Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Africa: Motsoaledi urges global action to address health funding gaps

Source: South Africa News Agency

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has reiterated the importance of nations reallocating resources towards health, strengthening global health partnerships, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms to address funding gaps.

The Minister was delivering the keynote address at the second meeting of the G20 Health Working Group today in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister used the platform to highlight South Africa’s commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) through the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which aims to provide financial protection and efficient resource utilisation.

“In South Africa, we are actively pursuing transformation to achieve universal health coverage through our NHI system.

“The NHI is designed to provide financial protection for all, ensuring that access to quality healthcare is not dependent on one’s ability to pay [for] it, and it will also assist in the efficient utilisation of our resources by pulling funds and strategically purchasing services.”

Motsoaledi cited data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which indicate that the number of people shielded from catastrophic health spending had been steadily increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since then, about 100 million people have fallen back into financial hardship due to health-related expenses.

Motsoaledi believes that the NHI is a concrete demonstration of government’s commitment to leaving no one behind, and fostering and strengthening the resilience of the health system.

The Minister quoted the late Harvard Department of Anthropology’s Professor Paul Farmer on the value of all lives and urged G20 members to increase public financing of health systems as a fundamental investment.

“I want to quote the idea that ‘some lives matter less’ is the root of all that is wrong with the world.

“We implore all G20 members to champion increased public financing of health systems.

“This is not merely a budgetary issue; it’s a fundamental investment in our collective future.”

Motsoaledi urged attendees to prioritise public health over competing interests, ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to meet the health needs of the nation’s populations.

“Furthermore, we must all align our efforts beyond financing. We must address the persistent health inequities that plague our world.”

Non-communicable diseases

Motsoaledi highlighted the importance of addressing health inequities, particularly in low and middle-income countries, and the need for multilateral approaches to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

He said the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs is seen as a crucial opportunity to galvanise global action against chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.

“We must alleviate the financial burden, restrict unhealthy food marketing, finance emergency health services, and accelerate cervical cancer elimination, the only cancer which is preventable.”

The theme of the three-day meeting is: “Accelerating Health Equity, Solidarity, and Universal Coverage”.

Along with this meeting, a co-sponsored event focused on eliminating cervical cancer, is also taking place.

“We must move beyond dialogue and commit to concrete steps. South Africa is committed to collaborating with all the G20 members to achieve our shared goals.

“Let us work together to ensure that health remains a priority, not a commodity, especially during these unstable economic times,” Motsoaledi added.

South Africa, which assumed the G20 Presidency in December, is currently hosting various working groups and ministerial meetings throughout the country.

These meetings are focused on key topics such as health, employment, trade, tourism, and the digital economy — all in preparation for the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for November this year.

The G20 comprises 19 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States. It also includes two regional bodies – the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: SA-DRC to hold diplomatic consultations

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, will hold political and diplomatic consultations with his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Thérèse Kayiwamba Wagner.

Kayiwamba serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Francophonie for the DRC.

According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the Ministers plan to review the bilateral cooperation between South Africa and the DRC, focusing on commitments made during the 12th Session of the South Africa-DRC Bi-National Commission (BNC) aimed at strengthening this cooperation.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, 27 March 2025, in Pretoria.

Political ties between the two nations date back to 1997 when former President Nelson Mandela facilitated a meeting between the late President Désiré Kabila and Mobutu Sese Seko aboard a South African Navy ship in Pointe-Noire, Congo-Brazzaville.

Formal bilateral relations between South Africa and the DRC were established in 1992.

The department stated that these relationships are mainly conducted through the BNC, which was established in 2004.

The last session of the BNC took place in Kinshasa, DRC, on 6 July 2023. South Africa is scheduled to host the 13th session of the BNC.

“Since then, South Africa and the DRC have significantly strengthened their bilateral cooperation across various sectors, culminating in the signing of 38 bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.”

These legal instruments cover a broad spectrum of areas, including agriculture, defence, trade and investment, health, policing, energy, public service and administration, cooperative governance, transport, diplomatic cooperation, and immigration.
Meanwhile, the department said South Africa has significant investments in the DRC and is the second largest source of imports for the country.

“Many South African multinational companies have a large footprint in the country in several sectors, including, among others, infrastructure development, financial services, mining, construction and property development, retail, and so on,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Despite Diplomatic Progress, Security Council Told Continuing Attacks, Funding Cuts Worsening Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is worsening, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as she both welcomed diplomatic progress and expressed deep alarm over rising attacks on civilians and severe cuts to global humanitarian funding.

“Since 1 March, not a day has passed without an attack harming civilians,” Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the 15-member Council. The regions of Sumy, Odesa, Dnipro, Donetsk and Kharkiv have been hit especially hard in recent weeks, with extensive damage to homes, shops, warehouses and vehicles.

Meanwhile, global funding cuts for humanitarian operations — including for Ukraine — are further reducing the UN’s capacity to provide life-saving aid. While the announcement of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure and discussions regarding safe navigation in the Black Sea are positive steps, she noted that the impact of past attacks continue to undermine civilians’ access to electricity, gas, heating and water as the harsh winter persists.

“We are deeply concerned by the human cost of continued fighting,” she said, noting that, as of 24 February 2022, at least 12,881 civilians — including 681 children — have been killed in Ukraine. The true toll is likely much higher. She reiterated that the protection of infrastructure critical to civilian survival is imperative, and that indiscriminate attacks are unequivocally prohibited under international law.

And with almost 13 million people in Ukraine in need of humanitarian aid, she warned against funding cuts that could threaten vital services — including gender-based-violence support and safe spaces for 640,000 affected women and girls. Thus far, only 17 per cent of the $2.6 billion needed for Ukraine’s 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan has been received. Against that backdrop, she urged the international community to enforce compliance with international law, secure funding to save lives and push for an end to the war — all while ensuring that humanitarian needs remain central to peace talks.

Speakers Express Concern over Increasing Attacks on Civilians, Urge Moscow to Demonstrate Commitment to Peace

During the discussion that ensued, many speakers expressed concern over growing attacks on civilians in Ukraine. “The death and destruction caused by this war are tremendous,” said Slovenia’s delegate, noting the over 42,000 verified casualties and reconstruction costs exceeding $500 billion. Three years on, and the fighting does not seem to be diminishing — in February 2025, civilian casualties increased by 35 per cent compared to February 2024. “Every human life matters and is not merely a number,” added Pakistan’s delegate, welcoming deals reached between Ukraine and the Russian Federation banning the targeting of energy sites and ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea.

While also noting progress on those fronts, other speakers continued to call on the Russian Federation to demonstrate its commitment to peace, with France’s delegate highlighting “the gaping disconnect between [the Russian Federation’s] actions and words”. Romania’s delegate pointed out that “the dialogue efforts and the proposals in the last weeks are yet to be met by deeds”, spotlighting new attacks by the Russian Federation since the night of 21 March.

“It is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace,” said the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, adding: “There can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no negotiations that affect European security without Europe.” Finland’s delegate, speaking also for Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, echoed that, also expressing concern that limited humanitarian access makes it hard for humanitarian workers to deliver life-saving aid — especially in front-line areas.

“A ceasefire seems not to be enough,” observed Greece’s delegate, adding that peace should only be possible “with credible and robust security guarantees, which will deter and prevent the recurrence of war in the future”. Any peace must be more than a mere pause that allows the aggressor to rearm and strike again — as it has done before — Poland’s delegate underscored. “We must have enduring peace in Ukraine,” stressed the representative of the United Kingdom, adding that, until Moscow’s forces withdraw from Ukraine, “the United Kingdom will continue to work with Kyiv to achieve a just and lasting peace”.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Republic of Korea said that interviews with soldiers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea captured in Kursk show men deceived and told they were being sent to Moscow for training. “Pyongyang must stop sacrificing its own people to sustain the regime in exchange for military, political and economic support from Moscow,” he stressed.

The representative of Denmark, Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity to describe the latest report by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine as a “grim catalogue of crimes against humanity” perpetrated by the Russian Federation’s forces against civilians. Lithuania’s delegate, also speaking for Estonia and Latvia, drew attention to the 4,000 cases against the Russian Federation in the European Court of Human Rights, all related to events in Crimea, Donbas and the wider war against Ukraine.

Russian Federation, Ukraine Acknowledge Limited Ceasefire Agreements while Expressing Reservations

For his part, the representative of the Russian Federation said that the European Union and the United Kingdom are trying to thwart efforts by his country and the United States to settle the Ukrainian crisis. He went on to say that Moscow’s air forces target only military sites, and that civilian casualties in Ukraine occur because Kyiv stores ammunition in residential areas. He also stated that Ukraine’s European supporters ignore the crimes committed by Kyiv, reiterating that Moscow’s military operation started three years ago to end the war being waged on fellow Russians.

Regarding the agreement concerning the Black Sea, he said that this will go into effect only after a series of measures are adopted — including the lifting of sanctions against some Russian Federation banks. And while agreement has been reached to ban strikes on energy sites both in Ukraine and in the Russian Federation, Kyiv continues to violate that agreement. “The Russian Federation reserves the right to respond should the Kyiv regime continue on this destructive course,” he emphasized.

Further, he asked those present if they would prefer to either continue providing weapons to “private-military-company Ukraine”, or to join the Russian Federation and the United States to “find a long-term solution that would address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis and strengthen security in Europe and the world over”.

“Moscow speaks of peace while launching brutal strikes almost daily on densely populated residential areas” in her country, Ukraine’s delegate said, adding that the Russian Federation launched — in the first half of March alone — hundreds of strikes against her people, using approximately 2,800 guided aerial bombs, nearly 2,000 attack drones and over 100 missiles of various types. Moscow has also sought to block Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to its territory and that of Belarus, and made use of munitions containing hazardous chemicals.

While welcoming the United States’ mediation and Saudi Arabia’s hospitality, and reaffirming her country’s commitment to peace, she underscored: “We won’t accept peace at any price.” Ukraine will not recognize any of its temporarily occupied territories as belonging to the Russian Federation, and Kyiv will not agree to any foreign diktat regarding the structure or other characteristics of its defence forces.

While Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire regarding energy facilities and in the Black Sea, she warned that this does not extend to Russian Federation warships that enter Ukraine’s territorial waters. “Everyone should focus on Russian actions, not their statements,” she urged, noting that the coming days will be critical in determining “whether Russia is serious about peace or intends to deceive the United States and the world”.

Nevertheless, Speakers Point to Path towards Peace

“The war must end now,” the representative of the United States stressed, as she commended both the Russian Federation and Ukraine for taking the first steps towards a ceasefire. If fully implemented, the agreements concerning energy infrastructure and the Black Sea will open a path towards peace. “We call on both sides to abide by these agreements and expand on them,” she said.

Some speakers expressed optimism about the talks under way in Riyadh. “A window of peace is opening,” said China’s delegate, welcoming recent negotiations that the Russian Federation and Ukraine have had bilaterally with the United States. Positive progress was made on numerous issues, he said. Algeria’s delegate, welcoming progress, as well, added that a lasting peace must consider the legitimate concerns of both parties. The representative of Panama, noting that maritime security is fundamental to his country, expressed optimism about the steps towards a cessation of hostilities in the Black Sea.

Similarly, the representative of Somalia said that the agreement to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea represents a practical step towards reducing tensions and protecting vital economic infrastructure. The recent breakthrough is “creating tangible momentum towards de-escalation”, he said. “Even as we celebrate the modest breakthroughs,” Guyana’s delegate warned that the slightest misstep could doom millions of civilians to even more bombardment and displacement. Sierra Leone’s representative observed that “cautious hope has begun to emerge”, but highlighted the severe impact already had on children — trauma from constant shelling, loss of loved ones, displacement and abduction.

“Even when bombings subside, the scars of war remain,” said the Permanent Observer for the Sovereign Order of Malta, pointing to the need for psychological support for those affected by war-related trauma. Ukraine’s health system will need restoring, he said, adding that it is also crucial to facilitate the safe and dignified return of displaced families. “The land must be restored and made habitable,” he added, as the detritus of war is cleared away.

Quoting Pope Francis, he asked those present: “Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow and death? Can we once more walk and live in the ways of peace? I would like for each one of us — from the least to the greatest, including those who are called to govern nations — to respond in one voice: ‘Yes, we want peace.’”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: UN calls for immediate ceasefire as South Sudan edges closer to renewed civil war

Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

By Vibhu Mishra

26 March 2025 Peace and Security

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday called for an immediate end to hostilities and urgent dialogue between the country’s leaders to prevent a relapse into civil war, as violence escalates around the capital city.

“To prevent a relapse into civil war, the Parties must recommit to the Revitalized Peace Agreement by ceasing all hostilities and strictly adhering to the ceasefire, resolving grievances through dialogue, and reconvening as a truly unified government,” said Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS.

The world’s youngest country has been mired in conflict which erupted shortly after independence from Sudan in 2011, between Government forces led by President Salva Kiir, and fighters loyal to his rival Riek Machar, who has served as First Vice President since 2020 in a broad-based governing coalition.

