the course of the next six months. Inflation, which was the leading concern in most polls ahead of the election, has fallen to sixth place.

    Ricardo is persuaded by Milei’s mantra: “If printing money would end poverty, printing diplomas would end stupidity”. And in recent times, Ricardo has spent his scarce leisure moments watching videos on his phone where internet influencers teach him how to multiply his dwindling income by investing in cryptocurrencies that promise high returns in a short time.

    In Argentina, like many other areas of the world, the appetite for gambling or investing in highly risky ventures such as cryptocurrency has multiplied as a means to win money fast. This is especially true among young people, often with devastating consequences.

    Representation of a new society

    There is a new political subject emerging worldwide marked by the precariousness of new forms of work, whose socialisation occurs in the digital world dominated by influencers. These people see the state not only as unnecessary, but as an enemy to be destroyed and distrust all institutional political intermediaries. Milei represents this new society.

    The process by which an issue becomes a subject of political debate and action has also changed. Solutions to single issues have replaced political programmes with complex visions about the future as the main source of popular validation. Big personalities can carry this forward more successfully than bureaucratic political parties.

    Presidents have become more like city majors judged by their ability to provide solutions to a single issue. In the case of Milei, it’s inflation. For Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, it’s security. And for Donald Trump in the US, it’s China.

    The figureheads of new political formations might change, but the politics of these formations will not.

    Juan Pablo Ferrero 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. Argentina: despite the scandals, Milei’s politics are here to stay – https://theconversation.com/argentina-despite-the-scandals-mileis-politics-are-here-to-stay-250183

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Canada must treat its food system as a matter of national defence

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Karen Foster, Associate Professor, Sociology and Social Anthropology and Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Rural Futures for Atlantic Canada, Dalhousie University

    Rising tensions between Canada and the United States have made increased military investment and a renewed focus on national defence all but inevitable.

    A recent Angus Reid poll found three in four Canadians want to see the country’s military strengthened in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada as the 51st state. In early March, former prime minister Justin Trudeau committed publicly to increasing military spending.

    While it makes sense for a country feeling vulnerable to invasion to look at recruiting new soldiers and increasing its arsenal, there is an additional facet of national defence that is too often overlooked: food preparedness.

    Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs are already “stoking a new nationalism” in Canadians and sparking interest in buying local, but food should be part of the national defence conversation, too.

    The double edge of globalization

    The globalization of food systems, in Canada and the rest of the world, has intensified since the Second World War. This has brought some benefits, such as year-round access to fresh produce, but it has also made Canada’s food systems vulnerable to the whims of its trading partners.

    Academics focused on food security and sovereignty have long raised concerns about import-dependence on key nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables.

    Even in 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic shone a harsh light on food supply chains in Canada, research showed that the production of fresh produce was declining while imports were increasing.

    Now, faced with both a trade war and annexation threats, Canada must confront whether its domestic food systems can feed its population in a crisis — economic, political, environmental or otherwise.

    Food systems and national defence

    Trade-dependent countries worldwide are recognizing food security as a matter of national defence. Some, like Sweden, are making plans to take stock of the capacity and resilience of their food systems, and actively working toward a system that can sustain the lives of their citizens in a crisis.

    Sweden’s total goods trade accounted for 67 per cent of its GDP in 2023, compared to Canada’s 53 per cent. Despite its high level of trade dependence, Sweden has put food at the heart of the country’s total defence approach to national security.

    Total defence is a defence policy that emphasizes both traditional military activities and civilian activities, including their food systems.

    The Swedish government, in its defence resolution, states: “A well-functioning and robust food supply and personal preparedness of the civil population are ultimately a matter of survival and maintaining the will to defend.”

    This approach is not focused only on individual or household levels of preparedness — that is, whether people have enough in their pantries — but also includes the overall preparedness of the systems that produce, process and distribute food.

    Canada, with its heavy reliance on global trade and the U.S. as a primary trading partner, would do well to take note.

    Food sovereignty in Canada

    There are hundreds of scholars and thousands of community entities working to make Canada’s food systems more sustainable and resilient in the face of financialization, farmland consolidation and the globalization of supply chains.

    In Québec, for example, there is a growing movement to mobilize and empower producers, community entities, the agrifood sector, policymakers and additional stakeholders to build more resilient, territorial food systems across the province.



    Read more:
    Making our food fairer: Don’t Call Me Resilient EP 12

    Canadian experts play a key role in global discussions on food systems resilience, with scholars contributing to the United Nations Committee on World Food Security’s Building Resilient Food Systems draft report. This report is designed to help countries make their food systems more resilient, equitable and sustainable.

    Yet Canada’s efforts are not co-ordinated, empowered or moving fast enough in the push for greater food sovereignty. The point is not to abandon trade, but to manage it more strategically.

    Both international and domestic markets are crucial for Canadian farmers, and many local companies are devoted to importing everyday goods like coffee, tea and bananas under fair trade and agroecological conditions.

    Trade relations, however, are about more than economics; they involve building political partnerships with Mexico, the European Union, Asian countries and beyond — something Canada needs now more than ever.

    Sweden has already recognized this. Its food preparedness strategy involves deepening co-operation with like-minded Nordic countries and collaborating around the supply, transport, stockpiling and testing of food.

    Crisis-proofing Canada’s food systems

    To ensure Canada can feed itself in a crisis, the government must invest in domestic production, processing and distribution infrastructure. This would create more efficient, connected local markets that removes some of the burden of buying local from individuals.



    Read more:
    Boycotting U.S. products allows Canadians to take a rare political stand in their daily lives

    The Canadian government must also promote diversification in production and export. Canada needs to move away from monoculture farming and toward more regional networks and agroecological approaches. These approaches are more resilient to both crops themselves and the diverse markets they open up, reducing Canada’s dependence on single trading partners like the U.S.

    Key agricultural policies such as the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership need to go beyond the long-standing focus on prioritizing export markets. They must also invest in infrastructure and partnerships in Canada to strengthen their support of Canadian producers, ranchers, fisheries and food system players at home, to help them work together at a regional scale.

    Correcting power imbalances in our food systems is also critical. Greater local and regional autonomy over how food is produced, processed and distributed would help with this. These strategies would make Canada less vulnerable to supply chain disruption.

    Countries like Sweden recognize these efforts as part of national defence — an approach Canada should consider.

    But while we fight annexation from the kitchen table, we must recognize it doesn’t start there; it starts at a higher level. Only better policy, infrastructure and systemic change can prepare Canada to be more proactive and resilient in the face of world crises — economic or otherwise.

    Karen Foster receives research funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) as well as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). She is the director of the SSHRC/AAFC-funded Common Ground Canada Network.

    Alicia Martin is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the SSHRC/AAFC-funded Common Ground Canada Network.

    Gavin Fridell receives funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada. He is a member of the Trade and Investment Research Project at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

    Kathleen Kevany receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, for the Food Impact Network research and knowledge mobilization for the handbook of sustainable diets; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for food waste prevention work, and Mitacs for internships on food procurement and food environment analysis.

    I am advised to Farm to Cafeteria Canada (F2CC) an NGO.

    – ref. Why Canada must treat its food system as a matter of national defence – https://theconversation.com/why-canada-must-treat-its-food-system-as-a-matter-of-national-defence-251118

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Civil Society Week 2025 – Strengthening cohesion and participation in polarised societies

    Source: European Union 2

    STRENGTHENING COHESION AND PARTICIPATION IN POLARISED SOCIETIES | 17-20 March 2025

    In recent years, overlapping crises – from the lingering effects of the pandemic to the escalating challenges of climate change, increasing living costs, and widening income disparities – have created fertile ground for widespread polarisation. Social instability, economic downturns and widespread discontent, particularly among those who feel unheard and left behind, have further deepened societal divisions.

    The outcomes of the 2024 elections worldwide underscore the urgency of addressing this trend, as polarisation continues to undermine trust in democratic institutions and strain the unity of our communities.

    What can we do?

    To address these pressing concerns, Civil Society Week 2025 will gather a diverse range of civil society stakeholders from Europe and beyond, providing a unique platform to engage in critical debates, share best practices, and collaborate to develop solutions that foster social cohesion and strengthen democratic engagement.

    Together with experts, EU policy-makers, national Economic and Social Councils, youth representatives, journalists, and civil society across Europe including candidate countries, we will host a four-day forum for lively debates and collaborative workshops, focusing on questions such as:

    • How could a European Civil Society Strategy foster greater cohesion?
    • How could participatory approaches drive cohesion and inspire collective action for Europe’s green and blue future?
    • How could Europe lead in innovation while upholding its values, principles, and ethical standards?
    • What policies are needed to enable capacity-building and funding for European civil society?
    • What is the role of the European Citizens’ Initiative in tackling polarisation?
    • How could support be strengthened for the ECI at different levels in the Member States?

    #CivSocWeek will bring together:

    Be part of the conversation!

    Join us to engage with high-level EU policy-makers, experts, and civil society at large from across Europe. We will discuss the challenges we face and the solutions we can create together.
    Seize the opportunity to turn the conversation into change.
    Your voice matters in building a more cohesive and participatory Europe!

    16:00 – 16:30 • Networking coffee | Foyer 6

    12:30 – 13:30 • Lunch | Atrium 5

    16:15 – 16:45 • Networking coffee | Foyer 6

    13:00 – 14:00 • Lunch | Atrium 5

    16:00 – 16:45 • Networking coffee | Foyer 6

    12:30 – 13:30 • Lunch | Atrium 5

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Exploring the link between school exclusion and crime – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Iain Brennan, Professor of Criminology, University of Hull

    The rate of children permanently excluded from school in England rose against last year and is higher than before the pandemic.