Clashes intensify

Fighting has escalated over the past 24 hours, with clashes reported between Government troops of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition near Rejaf, just south of the capital Juba, and in Wunaliet, to the west.

The situation in Upper Nile, in the north of the country, also remains volatile. Earlier this month the so-called White Army – a youth militia – overran South Sudanese army barracks in Nasir. In response, Government forces launched retaliatory aerial bombardments on civilian areas, using barrel bombs that allegedly contained highly flammable accelerants.

An UNMISS helicopter – attempting to evacuate wounded SSPDF soldiers – in Nasir, region was also attacked this month, killing a crew member as well as several South Sudanese soldiers, including an injured General.

Children at extreme risk

Virginia Gamba, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, also warned that the surge in fighting is putting children at grave risk of violations, including killing, sexual violence and recruitment into armed groups.

“I am deeply concerned over the escalating violence, particularly in the Upper Nile province, and I urge all parties to silence their weapons and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law,” she said.

“The stability of the country and a lasting peace for all, including new generations, is at stake.”

Repeated warnings

Earlier this week, Mr. Haysom warned that South Sudan was “teetering on the brink of civil war,” citing indiscriminate attacks on civilians, forced displacement and ethnic tensions.

Renewed fighting “would devastate not only South Sudan but the entire region, which simply cannot afford another war,” he said.

Fragile peace at stake

Civil war erupted in 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with First Vice President Machar. The war – marked by ethnic violence, mass atrocities and a widespread humanitarian crisis – lasted until a fragile peace deal was signed in 2018.

Though the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement brought a degree of stability, delays in its implementation and continued political rivalries have kept tensions simmering.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire, with over nine million people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, including two million internally displaced persons.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Biological weapons ‘must not only be unthinkable but also impossible’

Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

26 March 2025 Peace and Security

The world came together 50 years ago to ban biological weapons and in today’s volatile geopolitical climate we can ill-afford to let this moral safeguard “erode”, the UN’s High Representative for Disarmament Affairs said on Wednesday.

26 March marks the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) – the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the Convention as a cornerstone of international peace and security, having contributed over five decades to “collective efforts to reject the use of disease as a weapon.”

Today, 188 countries are party to the convention, which effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons.

The BWC stands as a safeguard, ensuring that advances in biology and biotechnology are used solely for “peaceful purposes” – and not to trigger artificial epidemics that threaten us all.

Disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu told Member States in Geneva that the BWC “remains a testament to the conscience of humankind”. Yet as technology evolves, so too do potential risks.

Strengthening the convention

“We must ensure the instruments of the 20th century can respond to today’s global 21^st century challenges,” stressed Ms. Nakamitsu.

In his message, the Secretary-General urged all States parties to actively participate in the Working Group on Strengthening the BWC – which verifies compliance, capacity-building and assistance – and called on the Group to accelerate its efforts in this milestone year.

“These efforts reinforce the commitment in the Pact for the Future, adopted at the United Nations last year, for all countries to pursue a world free of biological weapons,” he said.

Call for universal adherence

While the vast majority of UN Member States have joined the convention, nine countries remain outside.

The Secretary-General called on those governments to ratify the treaty without delay.

UN disarmament affairs office, UNODA, is working to support the convention’s implementation – especially in Africa where it has engaged 100 young scientists through the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship in the last five years.

“Together, let us stand united against biological weapons,” said the Secretary-General.

Barrier to misuse

As the world grapples with new global health challenges and geopolitical uncertainty, the BWC remains a vital barrier against the misuse of science.

Reinforcing it, said the UN chief, is essential to prevent biological weapons from ever being used again – whether in conflict, acts of terror, or by accident.

“Let’s use this occasion to…recognise that the use of biological weapons must not only be unthinkable but also impossible”, concluded Ms. Nakamitsu.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. Announces Shareholder Approval of Merger with Carlyle Secured Lending III

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. (“CGBD”) (NASDAQ: CGBD) announced today that CGBD shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of the previously announced merger with Carlyle Secured Lending III (“CSL III”) at the special meeting held on March 26, 2025.

Shareholders voted in favor of the issuance of common stock in connection with the merger of CGBD and CSL III, with 96% of voting CGBD shareholders supporting the proposal. The transaction is expected to close on or about March 27, 2025, subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.

Justin Plouffe, Chief Executive Officer of CGBD and CSL III, said, “We thank shareholders for their approval and strong support of the transaction. We have conviction in the strategic benefits and value of the merger for both sets of shareholders, and we expect the combined company to create long-term value through increased portfolio scale and efficiency.”

About Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc.

Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc. is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: CGBD) business development company (“BDC”) which began investing in 2013. The Company focuses on providing directly originated, financing solutions across the capital structure, with a focus on senior secured lending to middle-market companies primarily located in the United States. Carlyle Secured Lending is externally managed by Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C., an SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Carlyle. Further information is available at carlylesecuredlending.com.

About Carlyle Secured Lending III

CSL III is an externally-managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. CSL III’s investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation primarily through assembling a portfolio of secured debt investments with favorable risk-adjusted returns. CSL III’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, CSL III Advisor, LLC, an affiliate of Carlyle.

About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $441 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Some of the statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements because they are not historical facts, but instead relate to future events, future performance or financial condition or the merger of CSL III with and into CGBD (collectively, the “Mergers” ). The forward-looking statements may include statements as to: future operating results of CGBD and CSL III and distribution projections; business prospects of CGBD and CSL III and the prospects of their portfolio companies; and the impact of the investments that CGBD and CSL III expect to make. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “plans,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “targets,” “projects,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predicts” and variations of these words and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected, including the uncertainties associated with (i) the expected synergies and savings associated with the Mergers; (ii) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Mergers, including the expected elimination of certain expenses and costs due to the Mergers; (iii) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the Mergers may result in significant costs of defense and liability; (iv) changes in the economy, financial markets and political environment, including the impacts of inflation and rising interest rates; (v) risks associated with possible disruption in the operations of CGBD or the economy generally due to terrorism, war or other geopolitical conflict (including the uncertainty surrounding Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and the impact of geopolitical tensions in other regions such as the Middle East, and developing tensions between China and the United States); (vi) future changes in laws or regulations (including the interpretation of these laws and regulations by regulatory authorities); (vii) conditions in CGBD’s operating areas, particularly with respect to business development companies or regulated investment companies; and (viii) other considerations that may be disclosed from time to time in CGBD’s publicly disseminated documents and filings. CGBD and CSL III have based the forward-looking statements included in this press release on information available to them on the date hereof, and they assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ, possibly materially from our expectations, include, but are not limited to, the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and it is not possible for us to predict or identify all of them. Although CGBD and CSL III undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that they may make directly to you or through reports that CGBD and CSL III have filed or in the future may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.

Contacts:

The MIL Network –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Syria: Legacy of 14 years of war is huge – Special Envoy | United Nation

Source: United Nations (Video News)

“The legacies of 14 years of war and conflict and five decades of one-man rule are huge. So are the immediate challenges facing the Syrians today,” said UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen.

Briefing the Security Council today (Mar 25) on Syria’s political and humanitarian landscape, Pedersen described a resurgence of violence in early March that he said bears the hallmarks of renewed internal conflict.

“On Thursday March 6, armed groups associated with the former regime attacked and ambushed caretaker authority forces across the coastal region,” Pedersen said. “Reports indicate attacks on military and internal security targets, and also several hospitals.”

He noted the “scale and sophistication” of the attacks were “striking,” many carried out by groups linked to former regime officers. But what followed was worse, he said, pointing to mass killings of civilians.

“Far more disturbing was the appalling civilian death toll, including widespread summary killings of civilians and unarmed individuals,” he told the Council. “Accounts of entire families executed at point blank, and widespread footage of grave violations of a plainly sectarian and retaliatory nature – singling out Allawites.”

On the humanitarian front, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warned that critical funding gaps are forcing aid agencies to make “brutal choices.”

“Last year’s appeal was only 35 per cent funded – causing us to reduce our humanitarian response by more than half,” he said. “We are under no illusions about the grim financial outlook.”

Fletcher said the UN had completed a country-wide rapid needs assessment and was now focusing aid on the most vulnerable — roughly half of the 16.7 million people in need.

“Let us be problem solvers rather than problem observers,” he urged. “The price of failure will far outweigh the investment we are asking for.”

Joumana Seif, co-founder of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement, echoed calls for long-term accountability alongside immediate aid, urging Syrians to lead the process.

“Today, more than ever, Syrians must create a transparent and inclusive national plan for transitional justice,” she said, emphasizing the role of civil society and victim associations in ensuring justice and preventing future atrocities.

Representing the Syrian government, Ambassador Qusay Abdul Jabbar al-Dahha told the Council that the country is moving forward with constitutional reform following the national dialogue conference.

“With the aim of preparing the legal framework for the transitional phase, the Presidency of the Republic formed a committee to draft the Constitutional Declaration, which was subsequently approved,” he said.

He stressed that the “new Syria will be a state of law,” vowing that attacks on civilians “will not go unpunished, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFrQSem_g80

MIL OSI Video –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Do you feel £1,400 better off every year since 2014?

Source: Scottish National Party

In the 2014 independence referendum Westminster politicians said “every Scot will be £1,400 better off every year” if people voted ‘No’.

It’s therefore painfully ironic that, just a decade later, people in Scotland see headlines saying “UK families to be ‘£1,400-a-year poorer by 2030’.”

New analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) – using forecast models from the Bank of England – shows that the austerity policies of Keir Starmer’s government will leave people worse off in the next five years.

The JRF also said that if living standards haven’t improved by 2030, Labour will not only have failed to meet their own election pledge but will have become the first government in nearly 75 years to have seen a fall in living standards across a full parliament.

They concluded that the worse effects of these policies will fall on the poorest third of the population.

The pledge that “every Scot will be £1,400 better off every year” is not only looking threadbare, it’s been ripped into rags by the very people who promised it.

And, this is no joke, the same Westminster politicians seriously argued that this £1,400 meant people would be able to enjoy ‘scoffing 280 hot dogs’ or drinking ’636 cappuccinos’. Instead we’ve seen food banks rise year on year.

But those aren’t the only promises Westminster politicians made to persuade people to vote ‘No’.

In the run-up to the 2014 referendum people were also promised “lower shopping bills” and that Westminster would “keep energy costs down for families in Scotland“.

Better Together on X: “Lower shopping bills than if we left the United Kingdom say supermarkets. Read more: http://t.co/hcmC81lu9q #indyref http://t.co/MmDmHF6nrt” / X

Better Together on X: “Being part of the UK keeps energy costs down for families in Scotland http://t.co/VkNwzmQ4kq #indyref” / X

They highlighted Gordon Brown urging people in Scotland to vote ‘No’ “to create a more socially just country“; and that a Westminster-run social security system “offers better protection for pensioners, disabled and the unemployed“.

Better Together on X: “Gordon Brown urges people in Scotland to stay in the UK to create a more socially just country http://t.co/0s9ZggfkZN #indyref” / X

Better Together on X: “Gordon Brown in Dundee: “Our UK welfare state offers better protection for pensioners, disabled and the unemployed.” http://t.co/AYzvqu9EBH” / X

With Scots facing yet more energy bill increases – despite Labour promises to cut them by £300 – and Keir Starmer’s government cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners and support for the disabled.

This situation not only makes a bad joke of the Westminster politicians’ promises in the 2014 independence referendum, but it also exposes the duplicity of Labour’s promise of “Change”.

Even before the 2024 election the signs of the direction of the UK were obvious.

Reports revealed that UK workers were missing out on over £10,000 a year, with living standards falling behind other G7 nations, as well as Australia and the Netherlands.

Other analysis showed that, compared to neighbouring countries in north west Europe, the UK in the 21st century has had the least wealth per person, the most poverty, and the greatest gap between rich and poor. It also shows that countries similar in size or smaller than Scotland are wealthier and more equal than the north west European average.

But it could be so much different, and better, for Scotland.

With a huge offshore energy potential, a food and drink sector worth billions and one of the best educated populations in Europe and can even be asked: Why is Scotland in a UK trailing its neighbours so badly?

The reason is that those countries don’t have government from Westminster obsessed with cutting public spending again and again.

Those other countries get government’s they voted for with policies they want, and the results can be seen in how they are wealthier, fairer and happier than the UK.

Despite the ‘No’ campaigns 2014 promises, Westminster isn’t working for Scotland, but independence works for those countries.

So why shouldn’t it work for Scotland too?

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Security Minister observes counter-terrorism exercise in Wales
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Security Minister observes counter-terrorism exercise in Wales

Meeting emergency responders at a counter-terrorism training exercise in Wales, the Security Minister praised their collaboration to keep the public safe.
The Security Minister re-emphasised the need for close working between national and devolved emergency services and responders to minimise the impact of a terrorist attack in Wales, during a visit to Swansea to observe a multi-agency counter-terrorism exercise on Wednesday (26 April).

At the exercise at Swansea.com Stadium, he was able to watch emergency responders in Wales, including the police, fire and rescue, ambulance and other responder organisations, test their preparedness for a large-scale attack and ensure they work effectively together to keep the public safe.

Thanking all those taking part in the exercise for their unwavering commitment to protecting the public, the Security Minister gave a speech to participants, to say that responding to an incident with mass fatalities successfully depends on trust, close working and collaboration between multiple agencies.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

It was an immense privilege to witness the dedicated work of the emergency services and responder organisations and their unwavering commitment to keeping the people of Wales safe.

National security is the foundation of our Plan for Change. This essential training ensures we are prepared for every eventuality and in the best position to save lives and protect our communities.

It comes after the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill completed its final parliamentary stage this week ahead of Royal Assent. This new legislation will ensure venues across the UK – which will include premises such as sports stadiums – consider the security of the public and take steps to protect them from harm.

The new law is better known as Martyn’s Law in memory of Martyn Hett, who tragically lost his life alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack.

Wednesday’s exercise also sought to test the stadium’s internal contingency response plans. Under the Bill, qualifying premises like Swansea.com Stadium will be required to plan how best to respond to a terrorist attack.

The exercise was part of a routine training exercise between the police, including Counter Terrorism Policing Wales and South Wales Police; and other services, such as the South Wales Fire and Rescue service, health and social care, and the Welsh Government; which work together in partnership to respond to and mitigate the impacts of incidents of this nature.

The various agencies taking part were able to practice the application of the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) which are widely acknowledged as critical to the success of a response to an incident and are the adopted principles for multi-agency working across the UK.

The Security Minister also visited the Senedd in Cardiff where he met with the First Minister of Wales to discuss strengthening national security in Wales and remaining prepared for terrorist attacks.

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Published 26 March 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: QCI’s Andrew Cardno to Speak on “The Next Era of Tribal Gaming: The 7 Forces Shaping Its Future” at the Indian Gaming Association Trade Show

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) is pleased to announce that Andrew Cardno, Chief Technology Officer of QCI, will be delivering a featured session at the 2025 Indian Gaming Trade Show & Convention in San Diego, CA. The session, titled “The Seven Forces Transforming Our Industry (Whether We Like It or Not),” will take place on April 1, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Tribal gaming stands at the forefront of an unprecedented era of transformation. Both internal dynamics and external pressures are driving change at a pace never seen before. In this timely session, Mr. Cardno will provide an in-depth exploration of seven powerful forces reshaping the future of tribal gaming. From the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics to shifting consumer expectations and evolving market forces, attendees will gain valuable insights into the technologies and trends defining the next era of the industry.

“Tribal gaming has always been a leader in innovation, but the convergence of AI, robotics, and rapid technological advancement presents new challenges and exciting opportunities,” said Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI. “This session is about equipping tribal operators with the knowledge and tools to embrace these changes while protecting the core traditions that make tribal gaming unique. By understanding these forces, we can ensure that team members are empowered, operations are optimized, and tribal enterprises continue to thrive.”

Victor Rocha, Conference Chairman of the Indian Gaming Trade Show & Convention, added, “We are excited to feature Andrew Cardno in this important session. Tribal gaming is facing a critical moment, and understanding these seven forces is essential for our industry’s future. This conversation goes beyond technology — it’s about how we protect our sovereignty, strengthen our communities, and continue leading the gaming industry into the future.”

Attendees will leave with practical strategies to integrate emerging technologies in ways that reinforce the unique strengths of tribal gaming enterprises. The session will focus on how these tools can enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and create new opportunities for team member growth — all while honoring the cultural and economic significance of tribal gaming.

ABOUT The 2025 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention
As the premier events for the tribal gaming community, the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention and Mid-Year Conference & Expo deliver the insight and strategies you need to rise to the top of the competitive gaming industry landscape. There’s no better opportunity to meet industry leaders, access cutting-edge trends and celebrate a proud tradition of success. For more information visit: www.indiangamingtradeshow.com.

ABOUT QCI
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI’s data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com.

ABOUT Andrew Cardno
Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master’s level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew’s innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today’s mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew’s impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew’s work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors.

ABOUT Victor Rocha
Victor Rocha holds the distinguished position of Conference Chairman for the Indian Gaming Association, while also leading Victor-Strategies as its president. As the owner and publisher of Pechanga.net, he has been deeply engaged in the political landscape of U.S. tribal gaming since 1998. Rocha’s outstanding contributions to the industry have been recognized through numerous accolades, such as AGEM’s 2023 Peter Mead Memorial Award Honoring Excellence in Gaming Media & Communication, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 2015 Tribal Gaming Visionary Award, the American Gaming Association’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award for Gaming Communications, Raving’s 2012 Casino Marketing Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Indian Gaming Association’s 2002 Outstanding Contribution to Indian Country, VCAT’s 2001 Catalyst Award, and Global Gaming Business Magazine’s 2000 “40 Under 40” list.

Contact:
Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence
Phone: 858-349-8354

The MIL Network –

March 27, 2025

MIL-OSI: Firsthand Technology Value Fund Announces Fiscal Year Financial Results, NAV of $0.15 Per Share

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc. (OTCQB: SVVC) (the “Fund”), a publicly traded venture capital fund that invests in technology and cleantech companies, announced today its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024.

As of December 31, 2024, the Fund’s net assets were approximately $1.1 million, or $0.15 per share, compared with net assets of approximately $1.5 million, or $0.22 per share as of September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the Fund’s portfolio included public and private securities valued at approximately $1.1 million, or $0.15 per share, which includes approximately $0.11 per share in cash and cash equivalents.

Portfolio Summary (as of 12/31/24)

Investment		Fair Value^1,	Fair Value per Share^1,2
Equity/Debt Investments	$	0.32 million		$	0.05
Cash/Cash Equivalents	$	0.75 million		$	0.11
Other Assets	$	0.74 million		$	0.11
Total Assets	$	1.80 million		$	0.26
Total Liabilities	$	0.73 million		$	0.11
Net Assets	$	1.06 million		$	0.15

¹ Numbers may not sum due to rounding. ² Total shares outstanding: 6,893,056.

During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Valuation Committee, which was composed of two independent directors, adjusted the fair values of the private companies in our portfolio. In arriving at these determinations and consistent with the Fund’s valuation procedures, and ASC 820, the Valuation Committee took into account information from an independent valuation firm and considered many factors, including the performance of the portfolio companies, recent transactions in the companies’ securities, as well as the impact of changes in market multiples within certain sectors.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund reported total investment income of approximately $110 thousand. After fees and expenses, the Fund reported net investment income of approximately $2.0 million, due to the waiving of certain accrued management fees during the year. The Fund reported net realized and unrealized losses on investments of approximately $2.1 million for the year.

Throughout the year, the Fund continued its efforts to manage its portfolio prudently, including working with its portfolio companies and their management teams to seek to enhance performance and uncover potential exit opportunities.

About Firsthand Technology Value Fund
Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc. is a publicly traded venture capital fund that invests in technology and cleantech companies. More information about the Fund and its holdings can be found online at www.firsthandtvf.com.

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company that elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets for investment purposes in technology and cleantech companies. An investment in the Fund involves substantial risks, some of which are highlighted below. Please see the Fund’s public filings for more information about fees, expenses and risk. Past investment results do not provide any assurances about future results.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from the Fund’s historical experience and its present expectations or projections indicated in any forward-looking statement. These risks include, but are not limited to, changes in economic and political conditions, regulatory and legal changes, technology and cleantech industry risk, valuation risk, non-diversification risk, interest rate risk, tax risk, and other risks discussed in the Fund’s filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Fund undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Fund’s investment objectives will be attained. We acknowledge that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the safe harbor for forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 does not apply to investment companies such as us.

Contact:

Phil Mosakowski
Firsthand Capital Management, Inc.
(408) 624-9526
vc@firsthandtvf.com

The MIL Network –

March 27, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: Kenya’s decision to make maths optional in high school is a bad idea – what should happen instead
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Moses Ngware, Senior Research Scientist, African Population and Health Research Center

Kenya’s education ministry announced in March 2025 that mathematics would be an optional subject in senior secondary school, which begins in grade 10. Most students in this grade are aged 15 years. The education minister said the mathematics taught from grade 4 to grade 9 was sufficient for foundational “numeracy literacy”.

The change, in January 2026, is part of a shift to a new education system styled as the competence based curriculum. The decision is not to scrap maths altogether but rather to make it optional. However, given the poor performance in this subject, it is expected there will be few takers.

Maths is a compulsory subject in the first 12 years of basic education in many African countries. This is the case in Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa, which opted for a choice between maths and mathematical literacy for grades 10-12.

The older education system, known as 8-4-4, featured eight years of primary school and four each at high school and university. Under this, core maths, dubbed Alternative A, is compulsory for all schoolgoing children until the second year of high school (form 2). Most students in this grade are aged 16 years. In the final two years of high school, one has the option of switching to Alternative B, a simplified version of Alternative A introduced in 2009. Alternative B is similar to South Africa’s mathematical literacy subject.

@222222The decision has triggered heated debates in the country, in favour and against.

As a researcher who has taught high school maths and researched maths teaching for over 20 years, I have the view that making maths optional is not a good idea. This is because both individuals and society need maths, regardless of the career path they might choose.

It’s been argued that the change applies to the last two senior years of high school, which was the case in the old system too. For the new curriculum, however, this should not have been a problem as it is competence-based. This implies that what matters is the specific skills and knowledge mastered by a student, and not the examination scores.

The Kenyan education department should establish the root causes of the low performance in maths, and fix them. Research shows that chief among these are resource allocation; weak teacher preparation and support for foundational numeracy instruction; a learning disability known as dyscalculia; and the behavioural performance of maths teachers.

Kenya’s maths problem

In the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams, graded between A (highest) and E (lowest), over half of the 881,416 candidates’ maths scores fell in the lowest two grades, D and E. This improved only marginally in 2023. To put the performance in context, the pass rate in high school certificate maths examinations in Mauritius improved from 81.4% to 91.8% between 2019 and 2022.

There are a number of reasons for this dismal performance in Kenya:

Resource allocation: The better-resourced national schools can only admit a small number of students, leaving out over 70% who join low-resourced day schools. Resources for learning maths range from teachers to interactive teaching and learning materials inside the classroom. With the support of partners such as the Global Partnership for Education, the government aims to achieve a 1:1 textbook-per-student ratio goal. However, the flow of capitation grants to secondary schools has been wanting, jeopardising access to resources at the school level.

Teacher preparation: Teachers aren’t well prepared to support learners in foundational numeracy (maths in early grades). Foundational numeracy skills are critical in creating strong building blocks for future learning and success in later grades.

Teacher behaviour: Classroom observation studies reveal that maths teachers favour boys. Furthermore, above average learners sit in the front closer to the chalkboard, and learners are denied positive reinforcement that would motivate them to learn maths. There are also negative attitudes about maths as a difficult subject, reinforcing the stereotype that it is only suitable for boys and “bright” children.

Dyscalculia: Worldwide, 3%-7% of the general population are affected by a disability known as dyscalculia. In Kenya, 6.4% among primary and secondary school children have the disability. It is a condition that affects a person’s ability to understand numerical concepts. By implication, the number of the 962,512 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates of 2024 with this disability works out to between 28,000 and 68,000 candidates. But Kenya’s education system doesn’t support teachers in diagnosing learners with dyscalculia, or managing their disability.

Policy options

There are alternatives to making maths an optional subject in senior secondary school.

The system needs to focus on the root causes of low performance, and then on how to fix them.

I suggest the following solutions.
- Avoid unnecessarily using achievement in maths to determine access to academic and training programmes. This way, one’s career will not solely be determined by performance in maths.
- Keep a simpler maths alternative, or maths literacy, for senior secondary instead of making maths optional.
- Teachers should continue to develop their competence in maths, focusing on content knowledge as well as knowledge of how to teach numeracy.
- The general public should communicate effectively to eliminate negative stereotypes and unhelpful attitudes in society. The aim is to shift mindsets so that maths is perceived as part of life – making it necessary to support all children to succeed in maths.
- Help learners to overcome dyscalculia, using multisensory teaching approaches – a way of teaching that engages more than one sense at a time: sight, hearing, movement and touch.
– Kenya’s decision to make maths optional in high school is a bad idea – what should happen instead
– https://theconversation.com/kenyas-decision-to-make-maths-optional-in-high-school-is-a-bad-idea-what-should-happen-instead-252965

MIL OSI Africa –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s message on the 50th Anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention

Source: United Nations – English

oday marks the fiftieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Biological Weapons Convention, the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

Over the past five decades, the Convention has contributed towards collective efforts to reject the use of disease as a weapon.

However, we must remain vigilant. Recent advances in biology hold great promise but also potential risks. The Biological Weapons Convention helps to ensure that such advances are only used for peaceful purposes.

I urge all States parties to engage actively in the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention, and for the Group to accelerate its work so that it can fulfil its mandate in this anniversary year. These efforts reinforce the commitment in the Pact for the Future, adopted at the United Nations last year, for all countries to pursue a world free of biological weapons.

Fifty years after its entry into force, the Biological Weapons Convention now has 188 States parties. I call on the nine governments that have not yet joined the Convention to do so without delay. Together, let us stand united against biological weapons.

***

MIL OSI Africa –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Virtual High-Level Segment of the 16th Petersberg Climate Dialogue [as delivered]

Source: United Nations – English

hank you for this opportunity — and for your focus today on collective climate action and acceleration of implementation.

This could not be more timely.

There is much uncertainty and instability in our world.

But today we meet in the wake of some good news.

Just this morning, the International Renewable Energy Agency officially confirmed that 2024 was a record year for renewables additions to global power capacity.

Renewables represented more than 92 per cent of all new electricity generation capacity installed last year.

The amount of renewables added represents more than the total electricity capacity of Brazil and Japan combined.

Europe’s capacity grew by 9 per cent – with Germany contributing more than one-quarter of that growth. Africa’s capacity grew by almost 7 per cent.

All of this is another reminder of a 21st century truth:

Renewables are renewing economies.

They are powering growth, creating jobs, lowering energy bills, and cleaning our air.

And every day, they become an even smarter investment.

Since 2010, the average cost of wind power has plunged 60%. Solar is 90% cheaper.

In 2023, clean energy sectors accounted for five per cent of economic growth in India and six in the US. It accounted for a fifth of China’s GDP growth, and a third of the EU’s.

The economic case for – and opportunities of – climate action have become ever clearer – particularly for those who choose to lead.

And leadership is what we need – as today’s IRENA report shows:

To accelerate the shift to renewables…

And to correct the imbalances in the transition, which is still starving developing countries – outside China – of the investment needed to fully embrace clean energy.

Excellencies, dear friends,

As the title of this session puts it so well: we are indeed at a turning point to the future.

In the ten years since Paris, we have seen other important progress.

Ninety percent of global emissions are now covered by net-zero targets.

A decade ago, the planet was on course for a global temperature rise of over four degrees Celsius.

Today, countries’ national climate plans – or NDCs – if fully delivered – will take us closer to a 2.6-degree rise.

At the same time, climate challenges are piling up.

It seems records are shattered at every turn — the hottest day of the hottest month of the hottest year of the hottest decade ever.

All of this is hitting the vulnerable hardest, and everyday people in their pockets – with higher living costs, higher insurance premiums, and higher food prices.

Just last week, the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that 2024 was another alarming year:

Almost every climate indicator reached new and increasingly dangerous heights – inflaming displacement and food insecurity and inflicting huge economic losses.

And, for the first time, the annual global temperature was 1.5 degrees Celsius hotter than pre-industrial times.

Scientists are clear – it is still possible to meet the long-term 1.5 degree limit.

But it requires urgent action. And it requires leadership.

Excellencies, dear friends,

I see two critical fronts to drive action.

First, new national climate plans – or NDCs – due by September.

Investors need certainty and predictability.

These new plans are a unique opportunity to deliver – and lay out a coherent vision for a just green transition.

They must align with the 1.5-degree limit, as agreed at COP28. And cover all emissions and the whole economy.

Together, they must reduce global emissions 60% by 2035 – compared to 2019…

And contribute to the COP28 global energy transition goals.

All this must be achieved in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of national circumstances but everybody, everybody must do more.

The G20 – the largest emitters and economies – must lead.

Every country must step up and play their part.

The United Nations is with you all.

President Lula and I are working to secure the highest ambition from the largest economies.

The United Nations Climate Promise is supporting a hundred countries to prepare their new climate plans.

And we will convene a special event in September to take stock of the plans of all countries, push for action to keep 1.5 within reach, and deliver climate justice.

Second, we must drive finance to developing countries.

The COP29 finance agreement must be implemented in full.

I count on the leadership of the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies to deliver a credible roadmap to mobilize $1.3 trillion a year by 2035.

We need new and innovative sources of financing, and credible carbon pricing.

Developed countries must honour their promise to double adaptation finance to at least $40 billion a year, by this year.

And we need serious contributions to the fund for responding to Loss and Damage, and to get it up and running.
Excellencies,

We can only meet these goals with stronger collaboration – between governments, and across society and sectors.

Those that will lag behind need to be not a reason for us to be discouraged but an increase in our commitment to move forward.

The rewards are there for the taking, for all those ready and willing to lead the world through these troubled times.

We are at a turning point. I urge you to seize this moment; and seize the prize.

Thank you.

MIL OSI Africa –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Informal Interactive Dialogue on the Implementation of the Pact for the Future [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English version]

Source: United Nations – English

r. President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this important dialogue — the first of three in the coming months.

From day one of the Pact for the Future’s adoption, the President has been its active champion.

I deeply appreciate your efforts, Mr. President, and your leadership.

Excellencies,

Adopting the Pact was the beginning of the process, not the end.

Today I want to focus on what we have done over the last six months — and what we need to do.

We face a long list of challenges.

Conflicts and climate disasters are intensifying.

The Sustainable Development Goals are far off-track — as is the funding required to achieve them.

Geopolitical divisions and mistrust are blocking effective action, with some actively questioning the value of international cooperation and the multilateral system itself.

But let me be very clear. It is exactly because of these divides and these mistrusts that the Pact for the Future and the two parallel documents are more important than ever. And the bigger the obstacle, the bigger will be my determination to make things move forward in line with the will expressed by Member States in the Summit of the Future.

Meanwhile, critical funding is being drastically cut for people in desperate need — with more reductions to come.

Resources are shrinking across the board — and they have been for a long time.

From day one of my mandate, we embarked on an ambitious agenda to become more effective and cost-effective across our organization.

Earlier this month, I announced the “UN80” initiative to continue this work and intensify it.

We’re reviewing efficiencies and improvements to current arrangements, the implementation of mandates handed down by Member States, and structural changes and programme realignment.

All these will contribute for a more effective implementation of the Pact for the Future.

Excellencies,

We’ve wasted no time moving into the implementation phase of the Pact.

From an operational perspective, we established a principal-level steering committee — which I chair — overseeing six working groups focused on action and reforms in key areas:

Sustainable Development Goals acceleration…peace and security… international financial architecture…digital technologies…UN governance…and youth.

We’ve created two task teams focusing on future generations and the need to look beyond GDP as a measure of progress and guide to policy-making.

And we’re establishing an internal tracking system to monitor our progress on Pact implementation.

Today, I’d like to report on our efforts since the Pact was adopted, and outline the work ahead in four areas.

First — peace and security.

United Nations peace operations help safeguard people and communities in some of the most desperate corners of the world.

The Pact represents a commitment to strengthen tools to prevent and address conflict, to ensure that our peace efforts respond to new and emerging threats.

In November, I issued a report on peacebuilding which included concrete suggestions to strengthen the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund.

We’re actively working on the second independent progress study on the positive contribution of young people to peace processes.

And we’re progressing on a review of all forms of Peace Operations — as requested in the Pact.

Our recent proposals to the Security Council regarding Haiti are a case in point where new approaches can be developed to complex security challenges.

The review will be an opportunity to help adapt peace operations to today’s realities, and ensure they’re guided by clear and sequenced mandates that are realistic and achievable — with viable exit strategies and transition plans.

It will also recognize the limitations of our operations where there is little or no peace to keep.

We will also continue pushing forward on other peace-related priorities of the Pact — including disarmament commitments around nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, lethal autonomous weapons and the growing weaponization of outer space.

And we will continue advocating — including through the intergovernmental negotiations process — for the Pact’s call to make the Security Council more representative of today’s world and more effective in the capacity to promote peace in the world.

Second — finance for development.

Since the Pact’s adoption, we’ve taken action on several fronts.

For example, our Resident Coordinators and Country Teams are now mapping out how we can accelerate progress at the national levels in close cooperation with the Governments.

We’ve begun analyzing the impact of military expenditure on the achievement of the SDGs and on our own work at the UN — with a final report out by September.

The Expert Group called for in the Pact to develop measures of progress that go beyond Gross Domestic Product will soon be announced, and will work throughout the year before an inter-governmental process takes over in 2026.

And we’ve been working closely with the World Bank and the IMF to follow-up on the Pact’s action points addressing improvements to the international financial system.

Developing countries must be represented fairly in the governance of the very institutions they depend on.

We know the environment is not favourable.

But we must not give up.

Since the Pact’s adoption, I have also established an expert group to identify practical steps for action on debt.

In the coming weeks, they will propose a list of achievable outcomes — and release a full report in June in advance of the Financing for Development Conference in Spain.

Debt relief is a central issue if we want the implementation and the Pact for the Future a reality.

At the same time, we will continue advocating to increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, to make them bigger and bolder.

This includes both stretching their balance sheets and recapitalization.

And we must ensure that concessional finance is deployed where it is most needed.

Many of these actions depend on decisions of other multilateral institutions and of Member States, but we will not relent in our constant advocacy for what the Pact for the Future has clearly indicated as the way to pursue.

Three — youth and future generations

Our efforts must deliver for young people and the generations to come.

The Pact’s central promise to young people is to listen to their concerns and ideas, and including them at the decision-making table.

Following the establishment of a UN Youth Office in 2022, young people played a key role in shaping the Pact’s priorities.

With the Pact’s adoption, we’re now progressing towards establishing a Youth Investment Platform to ensure that national funding mechanisms and investment platforms are focused on the needs of young people.

And we’re developing core principles to strengthen youth engagement across our work at the United Nations — including by broadening the representation of younger colleagues within our organizational structures.

Through the Declaration on Future Generations, we’re also looking to the generations yet to be born.

We’ve established a Strategic Foresight Network and Community of Practice, to ensure our policies, programmes and field operations are based on long-term thinking.

And later this year, I will appoint a Special Envoy for Future Generations to scale up these efforts.

Quatrièmement : la technologie.

Nous mettons en œuvre les appels du Pacte mondial pour le numérique pour combler toutes les fractures numériques et veiller à ce que tout le monde puisse bénéficier d’un espace numérique sûr et sécurisé.

L’intelligence artificielle fait l’objet d’une attention particulière.

Nous élaborons un rapport sur les options novatrices de financement volontaire qui permettraient de renforcer les capacités en matière d’intelligence artificielle afin d’aider les pays du Sud à exploiter cette technologie au service de l’intérêt général – en tenant compte des recommandations formulées par mon Organe consultatif de haut niveau.

Un avant-projet de résolution visant à établir le Groupe scientifique international indépendant sur l’IA et à organiser un Dialogue mondial sur la gouvernance de l’IA a été distribué la semaine dernière – grâce au travail des co-facilitateurs, l’Espagne et le Costa Rica.

J’invite l’Assemblée générale à agir rapidement pour mettre sur pied ce Groupe et veiller à ce que le savoir-faire et les connaissances en matière d’IA soient mis à la disposition de tous les pays – tout en soutenant le Dialogue mondial.

L’ensemble du système de l’ONU se tient prêt à soutenir ces travaux.

Excellences,

Tout en défendant ces priorités, nous nous attelons par ailleurs à améliorer l’efficience et l’efficacité de nos opérations – comme l’exige le Pacte.

L’automne dernier, nous avons entrepris une évaluation complète dans l’ensemble des entités de l’ONU afin d’exploiter le potentiel de l’innovation, de l’analyse des données, de la transformation numérique et de la prospective dans l’ensemble de nos travaux – conformément à l’initiative ONU 2.0.

Les résultats sont déjà au rendez-vous : nous avons par exemple été capable de constater une accélération de l’évaluation des catastrophes dans la région Asie-Pacifique, un renforcement des programmes de sécurité sociale au Malawi, ou encore une consolidation des fonctions relatives à l’informatique dans l’ensemble du système des Nations Unies.

Ces efforts, où les données sont une question essentielle pour que nous puissions faire une bien meilleure gestion de ces données – ces efforts doivent se poursuivre, en particulier au regard des problèmes de financement auxquels nous devons faire face.

Nous comptons sur votre soutien pour mener ce travail à bien.

Excellences,

Alors que nous œuvrons pour remodeler le système multilatéral et ainsi relever les défis du monde d’aujourd’hui, le Pacte pour l’avenir est un rouage essentiel de ce processus de renouvellement constant.

Nous ne pouvons pas diluer nos efforts.

Gardons intact l’esprit et la détermination qui ont permis de forger et d’adopter le Pacte.

Nous comptons sur vous pour éclairer, inspirer et guider le travail de mise en œuvre à venir.

Une fois encore, merci pour vos idées et votre engagement.

***
[All-English]

Mr. President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this important dialogue — the first of three in the coming months.

From day one of the Pact for the Future’s adoption, the President has been its active champion.

I deeply appreciate your efforts, Mr. President, and your leadership.

Excellencies,

Adopting the Pact was the beginning of the process, not the end.

Today I want to focus on what we have done over the last six months — and what we need to do.

We face a long list of challenges.

Conflicts and climate disasters are intensifying.

The Sustainable Development Goals are far off-track — as is the funding required to achieve them.

Geopolitical divisions and mistrust are blocking effective action, with some actively questioning the value of international cooperation and the multilateral system itself.

But let me be very clear. It is exactly because of these divides and these mistrusts that the Pact for the Future and the two parallel documents are more important than ever. And the bigger the obstacle, the bigger will be my determination to make things move forward in line with the will expressed by Member States in the Summit of the Future.

Meanwhile, critical funding is being drastically cut for people in desperate need — with more reductions to come.

Resources are shrinking across the board — and they have been for a long time.

From day one of my mandate, we embarked on an ambitious agenda to become more effective and cost-effective across our organization.

Earlier this month, I announced the “UN80” initiative to continue this work and intensify it.

We’re reviewing efficiencies and improvements to current arrangements, the implementation of mandates handed down by Member States, and structural changes and programme realignment.

All these will contribute for a more effective implementation of the Pact for the Future.

Excellencies,

We’ve wasted no time moving into the implementation phase of the Pact.

From an operational perspective, we established a principal-level steering committee — which I chair — overseeing six working groups focused on action and reforms in key areas:

Sustainable Development Goals acceleration…peace and security… international financial architecture…digital technologies…UN governance…and youth.

We’ve created two task teams focusing on future generations and the need to look beyond GDP as a measure of progress and guide to policy-making.

And we’re establishing an internal tracking system to monitor our progress on Pact implementation.

Today, I’d like to report on our efforts since the Pact was adopted, and outline the work ahead in four areas.

First — peace and security.

United Nations peace operations help safeguard people and communities in some of the most desperate corners of the world.

The Pact represents a commitment to strengthen tools to prevent and address conflict, to ensure that our peace efforts respond to new and emerging threats.

In November, I issued a report on peacebuilding which included concrete suggestions to strengthen the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund.

We’re actively working on the second independent progress study on the positive contribution of young people to peace processes.

And we’re progressing on a review of all forms of Peace Operations — as requested in the Pact.

Our recent proposals to the Security Council regarding Haiti are a case in point where new approaches can be developed to complex security challenges.

The review will be an opportunity to help adapt peace operations to today’s realities, and ensure they’re guided by clear and sequenced mandates that are realistic and achievable — with viable exit strategies and transition plans.

It will also recognize the limitations of our operations where there is little or no peace to keep.

We will also continue pushing forward on other peace-related priorities of the Pact — including disarmament commitments around nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, lethal autonomous weapons and the growing weaponization of outer space.

And we will continue advocating — including through the intergovernmental negotiations process — for the Pact’s call to make the Security Council more representative of today’s world and more effective in the capacity to promote peace in the world.

Second — finance for development.

Since the Pact’s adoption, we’ve taken action on several fronts.

For example, our Resident Coordinators and Country Teams are now mapping out how we can accelerate progress at the national levels in close cooperation with the Governments.

We’ve begun analyzing the impact of military expenditure on the achievement of the SDGs and on our own work at the UN — with a final report out by September.

The Expert Group called for in the Pact to develop measures of progress that go beyond Gross Domestic Product will soon be announced, and will work throughout the year before an inter-governmental process takes over in 2026.

And we’ve been working closely with the World Bank and the IMF to follow-up on the Pact’s action points addressing improvements to the international financial system.

Developing countries must be represented fairly in the governance of the very institutions they depend on.

We know the environment is not favourable.

But we must not give up.

Since the Pact’s adoption, I have also established an expert group to identify practical steps for action on debt.

In the coming weeks, they will propose a list of achievable outcomes — and release a full report in June in advance of the Financing for Development Conference in Spain.

Debt relief is a central issue if we want the implementation and the Pact for the Future a reality.

At the same time, we will continue advocating to increase the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, to make them bigger and bolder.

This includes both stretching their balance sheets and recapitalization.

And we must ensure that concessional finance is deployed where it is most needed.

Many of these actions depend on decisions of other multilateral institutions and of Member States, but we will not relent in our constant advocacy for what the Pact for the Future has clearly indicated as the way to pursue.

Three — youth and future generations

Our efforts must deliver for young people and the generations to come.

The Pact’s central promise to young people is to listen to their concerns and ideas, and including them at the decision-making table.

Following the establishment of a UN Youth Office in 2022, young people played a key role in shaping the Pact’s priorities.

With the Pact’s adoption, we’re now progressing towards establishing a Youth Investment Platform to ensure that national funding mechanisms and investment platforms are focused on the needs of young people.

And we’re developing core principles to strengthen youth engagement across our work at the United Nations — including by broadening the representation of younger colleagues within our organizational structures.

Through the Declaration on Future Generations, we’re also looking to the generations yet to be born.

We’ve established a Strategic Foresight Network and Community of Practice, to ensure our policies, programmes and field operations are based on long-term thinking.

And later this year, I will appoint a Special Envoy for Future Generations to scale up these efforts.

Fourth — technology.

We’re implementing the Global Digital Compact’s calls to close all digital divides and ensure all people benefit from a safe and secure digital space.

Artificial Intelligence is a particular focus.

We’re developing a report on innovative voluntary financing options for AI capacity-building to help the Global South harness AI for the greater good, taking into account the recommendations of my High-Level Advisory Body.

The zero draft resolution to establish the International Independent Scientific Panel on AI and convene a Global Dialogue on AI Governance was also circulated last week — thanks to the work of the co-facilitators, Spain and Costa Rica.

I urge the General Assembly to act swiftly to establish this Panel, and ensure that AI expertise and knowledge are available to all countries, while supporting the Global Dialogue.

The UN system stands ready to support this work.

Excellencies,

As we push for these priorities, we’re also improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations, as called for by the Pact.

Last fall, we undertook a comprehensive assessment across UN entities to harness the potential of innovation, data analytics, digital transformation and foresight across our work — as called for in the UN 2.0 initiative.

We’re already seeing results: from speeding-up disaster assessments in the Asia-Pacific, to strengthening social security programmes in Malawi, to consolidating Information Technology functions across the UN System.

This work must continue — especially in light of the funding challenges we face.

We’re counting on your support as we move forward.

Excellencies,

The Pact for the Future is an essential part of this process of constant renewal, as we re-shape the multilateral system for the challenges of today’s world.

We cannot dilute our efforts.

We need to sustain the same spirit and determination in which the Pact was forged and adopted.

We count on you to inform, inspire and guide the implementation work ahead.

Once again, thank you for your ideas and commitment.

MIL OSI Africa –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bill To Put Cameras In Supreme Court

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

March 26, 2025

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation today to require open proceedings of the Supreme Court to be televised. The bipartisan Cameras in the Courtroom Act would require the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court, unless the Court decides, by a majority vote of the justices, that doing so would constitute a violation of the due process rights of one or more of the parties before the Court. U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) introduced the House companion legislation today.

“It’s time to put cameras in the Supreme Court so Americans can finally see arguments and decisions in cases that will affect them for generations to come. This bipartisan bill shines a light into the judicial branch of government so more than just a few hundred lucky Americans can watch proceedings in the Court’s historic halls,” Durbin said.

“The judicial branch has a massive impact on our daily lives and the lives of generations to come, yet few Americans get the chance to see our nation’s courts in action,” Grassley said. “Allowing cameras access to the federal and Supreme Courts would boost transparency and help Americans grow in confidence and understanding of the judiciary.”

“Our nation’s highest court is in desperate need of transparency and reform,” said Connolly. “The Supreme Court is not some mystical priesthood that can operate outside of the public view. It is a coequal branch of government and must be accountable to the American public. Our legislation strengthens efforts to restore trust in an institution that for too long has operated in the dark. It’s time for cameras in the courtroom.”

Historically, oral arguments and other sessions of the Supreme Court are only open to the public in person and on a first-come basis. Those not fortunate enough to get a seat in the Courtroom in the past have had to wait for secondhand accounts from reporters, read transcripts, or listen to audio recordings released later – along with the millions of other Americans who still ought to be able to see and hear these discussions on issues at the forefront of government. In May 2020, the Supreme Court held oral arguments remotely and made the live audio available for the public for the first time as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic – a successful process that has continued since returning to in-person proceedings. However, video of the proceedings remains unavailable.

The Cameras in the Courtroom Act only applies to open sessions of the Supreme Court – sessions where members of the public are already invited to observe in person, but often cannot, because there are a very limited number of unreserved seats in the Courtroom. Allowing public scrutiny of Supreme Court proceedings would produce greater accountability, transparency, and understanding of our judicial system.

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also co-sponsored the legislation.

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: March 26th, 2025 Two New Mexico lawmakers get good grades in congressional report card

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

Sen. Martin Heinrich was more effective than the average senator and Rep. Gabe Vasquez exceeded expectations as a freshman lawmaker during the 118th Congress, according to a report from the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking released Tuesday.

The CEL ranks every member of Congress based on 15 metrics, including how far their bills make it in the legislative process and how substantive those bills are. New Mexico’s congressional delegation was especially effective on issues related to public lands and Native Americans. While the number of stand-alone bills have decreased, there is a notable increase in bills being added to larger omnibus legislation, said CEL Co-Director Alan Wiseman.

“The level of lawmaking that’s occurred across time has been relatively consistent. It’s just happening behind the scenes, so to speak, with members working with each other to compromise,” Wiseman said.

CEL grades lawmakers by the categories of exceeds expectations, meets expectations or does not meet expectations based on how they to compare to lawmakers with similar experience and status.

Senators up for reelection are among the most effective lawmakers in the Senate, the report found. Heinrich was in a high-profile Senate race last year, which he won by a 10-point margin. He ranked the 11th most effective Democratic senator out of 51. He was most effective on issues related to public lands, Native Americans and agriculture.

Heinrich introduced 62 substantive bills, three of which passed the Senate and two of which became law, according to the CEL report. One of those bills was the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, which created a pilot program meant to make mine cleanup easier. One commemorative bill he sponsored with Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., also became law. It designated the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gallup the Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura VA Clinic after the Medal of Honor winner. Commemorative bills are weighted less heavily in the report.

Twelve first-term House representatives exceeded expectations, including Vasquez. The 12 lawmakers may set “the agendas of the Democratic and Republican parties in the future,” the report says. The list also includes Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz. Vasquez and Ciscomani launched the Southwest Caucus in 2023 to advocate for issues like economic development, international trade, border security and conserving public lands.

“While we see a loss of lawmaking capacity as those on our lists of high performers leave Congress, there are also bright spots of newly elected members bringing new ideas and high levels of legislative skill toward the advancement of policy solutions,” the report says.

Vasquez ranked the 50th most effective Democratic member of the House, out of 220. He was most effective on issues related to defense, Native Americans and public lands, according to the CEL report. Vasquez introduced 26 substantive bills, one of which became law. While none of the bills Vasquez sponsored passed into law as stand-alone bills, the report also considers bill text included in larger omnibus bills. Vasquez’s Rural Installation Job Protection Act, which requires the Defense Department to notify Congress before canceling contracts that impact 50 or more jobs at rural military installations, was included in the December National Defense Authorization Act.

The rest of the state’s congressional delegation met expectations. Luján was ranked the 38th most effective Democrat in the Senate. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández was ranked the 66th most effective Democrat in the House, and Rep. Melanie Stansbury ranked 144. Leger Fernández was 16 times more effective on issues related to Native Americans than the average House Democrat. She introduced eight bills related to Native Americans, five of which had action in committee, according to the report. None passed.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Concerns about humanitarian aid in Syria reaching minorities persecuted by Islamists – P-001099/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001099/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Mathilde Androuët (PfE)

Last December, when Islamists took power in Syria, Ursula von der Leyen recalled that the EU had been Syria’s largest donor since 2011, providing EUR 33 billion in humanitarian aid. This, she said, had been done ‘while respecting the principles of no contact, no cooperation, no funding to the Assad regime’[1]. The Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, announced in January that in 2025 the Commission would provide further humanitarian aid to Syrians totalling EUR 235 million[2].

The massacres of civilians committed by Islamist fighters supporting Ahmed al-Sharaa’s ‘provisional government’[3] raise questions about the extremist militias’ intention to allow this aid to be distributed fairly, especially to the Alawite community, but also to the Christians, who urgently need it and who, for political reasons, receive little help from the West[4].

In this context, will the Commission pay particular attention to ensuring that the humanitarian aid is properly distributed, with the same political and ‘ethical’ requirements expressed under the previous regime?

Submitted: 14.3.2025

[1] ‘Press statement by President von der Leyen with President of Türkiye Erdoğan’, European Commission, 17 December 2024.

[2] ‘EU provides €235 million humanitarian aid to Syrians’, European Commission, 17 January 2025.

[3] ‘Massacres en Syrie: les nouvelles autorités mises à l’épreuve par les pires violences depuis la chute d’Al‑Assad’, Franceinfo, Fabien Magnenou, 10 March 2025, https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/revolte-en-syrie/massacres-en-syrie-les-nouvelles-autorites-mises-a-l-epreuve-par-les-pires-violences-depuis-la-chute-d-al-assad_7121439.html.

[4] ‘Les aides financières à la Syrie rétrécissent, la minorité chrétienne en danger’, Vatican News, Delphine Allaire, 19 June 2023, https://www.vaticannews.va/fr/monde/news/2023-06/syrie-chretiens-guerre-moyen-orient-onu-ue-reconstruction-ong.html
Last updated: 26 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 – implementing acts – P-000847/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The intention of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014[1] as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183[2] is to enable all EU citizens and residents to identify in a secure way and under full protection of personal data for online public and private services. Providing digital identification guaranteed by governments to the private sector is therefore a basic objective of the regulation.

In addition, user identification by private services is mandated in paragraph 2 of Article 5f on the cross-border reliance on European Digital Identity Wallets in the basic act.

It specifically states that where ‘… strong user authentication for online identification or where strong user authentication for online identification is required by contractual obligation, including in the areas of transport, energy, banking, financial services, social security, health, drinking water, postal services, digital infrastructure, education or telecommunications, those private relying parties shall, … also accept European Digital Identity Wallets that are provided in accordance with this regulation.’

Relying parties, whether private or public must register in the Member State where they are established in order to rely upon European Digital Identity Wallets.

As noted above, there is already a broad obligation for the private sector to rely upon the European Digital Identity Wallet for user authentication and identification.

As Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 is not regulating how to provide for identity matching for private relying parties, it is up to Member States how to tackle this.

[1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/910/oj/eng

[2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401183
Last updated: 26 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Implementation of the Migration Pact in the context of the Polish Government’s position – temporary protection and financial contributions – P-001105/2025
Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001105/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Waldemar Buda (ECR)

In view of the Polish Government’s position of 4 February 2025 regarding the refusal to implement the Migration Pact and the forced admission of migrants, and in view of the Commission’s answer to parliamentary question E-002557/2024[1], I would like to ask the following question:

Is the definition of temporary protection met by allowing a third-country national to enter the country to seek protection from war?

Since the number of people benefiting from temporary protection is an important factor in assessing whether a Member State is facing a significant migration situation, and since countries are free to choose between different forms of solidarity (relocation, financial contributions, etc.), please answer the following:

Is the definition of financial contributions met by the costs incurred through the payment of social benefits?

Please provide the methodology for assessing the risk of migratory pressure, being under migratory pressure, or facing a significant migratory situation.

Submitted: 14.3.2025

[1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-002557-ASW_EN.pdf
Last updated: 26 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu – E-001163/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001163/2025
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D), Yannis Maniatis (S&D), Nikos Papandreou (S&D)

On 19 March 2025, the Turkish authorities arrested the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, along with around 100 other people, including journalists and business executives. The accusations against him include leadership of a criminal organisation, bribery, manipulating public tenders and aiding a terrorist organisation. The day before his arrest, his degree was annulled in a politically motivated decision, effectively barring him from running in the Turkish presidential elections.

His arrest and this decision come at a time when the Mayor of Istanbul is considered to be one of President Erdoğan’s main political rivals and was a favourite in the primary elections of the Republican People’s Party for the upcoming presidential elections. These developments have raised serious concerns about the transparency of the judicial process, respect for democratic procedures, the situation of the rule of law and freedom of the press in Türkiye.

In view of the above, and given the fact that Türkiye holds EU candidate country status, can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy say:

1.Is the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul compatible with Türkiye’s status as a candidate country and how does she intend to react?

2.What additional measures does the EU intend to take to ensure that Türkiye respects democratic principles, the rule of law and human rights?

3.In light of the latest developments, does the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative consider Türkiye to be a reliable partner for the EU?

Submitted: 19.3.2025
Last updated: 26 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Chinese companies suspected of corruption carrying out European Global Gateway projects – E-001172/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001172/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Mariusz Kamiński (ECR)

China’s economic expansion, particularly in Africa, is a strategic challenge. Chinese companies are active stakeholders in 78 ports in 32 African countries, acting as builders, investors and operators.

However, many Chinese investments lead to over-indebtedness and financial dependence of African countries on Beijing. Experts warn that Chinese companies are being awarded contracts thanks to corruption and government support, and implementing them with minimal involvement of local communities, most of the work being done by Chinese workers using Chinese materials. In addition, the speed of project implementation is coming at the expense of quality. At the same time, China is exploiting African natural resources on a massive scale, leaving no substantial benefits for the local economies. All this while African countries are encouraged to embrace China’s development model and support Beijing on the international stage.

Europe’s response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative was to be the Global Gateway project, which would provide an alternative in the form of transparent and sustainable investments.

China’s expansion in Africa and Latin America was extensively discussed at the latest meeting of the Delegation for Relations with China. However, the experts were unable to answer the following question, which I refer to the Commission:

1.Is it true that contractors for Global Gateway investments include Chinese companies?

2.Given the arguments set out above, does the Commission not consider that Chinese companies which engage in corrupt practices and which benefit from unfair government support should be excluded from tenders funded by European taxpayers?

Submitted: 19.3.2025
Last updated: 26 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Potential financing of EU projects by USAID – E-000928/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000928/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Alexander Jungbluth (ESN)

The United States Governmental Agency for International Development (USAID) is suspected of having hugely influenced the political decision-making process in EU Member States, among others, by making payments in the billions to questionable NGOs and media outlets worldwide. After US President Donald Trump put an end to these alleged illegal activities, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, 63 NGOs tied to George Soros applied for EU funding.[1]

1.Can the Commission confirm that 63 George Soros-linked NGOs have requested EU funding? If so, which ones, how much money has been applied for, for what intended purpose and has any funding been approved?

2.Has the Commission itself or any organisation associated with it ever received money from USAID or any USAID-linked body and, if so, how much and for what purpose?

3.What specific action is the Commission taking to prevent foreign funding from influencing the political decision-making process in EU Member States?

Submitted: 5.3.2025

[1] https://x.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1891788592730476821
Last updated: 26 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Test the e-ID and other electronic credentials free of charge

Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

From today, the public can try out how the electronic identity (e-ID) and other electronic credentials will work in the future. The federal government is providing a free test environment for this purpose. Individuals and public authorities can now develop their own electronic credentials on the trust infrastructure on a trial basis and enjoy the benefits of the e-ID.

MIL OSI Europe News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Provocative EU funding for the jihadist regime that is killing people in Syria – E-001155/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001155/2025
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI), Kostas Papadakis (NI)

A few months after Türkiye, Israel and the US intervened in Syria and jihadists toppled the state, thousands of killings and atrocities have been taking place, with religious and ethnic minorities and political opponents being targeted in particular. The EU, as well as the Nea Dimokratia Government in Greece and the other parties – which had welcomed this intervention by intentionally spreading illusions about an ‘inclusive political process’ and a ‘smooth democratic transition’ – have been proven wrong. It is indicative that the December 2024 European Council conclusions referred to ‘a historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild the country’.

The much-hailed partition of Syria is demonstrably being dictated by major conflicting geostrategic interests pursued by the USA, Türkiye, Israel, Russia, the EU and others, and by the desire of monopolistic groups to exploit the country’s wealth as well as trade and energy corridors.

Can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy answer the following:

1.What view does she take of the fact that the EU is supporting, provocatively defending and providing funding worth EUR 2.5 billion – as announced by the President of the Commission – for the jihadist regime that is killing people in Syria and committing horrific crimes and atrocities against the Syrian people, children, religious and ethnic minorities and political opponents?

2.What view does she take of the fact that the EU and national governments, such as that of Greece, are complicit in promoting the partition of Syria and the persecution of its people?

Submitted: 19.3.2025
Last updated: 26 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Investing in Alberta just got easier
When it comes to setting up shop, any good business owner knows the key to success is location, location, location. Alberta offers thousands of acres of prime real estate in top locations, providing unmatched opportunities for prosperity for businesses and entrepreneurs.

In the face of a changing geopolitical landscape, Alberta’s government remains committed to maintaining a strong business environment that attracts investment, while supporting economic growth and prosperity for Albertans. Alberta’s government is investing in cutting-edge tools and technology to help businesses thrive and attract large-scale investments to the province.

Alberta’s Site Selector Tool is a free online service that helps connect businesses and investors to the best locations in Alberta. It combines real-time property listings with key data on infrastructure and socio-economic insights on communities, making it easy to choose where to expand or invest. With almost 7,000 available properties already featured on the tool, Alberta’s business community is empowered with access to free, easy-to-use data and a platform to pinpoint local opportunities.

“When it comes to innovative solutions for investment attraction, the Alberta Site Selector Tool is best in class and has the potential to help us attract high-quality jobs and billions of dollars in investment.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

With the launch of new features on the tool, Alberta’s government is helping investors take their research to the next level and make their data-driven business decisions even more seamless with enhanced access to information supporting a range of sectors including agriculture, energy, data centres, manufacturing and more.

“Time is money – and Alberta’s improved Site Selector Tool gives businesses the gift of both. By using technology to simplify investment decisions, we’re making Alberta the most attractive and straightforward place to do business in Canada.”

Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation

Investors can now activate new layers of data that capture a property’s proximity to infrastructure such as high-load corridors, mainline railways and international airports as well as high-capacity powerlines, substations, power generation, natural gas service areas and fibre internet. Investors can also access regional statistics on labour force availability, including labour force by occupation and industry, unemployment rates and graduate rates by degree program.

The tool also boasts new functionality that saves investors and regional economic developers time, including the ability to:
- Drop a pin on a map to generate location-specific data.
- Save a custom view of the site that captures preferred filters and data layers.
- Share and add properties to a list of favourites that can be downloaded to a spreadsheet or PDF to view later.
This suite of enhancements was rolled out based on ongoing feedback from users, including municipalities and economic development organizations.

“As the investment attraction agency for the Edmonton Metro Region, Edmonton Global uses the site selector tool regularly to answer questions from prospective investors, partners and team members. This information, along with insights from other data tools, helps us guide investors to make well-informed decisions for their businesses.”

Jeff Bell, director of research & business intelligence, Edmonton Global

Since its launch in April 2024, the Alberta Site Selector Tool has been providing innovative ways for investors to find opportunities in Alberta while enabling economic development partners to promote their communities as a destination of choice to potential investors.

Alberta remains the best place in Canada to invest due to its low tax environment, red tape reduction efforts and business-friendly policies. The Alberta government’s policies are attracting record investment, creating thousands of jobs and further diversifying the economy. Through investments like the Site Selector Tool, Alberta is building on its reputation as a province with unlimited opportunity.

Related information
- Alberta Regional Dashboard & Site Selector
Related news
- New tool making investing even easier in Alberta (April 2, 2024)
MIL OSI Canada News –
March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Tops $2 Billion

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Tops $2 Billion

Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Tops $2 Billion

LOS ANGELES – As of March 25, just over two months since the Los Angeles County wildfires were declared a major disaster by the president, FEMA and its federal partners have made more than $2 billion available to disaster survivors

Federal assistance to eligible homeowners, renters, and businesses, in the form of FEMA grants and low-interest SBA Disaster Loans, has topped $2 billion

That number includes:$101 million in FEMA housing and other needs assistance

$2 billion in home and business loan offers from the SBA, the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain nonprofits

31,941 household have been approved for FEMA funds, including: $24,316,400 in housing assistance for short-term rental assistance and home repair costs$76,431,025 in other essential disaster-related needs, such as expenses related to medical, dental, and lost personal possessions

Two Disaster Recovery Centers remain open at UCLA Research Park and Altadena Recovery Center

In total, the centers have logged 32,511 survivor visits

At the centers, residents may speak in person to representatives from federal and state programs, the American Red Cross and various nongovernmental nonprofits and community groups

In partnership with the State of California, Los Angeles County, and local officials, FEMA will continue helping California’s individuals and families get back on their feet and jumpstart their recovery

The deadline to apply for both FEMA and SBA disaster assistance is March 31, 2025

How To Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance:Online at DisasterAssistance

gov

On the FEMA App

By calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362

If you use a relay service, give FEMA your number for that service

Assistance is available in multiple languages

Lines are open Sunday–Saturday, from 4 a

m

– 10 p

m

Pacific Time

At a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)

To locate a DRC near you, visit the DRC Locator

For an American Sign Language video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster AssistanceApply for SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans:Online at sba

gov/disaster By calling SBA’s Customer Service Center hotline at 800-659-2955

People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability may dial 711 to access relay services

By emailingDisasterCustomerService@sba

govAt a Disaster Recovery Center or Business Recovery Center, where you can submit a completed application or SBA representatives can help you apply

To find a BRC near you, go to Appointment

sba

gov

Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending

sba

gov or other locally announced locations

Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account

For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready

gov, on Instagram @Ready

gov or on the Ready Facebook page

California is committed to supporting residents impacted by the Los Angeles Hurricane-Force Firestorm as they navigate the recovery process

Visit CA

gov/LAFires for up-to-date information on disaster recovery programs, important deadlines, and how to apply for assistance

alberto

pillot
Wed, 03/26/2025 – 17:29

MIL OSI USA News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: One Month of FEMA Assistance in West Virginia; Stay in Touch with FEMA

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: One Month of FEMA Assistance in West Virginia; Stay in Touch with FEMA

One Month of FEMA Assistance in West Virginia; Stay in Touch with FEMA

CHARLESTON, W

Va

– Today, March 26, 2025, marks one month since FEMA Individual Assistance was declared for West Virginia following the winter floods on February 15 – 18, 2025

Since then, FEMA and the state of West Virginia, along with other partner agencies and organizations, have been working to provide resources and connect with the residents in the impacted areas

To date, six counties – Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming – have been designated for Individual Assistance

FEMA Individual Assistance provides assistance to meet basic needs for eligible individuals and households impacted by the winter floods

Additionally, 10 counties have been designated for Public Assistance

FEMA Public Assistance provides grants so that communities, and the general public as a whole, can respond to and recover from the floods

“Under the leadership of Governor Morrisey, the state of West Virginia remains dedicated in its commitment to supporting individuals, families, and communities affected by the winter floods,” said WVEMD Director GE McCabe

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with FEMA, local governments, and communities to ensure those impacted receive the assistance they need

We urge all eligible residents to apply for Individual Assistance and remain in contact with FEMA throughout the recovery process

”If you registered your damages through a state survey, you still need to register separately for FEMA Individual Assistance

The information from the state survey was used to help the damage assistance teams scope the extent of the damages

But residents in the designated counties must additionally apply for FEMA Individual Assistance and may receive help with expenses related to essential items, temporary housing, home repairs, and other needs as a result of the winter flooding

“It has been a remarkable coordinated effort between local, state, and federal agencies to execute response and recovery missions to the residents and communities of West Virginia who were impacted by the storm,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mark O’Hanlon

“FEMA has been working diligently to connect with residents and ensure they have registered for Individual Assistance, by setting up six disaster recovery centers, canvassing communities and speaking to residents at their homes, visiting community locations, and messaging the four ways that residents can apply

We encourage all residents in the six counties to apply for Individual Assistance and to stay in touch with FEMA about the status of their application

” Over 1,600 people have visited a Disaster Recovery Center in West Virginia and more than 3,475 West Virginians have applied for FEMA Individual Assistance

Residents, both homeowners and renters, in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties who sustained losses can apply for Individual Assistance or track the status of their application in several ways:Visiting DisasterAssistance

gov

Downloading the FEMA App

Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

Phone lines are open every day and help is available in most languages

If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service

Speaking with someone in person

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are on the ground in impacted communities, walking door-to-door to share information and help residents apply for FEMA assistance

In coordination with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) and officials in the impacted counties, FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming Counties

At a Disaster Recovery Center, you can get help applying for federal assistance, update your application, and learn about other resources available

Logan County Disaster Recovery CenterMercer County Disaster Recovery CenterSouthern WV Community & Technical College100 College DriveLogan, WV 25601 Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a

m

to 6 p

m

Saturdays: 9 a

m

to 3 p

m

Closed Sundays Lifeline Princeton Church of God250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740 Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a

m

to 5 p

m

Saturdays: 10 a

m

to 2 p

m

Closed Sundays Closed April 26McDowell County (Welch) Disaster Recovery Center McDowell County Disaster (Bradshaw) Recovery Center Board of Education Office900 Mount View High School RoadWelch, WV 24801 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

m

to 6 p

m

Saturday March 29: 9 a

m

to 1 p

m

, weather dependentClosed on SundaysBradshaw Town Hall10002 Marshall HwyBradshaw, WV 24817 Hours of operation:Monday to Saturday: 8 a

m

to 6 p

m

Closed SundaysMingo County Disaster Recovery CenterWyoming County Disaster Recovery CenterWilliamson Campus1601 Armory DriveWilliamson, WV 25661 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

m

to 6 p

m

Saturdays: 9 a

m

to 3 p

m

Closed on SundaysWyoming Court House24 Main AvePineville, WV 24874 Hours of operation:Monday through Friday: 8 a

m

to 6 p

m

Saturdays: 9 a

m

to 3 p

m

Closed on SundaysAs a reminder, accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security – including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs

FEMA assistance does not need to be repaid, but residents should file insurance claims as soon as possible

By law, FEMA cannot cover expenses that have already been covered by other sources like insurance, crowdfunding, local or state programs, donations, or financial assistance from voluntary agencies

The deadline for residents to apply for Individual Assistance is April 28, 2025, and when applying for FEMA Individual Assistance, provide your 911 address as the location at the time of disaster to ensure accuracy in your application

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd

wv

gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www

fema

gov/disaster/4861, and www

facebook

com/FEMA

### FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters

Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account

Also, follow on X FEMA_Cam

For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready

gov, on Instagram @Ready

gov or on the Ready Facebook page

kelly

magarity
Wed, 03/26/2025 – 13:12

MIL OSI USA News –

March 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: ABC South East Breakfast with Eddie Williams

Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

EDDIE WILLIAMS: Well, tax cuts for all workers. Energy Bill Relief. But Budget deficits as far as the eye can see. They are some of the takeaways from the Federal Budget, with a closer look at what it might mean closer to home. Kristy McBain is the Member for Eden-Monaro and the Minister for Regional Development and Local Government. Good morning.

KRISTY MCBAIN: Good morning, Eddie.

WILLIAMS: What practical difference will this Budget make in the South East?

MCBAIN: As you said, there are two new rounds of tax cuts. They’re modest tax cuts, but when they’re combined with the tax cuts that are already in the system, on average by 2026-27, Eden-Monaro taxpayers will be getting an average tax cut of $2,169. Modest changes for the next two years as those two rounds come in, but when we look at the cumulative total, that is good news for workers right across our communities. Obviously, the new round of Urgent Care Clinics, another 50 to the 87 that are already out there in our communities. One of those areas is going to be in the Bega Valley.

WILLIAMS: Whether it’s health or whether it’s housing, the challenges that regional and rural Australia face play out a bit differently to those in the city. The National Rural Health Alliance says there’s a lack of a targeted strategy to address those unique health challenges in rural communities. Is the Government taking any specific steps to address those specific issues in regional Australia?

MCBAIN: We’ve obviously made an announcement about $8.5 billion to strengthen Medicare. There’s a huge amount of money in there, which is all about the health workforce. $662.6 million, which is about growing our health workforce. There’ll be hundreds more GP and rural generalist training places. There are 100 more Commonwealth supported university places for medical students from next year. There are hundreds of scholarships for nurses and midwives to continue to grow their skill set. There are more incentives for our doctors to work in regional and rural Australia, and that builds on our previous announcement to wipe HECS for doctors and nurse practitioners to work in rural and remote Australia. We know it’s really important to deal with the health workforce side of things. It’s not a quick fix to grow our doctor numbers and make sure that they’re trained up and ready to go in our regions, which is why we’re investing really heavily in it. It’s something that should have been happening for decades and unfortunately wasn’t. We’ve seen the freezing of Medicare rebates, which has significantly hampered GP numbers, but we are seeing more students go through and enter our GP training courses now than we have seen in a number of years.

WILLIAMS: The Budget is forecast to remain in structural deficit for the next decade. Net debt is rising. Is the Government making any effort at all to pay down Australia’s debt?

MCBAIN: We’ve made some significant inroads into that. We’ve reduced the overall national debt by over $170 billion. It will mean that as taxpayers, we’re paying $70 billion less in interest on that debt. Even in this Budget, there’s been $2 billion worth of savings found. Over the four budgets we’ve done there’s been $90 billion of savings made through cutting wastage and rorts, and making sure our departments are working efficiently and effectively. We’ve seen the fruits of that labour by making sure we’ve got Government departments working well. During Cyclone Alfred, where NEMA did such a fantastic job of coordinating response and recovery efforts. Where Services Australia were out on the ground making sure payments were rolled out to people directly impacted. The national emergency stockpile delivering out sandbags, pre-placing generators, and making sure we had a heavy lift helicopters pre-placed in Queensland and New South Wales. You can see the fruits of better, more effective coordination when it comes to those real time disasters.

WILLIAMS: 7:15 on ABC South East. If you want to have your say on the Budget, you can call or text 0467 902 684. Joe raises the issue of Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred, and she says she’s disappointed that the Budget doesn’t seem to have anything new on climate adaptation or emissions reduction. Is that an area where the Government’s dropped the ball?

MCBAIN: We’ve been the only Government to really take forward climate action for decades. A legislated emissions reduction target. There’s been significant work on pre-preparing places by having the National Emergency Management Agency set up, which came into effect after we took Government. We’ve had the Disaster Ready fund, which is all about resilience and mitigation in our communities. Something that local governments and insurance companies were calling for to make sure our infrastructure was ready to go. We’ve seen that with the Watergums Bridge in Womboin, a significant investment by the three levels of government to ensure that a community doesn’t get cut off every time it rains and there is a flood. So there’s been some heavy work in that space and that will continue.

WILLIAMS: Phil at Bombala asks why Australia can’t build manufacturing again to survive a changing world. The Government’s spoken a lot about its Future Made in Australia policies. How realistic is a manufacturing industry future in Australia?

MCBAIN: We’ve said from day one that we need to invest heavily in a Future Made in Australia, and in our last Budget we committed $22 billion towards that very thing. We’ve seen with our National Reconstruction Fund, equity stakes taken in manufacturing mining equipment in Toowoomba, working with some of our defence primes to manufacture more things in this country. There is a significant commitment to making sure we manufacture more in Australia, including the stake that we’ve taken now in South Australian steel manufacturing. It is really important as a country that is a little bit further away from the rest of the world, that we do learn the lessons of COVID, that we are more self-sustainable, and we’re a Government that’s committed to that and putting money into it.

WILLIAMS: Will you match the funding commitment that the coalition has made to help upgrade the bigger pool?

MCBAIN: I’ll have more to say in the coming days and weeks on my election commitments for the Bega Valley and for Eden-Monaro as a whole, but I’m incredibly proud to have secured tens of millions of dollars in funding for local roads, for community infrastructure, and for other critical projects to date. The way I work is working with our local communities to make sure projects that are funded are key priorities.

WILLIAMS: Kristy McBain, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.

MCBAIN: Good to be with you.

MIL OSI News –

March 27, 2025

MIL-OSI: Snail, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2024 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CULVER CITY, Calif., March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNAL) (“Snail” or “the Company”), a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2024 Highlights

ARK: Survival Ascended. On October 25, 2023, the Company launched its flagship remake of the ARK franchise leveraging Unreal Engine 5’s stunning graphics and introduced a game-altering cross-platform modding system, ushering in a new era of creativity.
- ARK: Survival Ascended was ranked the top #1 selling game on Steam on launch day.
- Since its launch, ARK: Survival Ascended sold 3.4 million units and has an average of 94,000 daily active users (“DAUs”) with a peak of 308,000 DAUs.
ARK: Survival Evolved. In the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, ARK: Survival Evolved averaged a total of 136,000 DAUs and 135,000 DAUs, respectively.
- ARK: Survival Evolved units sold were approximately 621,000 for the fourth quarter 2024 as compared to 745,000 units during the same period in 2023.
- Units sold for the year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately 2.3 million, as compared to 4.4 million units during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Product and Business Updates:
- Game portfolio expansion: In December 2024, we released the highly anticipated next-gen ARK mobile game, ARK Ultimate Mobile Edition on iOS and Android platforms. In the launch month, over 2 million users downloaded the mobile game across the two mobile platforms. In an effort to further broaden our game portfolio, we acquired eleven games through our gaming network and partners in 2024. We expect to release nine acquired games in 2025. A few notable titles include Honeycomb: The World Beyond – A sci-fi survival adventure where players assume the role of a bioengineer navigating the mysterious planet Sota7, Echoes of Elysium – an airship survival RPG set in a breathtaking procedural world of mystery and discovery, and Robots at Midnight – a retro-futuristic action-RPG aiming to captivate players with its dynamic gameplay and immersive storytelling.
- New Product Segment: To bring more entertainment to our users, we have soft launched a short film mobile application on iOS and Android platforms. The short film mobile application, SaltyTV, brings exclusive, original stories from heart-racing thrillers to jaw-dropping romances to our viewers. We have released thirty-one short film dramas to date and expect a consistent roll out of new short film dramas throughout 2025 and beyond.
- Growing Indie Portfolio: Snail Games showcased its expanding indie catalog at Steam Scream Fest, featuring a variety of immersive and genre-diverse titles that enhance player engagement and reinforce the company’s presence in the indie gaming space.

Net revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $26.2 million as compared to $28.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues during the three months ended December 31, 2024 was due to a reduction in sales of ARK that was partially offset by the recognition of deferred revenues upon the release of ARK: Survival Ascended DLC’s.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $84.5 million, an increase of $23.6 million, or 38.7%, compared to $60.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net revenues was due to an increase in recognition of deferred revenues of $32.2 million related to the ARK franchise, an increase in Bellwright sales of $5.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in total ARK sales of $13.0 million, a decrease in ARK Mobile sales of $1.0 million and a decrease in the Company’s other titles of $0.7 million.

Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $1.1 million compared to a net income of $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in net income is a result of increased research and development costs of $3.0 million to support our future game releases partially offset by an increase in gross profit of $1.4 million, a decrease in advertising and marketing expenses of $0.9 million and an increase in expenses related to the revaluation of outstanding and exercised warrants of $1.5 million.

Net income was $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to a net loss of $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing an increase of $10.9 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in net revenue of $23.6 million, decreased general and administrative expenses of $2.9 million, partially offset by increased research and development costs of $6.5 million, increased costs of revenues of $5.9 million, a decrease in income tax benefit of $3.0 million and an increase in expenses related to the revaluation of outstanding and exercised warrants of $1.2 million..

Bookings for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $17.0 million as compared to $52.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to the strong release of ARK: Survival Ascended on the Steam, PlayStation and Xbox platforms in 2023.

Bookings for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $75.7 million as compared to $85.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was due to increased sales at a higher average selling price (“ASP”) driven by the release of ARK: Survival Ascended in the fourth quarter of 2023. The releases of Bobs Tall Tales and Bellwright along with the ARK: Survival Ascended DLCs, Scorched Earth in April 2024, Aberration in September 2024 and Extinction in December 2024 partially offset the decrease in unit sales in 2024 but each product release was at a lower ASP than the initial release of ARK: Survival Ascended.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the three months ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $2.0 million, or 55.6%, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in net income of $1.3 million, a decrease in interest expense and interest expense – related parties of $0.4 million, and a decrease in provision for income taxes of $0.3 million.

EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $3.2 million as compared to a loss of $9.7 million in the prior year period. EBITDA increased by $12.9 million, or 133.4%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily because of an increase in net income of $10.9 million and a decrease in the benefit from income taxes of $3.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense and interest expense – related parties of $0.8 million.

As of December 31, 2024, unrestricted cash was $7.3 million versus $15.2 million as of December 31, 2023.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, Snail believes Bookings and EBITDA, as non-GAAP measures, are useful in evaluating its operating performance. Bookings and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that are presented as supplemental disclosures and should not be construed as alternatives to net income (loss) or revenue as indicators of operating performance, nor as alternatives to cash flow provided by operating activities as measures of liquidity, both as determined in accordance with GAAP. Snail supplementally presents Bookings and EBITDA because they are key operating measures used by management to assess financial performance. Bookings adjusts for the impact of deferrals and, Snail believes, provides a useful indicator of sales in a given period. EBITDA adjusts for items that Snail believes do not reflect the ongoing operating performance of its business, such as certain non-cash items, unusual or infrequent items or items that change from period to period without any material relevance to its operating performance. Management believes Bookings and EBITDA are useful to investors and analysts in highlighting trends in Snail’s operating performance, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which Snail operates and capital investments.

Bookings is defined as the net amount of products and services sold digitally or physically in the period. Bookings is equal to revenues, excluding the impact from deferrals. Below is a reconciliation of total net revenue to Bookings, the closest GAAP financial measure.

	Three Months Ended December 31,					Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2024			2023		2024			2023
	(in millions)
Total net revenue	$	26.2		$	28.6	$	84.5		$	60.9
Change in deferred net revenue		(9.2	)		24.0		(8.8	)		24.8
Bookings	$	17.0		$	52.6	$	75.7		$	85.7

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before (i) interest expense, (ii) interest income, (iii) income tax provision (benefit from) and (iv) depreciation expense. The following table provides a reconciliation from net income (loss) to EBITDA:

	Three Months Ended December 31,					Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2024			2023		2024			2023
	(in millions)
Net income (loss)	$	1.1		$	2.4	$	1.8		$	(9.1	)
Interest income and interest income – related parties		(0.1	)		–		(0.3	)		(0.1	)
Interest expense and interest expense – related parties		0.1			0.5		0.7			1.5
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		0.3			0.6		0.6			(2.4	)
Depreciation expense		0.2			0.1		0.4			0.4
EBITDA	$	1.6		$	3.6	$	3.2		$	(9.7	)

Webcast Details

The Company will host a webcast at 4:30 PM ET today to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results. Participants may access the live webcast and replay on the Company’s investor relations website at https://investor.snail.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “predict,” “continue,” “estimate” and “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Snail’s intent, belief or current expectations. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of Snail’s business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. The statements Snail makes regarding the following matters are forward-looking by their nature: growth prospects and strategies; launching new games and additional functionality to games that are commercially successful; expectations regarding significant drivers of future growth; its ability to retain and increase its player base and develop new video games and enhance existing games; competition from companies in a number of industries, including other casual game developers and publishers and both large and small, public and private Internet companies; its ability to attract and retain a qualified management team and other team members while controlling its labor costs; its relationships with third-party platforms such as Xbox Live and Game Pass, PlayStation Network, Steam, Epic Games Store, My Nintendo Store, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store and the Amazon Appstore; the size of addressable markets, market share and market trends; its ability to successfully enter new markets and manage international expansion; protecting and developing its brand and intellectual property portfolio; costs associated with defending intellectual property infringement and other claims; future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the ongoing conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, on its business and the global economy generally; rulings by courts or other governmental authorities; the Company’s current program to repurchase shares of its Class A common stock, including expectations regarding the timing and manner of repurchases made under this share repurchase program; its plans to pursue and successfully integrate strategic acquisitions; and assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

Further information on risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect Snail’s financial results are included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Snail, and Snail does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

About Snail, Inc.

Snail is a leading, global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs and mobile devices.

For additional information, please contact: investors@snail.com


Snail, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets
	*December 31, 2024*			*December 31, 2023*

ASSETS

Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,303,944		$	15,198,123
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $523,500 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023		9,814,822			25,134,808
Accounts receivable – related party		2,336,274			–
Loan and interest receivable – related party		105,759			103,753
Prepaid expenses – related party		2,521,291			6,044,404
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,846,024			639,693
Prepaid taxes		7,318,424			9,529,755
Total current assets		31,246,538			56,650,536

Restricted cash and cash equivalents		935,000			1,116,196
Accounts receivable – related party, net of current portion		1,500,592			7,500,592
Prepaid expenses – related party		9,378,594			7,784,062
Property, plant and equipment, net		4,378,352			4,682,066
Intangible assets, net		973,914			271,717
Deferred income taxes		10,817,112			10,247,500
Other noncurrent assets		1,683,932			164,170
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		1,279,330			2,440,690
Total assets	$	62,193,364		$	90,857,529

LIABILITIES, NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	4,656,367		$	12,102,929
Accounts payable – related parties		15,383,171			23,094,436
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		4,499,280			2,887,193
Interest payable – related parties		527,770			527,770
Revolving loan		3,000,000			6,000,000
Notes payable		–			2,333,333
Convertible notes, net of discount		–			797,361
Current portion of long-term promissory note		2,722,548			2,811,923
Current portion of deferred revenue		3,947,559			19,252,628
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		1,444,385			1,505,034
Total current liabilities		36,181,080			71,312,607

Accrued expenses		265,251			254,731
Deferred revenue, net of current portion		21,519,888			15,064,078
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		57,983			1,425,494
Total liabilities		58,024,202			88,056,910

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ Equity:
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 9,626,070 shares issued and 8,275,795 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024, and 9,275,420 shares issued and 7,925,145 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023		962			927
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,748,580 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.		2,875			2,875
Additional paid-in capital		25,738,082			26,171,575
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(279,457	)		(254,383	)
Accumulated deficit		(12,117,385	)		(13,949,325	)
Treasury stock at cost (1,350,275 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023)		(3,671,806	)		(3,671,806	)
Total Snail, Inc. equity		9,673,271			8,299,863
Noncontrolling interests		(5,504,109	)		(5,499,244	)
Total stockholders’ equity		4,169,162			2,800,619
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ equity	$	62,193,364		$	90,857,529


Snail, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

	Three months ended December 31,						Years Ended December 31,
	*2024*			*2023*			*2024*			*2023*

Revenues, net	$	26,214,296		$	28,570,222		$	84,467,047		$	60,902,098
Cost of revenues		14,866,526			18,646,615			54,236,342			48,306,403

Gross profit		11,347,770			9,923,607			30,230,705			12,595,695

Operating expenses:
General and administrative		3,943,985			3,900,961			12,867,210			15,816,088
Research and development		4,123,964			1,165,382			11,647,293			5,057,421
Advertising and marketing		192,235			1,094,146			1,523,398			1,582,464
Depreciation		68,420			86,222			303,714			432,306
Loss on disposal of fixed assets					427						427
Total operating expenses		8,328,604			6,247,138			26,341,615			22,888,706

Income (loss) from operations		3,019,166			3,676,469			3,889,090			(10,293,011	)

Other income (expense):
Interest income		35,451			31,443			260,679			129,854
Interest income – related parties		504			504			2,005			2,000
Interest expense		(88,776	)		(570,523	)		(723,038	)		(1,531,719	)
Other income (expense)		(1,527,706	)		(55,351	)		(981,223	)		265,980
Foreign currency transaction loss		43,741			(42,574	)		11,686			(68,180	)
Total other income (expense), net		(1,536,786	)		(636,501	)		(1,429,891	)		(1,202,065	)

Income (loss) before benefit from income taxes		1,482,380			3,039,968			2,459,199			(11,495,076	)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		362,623			643,728			632,124			(2,400,652	)

Net income (loss)		1,119,757			2,396,240			1,827,075			(9,094,424	)

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(215	)		(1,128	)		(4,865	)		(8,349	)

Net income (loss) attributable to Snail, Inc.	$	1,119,972		$	2,397,368		$	1,831,940		$	(9,086,075	)

Comprehensive income (loss) statement:

Net income (loss)	$	1,119,757		$	2,396,240		$	1,827,075		$	(9,094,424	)

Other comprehensive income (loss) related to currency translation adjustments, net of tax		(48,600	)		33,302			(25,074	)		52,817

Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,071,157		$	2,429,542		$	1,802,001		$	(9,041,607	)

Net income (loss) attributable to Class A common stockholders:
Basic	$	248,176		$	516,955		$	400,576		$	(1,960,813	)
Diluted	$	248,176		$	516,955		$	400,576		$	(1,960,813	)

Net income (loss) attributable to Class B common stockholders:
Basic	$	871,796		$	1,880,413		$	1,431,364		$	(7,125,262	)
Diluted	$	871,796		$	1,880,413		$	1,431,364		$	(7,125,262	)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and B common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.03		$	0.07		$	0.05		$	(0.25	)
Diluted	$	0.03		$	0.07		$	0.05		$	(0.25	)

Weighted-average shares used to compute income (loss) per share attributable to Class A common stockholders:
Basic		8,183,918			7,914,564			8,045,469			7,909,715
Diluted		8,183,918			7,914,564			8,045,469			7,909,715

Weighted-average shares used to compute income (loss) per share attributable to Class B common stockholders:
Basic		28,748,580			28,748,580			28,748,580			28,748,580
Diluted		28,748,580			28,748,580			28,748,580			28,748,580


Snail, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

*For the years ended December 31,*	*2024*			*2023*

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	1,827,075		$	(9,094,424	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Amortization – intangible assets, net		7,804			1,384,862
Amortization – loan origination fees and debt discounts		62,855			124,595
Accretion – convertible notes		222,628			306,664
Loss on change in fair value of warrant liabilities		1,332,815			32,883
Depreciation – property and equipment		303,714			432,306
Stock-based compensation expense		(890,208	)		848,035
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets		–			427
Credit losses		–			581,498
Deferred taxes, net		(569,601	)		(2,644,964	)

Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		15,319,987			(18,939,465	)
Accounts receivable – related party		3,663,726			3,824,775
Prepaid expenses – related party		1,928,581			(8,245,966	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(1,206,331	)		501,104
Prepaid taxes		2,211,331			–
Other noncurrent assets		(1,523,065	)		–
Accounts payable		(7,183,648	)		2,992,856
Accounts payable – related parties		(8,001,265	)		3,176,177
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		46,542			626,764
Interest receivable – related party		(2,005	)		(2,000	)
Lease liabilities		(266,800	)		(205,520	)
Deferred revenue		(8,849,259	)		24,765,261
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(1,565,124	)		465,868

Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments on promissory note		(89,374	)		(79,897	)
Repayments on notes payable		(2,333,333	)		(6,500,000	)
Repayments on convertible notes		(1,020,000	)		–
Repayments on revolving loan		(3,000,000	)		(3,000,000	)
Borrowings on notes payable		–			3,000,000
Cash proceeds from exercise of warrants		220,000			–
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes		–			847,500
Refund of dividend withholding tax overpayment		–			1,886,600
Purchase of treasury stock		–			(257,093	)
Payments of offering costs in accounts payable		(262,914	)		(342,318	)
Release of restricted escrow deposit		–			1,003,804
Net cash used in financing activities		(6,485,621	)		(3,441,404	)

Effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents		(24,630	)		51,670

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents		(8,075,375	)		(2,923,866	)

Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period		16,314,319			19,238,185

Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents – end of period	$	8,238,944		$	16,314,319

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	467,188		$	934,523
Income taxes	$	(1,100,302	)	$	248,388
Noncash finance and investing activity during the period for:
Debt converted to equity	$	(60,000	)	$	–
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for a lease liability	$	(85,588	)
Liabilities converted to equity upon exercise of warrants	$	176,750
Acquisition of software in accounts payable – related parties	$	290,000		$	–
Acquisition of license rights in accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	420,000		$	–
Issuance of warrants in connection with equity line of credit	$	–		$	(105,411	)

The MIL Network –

March 27, 2025

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