    A recent BBC documentary by actor Idris Elba pointed out that being excluded from school can be a tipping point that pushes a child towards serious violence. This observation is backed up by convincing evidence.

    Data in a joint report by the Ministry of Justice and Department for Education shows that the risk of being cautioned or charged for a serious violence offence by age 18 is 15 times higher in children who had been excluded from school.

    Crucially, though, exclusion and violence have many risk factors in common. Children who have special educational needs, have grown up in deprivation or have been in care, for instance, are more at risk both of being excluded from school and of committing a violent offence.

    This makes the job of teasing out the impact of exclusion on violence challenging. Research needs to account for the contribution of these other factors.

    We carried out research to isolate the effect of school exclusion on serious violence, trying to do so in a way that just focused on the impact of exclusion.

    The best way to know whether or not something has caused a change is to split a group of people at random and give one group something and not the other, be that a medicine, a programme or anything else. This is known as a randomised controlled trial.

    Finding a cause

    By randomly splitting the group, any other risk factors – ones that we know about and ones that we don’t – are shared equally across the two groups, so if we see a difference between the groups, the only explanation is the difference introduced by the researchers.

    However, there are lots of situations where randomisation would be unethical. We could never randomise people to start smoking to test if it causes a disease, nor could we randomise skydivers to not wear parachutes. School exclusion is a situation like this. Excluding some children but not excluding others in the name of science would be a dangerous experiment.

    Instead of this unethical coin toss, we used a new technique from medical research, known as a target trial emulation. This approach seeks to mimic the circumstances of a randomised controlled trial.

    It does so by ensuring that the study only includes people who meet the “eligibility” criteria for the study, that the two groups are as similar as possible and that they are followed up for identical periods.

    It is important to define who is “eligible” for exclusion. While in theory, any children can be excluded, they are only truly eligible if they have done something “exclusion-worthy”.

    There are many common risk factors for exclusion and violence.
    polya_olya/Shutterstock

    Finding groups of people who meet these criteria and where some have been excluded and others have not is challenging. Fortunately, in 2020, the Department for Education linked the records of over 15 million people to criminal records held by the Ministry of Justice and anonymised them. This data set is just the type of “big data” we need for this question.

    We identified every record of a child who had been excluded between 2006 and 2016 – over 20,000 children. We then matched these records against those of other children from the same data set who had the same background, educational experience and history of suspensions and (non-violent) offending, but who, crucially, were never excluded.

    Following those cases from the time of the exclusion and comparing them, we found that, within a year, the excluded children were more than twice as likely to commit serious violent crime than their not excluded peers.

    A doubling of risk of the most serious violence in an already high-risk group points to exclusion being an important factor in youth violence.

    But because we cannot rule out other factors and because we can’t know if the comparison group were truly “eligible” for exclusion, this may be as close as we can get to understanding the causal influence of exclusion.

    Cut back on exclusions?

    The evidence on a link between exclusion and future violence might suggest that it would be a good idea to limit exclusions from schools. But this is an extremely contentious issue.

    Limiting or preventing exclusions risks schools having to spend a great deal of precious resources keeping a small number of children in school. The Department for Education and many teachers state that exclusions are necessary when a child’s behaviour becomes a risk to their classmates and teachers or harms the potential to learn.

    On the other hand, continuing with increasing rates of exclusions risks letting down the most vulnerable and traumatised children – as well as potentially creating victims of crime and heaping pressure on prisons later on.

    Critics of exclusions argue that, as well as increasing risk of offending, exclusions unfairly target children from ethnic minorities and children with special educational needs, and should be avoided as much as possible.

    We may never truly know the causal effect of exclusion on violent offending. But perhaps we do not need to. Addressing the common causes of exclusion and violence should be the greater priority.

    The warning signs for a child’s exclusion and violence will have been clear in many cases but too often schools and teachers lack the time and resources to help and include a child showing these signs, falling back on disciplinary policies that may be doing more harm than good.

    It would be better to introduce an inclusive system that views schools as being part of a system that does not just respond to violence but can prevent it. However, although exclusion from school may be a trigger and a predictor of serious violence, preventing such violence cannot be the responsibility of schools alone.

    Iain Brennan receives funding from Economic and Social Research Council, Home Office, College of Policing, Youth Endowment Fund and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside.

    Rosie Cornish receives funding from the UK Medical Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Youth Endowment Fund, the Home Office and the Avon and Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership.

    – ref. Exploring the link between school exclusion and crime – new research – https://theconversation.com/exploring-the-link-between-school-exclusion-and-crime-new-research-252122

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –