Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Global: South Africa hasn’t given individuals access to the African Court – this needs to be fixed

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Frans Viljoen, Professor of International Human Rights Law, Centre for Human Rights, and acting SARChI Chair in International Constitutional Law, University of Pretoria

US President Donald Trump’s second term has brought South Africa’s domestic human rights record into stark international prominence. Based on misinformation, Trump’s anti-South African campaign seems designed to weaken South Africa’s image as an international torch bearer for human rights.

At the heart of the issue lies American resentment about South Africa’s submission in December 2023 to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of a case alleging that Israel has violated the 1948 Genocide Convention.

South Africa has won accolades for its principled and courageous submission of the ICJ case. Nevertheless, its role in advancing human rights on the African continent has been more ambiguous.

My research has focused on the African regional human rights architecture, set up under the African Union (AU) as a continental bulwark for human rights. The primary continental judicial body for human rights is the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, based in Arusha, Tanzania.

South Africa has fallen short in one key aspect when it comes to championing human rights on the continent: it has failed to sign up to accepting direct individual access to the court. This matters because almost all cases submitted to and decided by the court have reached it in this way.

South Africa’s role in African human rights system

One of the first human rights treaties South Africa formally accepted after its full embrace of democracy in 1994 is the core African Union human rights treaty, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Since then, it has made significant contributions to the charter monitoring body, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Two prominent South African human rights experts served as members of the 11-member continental human rights watchdog. Professor Barney Pityana, who was also the first chair of the South African Human Rights Commission, served between 1997 and 2003; and Advocate Pansy Tlakula, who had been the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, served from 2005 to 2017.

When the idea of establishing a continental human rights court to complement the protective mandate of the African Commission was flagged, South Africa played a pivotal role by stepping forward to host the inaugural drafting meeting for the enabling instrument, bringing together experts from around the continent to Cape Town in 1995.

This was the first building block that culminated in the adoption of an optional protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, allowing for the creation of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

South Africa was also one of the first states to accept the court’s jurisdiction in 2002. Today, 34 of the 55 African Union member states have formally accepted the protocol, thereby agreeing to the court’s jurisdiction. Two South Africans have been part of the 11 judges of the court.

Since it became operational, the African Court has adjudicated several human rights cases, including those affecting marginalised groups such as persons with albinism in Tanzania.

In these cases, the court has been instrumental in defining the scope of human rights guarantees under the charter and related treaties. It also defined appropriate measures that states should take to respect, protect and fulfil these rights.

A missing piece

South Africa falls short when it comes to the most crucial measure of the African Court – the acceptance of direct individual access.

A case by an individual or group against a state party to the charter can end up before the court in one of two ways.

First, a case can reach the court indirectly, via the commission. In this scenario, an individual initially submits a case alleging human rights violations by a state to the commission. The commission then has a discretion to refer the case to the African Court. This access route applies to all 34 states that have become party to the court protocol. However, this route has yielded a very small number of cases – three in total – being submitted to the court.

Complex reasons account for this. One of them seems to be linked to an unfortunate institutional turf war between the commission and the court, manifesting itself in an unwillingness on the part of the commission to have its findings ‘reviewed’ by the court.

Second, a case can reach the court directly, when an individual or nongovernmental organisation (NGO), after exhausting domestic remedies, submits a case directly. But this is only possible if a state has made a declaration to accept the competence of individuals and NGOs with observer status with the commission to directly access the court.

So far, the majority of cases handled by the African Court reached it along this avenue. Around 260 judgements have been delivered in respect of direct access cases.

Of the 34 states parties accepting the court’s jurisdiction, only seven currently allow their nationals direct access to the court. They are Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mali, Niger and The Gambia. While 12 states have made the optional declaration, five of them have subsequently changed their mind, and withdrawn their optional acceptance of direct access to the court. Rwanda was the first to withdraw its acceptance, in 2016. The most recent withdrawal, on 7 March 2025, was by Tunisia.

The reasons for withdrawal differ. But a common thread is the aggravation of governments for being held accountable by the court for human rights violations, often of the most marginalised persons, or of political opponents of the ruling government.

The most immediate consequence of these withdrawals has been a drop in the number of cases submitted to the African Court. In 2024, only 15 new cases were submitted. There were 66 in 2019.

Why direct individual access matters

It’s not clear why South Africa has not (yet) accepted direct access to the court. But there are compelling reasons for it to do so.

First, allowing direct access from South African courts to the African Court would serve to complement domestic human rights protection by allowing for redress and reparations beyond the national level. This will be in line with the South African constitution. It will also be in line with the principle of subsidiarity, in terms of which recourse to the African Court will only be possible after all domestic remedies had been exhausted.

Second, bolstering the effectiveness of the court is an investment in African institutions, and will underscore South Africa’s full embrace of its African identity. And if it accepts the court’s direct access jurisdiction, it will become the AU member state with the largest population and economy to do so.

The right moment

The court protocol, which South Africa has ratified, requires that a declaration accepting direct individual access be made. The relevant provision (article 34(6)) stipulates that state parties to the court protocol are required to (“shall”) make such a declaration. What is left to the discretion of states is the timing. According to the protocol, these states “shall” do so “at the time of the ratification of this protocol or any time thereafter”.

There has never been a more opportune and important time for South Africa to make this declaration.

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights risks being underused and receding into irrelevance. This is happening in a landscape increasingly inimical to rights and rights institutions. South Africa should signal to other states that it accepts independent judicial scrutiny of its human rights record as the logical end result of having helped create the African Court.

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

– ref. South Africa hasn’t given individuals access to the African Court – this needs to be fixed – https://theconversation.com/south-africa-hasnt-given-individuals-access-to-the-african-court-this-needs-to-be-fixed-252749

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Discover stories from ‘The Saff’ at Leicester Museum
Source: City of Leicester

A NEW exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery will tell the story of the city’s Saffron Lane in the words of the people who live and work in the area.

Opening on Saturday (22 March), Popping to the Shops: Saffron Lane looks at the development of the Saffron Lane estate in the 1920s, the working men’s clubs that provided entertainment for the new community, and the enterprising locals who converted their front rooms into mini convenience stores and hair salons, before purpose-built shops arrived in the area.

Oral histories, recorded with past tenants, capture residents’ first impressions of their new homes on the estate – which welcomed its first residents in 1925 and was the first large-scale housing development to be built in Leicester after the First World War.

One tenant, who moved into her new home on ‘The Saff’ in the 1930s, likened it to ‘paradise’, having running water, a bath and a separate bedroom for the children. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see how she may have decorated her brand new home, thanks to a display of early 20^th century furniture and household items from the museum’s collection.

Another resident, who moved to The Fairway in 1926, remembers the downside of moving onto a brand new estate, with churned-up mud surrounding the houses until the road was constructed, and the Midland Red bus stop a long walk away at the top of Saffron Lane.

There were very few local amenities on the estate when the first residents moved in, but oral histories featured in the exhibition recall the milkman who would come from Countesthorpe, the dairy that sold milk on Cyprus Road, the mobile greengrocer with an open-backed van, the baker with his basket of hot cross buns, and Tommy Newby’s, the grocer, where the boxes were piled high and the cat sat on the bacon slicer!

Tommy Newby’s may be long gone, but the Saffron Lane businesses that serve the community today are at the heart of the new exhibition.

These include a locksmith at number 575 that’s been trading in Leicester since 1717 and on Saffron Lane since 1990, an optician at number 441 where the mannequins in the attic provided a clue to the building’s previous incarnation as a haberdashery, and a copy shop at 196B that started life selling furniture, until demand for its photocopying and printing services changed the focus of the business completely.

In total, eight current Saffron Lane businesses feature in the exhibition, with each of them generously giving up their time to be photographed by exhibition photographer Leila Houston and supporting the project by sharing their stories.

Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “This brilliant new exhibition shines a light on the people and businesses that help to give Saffron Lane its strong sense of identity and community.

“It’s 100 years this year since the first residents moved onto the Saffron Lane estate, giving us the perfect opportunity to listen to their stories and look back at the estate’s history, while meeting some of the people who live and work in the area today.

“I’m very grateful to everyone who has donated items to the exhibition and given their support to this project. Thanks to their generosity, our museum staff have been able to bring the story of ‘The Saff’ to life in an exhibition that I’m sure will be popular with visitors.”

Popping to the Shops: Saffron Lane opens at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday (22 March) and runs until 31 August. Admission is free.

Much of the historical information in the exhibition has been drawn from ‘The Story of the Saff’, edited by local historian Cynthia Brown, published in 1998 and featuring the memories of the Saffron Past & Present Group.

The new exhibition follows on from the success of Popping to the Shops: Narborough Road, which launched in January 2024 and is currently on display at Newarke Houses Museum until 27 April.

Both exhibitions are supported using public funding from Arts Council England

Popping to the Shops: Saffron Lane is dedicated to the memory of Philip French, the museum’s former social history curator, who died in November 2024.

Picture caption: Shops on Saffron Lane in 1980

Note to editors:

The eight Saffron Lane businesses that have given their support to the project and are featured in Popping to the Shops are:
- Fix My Bike (FMB), 210 Saffron Lane
- Bettinson Ltd Kitchen Design, 212 Saffron Lane
- The Bread Basket, 581 Saffron Lane
- Morgan’s Locksmith, 575 Saffron Lane
- Saffron Eyecare, 441 Saffron Lane
- Brush & Blade Barbers, 447 Saffron Lane
- TFG Copyprint, 196B Saffron Lane
- Millennium Fish Bar, 553 Saffron Lane
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homes in the district to benefit from £8m energy efficiency boost

Source: City of Canterbury

Home » Latest News » Homes in the district to benefit from £8m energy efficiency boost

The energy efficiency of hundreds of council homes will be dramatically boosted after Canterbury City Council was awarded £6.6m through the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund – the biggest payout in Kent.

The money will add to the £11.25m the council has put aside in its Housing Revenue Account capital budget over the next three years.

The money will be used to insulate homes and install high-performance windows and doors to keep in the heat and to replace or upgrade heating systems.

The measures chosen in each property included in the project will be individually-tailored based on assessments which are already underway.

Welcoming the cash from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNEZ), Cllr Pip Hazelton, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This huge investment in our council homes will add immeasurably to the quality of life for those people living there.

“With much less energy wasted, their homes will be warmer and, importantly, their gas and electricity bills will fall meaning they have more money in their pockets.”

Now the size of the grant has been confirmed by the government, officers are working on a detailed plan for delivering the work.

On top of this money, the council was also awarded £1.5m as part of the government’s Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme.

This pot of money is aimed at people on low incomes in privately owned or rented homes whose Energy Performance Certificate is between D and G.

It could pay for insulation, solar panels or even air source heat pumps.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Mel Dawkins, said: “More than £8m in government money dedicated to making people’s homes more energy efficient, less carbon hungry and cheaper to run has to be embraced.

“It represents a significant step on our journey to creating a net zero district for everyone.

“But this is where the hard work begins – our plans added to the money received now needs to turn into action on the ground.”

Arrangements are currently being put in place to administer the Warm Homes: Local Grants scheme and the council will publicise the fact applications are open.

Published: 20 March 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 20 March 2025 News release WHO calls for urgent action to address worldwide disruptions in tuberculosis services putting millions of lives at risk
Source: World Health Organisation

On the occasion on World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, marked on 24 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for an urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain tuberculosis (TB) care and support services for people in need across regions and countries. TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for over 1 million people annually bringing devastating impacts on families and communities.

Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000. However, the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding happening now are threatening to reverse these gains. Rising drug resistance especially across Europe and the ongoing conflicts across the Middle-East, Africa and Eastern Europe, are further exacerbating the situation for the most vulnerable.

Under the theme Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, World Tuberculosis Day 2025 campaign highlights a rallying cry for urgency, and accountability and hope. “The huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years are now at risk as cuts to funding start to disrupt access to services for prevention, screening, and treatment for people with TB,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we cannot give up on the concrete commitments that world leaders made at the UN General Assembly just 18 months ago to accelerate work to end TB. WHO is committed to working with all donors, partners and affected countries to mitigate the impact of funding cuts and find innovative solutions.”

Funding: threat to global TB efforts

Early reports to WHO reveal that severe disruptions in the TB response are seen across several of the highest-burden countries following the funding cuts. Countries in the WHO African Region are experiencing the greatest impact, followed by countries in the WHO South-East Asian and Western Pacific Regions. Twenty seven countries are facing crippling breakdowns in their TB response, with devastating consequences, such as:
- Human resource shortages undermining service delivery;
- Diagnostic services severely disrupted, delaying detection and treatment;
- Data and surveillance systems collapsing, compromising disease tracking and management;
- Community engagement efforts, including active case finding, screening, and contact tracing, deteriorating, leading to delayed diagnoses and increased transmission risks.
- Addressing TB service disruptions urgently, ensuring responses match the crisis’s scale;
- Securing sustainable domestic funding, guaranteeing uninterrupted and equitable access to TB prevention and care;
- Safeguarding essential TB services, including access to life-saving drugs, diagnostics, treatment and social protections, alongside cross-sector collaboration;
- Establishing or revitalizing national collaboration platforms, fostering alliances among civil society, NGOs, donors, and professional societies to tackle challenges;
- Enhancing monitoring and early warning systems to assess real-time impact and detect disruptions early.
MIL OSI United Nations News –
March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Statement on International Day of La Francophonie

Source: Government of Canada News

March 20, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, today issued the following statement:

“Every year on March 20, we celebrate the International Day of La Francophonie, an opportunity to highlight the richness and vitality of the French language, an essential part of our heritage and daily life as Canadians. Much more than a shared language, French represents the values of peace, democracy and solidarity embodied by the Organization of La Francophonie’s [OIF’s] member states and governments across 5 continents. This solidarity is more important than ever if we are to find solutions to the economic, social, climate and security challenges we face.

“The theme of this year’s International Day of La Francophonie, Je M’Éduque, Donc J’Agis [I educate myself, therefore I act], puts the focus on education to equip French-speaking communities to meet global challenges. It reminds us of the long-standing efforts of the OIF, its operators and its members to improve access to quality education for all.

“The French-speaking world is a space of dialogue, exchange and opportunity. It enables us to strengthen our cultural, diplomatic and economic ties and encourages us to capitalize on its significant business and investment growth potential. Canada joins the OIF in encouraging French-speaking companies and business networks to explore new markets and create alliances, notably through La Francophonie’s economic and commercial missions, the next of which will be held in Benin in June 2025.

“Today, let us celebrate the dynamism, vitality and diversity of Francophone communities around the world, especially in Canada. Long live the French language! Long live La Francophonie!”

MIL OSI Canada News –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Let’s celebrate International Day of La Francophonie!

Source: Government of Canada News

GATINEAU, March 20, 2025

La Francophonie is a place to share, exchange and innovate that extends beyond Canada’s borders. On this International Day of La Francophonie, we celebrate not only the French language, but also the people around the world who speak it with pride. This day allows us to highlight the contributions of Francophones and Francophiles, their vitality and creativity, and their commitment to promoting the French language in all spheres of Canadian society.

A vibrant Francophonie depends on education. It is in this spirit that our government recently announced a major investment with the signing of the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction (2024–2028). This protocol, with a federal investment of $1.4 billion, strengthens collaboration with the provinces and territories to support minority-language education and second-language teaching across the whole country. It provides funding for the recruitment and retention of teachers in French-language minority schools and teachers of French as a second language, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all.

The federal government’s commitment to the Francophonie gives it a strong voice on the international stage. As a founding member and key partner of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), Canada continues to support the influence of French on the international stage, in the fields of culture and the economy, as well as diplomacy and knowledge. This year, Nova Scotia joined the OIF as an observer member, further strengthening Canada’s presence within the larger Francophone family.

As Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant, I invite you to celebrate the richness and diversity of the Francophonie. Discover Francophone artists, explore the diversity of French-speaking cultures in Canada, take part in the many activities being organized across the country, or share your thoughts on social media using the hashtags #Francophonie and #MonthOfLaFrancophonie. Together, let’s keep our Francophonie alive, help it grow and give it the place it deserves. Happy International Day of La Francophonie!

MIL OSI Canada News –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Starmer’s plan to ‘build baby build’ risks more American-style car-dominated sprawl

Source: The Conversation – UK – By James White, Professor of Planning and Urban Design, University of Glasgow

The UK’s Labour government has promised to “take an axe to red tape” through “bold reforms to the planning system”. It hopes to kickstart economic growth by generating the “biggest building boom in a generation”.

It seems that the aim to “build baby build”, in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s words, trumps all else. However, this raises important questions about the government’s parallel ambition to reach net zero by 2050.

As researchers of urban planning, we worry that plans to hand more power to developers will simply result in more low-density, car-dependent suburbs. These developments are cheap and efficient to build, which is why they underpin the profits of the larger housebuilders.

But research has consistently demonstrated they are land hungry, poorly designed, unsustainable and damaging to nature.

The UK instead needs a fundamental rethink of its approach to housing and development as part of the transition to a low carbon future. Any future urban growth must be achieved while simultaneously reducing the amount of land, energy and materials used.

Redesigning existing towns and cities

We recently launched a research project, Urban Retrofit, to explore how the UK’s towns and cities can be redesigned to support the transition to net zero. The good news is that we already know a lot about how to make places more environmentally sustainable.

It is about renovating buildings to improve energy efficiency, like adding insulation and installing things like heat pumps. It includes building at higher densities, using brownfield land better, and adapting streets to encourage safer walking and cycling.

We can make it easier to travel on public transport and seamlessly transfer between buses, trains and trams. And we can plant indigenous trees and plants to provide wildlife habitats and cool urban areas, and slow down rainwater to help prevent floods.

Skyscrapers and renovated warehouses in Manchester.
Alejandro M. Ferrer / shutterstock

A retrofitting approach to urban development can also have wider benefits, such as bringing derelict buildings back into use or creating spaces to grow food. It is important that these efforts do not exacerbate existing inequalities, though.

If higher density neighbourhoods are created in places with high house prices, for example, it will be essential to guarantee people can still afford to live in them. This will mean building more social housing.

Some of the initiatives outlined in Labour’s planning reforms recognise the need to build more sustainably. These include support for some more affordable housing, and higher density development allowed “near transport hubs” and “central to local communities”. It also includes financial packages for local authorities seeking to “unlock housing on brownfield sites”.

Low density and car-dependent

The bad news is that there is little evidence that greener urban growth can be realised without further harming the environment. The necessary transformation certainly won’t happen without curbing the development industry’s appetite for the energy-inefficient, low-density and car-dependent neighbourhoods, retail parks and workplaces that already sprawl around the edges of urban areas.

And that won’t be possible while politicians fall back on blaming an already under-resourced planning system, rather than tackling this deeper problem in our approach to development.

Policy support for brownfield development is unlikely to convince housebuilders to take on these financially risky sites. This is especially true if, under Labour’s other proposals, local authorities will be required to grant developers planning permission on previously undeveloped land.

The government is already redefining parts of the green belt as grey belt to make more land available for development. And much of that land will be in precisely those locations developers prefer, on the edges of settlements where costs are usually lower, profits are higher and sites are relatively similar and easier to develop.

Building new homes here is easy and cheap – but worse for the environment.
Nick Beer / shutterstock

As the planning system is pushed to make ever more land available for development, Labour’s reforms will embolden the industry to continue seeking permission for unsustainable urban expansion.

An array of landowners, developers, land agents, lawyers, consultants, builders and shareholders will likely make a lot of money. But more people will be locked into unsustainable lifestyles while time, resources and energy are focused away from the challenges of adapting our existing settlements.

As our project is exploring, there is an urgent need to first retrofit within existing towns and cities, especially in suburban areas that were built for the automobile age.

This will require much more positive ambitions for the planning system and big changes to the ways the development industry operates. It will also require a willingness to ask much more searching questions about the sustainability of going all out for growth.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

James White receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. He is Principal Investigator of Urban Retrofit (ES/Z50278/1) and Co-Investigator of the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (ES/W012278/1).

Andy Inch receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. He is Co-investigator on both Urban Retrofit (ES/Z502728/1) and another project called Planning for Nature (ES/Z503459/1)

– ref. Starmer’s plan to ‘build baby build’ risks more American-style car-dominated sprawl – https://theconversation.com/starmers-plan-to-build-baby-build-risks-more-american-style-car-dominated-sprawl-251316

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Grateful Dead at 60: three folklore tales that inspired the band’s music

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Max Bowden, PhD Candidate, impact and influence of the Grateful Dead, University of Essex

Dead & Company, the latest and most enduring post-Grateful Dead project, is about to take to the stage for the second time at the Las Vegas Sphere. The lineup contains original Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir, and one of two original drummers, Mickey Hart. They’re joined by the singer-songwriter John Mayer on lead guitar, Oteil Burbridge on bass and Jay lane on second drums.

It has now been 60 years since the Grateful Dead formed. The US rock band first played at Ken Kesey’s “acid tests” in La Honda, California, in 1965. There, attendees would consume large doses of LSD and spend the night enjoying psychedelic projections and the Dead’s intermittent musical stylings.

Before this, a number of the band members had well-established careers in the Californian Bay Area folk scene. Lead guitarist Jerry Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter performed folk and bluegrass together in the early 1960s.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions was another project that involved a number of artists who would go on to form the Grateful Dead. The band’s innate chaos was already clear. Playing an early gig at a coffee house, they were described by the host as “just a panic to watch”.

This chaotic approach is something that continued. Speaking to Rolling Stone in 1971, Garcia said: “Hunter and I always had this thing where we liked to muddy the folk tradition by adding our own versions of songs … taking a well-founded tradition and putting in something that’s totally looped”.

This revitalising understanding of folk adds an element of Grateful Dead fun, contributing to some of their most enduring and interesting songs. Here are three examples of the folk tales that inspired their music.

1. Stagger Lee (1978)

On Christmas Day 1895, two Texans named Lee “Stack” Shelton and Billy Lyons had a disagreement, which ended with Billy snatching Stack’s hat, and Stack shooting him to get it back. This simple story blossomed over time, often richly embellished, into song, folk tale and theatre.

Hunter and the Dead turned the classic folk tale of murder on its head. In most songs about the incident, the focus is on the slightly renamed “Stagger Lee” and “Billy DeLyon”. Most renditions focus on the details and morality of the murder, or the nuance of Stagger as a proto-gangster, and a victim of racist policing.

Grateful Dead performing Stagger Lee in 1978.

The version that the Grateful Dead released is different, with only the first verse dedicated to the murder itself. The body of the song centres the journey of widowed Deliah DeLyon, now in pursuit of justice.

She first pleads with a policeman for help saying “you’ll arrest the girls for turning tricks, but you’re scared of Stagger Lee,” before going to the bar herself, emasculating Stagger Lee, and dragging him to city hall.

These changes attack hyper-masculine versions of the song and suggest an alternate perspective that prioritises the previously unheard.

2. Casey Jones (1970)

Casey Jones (1863-1900) was a renowned train engineer from Mississippi. He was known for his punctuality and skill, but was killed in a wreck after missing a signal in dense fog.

Jones was the only fatality in the train crash and his actions are said to have saved the passengers and the train’s fireman. Just like Stagger Lee, this folk hero has been sung about from many different perspectives.

In the one folk rendition, covered by Pete Seeger, Jones was a union scab, crashing his train though a slavish obedience to his bosses. In Johnny Cash’s song, he was a true hero. But in Grateful Dead’s song, he was a cocaine-addicted speed freak.

Grateful Dead performing Casey Jones in 1977.

By bringing Casey Jones into the 1970s, the Dead sought to use folk to give a contemporary moral warning. Hunter philosophises throughout, referencing both the story of the crash and his own shortsightedness when he writes “got two good eyes, but we still don’t see”.

The Grateful Dead’s approach to folk is at once firmly rooted in tradition and with one foot in the future.

3. Terrapin Station (1977)

The first part of one of the Dead’s most famous musical suites is an adaptation of The Lady of Carlisle.

This folk song tells a story of a lady choosing between two suitors – a soldier and a sailor. To decide, she throws her fan into a lion’s den and challenges the men to retrieve it.

In traditional versions of the song the lady is fragile, becoming catatonic after delivering her challenge, but Hunter’s changes to the song elevate her. This section of the suite, Lady with a Fan, weaves this into an overarching narrative about the illuminating power of stories.

Grateful Dead performing Terrapin Station in 1977.

In the song, a speaker is retelling the story of The Lady of Carlisle while a magical fire conjures images as they happen. Here we see the protagonist emboldened, her “eyes alight with glowing hair,” and much more directly telling the men “I will not forgive you, if you will not take the chance”.

After the sailor retrieves the fan, the meta-narrative challenges the listener. “You decide if he was wise,” the narrator sings, telling us “the storyteller makes no choice”. Hunter and the Dead again seek to use folklore to explore narrative and stories, their powerful influence on the world and our perspective.

This visionary approach to folk helped ground the band’s musical catalogue in history, elevating folk music and offering curious listeners threads that lead into the narrative past.

Max Bowden received a bursary from the Folklore Society.

– ref. Grateful Dead at 60: three folklore tales that inspired the band’s music – https://theconversation.com/grateful-dead-at-60-three-folklore-tales-that-inspired-the-bands-music-249798

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: UK businesses face a big tax hike. So what does it mean for workers and the economy?

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Phil Tomlinson, Professor of Industrial Strategy, Co-Director Centre for Governance, Regulation and Industrial Strategy (CGR&IS), University of Bath

The hospitality sector will be among the most seriously affected. cktravels.com/Shutterstock

Employers in the UK are about to be hit with a hefty tax rise. From April 1 2025, their national insurance contributions are rising to 15% on salaries above £5,000, instead of 13.8% on salaries above £9,100.

Unsurprisingly, business owners are not happy. Since the change was announced last autumn, many have complained about the effect it will have on their ability to invest and hire staff. Care homes, supermarkets and GP surgeries are among those who have voiced their concerns, and a recent survey found that 54% anticipate raising prices.

Some industries will be affected more than others. The hospitality sector, for example, expects around £1 billion in additional costs (alongside an inflation-busting minimum wage increase, which also comes into play on April 1). Partly because of these changes, manufacturing confidence has already taken a hit, contributing to a decline in overall GDP since the start of the year.

But Rachel Reeves, the UK’s chancellor, has not budged, arguing that she needs to raise £40 billion in tax revenue to fund infrastructure and public services, and to address what she calls a “black hole” in the public finances.

She had previously condemned the Conservative government’s employer national insurance hike in 2022 as a “tax on jobs”. Yet a Labour party manifesto pledge not to raise personal income tax, employees’ national insurance or VAT, has effectively left her with few options.

As a result, the burden has been placed firmly on businesses. But in the UK’s sluggish economy, any added cost pressures could push struggling firms into pay freezes and cutbacks.

Others may seek ways to mitigate the national insurance rise through creative accounting, by offering salary sacrifice schemes (such as cycle-to-work or electric vehicle purchase programmes) instead of direct wage increases.

Some firms will no doubt explore other cost-cutting measures, such as reducing office space by encouraging more remote work. Or they may shift towards gig economy models, where they employ workers as “subcontractors” rather than as salaried staff. Larger firms might even move jobs abroad.

Productivity push?

But there could be an upside to all of this. Despite being politically sensitive, there is an economic argument for raising employment costs as a way of driving innovation and productivity. And some enterprising businesses may respond to the financial pressure by investing in labour-saving technology.

For years the UK has relied on a low-wage, loosely regulated labour market. This has allowed businesses to hire and fire with ease, but has also led to persistently low levels of investment and weak productivity growth.

Put simply, UK workers are often using outdated tools and equipment, making them less productive compared with their international competitors. Over time, this depresses wages, lowers economic growth (and living standards) and limits funding (through tax raised) for public services.

Raising employment costs may now incentivise businesses to invest in automation and efficiency-enhancing technologies. The feasibility of this shift depends on what economists call the “elasticity of substitution” – the ease with which labour can be replaced by technology while maintaining (or improving) output.

And evidence suggests automation and AI can drive productivity improvements even in traditionally labour-intensive industries. For instance, in social care, AI may be used to create personalised treatment plans, while robots could provide patients with physical, social and cognitive support.

So far, the UK care sector has been slow to adopt such technology, lagging behind the likes of Australia, the Netherlands and Japan.

Robotic care.
Stock-Asso/Shutterstock

Similarly, in hospitality, there are opportunities to use AI for predictive ordering and automated waste management. This could help hotels and restaurants reduce food waste, streamline supply chains and improve their profitability. Some businesses are also exploring robotic concierge services and automated customer interactions.

Incentives and stability

To ensure businesses embrace these productivity-boosting innovations, government support is essential. A well-designed industrial strategy is still needed to position the UK at the forefront of the “industry 4.0” technological revolution.

Read more:
The UK’s new industrial strategy is welcome, but here’s what is missing

And, critically, businesses also need confidence in the broader economic outlook. Yet with continuing geopolitical uncertainty, trade tensions and fears of a global recession, the future feels fragile.

The government’s challenge lies in encouraging businesses to adopt a strategy which ensures that investment in innovation actually materialises, and the benefits emerge swiftly. If businesses fail to adapt, or if productivity gains take too long, then the national insurance hike could just result in higher costs without any boost to growth.

Ultimately, success hinges on whether businesses view this tax rise as a burden to absorb or an incentive to modernise. In the coming months and years, the government will need to show it is willing to offer businesses more support – and improve their confidence levels – if there is to be a revival in investment and productivity.

Phil Tomlinson receives funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for Made Smarter Innovation: Centre for People-Led Digitalisation, and from the Innovation and Research Caucus (IRC).

David Bailey receives funding from the ESRC’s UK in a Changing Europe Programme.

– ref. UK businesses face a big tax hike. So what does it mean for workers and the economy? – https://theconversation.com/uk-businesses-face-a-big-tax-hike-so-what-does-it-mean-for-workers-and-the-economy-252325

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Debate over H-1B visas shines spotlight on US tech worker shortages

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Moshe Y. Vardi, Professor of Computer Science, Rice University

Babson College graduate students from India type on their computers in Wellesley, Mass., on June 30, 2016. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

A heated debate has recently erupted between two groups of supporters of President Donald Trump. The dispute concerns the H-1B visa system, the program that allows U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations – mostly in the tech industry.

On the one hand, there are people like Donald Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon, who has called the H-1B program a “total and complete scam.” On the other, there are tech tycoons like Elon Musk who think skilled foreign workers are crucial to the U.S. tech sector.

The H-1B visa program is subject to an annual limit of new visas it can issue, which sits at 65,000 per fiscal year. There is also an additional annual quota of 20,000 H-1B visas for highly skilled international students who have a proven ability to succeed academically in the United States.

The H-1B program is the primary vehicle for international graduate students at U.S. universities to stay and work in the United States after graduation. At Rice University, where I work, much of STEM research is carried out by international graduate students. The same goes for most American research-intensive universities.

As a computer science professor – and an immigrant – who studies the interaction between computing and society, I believe the debate over H-1B overlooks some important questions: Why does the U.S. rely so heavily on foreign workers for the tech industry, and why is it not able to develop a homegrown tech workforce?

The US as a global talent magnet

The U.S. has been a magnet for global scientific talent since before World War II.

Many of the scientists who helped develop the atomic bomb were European refugees. After World War II, U.S. policies such as the Fulbright Program expanded opportunities for international educational exchange.

Attracting international students to the U.S. has had positive results.

Among Americans who have won the Nobel Prize in chemistry, medicine or physics since 2000, 40% have been immigrants.

In 2023, U.S.-born Louis Brus, left, shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry with U.S. immigrants Alexei Ekimov, born in the former USSR, and Moungi Bawendi, born in France.
AP Photo

Tech industry giants Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google were all founded by first- or second-generation immigrants. Furthermore, immigrants have founded more than half of the nation’s billion-dollar startups since 2018.

Stemming the inflow of students

Restricting foreign graduate students’ path to U.S. employment, as some prominent Trump supporters have called for, could significantly reduce the number of international graduate students in U.S. universities.

About 80% of graduate students in American computer science and engineering programs – roughly 18,000 students in 2023 – are international students.

The loss of international doctoral students would significantly diminish the research capability of graduate programs in science and engineering. After all, doctoral students, supervised by principal investigators, carry out the bulk of research in science and engineering in U.S. universities.

It must be emphasized that international students make a significant contribution to U.S. research output. For example, scientists born outside the U.S. played key roles in the development of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. So making the U.S. less attractive to international graduate students in science and engineering would hurt U.S. research competitiveness.

Computing Ph.D. graduates are in high demand. The economy needs them, so the lack of an adequate domestic pipeline seems puzzling.

Where have US students gone?

So, why is there such a reliance on foreign students for U.S. science and engineering? And why hasn’t America created an adequate pipeline of U.S.-born students for its technical workforce?

After discussions with many colleagues, I have found that there are simply not enough qualified domestic doctoral applicants to fill the needs of their doctoral programs.

In 2023, for example, U.S. computer science doctoral programs admitted about 3,400 new students, 63% of whom were foreign.

It seems as if the doctoral career track is simply not attractive enough to many U.S. undergrad computer science students. But why?

The top annual salary in Silicon Valley for new computer science graduates can reach US$115,000. Bachelor’s degree holders in computing from Rice University have told me that until recently – before economic uncertainty shook the industry – they were getting starting annual salaries as high as $150,000 in Silicon Valley.

Doctoral students in research universities, in contrast, do not receive a salary. Instead, they get a stipend. These vary slightly from school to school, but they typically pay less than $40,000 annually. The opportunity cost of pursuing a doctorate is, thus, up to $100,000 per year. And obtaining a doctorate typically takes six years.

So, pursuing a doctorate is not an economically viable decision for many Americans. The reality is that a doctoral degree opens new career options to its holder, but most bachelor’s degree holders do not see beyond the economics. Yet academic computing research is crucial to the success of Silicon Valley.

A 2016 analysis of the information technology sectors with a large economic impact shows that academic research plays an instrumental role in their development.

Why so little?

The U.S. is locked in a cold war with China focused mostly on technological dominance. So maintaining its research-and-development edge is in the national interest.

Yet the U.S. has declined to make the requisite investment in research. For example, the National Science Foundation’s annual budget for computer and information science and engineering is around $1 billion. In contrast, annual research-and-development expenses for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, have been close to $50 billion for the past decade.

Universities are paying doctoral students so little because they cannot afford to pay more.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at a Google I/O event in Mountain View, Calif., on May 14, 2024.
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

But instead of acknowledging the existence of this problem and trying to address it, the U.S. has found a way to meet its academic research needs by recruiting and admitting international students. The steady stream of highly qualified international applicants has allowed the U.S. to ignore the inadequacy of the domestic doctoral pipeline.

The current debate about the H-1B visa system provides the U.S. with an opportunity for introspection.

Yet the news from Washington, D.C., about massive budget cuts coming to the National Science Foundation seems to suggest the federal government is about to take an acute problem and turn it into a crisis.

Moshe Y. Vardi receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the US Office of Naval Research.

– ref. Debate over H-1B visas shines spotlight on US tech worker shortages – https://theconversation.com/debate-over-h-1b-visas-shines-spotlight-on-us-tech-worker-shortages-248711

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Fourth and Final Reviews of Kosovo’s Stand-By Arrangement and Resilience and Sustainability Facility Arrangement
Source: IMF – News in Russian

IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Fourth and Final Reviews of Kosovo’s Stand-By Arrangement and Resilience and Sustainability Facility Arrangement

March 20, 2025

End-of-mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.
- The IMF staff and Kosovo authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the Fourth and final Reviews under the Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) Arrangement. Completion of the Reviews will make available SDR 13.35 million (€16.34 million) under the SBA and SDR 7.74 million (€9.48 million) under the RSF. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, with Board consideration expected in May. The authorities intend to continue treating the SBA as precautionary, not drawing on the resources.
- Program performance has also been strong. The authorities met all quantitative performance criteria, indicative targets (ITs) and structural benchmarks for the Reviews. Reforms and implementation of the green agenda, supported by the SBA and the RSF, have progressed
- Economic performance has remained strong with robust GDP growth and disinflation. Outlook is favorable but is subject to uncertainty, including from international geopolitical developments.
Pristina, Kosovo – March 20, 2025:An IMF mission, led by David Amaglobeli, visited Pristina during March 12–21, to hold discussions on the Fourth Reviews of Kosovo’s Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) Arrangement. At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Amaglobeli issued the following statement:

“The authorities have maintained strong performance under the SBA and RSF. All end-December quantitative and indicative targets (ITs) for the Fourth Reviews have been met, and all end-March ITs are on track to be met. The authorities have been advancing on structural reforms by strengthening liquidity forecasting capacity at the Ministry of Finance and embarking on a major reform to modernize financial sector supervision. The authorities have also implemented, with a short delay, the remaining RSF reform measure—launch of the wind power tender.”

“The two-year IMF-supported programs have yielded significant results. Macroeconomic fundamentals have been strengthened by sustaining robust growth despite a challenging external environment, curbing inflation after the post-pandemic surge, and enhancing formal sector employment. Growth reached 4.4 percent in 2024 driven by private consumption and investment, which helped offset the effects of a widening trade deficit and slowing remittances. Growth is expected to remain at 4 percent in 2025. After two years of elevated pressures, inflation fell in 2024, averaging 1.6 percent, as food and transport inflation eased. The external current account deficit widened to 9 percent of GDP in 2024, up from 7.5 percent in 2023, reflecting increased imports driven by strong domestic demand.”

“Prudent fiscal policy has helped keep deficits and debt low and fiscal buffers strong. Deficits were modest at 0.2 and 0.3 percent of GDP in 2023 and 2024, respectively; public debt fell below 17 percent of GDP in 2024—the lowest level since 2017. Treasury deposits at the CBK—a key buffer against shocks—increased to €575 million by end-2024. Successful fiscal reforms have bolstered revenue collection, with the tax-to-GDP ratio reaching 26½ percent of GDP in 2024—the highest ever. Transparency has improved, including for public enterprises and key institutions, such as tax administration. Public financial management (PFM) reforms have led to more effective execution of the public investment program. Additionally, reforms implemented under the RSF, the first in Europe, have facilitated efforts to double renewable energy generation capacity, improve energy efficiency and cut pollution.”

Looking ahead, the authorities should continue implementing prudent fiscal policies anchored in a sound, rules-based framework to ensure sustainable fiscal outcomes, foster growth, advance social priorities, and enhance resilience. Continued revenue administration reforms will create much-needed fiscal space for increased social and capital investments, while PFM reforms will enhance the efficiency and impact of government spending. EU accession efforts will be key to mobilize additional financial resources to address Kosovo’s large developmental needs. Amid rising uncertainty, strong fiscal buffers and enhanced crisis preparedness remain essential to safeguard stability and resilience.”

“The CBK has made impressive progress in advancing financial sector reforms. These aim at enhancing stability, resilience, and modernization to support activity. The CBK has successfully implemented important internal institutional reforms to boost effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency. The CBK is undergoing an IMF-led Central Bank Transparency Code (CBT) assessment and a governance audit by a peer central bank, underscoring its commitment to best practices. In addition, several major initiatives are underway to modernize the financial sector regulatory framework, aligning it more closely with EU standards. Central to this is the ongoing adoption of the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP)—widely regarded as the most advanced and structured supervisory framework—to enhance risk-based bank supervision. The CBK is also developing and operationalizing a macroprudential policy framework and strengthening crisis preparedness, including through recently-extended ECB backstop (€100 million). Increased premiums from banks to the Deposit Insurance Fund provided additional safety cushion Significant strides were made to integrate with the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and develop the regional TIPS Clone instant payments system. These initiatives will foster a faster, safer, and more cost-effective payments landscape, benefiting businesses and citizens while enhancing regional integration.”

These reforms have supported rapid, healthy expansion of the financial sector. After growing by 17 percent in real terms in 2024, private sector credit peaked in 2024, exceeding 56 percent of GDP. Financial inclusion also improved, with bank or e-money account ownership and settlement via the Kosovo Interbank Payment System (KIPS) increasing. The newly launched Platform for Comparison of Financial Products and Services should help enhance financial literacy and transparency. Against this backdrop, the banking sector remains profitable and well-capitalized with low levels of NPLs. Maintaining this stability will require continued vigilance and proactive risk management.”

“The mission met with Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi, Minister of Finance, Labor, and Transfers Murati, Minister of Economy Rizvanolli, Central Bank Governor Ismaili, and other senior officials, civil society, private sector and international partners. The mission thanks them and their technical staff for constructive discussions and cooperation during this mission.”

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Camila Perez

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/03/20/pr2571-kosovo-review-sba-rsf

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
March 21, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Article IV Consultation with Belgium

Source: IMF – News in Russian

March 20, 2025

Washington, DC: On March 18, 2025, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Belgium, and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting.^{^[1]}

The Belgian economy was resilient to a series of shocks, but growth has been slowing, and core inflation remains persistent. Labor productivity growth remained sluggish, and labor-cost competitiveness has declined. Successive shocks have increased structural fiscal deficits and public debt. Risks arising from deepening geoeconomic fragmentation and intensification of regional conflicts affecting energy, trade and financial spillovers could worsen the outlook.

Executive Board Assessment^[2]

In concluding the 2025 Article IV consultation with Belgium, Executive Directors endorsed staff’s appraisal, as follows:

Notwithstanding its resilience, the Belgium economy faces significant challenges. In the short term, in an increasingly uncertain environment, policies need to see disinflation through while preserving growth and financial stability. From a longer perspective, policies need to rebuild buffers, reduce vulnerabilities associated with high and rising public debt, address spending pressures from aging and the green transition, foster higher growth, and improve the external position which, in 2024, was weaker than implied by medium-term fundamentals and desirable policies based on preliminary assessment. The policy agenda of the new government, which includes significant structural reforms and fiscal consolidation, is an opportunity to make headway. Steady and timely implementation of intended reforms will be key.

Sustained and significant fiscal consolidation is needed. Considering the magnitude of the needed adjustment to bring the deficit durably below 3 percent of GDP and put debt solidly on a downward path, staff supports the government’s intention to pursue a seven-year adjustment under the EGF, which should be accompanied by credible and front-loaded growth-enhancing reforms. An annual reduction in the structural primary balance of about 0.6 ppt of GDP until 2031 will be necessary. The forthcoming MTFSP should be built on sufficiently conservative assumptions to lower the risk of deviating from the intended path of deficit reduction.

The adjustment should rationalize current spending, make room for more public investment, and be supported by increased efficiency of spending. Rationalizing social benefits and the public wage bill is crucial to achieve savings. Public investment should be preserved, or ideally, increased to bolster potential growth and support green transition. Amid competing demands for resources and reduced fiscal space, improving the efficiency of spending, is critical, notably with respect to investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

Fiscal reforms are crucial to support the adjustment. Staff welcomes the government’s intention to reduce the tax burden on labor while introducing capital gain taxation and reducing tax expenditure. Considering the needed overall fiscal adjustment, tax reforms should not result in lower revenue. Similarly, staff welcomes the planned reforms aimed at raising the effective retirement age and reviewing eligibility to specific pension regimes. This is necessary to preserve the sustainability of the pension system despite aging. Staff also encourages the authorities to strengthen the overall fiscal framework, through a revitalized fiscal council and greater accountability of the federal and all federated entities in sharing the burden of fiscal adjustment.

Overall systemic risks in the financial sector remain moderate and current capital buffer requirements and prudential limits on mortgage loans should be maintained. Recent progress in strengthening systemic risk assessment, supervision, the macroprudential framework, and crisis management and resolution preparedness is welcome. With a new government in place, pending measures that required legislative action should now proceed.

Labor market and education reforms are essential to foster higher labor participation and better adequation of skills. The government’s intended reforms to widen the income gap between work and nonwork, limit the duration of unemployment benefits, and reduce the cost of hiring and dismissal go in the right direction. Fostering a labor market more inclusive of low-skilled workers, older workers, women, and individuals with an immigration background, or disabilities, notably through lifelong learning and reskilling and active labor-market policies, will enhance overall economic performance. Education reforms are also necessary to upskill the labor force. They should focus on aligning curricula with the skills companies need, better leveraging teachers’ time, and strengthening support to students in difficulty.

Reforming the wage-setting mechanism will help increase labor-market efficiency and improve competitiveness. Automatic wage and social benefit indexation protected household purchasing power during the inflation shock but increased fiscal deficits and undermined competitiveness. Consideration should be given to abolishing automatic indexation and the 1996 wage law which, together, prevent an optimal allocation of labor and higher employment. At a minimum, the labor market would already benefit from technical reforms to the existing system.

Further product market reforms and efforts with EU partners to deepen the single market and advance the capital market union will support firms’ productivity. Reforms should focus on reducing regulatory and administrative barriers and improving the insolvency regime. Removing remaining barriers to trade within the EU and harmonizing regulations and bankruptcy frameworks would give Belgian firms’ access to a larger customer base, improve competition, and provide buffers against risks from geo-fragmentation. Developing venture capital at the EU level would help widen Belgian firms’ options to finance their growth.

Despite progress, much effort remains needed to achieve climate objectives. The planned expansion of the EU ETS should be complemented by carbon taxation and the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies, while ensuring support for vulnerable population. The consolidation of federal and regional climate efforts into a coherent and cohesive national strategy is essential.

Belgium: Selected Economic Indicators, 2022–30


			Projections
			Projections

	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030

	(Percent change, unless otherwise indicated)
Real economy
Real GDP 1/	4.2	1.3	1.0	1.1	1.1	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3
Domestic demand	4.2	1.8	1.0	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.5
Private consumption	3.6	0.6	1.8	1.2	1.2	1.5	1.3	1.2	1.1
Public consumption	3.3	3.2	3.2	1.4	1.9	1.6	1.7	1.7	1.7
Gross fixed investment	1.7	3.5	0.9	0.6	1.7	1.5	1.6	1.7	2.0
Stockbuilding 2/	1.1	-0.1	-1.0	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Foreign balance 2/	0.1	-0.5	0.1	-0.3	-0.4	-0.2	-0.2	-0.1	-0.1
Exports, goods and services	5.8	-7.1	-4.0	0.0	2.6	3.2	3.2	3.1	3.1
Imports, goods and services	5.8	-6.8	-4.2	0.4	3.3	3.6	3.5	3.3	3.3
Household saving ratio	12.7	14.1	13.6	13.7	13.7	13.7	13.8	14.0	14.3
Potential output growth	2.0	1.8	1.6	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3
Potential output growth	1.3	1.2	1.0	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.3
per working age person
Output gap (in percent)	1.6	1.0	0.5	0.2	0.0	0.0	-0.1	0.0	0.0
Employment
Unemployment rate (in percent)	5.6	5.5	5.8	5.7	5.7	5.5	5.6	5.7	5.8
Employment growth	1.9	0.8	0.3	0.2	0.3	0.6	0.3	0.2	0.4
Prices
Consumer prices (HICP)	10.3	2.3	4.3	3.5	2.2	2.0	2.0	1.9	1.9
Core CPI (HICP)	4.0	6.0	3.4	3.0	2.6	2.2	2.1	1.9	1.9
GDP deflator	6.8	4.5	2.7	2.5	1.7	1.5	1.7	1.6	1.6
	(Percent of GDP; unless otherwise indicated)
Public finance
Revenue	48.6	49.1	49.6	49.5	49.5	49.5	49.5	49.6	49.7
Expenditure	52.2	53.3	54.0	54.3	55.0	55.3	55.7	56.3	56.9
General government balance	-3.6	-4.2	-4.4	-4.8	-5.5	-5.8	-6.2	-6.7	-7.2
Structural balance	-4.3	-4.4	-4.5	-4.8	-5.5	-5.8	-6.1	-6.8	-7.2
Structural balance (excl. Covid measures)	-3.7	-4.3	-4.4	-4.8	-5.5	-5.8	-6.1	-6.8	-7.2
Structural primary balance	-2.7	-2.4	-2.2	-2.5	-3.0	-3.0	-3.2	-3.5	-3.7
Primary balance	-2.0	-2.2	-2.2	-2.4	-3.0	-3.0	-3.3	-3.4	-3.7
General government debt	102.6	103.1	104.1	105.4	108.6	111.9	115.2	118.9	123.0
External Sector
Goods and services balance	-1.5	-0.6	-0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.5	0.7
Current account	-1.3	-0.7	-0.3	-0.3	-0.3	-0.3	-0.1	0.1	0.2
Exchange rates
Euro per U.S. dollar, period average	0.9	0.9	0.9	…	…	…	…	…	…
NEER, ULC-styled (2005=100)	96.3	97.6	97.8	…	…	…	…	…	…
REER, ULC-based (2005=100)	99.7	103.8	105.5	…	…	…	…	…	…
Memorandum items
Gross national savings (in percent of GDP)	25.6	24.6	23.8	23.9	23.9	23.9	24.1	24.3	24.5
Gross national investment	26.9	25.3	24.1	24.2	24.3	24.3	24.2	24.2	24.3
(in percent of GDP)
Nominal GDP (in billions of euros)	563.5	596.3	618.6	640.9	658.7	677.3	697.8	718.4	739.8
Population (in millions)	11.6	11.7	11.8	11.8	11.9	11.9	11.9	12.0	12.0

Sources: Haver Analytics, Belgian authorities, and IMF staff projections.
1/ Based on national accounts data available as of January 29, 2025.
2/ Contribution to GDP growth.

[1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

[2] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Eva Graf

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/03/19/pr25070-belgium-imf-executive-board-concludes-2025-article-iv-consultation-with-belgium

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 21, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai attends AmCham Taiwan 2025 Hsieh Nien Fan

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Details
2025-03-18
President Lai meets Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. In remarks, President Lai said that Taiwan and Arizona enjoy close economic and trade relations, and expressed hope that through our joint efforts, Arizona will become a shining example for Taiwan-United States high-tech collaboration and the creation of non-red supply chains. The president indicated that the next goal for Taiwan and the US is the signing of an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, which would provide greater incentives for Taiwanese businesses to invest in the US, facilitate the establishment of more comprehensive industry clusters, and generate more job opportunities, representing a win-win outcome for Taiwan-US relations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome you all to the Presidential Office. Governor Hobbs previously visited Taiwan after taking office in 2023. Her leading a delegation to Taiwan once again demonstrates Arizona’s continued friendship and the importance Arizona attaches to Taiwan. For this, I express my sincerest gratitude, and I welcome you again. In recent years, ties between Taiwan and Arizona have continued to expand and progress. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s investment in Arizona is the largest greenfield investment in US history. This month, TSMC announced that it would increase its investment in the US by US$100 billion. It plans to build more semiconductor fabrication and research and development facilities in greater Phoenix, transforming the area into a US semiconductor hub. Due to our close industrial engagement, we now have more than 30,000 Taiwanese living in Arizona. I would like to thank Governor Hobbs for taking care of Taiwanese businesses and people. I believe that through our joint efforts, Arizona will become a shining example for Taiwan-US high-tech collaboration and the creation of non-red supply chains. Taiwan and Arizona also enjoy close economic and trade relations. Taiwan is Arizona’s eighth largest export market and fifth largest source of imports. Last December, the first agreement under the Taiwan-US Initiative on 21st-Century Trade officially came into effect. I believe this will help further deepen our trade and economic ties. At present, the next goal for Taiwan and the US is the signing of an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. I hope that we can work together to achieve this goal as soon as possible. This would provide greater incentives for Taiwanese businesses to invest in the US, facilitate the establishment of more comprehensive local industry clusters, and generate more job opportunities, representing a win-win outcome. With Governor Hobbs’s support, we look forward to continuing to advance Taiwan-US relations and promoting further cooperation and exchanges between Taiwan and Arizona across all domains. I understand that during this visit, you have visited many important companies and exchanged opinions with government agencies on how to strengthen bilateral relations. These efforts all go toward building an even more solid foundation for future Taiwan-US cooperation. Once again, I thank you all for supporting Taiwan and welcome you to visit us often in the future. Governor Hobbs then delivered remarks, stating that under President Lai’s leadership, Taiwan continues to thrive as a global hub for technology, innovation, and advanced manufacturing. She said that she is proud to be back in Taiwan alongside her secretary of commerce, Sandra Watson, as part of a diplomatic and economic delegation from Arizona. Since arriving, she said, they’ve hit the ground running, meeting with key partners, businesses, and leaders, noting that the takeaway from their meetings has been incredibly positive, and that they underscore the strong and enduring partnership between Arizona and Taiwan. Adding that our partnership that is built on shared values, mutual cultural appreciation, and commitment to innovation and economic growth, Governor Hobbs indicated that Arizona and Taiwan’s partnership extends back decades, as Taiwanese fighter pilots have been training at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix since 1996. She said that we have built a strong base of collaboration across many areas, including technology, workforce, and cultural exchange, and that Arizona is even slated to get its own Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐), which she expressed she is very thrilled about. Governor Hobbs went on to say that Arizona’s relationship with Taiwan is anchored by its ongoing partnership with TSMC and many Taiwan-based companies in semiconductor and other industries, and that TSMC’s US$165 billion investment in Arizona will help power development of the world’s most advanced technology, such as AI, and promises to cement an unbreakable bond between our two economies. She stated that as governor, she can say with confidence that her administration is fully committed to strengthening this relationship in every way possible, because when Arizona and Taiwan succeed, we all succeed. Lastly, Governor Hobbs once again expressed gratitude to President Lai and the people of Taiwan for their warm hospitality. She then invited President Lai to Arizona to continue their productive conversations and further strengthen ties between our people and our economies, adding that she knows there is no limit to what we can achieve together, and that she is looking forward to what is to come. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

Details
2025-03-18
President Lai meets delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Denzil Douglas of Saint Christopher and Nevis
On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Denzil Douglas of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis. In remarks, President Lai thanked St. Kitts and Nevis for speaking up for Taiwan at major international venues and supporting Taiwan’s international participation. The president expressed hope that our two countries continue to achieve remarkable results through cooperation in such fields as education and training, agricultural development, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability, and create even greater well-being for our peoples. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I welcome Minister Douglas and our esteemed guests to Taiwan. Last June, Minister Douglas accompanied Prime Minister Terrance Drew and his wife on their trip to Taiwan. I am delighted to be able to meet and exchange views with Minister Douglas again less than one year later. Your presence fully demonstrates the profound bond between Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis. I look forward to the further deepening of our partnership through our exchanges during this visit. Although our two nations are separated by a great distance, we share such universal values as democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights. We also continue to achieve remarkable results through cooperation in such fields as education and training, agricultural development, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability. Given that Prime Minister Drew, Minister Douglas, and I all share medical backgrounds, we deeply understand the importance of people’s health. I thus look forward to St. Kitts and Nevis’s climate-smart JNF General Hospital commencing operations as soon as possible thanks to our cooperation. The provision of even higher-quality public health and medical services will yield benefits for many more people. I also believe that by having Taiwan share its experiences in renewable energy and energy-saving technologies, our two countries will jointly drive green industrial transformation and stimulate sustainable development together. I would like to take this opportunity to thank St. Kitts and Nevis for actively speaking up for Taiwan and supporting Taiwan’s participation at such major international venues and organizations as the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. In the future, Taiwan will continue to make critical contributions to the international community. With the support of Minister Douglas and our guests, I look forward to our two countries backing each other on the global stage and continuing to build an even stronger foundation for bilateral cooperation. Let us work together to address the various challenges we face and create even greater well-being for our peoples. Minister Douglas then delivered remarks, first conveying greetings from Prime Minister Drew to President Lai, the government, and the people of Taiwan. He then stated that over the last 41 years since the dawn of their nationhood, the Republic of China Taiwan has steadfastly walked beside St. Kitts and Nevis as a strong and immovable partner. As we reflect on four decades of our journey together, he said, we recognize the unswerving and unwavering spirit that has guided both our nations through trials and challenges. The minister then acknowledged the generous support of Taiwan’s government that has helped St. Kitts and Nevis in its own economic and social development. He went on to say that Taiwan’s partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis has been instrumental in helping them achieve the goals of their sustainable island state agenda. Whether in enhancing food security through the diversification of their agricultural sector, fostering clean energy solutions through the solar PV farm, or advancing healthcare through assistance in building their smart hospital, he said, Taiwan has been a steadfast partner in shaping a much more resilient and sustainable future for the people of their federation. In the spirit of reciprocity and solidarity, Minister Douglas said, St. Kitts and Nevis continues to leverage opportunities on the global stage to request incessantly that Taiwan be given its rightful place in international organizations, where it can make a meaningful contribution to resolving the world’s most critical issues. Minister Douglas indicated that the global challenges we face today demand collective action, and that Taiwan has the innovation, the technology, the knowledge, and the expertise to make a tremendous positive impact on some of the world’s most urgent issues. He said that St. Kitts and Nevis will never grow weary in their own support, but shall continue to sound the clarion call of “let Taiwan in,” as well as advocate for peace to be maintained in the Taiwan Strait. To close, Minister Douglas expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality bestowed upon him and his delegation by Taiwan’s government, remarking that the engagements they had thus far were pregnant with promise, and that they are confident in witnessing a fruitful outcome as we work together to build a prosperous and sustainable future for our peoples. The delegation also included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kaye Bass, Permanent Secretary of Economic Development and Investment Adina Richards, and Director in the Ministry of International Trade Sean Lawrence. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador Donya L. Francis.

Details
2025-03-18
President Lai meets 2025 Yushan Forum participants
On the afternoon of March 18, President Lai Ching-te met with participants in the 2025 Yushan Forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the guests for gathering here in Taiwan and discussing ways to enhance regional cooperation, demonstrating that our democratic allies and friends are standing together as we take on the challenges of a new world and a new era. The president reiterated that Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, and we welcome the world to come closer to Taiwan. He stated that Taiwan will continue to work with international partners to deepen cooperation, exchanges, and partnership in various domains and resist the expansion of authoritarianism. Together, the president emphasized, we can pursue regional peace and security and realize a new vision for a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to begin by thanking Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former prime minister of Denmark and chairman of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, for inviting then-President Tsai Ing-wen to address the Copenhagen Democracy Summit via video over five consecutive years since 2020, and for inviting myself to give remarks via video last year. Those opportunities allowed Taiwan to share with the world our motivation for, and our work toward, safeguarding freedom and democracy. I would also like to thank Mr. Janez Janša, former prime minister of the Republic of Slovenia, who has visited Taiwan many times already, for actively elevating the cordial ties between Taiwan and Slovenia during his term as prime minister, helping expand friendship for Taiwan throughout Europe. Today’s guests have traveled a long way to show their strong backing for Taiwan. For this, I express my deepest gratitude. Yesterday was my first time attending the Yushan Forum as president. I saw political leaders and representatives gather here in Taiwan and discuss ways to enhance regional cooperation. The event demonstrated that our democratic allies and friends are standing together as we take on the challenges of a new world and a new era. It was truly moving. As I stated at the opening ceremony, Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, and we welcome the world to come closer to Taiwan. Our government will help guide Taiwanese small- and medium-sized enterprises as they expand into the international market and extend Taiwan’s economic power. I hope that during this visit, our guests will be able to explore more opportunities for cooperation in such fields as AI, smart healthcare, and advanced technologies, and join hands in contributing to the prosperity and development of our democratic allies and friends. Taiwan will continue to work with international partners, building upon the shared values of freedom and democracy, to deepen cooperation, exchanges, and partnership in various domains and resist the expansion of authoritarianism. Together, we can pursue regional peace and security and realize a new vision for a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. And I hope, with the assistance of our guests here today, that we can further strengthen the ties between Taiwan and Europe so that we can all take up the work of maintaining global peace and stability. Once again, I welcome our guests to Taiwan. I look forward to hearing your thoughts in a few moments. I also hope you will visit Taiwan often in the future and continue to experience our vibrant democratic society and culture. Chairman Rasmussen then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great pleasure to be back here in Taipei after meeting with President Lai in 2023. He then thanked President Lai for the Taiwanese hospitality on behalf of the Yushan Forum international visitors and participants, who represent four continents and very different political parties but who are united by one thing – the commitment to democracy. Chairman Rasmussen mentioned that over the past few days, they have met with members of the government, legislature, and civil society in Taiwan. He said that he is more convinced than ever that in a very uncertain world, Taiwan continues to stand as a beacon of democracy, from which people in Europe and in the rest of the world have a lot to learn. Over the past eight years, he has been proud to step up his engagement with Taiwan, he said, as he has always subscribed to the view that freedom must advance everywhere, or else it is in decline everywhere. Chairman Rasmussen noted that they have many interests in making sure Taiwan remains free and that we must always stand up for freedom when it is under assault by a dictator. This is why Ukraine’s fight is also everyone’s fight, he explained. He then praised Taiwan for all of the support it has given to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and honored the two Taiwanese volunteer soldiers who gave their lives for freedom in Ukraine. Chairman Rasmussen remarked that Taiwan is a strong feature of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit that he convenes each year. His foundation, the Alliance of Democracies, has even been sanctioned by the Chinese government due to its support of Taiwan, he said, which is something he takes as a badge of honor. He added that this year’s Copenhagen Democracy Summit in May will be no different, as they plan to focus on the new world order, urgent measures to strengthen Europe’s military, and the situation in Ukraine. But as the United States pulls back from the transatlantic alliance and Europe focuses more on its own defense, he said, Europe should not retreat from the world. He added that to ensure European security, we need more Europe in the Indo-Pacific, and that is why he has been making the argument for more political and economic cooperation with Taiwan. Chairman Rasmussen praised President Lai’s recent decision to increase Taiwan’s national defense budget to more than 3 percent of GDP, adding that it is important that each nation does what it can for its own defense. The chairman once again thanked President Lai for meeting with them today and for the opportunity to visit Taiwan, a beacon of democracy and liberty in Asia. Also in attendance at the meeting were Chairman of the Czech Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Pavel Fischer; Member of the National Security Advisory Board to India’s National Security Council Anshuman Tripathi; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Anna Fotyga; former Minister of Health of Canada Tony Clement; and former Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and current Secretary General of the Polish-based Community of Democracies Mantas Adomėnas.

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

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

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

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: OIP Announces Additional FOIA Training Dates for Fiscal Year 2025

Source: United States Attorneys General

Today, the Office of Information Policy (OIP) announces new dates for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) training for April through July. As part of its responsibility to encourage agency compliance with the FOIA, OIP offers numerous training opportunities throughout the year for agency FOIA professionals and individuals with FOIA responsibilities.

These courses are designed to offer training opportunities for personnel from all stages of the FOIA workforce, from new hires to the experienced FOIA professionals or FOIA managers. OIP will continue to offer virtual training sessions that will be taught in real-time by OIP instructors. As we move into the Spring of Fiscal Year 2025, we are pleased to announce these virtual training courses, which are also listed on OIP’s Training page.

The courses and dates scheduled for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2025 are:

Introduction to the Freedom of Information Act
April 8, 2025

Processing a Request from Start to Finish
April 16, 2025

Procedural Requirements, and Fee and Fee Waivers Training
May 6, 2025

Litigation Training
May 14, 2025

Administrative Appeals, FOIA Compliance, and Customer Service Training
May 21, 2025

Exemption 1 and Exemption 7 Training
June 4, 2025

Exemption 4 and Exemption 5 Training
June 19, 2025

Privacy Considerations Training
July 10, 2025

Continuing FOIA Education Training
July 15, 2025

Training courses are open to all federal government employees. Descriptions of each course and registration links are available on the Training page of OIP’s site. OIP manages all training registration through WebEx. Registration will open one month prior to the date of the training. Once the registration period begins, you may register by providing your name and email address on WebEx for that course. Each attendee must register separately using their own government email address. Please note that these training sessions are open to government personnel and contractors only. Once you are registered, you will be sent a confirmation email from WebEx.

OIP is also always available to provide individualized training sessions to any interested agency, which can be tailored to fit training needs.

For questions or more information regarding any of OIP’s training opportunities, please contact OIP’s Training Coordinator at DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov.

MIL Security OSI –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Global Drone Services Market Size Predicted to Surpass Around $555 Billion By 2034

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PALM BEACH, Fla., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The drone services worldwide market has been growing substantially in recent years and is projected to continue into the several years to come. According to a report from Precedence Research, the global drone services market size accounted for USD 24.56 billion in 2024, grew to USD 33.55 billion in 2025 and is predicted to surpass around USD 555.58 billion by 2034, representing a healthy CAGR of 36.60% between 2024 and 2034. The North America drone services market size is calculated at USD 8.84 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a fastest CAGR of 36.78% during the forecast year. The report said: “North America held the highest share of the global drone services market in terms of value. This is due to major service providers’ presence and early adoption of high-end drone technologies. Furthermore, the region’s market is driven by increased demand for aerial photography in the real estate and construction sectors. The US is a significant market for drone services in North America, accounting for a large share of the region’s market.   Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Large drone service providers exist in APAC countries such as China and Japan. Limited regulation on commercial drone use and price drop drive market demand. Furthermore, the rise is attributed to increased government and OEM investments in drone services propelling the market. The rising demand for industry-specific solutions and the increasing demand for time-efficient delivery are driving the growth of the drone service market… Along with this, the growing initiative from governments and regulatory bodies to develop drones propels the market forward.”   Active Companies in the drone industry today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC), ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO).

Precedence Research continued: “Due to the widespread availability of low-cost drones, photography has become well-known for applications requiring high-resolution cameras. Aerial photography offers new perspectives on innovative city projects, large township projects, and multi-story building projects. Mini drones are also becoming popular for wedding photography and videography. Furthermore, the real estate and infrastructure industries also see increased demand for drones. Drones are used for various commercial purposes, including agriculture, transportation, mapping, aerial photography, and videography. Drones increase productivity and improve farming methods. The growing demand for precision farming propels the agricultural industry and expands the drone services market. Precision farming has the potential to increase crop productivity.”

ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Signs Seventh LOI to Acquire a Land Survey Company in Southeast Region Contributing to Drone as a Service Strategy – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has signed an LOI (Letter of Intent) to acquire a seventh land survey engineering company located in Florida, marking the fourth LOI in the Southeast Region. The company has closed one acquisition in this region to date so upon completion, this would be the second closed acquisition in the Southeast Region. Having two locations in this region will serve as a launchpad to further regional development and ZenaTech’s national DaaS business model bringing the speed and precision of AI drone solutions in a convenient subscription or pay-per-use business model to commercial and government customers.

“Florida is strategic to our Drone as a Service strategy as it offers year-round flying conditions, a favorable innovation environment including consistent state-wide regulations, and existing government drone use for public safety, disaster response, and transportation monitoring. With growing commercial sector interest in agriculture, real estate, construction, and industrial inspection applications, we see multiple growth paths to help customers use drones to drive extraordinary efficiencies,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.

ZenaTech’s Drones as a Service or DaaS model is similar to Software as a Service (SaaS), but instead of providing software solutions over the Internet, the company will offer ZenaDrone solutions and services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. Customers can conveniently access drones for manual or time-consuming tasks achieving more insight and precision, such as for surveying, inspections, security and law enforcement, or precision agriculture applications, without having to buy, operate, or maintain the drones themselves.

The DaaS business model offers customers such as government agencies, real estate developers, construction firms, farmers or energy companies reduced upfront costs as there is no need to purchase expensive drones, as well as convenience, as there is no need to manage maintenance and operation. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and enables access to advanced drone technology sensors or attachments like spraying, without the need for specialized training.

Accurate land surveys are essential for the planning, designing, and executing roads, bridges, and building projects for cities, commercial, and residential projects, and are required for legal purposes. Remotely piloted drones with an array of sensors and cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and GPS systems for capturing high-resolution pictures and data are revolutionizing the land survey industry gathering aerial data across expansive terrains in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months using more traditional photogrammetry methods.   Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

Other recent developments in the drone industry include:

EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, recently announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Mr. Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EHang: “We are thrilled to have concluded 2024 with a series of achievements that have propelled us closer to the widespread commercial adoption of eVTOLs. As a pioneer in the UAM industry, we achieved our highest-ever quarterly and annual eVTOL deliveries, driving revenues to record-high levels and delivering our first year of non-GAAP profitability. This underscores the accelerating adoption of our pilotless eVTOL solutions. We worked on our production capacity expansion, deepened ecosystem partnerships for infrastructure and talents, and advanced our footprint in Asia, Europe and South America. Looking ahead to 2025, our focus remains on driving innovation, expanding our operational network, and scaling production to meet increasing demands and unlock the full potential of UAM. We are confident in our ability to lead the transformation of aerial transportation and deliver long-term value to our stakeholders.”

AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS), a leading provider of best-in-class unmanned aerial systems (UAS), sensors and software solutions for customers worldwide in the commercial and government verticals, recently announced the recent completion of a successful four-day proof-of-concept demonstration with France’s Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) testing eBee VISION’s advanced capabilities.

AgEagle CEO Bill Irby commented, “This successful demonstration underscores the potential of the eBee VISION for enhancing maritime security and environmental protection efforts. Multiple flights were carried out in diverse conditions, both day and night. Our eBee VISION demonstrated outstanding performance, operating within a 20 km range and temperatures as low as 5°C, as well as landing smoothly on sand. Throughout the trials, various observation scenarios were tested for maritime control and surveillance, all of which were completed with positive results. This success not only highlights the robust performance of our technology but also validates the potential for growth across various markets.”

Unusual Machines (NYSE: UMAC), a leading provider of NDAA-compliant drone components, recently announced that its Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera has been added to the U.S. Defense Department’s Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue UAS Framework. It is the only camera on the Blue UAS list purpose-built for first person view (“FPV”) applications, providing a high-performance, NDAA-compliant option for defense and government users.

This approval marks another step forward in Unusual Machines’ mission to supply NDAA-compliant FPV components for both commercial and defense applications. The Fat Shark Aura FPV Camera joins the Rotor Riot Brave F7 Flight Controller and Brave 55A ESC, both of which have already been approved under the Blue UAS Framework.

ParaZero Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: PRZO), an aerospace company focused on safety systems for commercial unmanned aircrafts and defense Counter UAS systems, recently announced that is has received its first order from the strategic partnership that the company recently announced that it entered into with ABOT, one of France’s largest drone distributors of advanced drone solutions for various industries. This partnership, announced earlier this month, was established as part of the company’s effort to expand the availability of its cutting-edge SafeAirTM parachute recovery systems in the French market. Under this new collaboration, ABOT will become an official reseller of ParaZero’s SafeAir products in France, with the two companies jointly launching a new brand, ABOT-PZ SafeAir, to align with local market preferences.

ParaZero’s SafeAir system is a state-of-the-art drone safety solution designed to enable safe and legal drone operations in urban and high-risk environments. The system features an autonomous parachute deployment mechanism, real-time monitoring and advanced failure detection, ensuring a controlled descent in the event of an emergency. SafeAir provides a critical safety layer for commercial drone operations, supporting compliance with global aviation regulations.

About FN Media Group:

At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia

Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup

Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

SOURCE: FN Media Group

The MIL Network –

March 21, 2025

MIL-OSI: Carronade Says Dramatic Change Needed at Cannae Holdings to Halt Persistent Underperformance and Egregious Governance Practices

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Nominates Four Director Candidates with Expertise, Independence and Accountability Required to Unlock Shareholder Value

Believes Proposed Initiatives Could Result in Share Price Upside of at Least 50%

DARIEN, Conn., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carronade Capital Management, LP (together with its affiliates, “Carronade Capital”, “our” or “we”), which beneficially owns approximately 2.9 million shares of Common Stock of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNNE) (“Cannae” or the “Company”) and is one of the Company’s top five shareholders, today announced it has issued the below letter to Cannae’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and nominated four independent director candidates for the four Board seats up for election at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Carronade Capital believes Cannae’s total shareholder return and corporate governance can be meaningfully improved, and significant opportunities exist to unlock substantial value for all shareholders. We believe Cannae can halt persistent underperformance and restore shareholder confidence by improving capital allocation and unlocking portfolio value through spin outs or buybacks, reducing overhead costs and aligning management incentives, and establishing corporate governance and accountability. If decisive action is taken, we believe that Cannae equity could have a share price upside of at least 50% as a result of activities initiated by year end.

Carronade’s four highly qualified nominees are as follows:

Mona Aboelnaga

35 years of experience including at Siguler Guff & Company and Proctor Investment Managers with expertise in investment management and private equity industries.
Extensive corporate governance expertise as a board member of both public and private companies including Webster Financial, a financial services company, Perpetual Limited, an Australian-based diversified global financial services company, and Sterling Bancorp, a regional financial services company.

Benjamin Duster

45 years of experience including at Wells Fargo and Salomon Brothers with expertise in working with companies to improve execution effectiveness and create long-term sustainable value.
Extensive public and private company board service including Expand Energy, an oil and gas production company, Weatherford International, a global energy services company, Republic First Bancorp, a commercial bank, and Alaska Communications Systems, a broadband and telecommunications service provider.

Dennis Prieto

21 years of experience including at Aurelius Capital Management and Evercore with expertise in financial analysis and restructuring oversight.
Significant investment management and board experience including GO Lab, a privately held building products company, Aventiv Technologies, a provider of telecommunications and technology solutions, Mohawk Gaming Enterprises, a gaming company, and Endo International GUC Trust, a trust established to obtain recoveries for creditors of Endo International plc.

Cherie Schaible

24 years of experience including as General Counsel of Ankura Consulting Group and Associate General Counsel of AIG Investments with expertise in complex legal and financial matters.
Extensive experience in structuring, negotiating and leading a variety of corporate legal matters in public and private companies.

The full text of the letter is below:

March 20, 2025

Cannae Holdings, Inc.
1701 Village Center Circle
Las Vegas, Nevada 89134
Attn: Board of Directors

Dear Members of the Board of Directors,

Entities managed by Carronade Capital Management, LP (together with its affiliates, “Carronade Capital” or “We” or “Us” or “Our”) beneficially own approximately 2.9 million shares of Common Stock of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (“Cannae” or the “Company” or “You” or “Your”), making us one of your top five investors. We believe Cannae’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) and corporate governance can be meaningfully improved, and significant opportunities exist within the control of both management and the Board of Directors (the “Board”) to unlock substantial value for all shareholders. We are reiterating these previously communicated views to you, and the broader market, to ensure the entire Board is made aware of our discussions to date and to highlight this potential value creation opportunity in the hope of building a consensus for the best path forward.

Our letter today outlines why we believe the status quo at Cannae is untenable and why dramatic change is required to halt persistent underperformance and egregious governance practices for the benefit of all stakeholders. We believe there are numerous ways to drive value creation, and, by extension, shareholder returns, including by reducing costs and aligning incentives, improving capital allocation, unlocking the value of the parts of the portfolio, and establishing corporate governance and accountability by reconstituting the Board with truly independent directors. If Cannae takes decisive action to properly implement these achievable steps and rebuild investor confidence, we believe that the equity could have share price upside of at least 50% as a result of activities initiated by year-end.

The Status Quo is Untenable

In our view, there is an urgent need for changes in strategy and governance based on Cannae’s substantial long-term relative TSR underperformance, persistent discount to intrinsic value, shareholder frustration with corporate strategy, and a pattern of governance deficiencies that we believe have significantly hindered the Company’s ability to create shareholder value. Our concerns are underscored by the high degree of interconnectedness amongst the current directors and Cannae’s classified Board structure which, among other governance concerns, have resulted in repeated adverse voting recommendations from leading proxy advisory firms. We were further shocked by the Board’s egregious actions earlier this week, while we were engaged in active settlement discussions, to accelerate equity vesting for directors if they fail to be re-elected by shareholders and to require the repurchase of half of CEO and Chairman Bill Foley’s shares at a significant premium to market prices. This is on top of his already rich compensation package if he invokes his right to resign because a single director is elected without his consent. That a Board of Directors deemed these actions consistent with their fiduciary duties and in the best interest of shareholders demonstrates a complete lack of independence and an abdication of their duty. We believe such an offensive combination of entrenchment techniques and unfair enrichment are beyond the pale and make it crystal clear that immediate change is necessary in the boardroom.

Management’s stated strategy consists of “improving the performance and valuation of our portfolio companies, making new investments primarily in private companies that will grow NAV, and returning capital to shareholders.”¹ Put plainly, management’s plan is not working. Cannae has a valuable collection of assets, but buybacks to date have failed to close the discount due to market concerns around overall strategy and perceived misalignment of interests between management and shareholders. Shareholders have consistently shared concerns that they do not want Cannae to sell public shares to invest in small private positions with no disclosure – such actions we believe would only compound the current problems and Cannae’s persistent value discount. Despite a handful of successful investments in the past, the current portfolio of private investments is consistently marked at cost and the remaining investments in public equities have destroyed approximately $900 million of value.² Market feedback that we have gathered to date suggests a near unanimous view that numerous shareholders prefer a return of their capital as opposed to management’s stated goal of selling down public positions to invest more in private equity.

“Since Ceridian, they have made a bunch of bad capital allocation decisions…We would rather them distribute value than re-invest. They haven’t earned the right to keep that capital.”

– Top 10 Shareholder, Nov. 2024

Furthermore, a lack of strategic cohesion amongst investments and limited portfolio company disclosure weigh on investor confidence. There has been no clear investment narrative for shareholders to rally behind, as we consistently hear Cannae described simply as the Bill Foley co-investment vehicle. Additionally, we believe the persistent marking of private investments at cost without balance sheet information and absence of third-party valuations, or enough disclosure for investors to determine performance, are significant contributors to the wide NAV discount. As one analyst queried on the Company’s third quarter 2024 earnings call:

“If you had your wish how many positions would you have? How large would they be and I just think I kind of look at some of the parts… It’s just kind of all over the place you have things that are worth less than $1 per share and I just don’t see the focus here.”

– Oppenheimer Q&A on Q3 2024 Earnings Call

As a result of these perceptions in the market, Cannae trades at a much steeper discount to NAV than its disclosed proxy peers and closed end fund peers. The discount widened persistently after the IPO of Dun & Bradstreet in 2019 and the sell down of Dayforce from 2020 through 2023, implying the market lacks confidence in the current leadership’s ability to execute a viable strategy for value creation going forward. Over the past three years, Cannae equity has traded at an average discount to its NAV per share of -40%, which places it in the bottom tenth of US investment firms with assets over $500 million.³ Approximately 90% of Cannae’s market cap is covered by public holdings net of debt, and the market is valuing the remaining nearly $900 million of private NAV at an 85% discount. A well-managed company with a strong asset base should not be trading at such a deep discount. We believe this misalignment points to a failure in capital allocation, strategic planning, and governance oversight.

Shareholders ‘vote with their feet’, and the most objective indication that fundamental change is required is relative TSR underperformance compared to peers over the long term. Even when viewed on an absolute basis, Cannae shareholders have suffered a negative total return since Cannae became an independent public company despite the backdrop of one of the strongest bull markets in history. Despite the readily identifiable value in the Company’s portfolio, Cannae’s stock has significantly underperformed most relevant benchmarks.⁴Consistent underperformance is the market telling Cannae, “The status quo is unacceptable.”

Dramatic Change is Required Immediately

As discussed previously with Mr. Foley and Mr. Caswell, we believe Cannae can resolve these issues through decisive action in the near term. We believe that Cannae must pursue the following initiatives without delay:

Reduce overhead costs and align management incentives – A history of burdensome fees and non-performance linked compensation paid out to management are out of step with the overall performance of Cannae’s portfolio, are impacting the discount which the market places on the NAV, and need to be streamlined to reflect best-in-class approach. We believe the Company should implement a corporate overhead cost reduction program and convert the termination fee payable to its manager, Trasimene Capital Management, into performance-based, vesting stock compensation.
Improve capital allocation, unlock portfolio value, and provide a clear investment narrative – Management’s current strategy is vague and undifferentiated, and shareholder feedback is that management has lost its mandate from shareholders to allocate capital in this way. We believe a commitment from management and the Board to return shareholder capital tied up in Dun & Bradstreet, Alight and Paysafe shares either via spin outs or substantial buybacks would force a collapse of the discount placed on those assets and result in a re-rating of the remaining portfolio. We appreciate that management has conceded in its last earnings call that a significant return of capital is a priority; however, we believe that Cannae should commit definitively to returning a substantial majority of this capital on an accelerated timeline. Management could then reallocate its time from monitoring small stakes in large public companies where their ability to “improve the performance and valuation” is limited to focusing on improving disclosure and valuation of the remaining private assets.
Establish governance oversight – We believe that market confidence in this new plan would be best supported by new fit-for-purpose directors that will be a voice for shareholders on the Board. To that end, we delivered a formal notice in December nominating a slate of four highly qualified and independent director candidates for election to the Board at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). In addition to the four new directors, we believe the Board should refresh leadership of the Affiliate Transaction Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee chosen from the four new candidates, and the Board should also create a new committee for Value Maximization tasked with the formulation and oversight of successful execution of a plan designed to improve shareholder returns. The need for immediate and significant governance reform is underscored by Cannae’s entrenchment and unfair enrichment actions earlier this week.

Our intent at the time of nomination was, and continues to be, to engage constructively with the Board with the goal of reaching a consensual solution for the benefit of all stakeholders. However, it appears that the current Board fails to recognize the urgency of the situation. We are therefore prepared to take all necessary steps to ensure that shareholders have the opportunity to vote for directors who they believe have the skill sets and experience necessary to drive value creation and ensure accountability in the boardroom.

Management’s Lack of Willingness to Meaningfully Engage

We have sought to engage with management and the Board for several months to convey our views with respect to corporate strategy and governance with the aim of closing the NAV discount and improving relative share price performance. As discussed in our original private letter to the Board dated December 19, 2024, we submitted our nomination notice as required under the Company’s Bylaws despite the nomination deadline of December 27, 2024, nearly six months ahead of the anticipated Annual Meeting date. We did so in order to preserve our rights as shareholders to elect directors at the Annual Meeting, but with the hope that it would serve as a starting point for further positive discussions. Unfortunately, we now believe our sincere efforts to engage constructively have not been meaningfully reciprocated in good faith.

While the Company confirmed receipt of our December letter and nomination notice, it was more than thirty days before we received any further communication. Given the Company’s significant governance failings and chronic underperformance, we have offered to travel to meet in-person with relevant Board members, but Cannae has yet to permit us to speak with any non-management directors. Perhaps as a result, the Board has failed to appreciate the market’s call for urgent, meaningful governance changes. Then on March 17, 2025, we were astounded to learn via a Company 8-K that the Board, in an apparent move to entrench and enrich leadership, determined to further compensate themselves and Mr. Foley at the expense of shareholders. We believe this offensive action trounces shareholder rights and the Board’s fiduciary duties and further disenfranchises the Company’s true owners. It also makes clear to us that Cannae has not been engaging in good faith dialogue despite our persistent and sincere efforts, which necessitated the need to release this letter with the goal of reaching the entire Board and building a market consensus on the best path forward for the Company.

Carronade Has Nominated Four Highly Qualified Director Candidates

The fundamental role of a Board in its fiduciary duty to shareholders is to be an advocate in providing oversight of management and corporate strategy. Shareholders deserve a board that is proactive, transparent, and fully committed to driving long-term value. As evidenced by their backgrounds below, we believe our candidates will bring the expertise, independence and accountability required to correct the chronic underperformance of Cannae and champion its strategic transformation.

Mona Aboelnaga
- 35 years of experience including at Siguler Guff & Company and Proctor Investment Managers with expertise in investment management and private equity industries.
- Extensive corporate governance expertise as a board member of both public and private companies including Webster Financial, a financial services company, Perpetual Limited, an Australian-based diversified global financial services company, and Sterling Bancorp, a regional financial services company.

Benjamin Duster
- 45 years of experience including at Wells Fargo and Salomon Brothers with expertise in working with companies to improve execution effectiveness and create long-term sustainable value.
- Extensive public and private company board service including Expand Energy, an oil and gas production company, Weatherford International, a global energy services company, Republic First Bancorp, a commercial bank, and Alaska Communications Systems, a broadband and telecommunications service provider.

Dennis Prieto
- 21 years of experience including at Aurelius Capital Management and Evercore with expertise in financial analysis and restructuring oversight.
- Significant investment management and board experience including GO Lab, a privately held building products company, Aventiv Technologies, a provider of telecommunications and technology solutions, Mohawk Gaming Enterprises, a gaming company, and Endo International GUC Trust, a trust established to obtain recoveries for creditors of Endo International plc.

Cherie Schaible
- 24 years of experience including as General Counsel of Ankura Consulting Group and Associate General Counsel of AIG Investments with expertise in complex legal and financial matters.
- Extensive experience in structuring, negotiating and leading a variety of corporate legal matters in public and private companies.

Conclusion

We remain committed, engaged investors in Cannae due to our conviction in the significant opportunity for value creation that will flow from implementing achievable actions to unlock value, outlining a clear corporate strategy, establishing governance and restoring investor confidence. We repeat our request to meet in-person with the Board, including non-management directors, to discuss these proposals in more detail and explore a consensual solution that is in the best interests of all shareholders. If meaningful changes are not enacted, we are prepared to take our case to shareholders so that they have the opportunity to vote for directors who they believe will best prioritize their interests and ensure accountability in the boardroom.

Sincerely,

Dan Gropper
Managing Partner

Andy Taylor
Partner and Head of Research

About Carronade Capital
Carronade Capital is a multi-strategy investment firm based in Connecticut with over $2.2 billion in assets under management that focuses on process driven investments in catalyst-rich situations. Carronade Capital was founded in 2019 by industry veteran Dan Gropper and is based in Darien, Connecticut. The Funds managed by Carronade Capital were launched on July 1, 2020, and the firm employs 15 team members. Dan Gropper brings with him nearly three decades of special situations credit experience serving in senior roles at distinguished investment firms, including Elliott Management Corporation, Fortress Investment Group and Aurelius Capital Management, LP.

Media Contact:
Paul Caminiti / Jacqueline Zuhse
Reevemark
(212) 433-4600
Carronade@reevemark.com

Investor Contact:
Andy Taylor / Win Rollins
Carronade Capital Management, LP
(203) 485-0880
ir@carronade.com

Disclaimers

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in any state to any person. This press release does not recommend the purchase or sale of a security. There is no assurance or guarantee with respect to the prices at which any securities of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) will trade, and such securities may not trade at prices that may be implied herein. In addition, this press release and the discussions and opinions herein are for general information only, and are not intended to provide financial, legal or investment advice. Each shareholder of the Company should independently evaluate the proxy materials and make a decision that aligns with their own financial interests, consulting with their own advisers, as necessary.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “will be” and similar expressions. Although Carronade Capital and its affiliates believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties—many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of Carronade or the Company—that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. In addition, the foregoing considerations and any other publicly stated risks and uncertainties should be read in conjunction with the risks and cautionary statements discussed or identified in the Company’s public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including those listed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q . The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, other than as required by applicable law, Carronade does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. Certain information included in this press release is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable. Any analyses provided herein is intended to assist the reader in evaluating the matters described herein and may be based on subjective assessments and assumptions and may use one among alternative methodologies that produce different results. Accordingly, any analyses should not be viewed as factual and should not be relied upon as an accurate prediction of future results. All figures are estimates and, unless required by law, are subject to revision without notice.

Certain of the funds(s) and/or account(s) managed by Carronade (“Accounts”) currently beneficially own shares of the Company. Carronade in the business of trading (i.e., buying and selling) securities and intends to continue trading in the securities of the Company. You should assume the Accounts will from time to time sell all or a portion of its holdings of the Company in open market transactions or otherwise, buy additional shares (in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise), or trade in options, puts, calls, swaps or other derivative instruments relating to such shares. Consequently, Carronade’s beneficial ownership of shares of, and/or economic interest in, the Company may vary over time depending on various factors, with or without regard to Carronade’s views of the Company’s business, prospects, or valuation (including the market price of the Company’s shares), including, without limitation, other investment opportunities available to Carronade, concentration of positions in the portfolios managed by Carronade, conditions in the securities markets, and general economic and industry conditions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event of a change in the Company’s share price on or following the date hereof, Carronade may buy additional shares or sell all or a portion of its Account’s holdings of the Company (including, in each case, by trading in options, puts, calls, swaps, or other derivative instruments relating to the Company’s shares). Carronade also reserves the right to change the opinions expressed herein and its intentions with respect to its investment in the Company, and to take any actions with respect to its investment in the Company as it may deem appropriate, and disclaims any obligation to notify the market or any other party of any such changes or actions, except as required by law.

Certain Information Concerning the Participants

Carronade Capital Management, LP, together with the other participants named herein (collectively, “Carronade Capital”), intends to file a preliminary proxy statement and accompanying proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to be used to solicit votes for the election of Carronade Capital’s highly-qualified director nominees at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of Cannae Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”).

CARRONADE CAPITAL STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE, WHEN AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR.

The participants in the proxy solicitation are anticipated to be Carronade Capital Master, LP (“Carronade”), Carronade Capital, Carronade Capital GP, LLC (“Carronade GP”), Carronade Capital Management GP, LLC (“Carronade Management GP”), Dan Gropper, Mona Aboelnaga, Benjamin C. Duster, IV, Dennis A. Prieto and Chérie L. Schaible.

As of the date hereof, Carronade beneficially owns directly 2,627,877 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”). Carronade GP, as the general partner of Carronade, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 2,627,877 shares of Common Stock owned by Carronade. As of the date hereof, 262,770 shares of Common Stock were held in a certain account managed by Carronade Capital (the “Managed Account”). Carronade Capital, as the investment manager of Carronade, may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 2,890,647 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. Carronade Management GP, as the general partner of Carronade Capital, may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 2,890,647 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. As the Managing Member of Carronade Management GP, Mr. Gropper may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 2,890,647 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. As of the date hereof, Ms. Aboelnaga directly beneficially owns 800 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Mr. Duster directly beneficially owns 1,338.329 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Mr. Prieto directly beneficially owns 820 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Ms. Schaible directly beneficially owns 1,360 shares of Common Stock.

____________________________

Note: All analyses performed as of 3/17/2025.
¹ Ryan Caswell on Q3 2024 Earnings Call.
² Current GAV plus realized sales compared to original cost basis of DNB, ALIT, PSFE, and SST.
³ Company published NAV reports.
⁴ TSR per Bloomberg as of 3/17/2025. Average cumulative shareholder return. TSR Proxy Peers include APO, FSK, GBDC, PSEC, CODI, NMFC. Closed End Fund Peers include UTG, STEW, KYN, CET, GAM, IGR, EOI, MEGI, PEO.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77496dfe-1ffc-44b7-94dd-bbd69816468b

The MIL Network –

March 21, 2025

MIL-OSI: FBI Veteran Joseph Bonavolonta Joins Wrap with 27 Years of Experience, Former SAC of Boston Field Office
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MIAMI, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WRAP) (“Wrap” or, the “Company”) today announced the appointment of Joseph R. Bonavolonta as Domestic Head of Managed Services of the Company, bringing over 27 years of experience from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) to the Company’s management team.

Mr. Bonavolonta, who culminated his distinguished FBI career as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Boston Field Office, led one of the agency’s largest divisions, overseeing high-profile criminal and national security investigations. His leadership extended to managing Joint Terrorism Task Forces, Safe Streets Gang and Violent Crime Task Forces, and directing the New England Region’s Domestic Director of National Intelligence (DDNI) Program.

In his new role, Mr. Bonavolonta is expected to assist the Company in driving growth while further deepening Wrap’s global law enforcement network. His extensive expertise in national security, compliance and risk management, combined with Wrap’s growing investigative technology partners, will enhance the Company’s mission to provide innovative, non-lethal solutions for public safety worldwide.

Prior to joining Wrap, Mr. Bonavolonta served as Managing Partner at a global security firm, where he provided strategic security solutions for multinational corporations, critical institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. His deep knowledge of technologies used in risk and vulnerability assessments, insider threats, cybersecurity and physical security strategies makes him an invaluable asset to Wrap’s growing Managed Services Branch.

“We are committed to bringing together elite-level talent and cutting-edge technology to solve the most pressing security challenges of today and the future,” said Bill McMurry, Chief Executive Officer of Managed Services at WRAP. “Joseph Bonavolonta’s unmatched expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our Managed Services Branch, reinforcing our role in supporting those who protect us and expanding our capabilities across both public and private sectors.”

Mr. Bonavolonta’s distinguished FBI career also includes leadership roles such as:
- Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division, overseeing domestic and international operations;
- Head of the Boston Field Office’s Cyber and Counterintelligence Branch, tackling nation-state driven espionage and cybersecurity threats; and
- Supervisor of the Complex Financial Crimes Program in the Newark Field Office.
His investigative achievements include spearheading international organized crime initiatives in coordination with the Italian National Police, and the dismantling of major criminal networks, including the Bonanno La Cosa Nostra (LCN) Family. His work earned him numerous accolades, including the Attorney General’s Director’s Award for Superior Performance, the Law Enforcement Distinguished Community Service Award, and the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation.

His deep connections within the New England law enforcement community and across federal and international security networks will help solidify Wrap’s relationships globally, strengthening the Company’s impact in law enforcement, security and risk mitigation.

Expanding Expertise with W1 Global and James DeStefano

Mr. Bonavolonta’s addition is expected to further strengthen Wrap’s global security, technology and investigative expertise, complementing the experience brought in through Wrap’s recent W1 Global, LLC acquisition. He joins James DeStefano, a retired FBI executive and former head of the FBI New York Field Office’s Crisis Management Program, who has spent years conducting risk and vulnerability assessments for corporate clients.

Their combined experience is expected to enhance Wrap’s ability to deliver comprehensive technology security solutions to law enforcement agencies, commercial clients and high-net-worth individuals worldwide.

About Wrap Technologies, Inc.
Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) is a global leader in public safety solutions, bringing together cutting-edge technology with exceptional people to address the complex, modern day challenges facing public safety organizations.

Wrap’s BolaWrap^® solution is a safer way to gain compliance—without pain. This innovative, patented device deploys light, sound, and a Kevlar^® tether to safely restrain individuals from a distance, giving officers critical time and space to manage non-compliant situations before resorting to higher-force options. The BolaWrap 150 does not shoot, strike, shock, or incapacitate—instead, it helps officers operate lower on the force continuum, reducing the risk of injury to both officers and subjects. Used by over 1,000 agencies across the U.S. and in 60 countries, BolaWrap^® is backed by training certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), reinforcing Wrap’s commitment to public safety through cutting-edge technology and expert training.

Wrap Reality™ VR is an advanced, fully immersive training simulator designed to enhance decision-making under pressure. As a comprehensive public safety training platform, it provides first responders with realistic, interactive scenarios that reflect the evolving challenges of modern law enforcement. By offering a growing library of real-world situations, Wrap Reality™ equips officers with the skills and confidence to navigate high stakes encounters effectively, leading to safer outcomes for both responders and the communities they serve.

Wrap’s Intrensic solution is an advanced body-worn camera and evidence management system built for efficiency, security, and transparency. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern law enforcement, Intrensic seamlessly captures, stores, and manages digital evidence, ensuring integrity and full chain-of-custody compliance. With automated workflows, secure cloud storage, and intuitive case management tools, it streamlines operations, reduces administrative burden, and enhances courtroom credibility.

Trademark Information
Wrap, the Wrap logo, BolaWrap^®, Wrap Reality™ and Wrap Training Academy are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and abroad. All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should”, “believe”, “target”, “project”, “goals”, “estimate”, “potential”, “predict”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Moreover, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the expected benefits of the acquisition of W1 Global, LLC, the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards; the Company’s ability to successfully implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company’s ability to manufacture and produce products for its customers; the Company’s ability to develop sales for its products; the market acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company’s product solutions; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the business impact of health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; the impact resulting from geopolitical conflicts and any resulting sanctions; the ability to obtain export licenses for counties outside of the United States; the ability to obtain patents and defend intellectual property against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors mentioned in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations.

Investor Relations Contact:
(800) 583-2652
ir@wrap.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/183801f3-4937-4aff-b91a-901b9599b322

The MIL Network –
March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK, France and Switzerland announce new anti-corruption alliance
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

UK, France and Switzerland announce new anti-corruption alliance

UK, France and Switzerland announce new alliance to tackle bribery and corruption threat 
The UK’s Serious Fraud Office, France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF) and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) today affirmed their shared commitment to tackling international bribery and corruption at an event in London.  

The agencies also founded a new taskforce to strengthen collaboration. 

All three countries have wide-reaching anti-bribery legislation with jurisdiction to prosecute criminal conduct that occurs overseas, if there is a link to the prosecuting country.  

The taskforce will strengthen existing ties between these countries and lead to greater joint working on cases, as well as sharing of insight and expertise.  

The statement can be seen here.

Nick Ephgrave, Director of the Serious Fraud Office, said:

The commitment we have made today reaffirms our individual and collective commitment to tackling the pernicious threat of international bribery and corruption, wherever it occurs. 

We will make use of every power and partnership available to confront this criminality. This taskforce is an important step forward in our approach.

Jean-François Bohnert, Head of the Parquet National Financier, said:

I am delighted that ten years of operational cooperation between the PNF, SFO and OAG are developing today into the setting up of a prosecutorial taskforce.

This taskforce will definitely strengthen our current cooperation in order to fight more efficiently against bribery and corruption in individual cases.

Stefan Blättler, Attorney General of the Swiss Confederation, said:

Within the framework of this cooperation, we will be able to help ensure that fraud and crime can be better combated in the future.

This task force is of great importance for Switzerland.

Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

I welcome the SFO’s commitment to working even more closely with their French and Swiss partners, including setting up this new taskforce to tackle international bribery and corruption.

Through strong international partnerships, we will be able to robustly tackle cross-border economic crime and protect our future prosperity.

Press Office

Email news@sfo.gov.uk

Out of hours press office contact number +44 (0)7557 009842

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 20 March 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Hertfordshire’s councils and OPCC submit joint response to Government on local government reform

Source: St Albans City and District

Publication date: 20 Mar 2025

All 11 councils in Hertfordshire and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) have agreed a joint interim response to the Government outlining a number of initial options for the reorganisation of local government structures in the county.

Hertfordshire is what’s known as a two-tier area with the county council responsible for services such as libraries, highways and transport, adult social care and children’s services, and 10 district and borough councils providing services such as bin collections, street cleaning, environmental health, leisure and housing. The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for the oversight of policing across the county.

As part of its plans to reshape local government, on 5 February the Government invited councils in all two-tier areas to submit an interim plan by 21 March for moving to a single tier of unitarity councils providing all services.

Hertfordshire’s councils and the OPCC’s shared priorities are ensuring any changes benefit residents and businesses, excellent local government services are maintained, residents are kept safe, and strong democratic accountability is available to communities across the county.

All 11 councils and the OPCC worked together to produce the interim submission which has been shared with elected members at each individual organisation and Hertfordshire’s MPs.

The submission sets out a number of options for further consideration, ranging from one to four unitary councils providing all services.

It also includes early thinking on how each option could support devolution, improve services, deliver value for money and maintain strong links to communities.

While a joint submission has been agreed, councils have differing views on the options set out and no decisions are being made at this stage.

Councils and the OPCC will continue to collaborate over the coming months to collate and analyse further evidence for each option.

The Government will provide feedback on the interim submission which will also inform the development of final proposals to be submitted to the Government by 28 November 2025 for a decision by Ministers.

The views of residents, businesses, local government partners, colleagues, and other stakeholders across the public and private sectors will be essential as proposals develop. All councils and the OPCC are committed to providing updates throughout the process.

Councillor Paul de Kort, Leader of St Albans City and District Council, said:

There is still considerable work to be undertaken before a decision should be made on the best option for restructuring local government in Hertfordshire.

We are keeping an open mind until we consult with our residents as well as important stakeholders such as local businesses, other public agencies, parish councils, voluntary groups and charities. Their views must be heard and taken into account.

There is also a need for much more guidance from the Government about many crucial aspects of the restructuring they are demanding.

We need to gather all this information, discuss and analyse it, before we can throw our weight behind one particular option.

The last reorganisation has lasted more than 50 years and this current one may well do the same, so it is vital we get this right and do not rush any decision.

Notes to Editors:

Interim Submission: Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire will appear here: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation

The statutory invitation from the Government received on 5 February to submit proposals for the reorganisation of local government structures in the county.

The English Devolution White Paper: English Devolution White Paper – GOV.UK

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada is investing more than $9.3 million to support Francophone minority communities

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

March 20, 2025—Ottawa—Francophone immigration plays a crucial role in growing the Canadian economy, in promoting the vitality of Francophone minority communities and in meeting labour needs across the country.

On this International Francophonie Day, the Honourable Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced $9.3 million of funding for 12 new projects aimed at supporting the economic development and demographic growth of Francophone minority communities.

Reporting to the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration, these projects are financed through the Francophone Immigration Support Program. They aim to promote Francophone minority communities, the recruitment and selection of French-speaking applicants, as well as the support of these applicants towards permanent residence.

Some of these projects also contribute to the collection and analysis of evidence to establish concrete actions to reduce the barriers to Francophone immigration.

To learn more about the projects, visit the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration web page.

As part of the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, we will continue to increase our targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec, bringing them to 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027. We are proud that, in 2024, we exceeded our ambitious target of 1.21%, reaching 7.21% of admissions of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec. The higher targets demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting Francophone immigration.

MIL OSI Canada News –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Upcoming Discussions on Public Health, Ecology Designed to Get People ‘Thinking Globally’

Source: US State of Connecticut

A series of virtual panel discussions this semester from the Office of Global Affairs and International Studies Association aims to prompt students, faculty, and the community to think bigger than themselves, even bigger than UConn, when considering issues that touch nearly every corner of the world.

“Thinking Globally in 2025” is tackling such topics as public health and ecology in March and April, after having looked at media and misinformation in late February.

“In some ways, I see this as curating the relevant expertise that’s out there to help people begin to make sense of an incredibly confusing and quite scary world,” says Jane Anna Gordon, a political science professor and series co-organizer. “We want people to come away with the sense that we need a big, broad, diverse community of people if we have any hope of understanding the globe.”

Sarah W. Dorr, director of professional development at the International Studies Association (ISA) and a research scholar in Global Affairs, says she conceived of the series after noting that ISA members and UConn faculty have vast expertise in a variety of fields, but hadn’t come together for interdisciplinary discussions.

After developing the idea for a speaker series that would draw from UConn’s faculty and ISA’s national and international network, Dorr approached Global Affairs and connected with Allison Casaly ’12 (CLAS), who serves as its global partnerships manager.

Casaly says her office also was looking to begin a speaker series, as was Gordon, who had put together a fall-time faculty seminar around the theme of thinking globally. With combined efforts, the three planned for “Thinking Globally” to kick off this semester, featuring three topics they considered particularly impactful in the contemporary world.

The first, “Our Digital World: Media and Misinformation,” featured UConn journalism assistant professor Amanda J. Crawford as moderator, and as panelists UConn journalism department head and professor Marie K. Shanahan and UConn communication assistant professor Jiyoun Suk, along with Dmitry Chernobrov from the University of Sheffield, England.

About 80 people registered for the virtual discussion, Dorr says, about half from UConn. The event was open to anyone affiliated with the University or ISA, or from the wider community.

“With all of the uncertainty going on in the country and in the world, it’s valuable to provide a forum where people can gather and learn about issues, while having the opportunity to ask questions of the experts that we bring in,” Casaly says.

Dorr adds, “In addition to promoting interdisciplinary discussion, one of the main aims of the series is to get academic expertise down the pipeline and make it available to the wider public in this age of misinformation.”

The second discussion, “Our World: Public Health,” will happen March 25, featuring Joy Elwell from the UConn schools of Nursing and Medicine as moderator, and as panelists Fumilayo Showers, an assistant professor of sociology and Africana Studies at UConn; Elsio A. Wunder, an assistant professor of pathobiology and veterinary science at UConn; and Stevan M. Weine from the University of Illinois.

“Our Ecological World: Oceans & Waterways” will happen April 22, featuring Matthew McKenzie, a history professor at UConn; Carmel Christy K.J., a postdoctoral research associate at the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute at UConn; James O’Donnell, a UConn professor and executive director of the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation; Eduardo Urios-Aparisi, an associate professor of Spanish studies and applied linguistics and discourse studies at UConn, along with Neil Oculi from the University Portland and Henry Carey from Georgia State University as moderators.

While the three organizers say promoting and engaging people with the series is the primary goal, they hope to expand it in the fall and offer it as a for-credit class to UConn students, similar to the online, asynchronous popup course on antisemitism that’s been held since 2022.

For this course, they expect to require students not just to learn but take that learning and think about what they can do with it through some sort of public project.

“We want students to take away a holistic understanding of the issue,” Casaly says. “By having people from different disciplines talk about the same broad theme, we’re hoping people can appreciate the diversity of perspectives that exist and the value those different perspectives bring to understanding the issue.”

Dorr also suggests there may be an opportunity to expand the series into a podcast or abbreviated video format, sort of a here’s-what-you-need-to-know-from-the-experts.

Snapshots like this might be good teaching tools too, Gordon says.

“I’m open to any ideas that people may have about how to further all this fantastic content,” Dorr adds.

While they understand some topics might be more attractive draws for audiences, ideally, they hope to develop a core group that shows up regularly and can take what they learn each month back to their personal and professional contacts.

“We’re in such a confusing time,” Gordon says. “On the one hand, we’re part of a globe – think about COVID, the transmission of information, election meddling. But at the same time, we’re in a period in which those who are ascending politically are trying to deglobalize or at least become much more exclusionary. That becomes very contradictory and makes people feel nihilistic and isolated. Being able to talk with other people about this, how to work through it, and what to do in response is really urgent.”

Registration for the March 25 and April 22 events can be done online from the ISA website. The ISA is an interdisciplinary association with more than 7,000 members dedicated to international, transnational, and global affairs. While it’s work spans international borders, it is based at UConn.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Military and Defense Drone Industry Witnessing Exponential Growth as Improved Technology and Products Hit the Market

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PALM BEACH, Fla., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – A recent report from Straits Research said that the global military drone market size was valued at USD $21.81 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow from USD $24.25 billion in 2025 to reach USD $56.69 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.20% during the forecast period (2025-2033). The report said: “A military drone, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is a type of aircraft that operates without a human pilot on board. These drones are equipped with advanced technologies for surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and, in some cases, targeted strikes. Military drones are used extensively in modern warfare for a variety of roles, including combat, surveillance, logistical support, and search-and-rescue missions. The global market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing global demand for enhanced surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities. As nations recognize the strategic advantages of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in military operations, drones are increasingly deployed in both combat and non-combat roles.” Active companies in the markets this week include: Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO), RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT).

Straits Research continued: “Despite the promising growth, there are significant challenges facing the global market, including complex regulatory issues and ethical concerns surrounding the use of autonomous weapons. However, innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), miniaturization, and battery life are expected to open new growth opportunities, enabling more advanced, efficient, and versatile drone capabilities in the near future. The integration of emerging technologies into military drones presents a significant growth opportunity for the market. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, autonomous navigation systems, and advanced sensors are revolutionizing the capabilities of military drones. AI-driven systems, for instance, can enable drones to analyze vast amounts of real-time data, enhancing decision-making and targeting accuracy. Autonomous navigation allows drones to operate with minimal human intervention, improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk to personnel… Moreover, the integration of 5G technology will enable drones to transmit high-definition video feeds in real-time, improving situational awareness for military personnel on the ground. These advancements are transforming military drones into more effective, versatile tools, driving demand across defense sectors globally.”

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) Announces Chris Miller, Former Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Appointed by President Trump, Joins the Draganfly Board of Directors – Draganfly Inc. (FSE: 3U8A) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, is proud to announce that Christopher C. Miller, former Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump, has joined the Company’s Board of Directors.

Miller, a seasoned national security expert with decades of experience in defense and intelligence, will help guide Draganfly’s strategic initiatives in the government, defense, and aerospace sectors. His extensive leadership in military operations and national security policy aligns with Draganfly’s commitment to providing cutting-edge, American-made drone technology for critical applications.

“Chris Miller’s experience at the highest levels of defense and national security will be invaluable to Draganfly as we continue to expand our role in government and security operations. His insights and expertise will help continue to position Draganfly as a leader in North American-made drone solutions for defense, law enforcement, and public safety,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly.

Miller served as the Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense, overseeing the Department of Defense during a critical transition period. Prior to that, he held senior positions at the National Security Council and Special Operations Command, where he played a key role in shaping U.S. counterterrorism strategies.

“Draganfly is at the forefront of innovation in drone technology, and I’m honored to join the Board at such a pivotal time,” said Chris Miller. “As the demand for secure, American-made drone solutions grows, Draganfly’s commitment to innovation, safety, and strategic partnerships will be essential in supporting national security and defense initiatives. I look forward to contributing to the Company’s success.”

Miller’s appointment strengthens Draganfly’s leadership team as the Company continues to expand its work with government and defense partners. His deep understanding of security, policy, and military operations will help Draganfly further solidify its position as a key player in the rapidly evolving drone and aerospace industries. CONTINUED… Read this full press release and more news for Draganfly at: https://draganfly.com/news/

Other recent developments in the defense/military industries of note include:

Collins Aerospace, an RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX) business, recently said it is preparing the first shipments of its Airshow™ HD entertainment system integrated into Venue™ smart monitors, providing an all-in-one, standalone in-flight entertainment (IFE) solution for business aviation.

For the first time, business jet customers flying everything from light jets to super midsize and heavy aircraft will have access to Collins’ Airshow HD interactive moving maps, streaming entertainment and brilliant 4Kresolutions in a singular hardware solution, without needing to upgrade to a full Venue cabin management system.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a technology company specializing in defense, national security, and global markets, recently announced the groundbreaking of Kratos’ Hypersonic System Indiana Payload Integration Facility (IPIF) in Crane, Indiana. This state-of-the-art 68,000-square-foot office, laboratory, integration and test complex will support critical hypersonic vehicle and payload activities and systems for the Multi-Service Advanced Capabilities Hypersonic Testbed (MACH-TB) program. The project demonstrates Kratos’ commitment to advancing hypersonic system payload integration and test capabilities and expanding crucial infrastructure needed to accelerate the time to Mach 5+ flight testing.

Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos, said: “The Kratos Hypersonic System Indiana Payload Integration Facility represents a strategic investment in our Nation’s hypersonic infrastructure, workforce and capabilities. Kratos is committed to achieving, if not exceeding, the MACH-TB program’s primary goals, which include, increasing the cadence of flight tests and to mature and qualify advanced hypersonic technologies. Kratos’ IPIF will provide a vital commercial launch vehicle environmental test and assembly capability to supplement existing DoD and NASA facilities.”

Frequency Electronics, Inc., a leading provider of precision timing and frequency control products, recently announced that Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has recognized Frequency Electronics Inc. (FEIM) as one of its top supplier partners during the company’s Supplier Excellence Awards.

Ken Brown, vice president, enterprise global supply chain, Northrop Grumman, said, “Frequency Electronics has supported Northrop Grumman in delivering technologies that enhance national security for the U.S. and our allies. The high-quality performance, dedication and partnership of our supplier teams drive operational excellence to ensure warfighters have next generation advantages in advanced weapons, aircraft, missile defense and space.”

Recognized for Strategic Excellence, Frequency Electronics is instrumental in supporting Northrop Grumman with delivering innovative and cost-effective military and security solutions to give its customers the advantage in a complex world.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently announced that the global F-35 fleet has surpassed 1 million flight hours, further proof of the program’s size and strength in ensuring America’s warfighter and those of our allies maintain air dominance around the world.

“Reaching 1 million flight hours is a monumental achievement for the F-35 program. It highlights the unwavering dedication of our pilots, maintainers, industry partners and our international partners and foreign military sales customers,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office. “This milestone is not just a testament to the F-35’s unmatched capability, but also to the resilience and commitment of everyone involved in this program. As we continue to expand the fleet and advance the F-35’s capabilities, we are ensuring the warfighters of today and tomorrow have the most advanced, reliable, and effective tool to protect our nations.”

About FN Media Group:

At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia

Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup

Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated twenty five hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Draganfly Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757

SOURCE: FN Media Group, LLC.

The MIL Network –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s phone call with Putin fails to deliver a full ceasefire – here’s what could happen next

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

After more than two hours on the phone on Tuesday, March 17, the US president, Donald Trump, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed only to confidence-building measures, not a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The two leaders came away from the call having agreed on a limited prisoner exchange, a suspension of attacks on energy infrastructure, and the creation of working groups to explore further steps towards a ceasefire and ultimately a peace agreement, a proposal which Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky has since agreed to in his call with the US president.

A less charitable way of looking at the outcome of the second call between the two presidents since Trump returned to the White House would be that the ball is now back in America’s court. Putin made it crystal clear to Trump that he is not (yet) in the mood for any compromise.

This is hardly surprising given recent events.

The US has pressured Ukraine mercilessly into accepting a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which Trump hoped Russia would also agree to. But apart from a vague statement by Trump that he might consider sanctions against Russia, he has so far seemed unwilling to contemplate putting any meaningful equivalent pressure on Putin.

Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

On the ground, Russia has gained the upper hand in the Kursk region where Ukrainian troops have ceded most of the territory they captured after a surprise offensive last summer. Once Putin’s forces, assisted by thousands of North Korean soldiers, have succeeded in driving the Ukrainians out of Russia, Kyiv will have lost its most valuable bargaining chip in negotiations with Moscow.

Meanwhile, Russia has also made further gains on the frontlines inside Ukraine especially in parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. These are two of the four regions (the other two are Donetsk and Luhansk) that Putin has claimed for Russia in their entirety since sham referendums in September 2022, despite not yet having full control of them.

If Russia were to capture yet more Ukrainian territory, Putin would probably find it even easier to convince Trump that his demands are reasonable. The fact that Trump already hinted at a “dividing of assets”, including the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia – Europe’s largest before its forced shutdown in September 2022 – is a worrying indication of how far the Russian president has already pushed the envelope.

Ukraine war: territory occupied by Russia as at March 18 2025.
Institute for the Study of War

But a deal solely between Russia and the US is not going to work. In that sense, time is not only on Putin’s side but also on Zelensky’s.

The Russian readout of the call between the two presidents claimed that they had discussed “the complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv” as a key condition for moving forward – something that Trump subsequently denied in an interview with Fox. This means that, for now, Kyiv is likely to continue to receive US aid.

Europe at the ready

Perhaps more importantly in the long term, Europe is also doubling down on support for Ukraine. While Trump and Putin were discussing a carve-up of Ukraine over the phone, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, left no doubt on where the EU stands.

In a speech at the Royal Danish Military Academy foreshadowing the publication of the commission’s Readiness 2030 white paper on bolstering European defences, she recommitted to developing European “capabilities to have credible deterrence” against a hostile Russia.

A few hours later, the German parliament passed a multi-billion Euro package that loosens the country’s tight borrowing rules to enable massive investments in defence. This follows announcements of increased defence elsewhere on the continent, including in the UK, Poland, and by the EU itself.

Meanwhile, the UK and France are leading efforts to assemble a coalition of the willing to help Ukraine. Representatives of the 30-member group gathered in London on March 15 for further talks.

Afterwards, the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, released a statement saying that Ukraine’s western partners “will keep increasing the pressure on Russia, keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine and keep tightening the restrictions on Russia’s economy”.

Undoubtedly, these measures would be more effective if they had Washington’s full buy-in – but they send a strong signal to both the Kremlin and the White House that Ukraine is not alone in its fight against Russia’s continuing aggression.

Putin’s options

Putin, meanwhile, may have time on his side in the short term – but he should take note of this. Russian manpower and firepower may dwarf that of Ukraine, but it would be no match for a Ukraine backed by such a coalition of the willing.

Putin’s apparent plan to drag Trump into the minutiae of negotiating a comprehensive deal may eventually backfire in more ways than one. For a start, really detailed discussions will test the US president’s notoriously short attention span.

But this will also buy time for Ukraine and its supporters to strengthen Kyiv’s position in future negotiations. And it will continue to strain – but not immediately break – Russia’s economy.

For now, Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine have stalled. He is attempting to broker a complex ceasefire deal that involves separate agreements with Kyiv and Moscow, pressure on Nato allies, and an attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and China. It’s not clear how this will succeed or indeed where it will end.

The only certainty is that they are not bringing a just and stable peace for Ukraine any closer.

Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

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

– ref. Trump’s phone call with Putin fails to deliver a full ceasefire – here’s what could happen next – https://theconversation.com/trumps-phone-call-with-putin-fails-to-deliver-a-full-ceasefire-heres-what-could-happen-next-252417

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine war: how Zelensky rebuilt his relationship with Trump to turn the tables on Putin

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

After Donald Trump’s “very good and productive” phone call with Vladimir Putin earlier this week, all eyes were on his subsequent call with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Would it, when they last met in the flesh on February 28 at the White House, descend into disastrous acrimony? Or would Zelensky manage to engage with the US president in a cooperative way that encourages him to see Ukraine and its leader in a more favourable light?

The latter, it seems. In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump referred to their “very good telephone call”, which got the two leaders “very much on track”. Zelensky for his part, talked of a “very good” and “frank” phone call and seemed to agree with everything the US president had to say, taking pains to emphasise and praise Trump and America’s leadership.

With his vocal support of Trump’s proposal for peace, Zelensky has put the attention back on Putin. He clearly wants to appear to be the more reasonable negotiating partner by going along with the US president’s proposals.

In spite of Zelensky’s misgivings about how trustworthy Putin is, he has agreed to a limited ceasefire with Russia on energy infrastructure (while stressing that, unlike Putin, he agrees with Trump’s aim for a complete ceasefire).

Zelensky clearly knows that Russia has a great deal to gain from a pause on attacks on energy grids and oil refineries, given Ukraine’s increasing capacity to use long-range drone attacks. And a maritime ceasefire, if agreed, would also favour Russia.

Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

But by publicly voicing Ukraine’s support for Trump’s plan for a ceasefire, Zelensky has exposed Putin’s disinterest in stopping hostilities.

In the call, Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine was happy to support the US call for a ceasefire, without conditions. Putin, meanwhile, in his call with Trump laid out a set of frankly unreasonable demands.

These included the complete cessation of military aid and intelligence sharing by Ukraine’s allies, including the US. He also demanded a complete halt on Ukrainian troop mobilisation and rearmament.

The demands were so ridiculous, they were designed to get Ukraine to reject them. Interestingly Trump, when he was interviewed after his phone call with Putin, denied that the pair had discussed aid. Crucially, he didn’t say whether this was something he would agree to.

But the fact that the two leaders discussed the possibility of an ice hockey match between their two countries is an indication of how Putin is able to manipulate the US president with flattery. It helps that Trump clearly admires Putin and has repeatedly said that he trusts the Russian leader.

Has Putin overplayed his hand?

But this could come with a time limit. Trump, who wants a peace deal to trumpet as a crowning achievement, could well get tired of the fact that Putin has made no concessions to allow that deal to progress.

The Russian leader is clearly hoping that by seeming to engage with the “peace” process, while at the same time dangling the prospect of doing business with Russia – for example by offering the US the chance to explore Russia’s own reserves of rare earth minerals – he can keep Trump on side.

But while Trump still leans toward Putin, his relationship with Zelensky seems to have improved. The Ukrainian president appears to have learned that Trump doesn’t have a long memory and that flattery goes a long way with the US president.

Trump, meanwhile, is no longer calling Zelensky a dictator, and as yet there is no mention of halting US military aid or intelligence to Ukraine. There is the opposite, in fact, as the US has said it will assist in finding more Patriot missile defence systems after Zelensky mentioned that they were sorely needed.

By giving Trump credit for the ceasefire initiative, Zelensky is putting the ball in Russia’s court. And his apparent receptiveness to Trump’s idea about the US taking over Ukraine’s nuclear power plants will appeal to Trump’s transactional instincts. In addition to offering Trump business deals, Zelensky is now consistently offering Trump praise for his peace efforts.

And it’s clear from the tone of the briefing given by White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, after the call that the US was happy with how it went. Leavitt stressed Zelensky’s praise for Trump’s leadership several times.

The White House reports on a “fantastic” phone call between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky has also successfully turned Trump’s attention to the 35,000 missing children abducted from Ukraine into Russia during the war. The US state department had stopped tracking them and had deleted the evidence it had gathered, but Trump is now vowing to return the children home.

Putin is generally thought to be stringing these negotiations out as long as possible in order to maximise the amount of Ukrainian territory his army occupies. This could be a risky strategy.

Ending the war in Ukraine as quickly as possible was one of Trump’s repeated campaign promises. So the question is how long Trump can remain distracted or satisfied by Putin’s false engagement with the peace process.

The American president seems to be changing his tune on Ukraine more generally. His disastrous Oval Office press conference last month with Zelensky was viewed by some as a ploy to portray Ukraine as a difficult and ungrateful partner compared to Russia who he maintained was only interested in achieving a peaceful end to the war. Now, with Zelensky seemingly agreeing with whatever Trump says, it’s become harder for him to take that line.

For now, at least, the pressure is back on Putin.

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

– ref. Ukraine war: how Zelensky rebuilt his relationship with Trump to turn the tables on Putin – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-how-zelensky-rebuilt-his-relationship-with-trump-to-turn-the-tables-on-putin-252693

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trump administration seeks to starve libraries and museums of funding by shuttering this little-known agency

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Devon Akmon, Director of the MSU Museum and CoLab Studio, Michigan State University

ExplorationWorks, a children’s museum in Helena, Mont., received $151,946 in 2024 from the IMLS to expand its early childhood programs. Lisa Wareham

On March 14, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order that called for the dismantling of seven federal agencies “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” They ranged from the United States Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America, to the Minority Business Development Agency.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services was also on the list. Congress created the IMLS in 1996 through the Museum and Library Services Act. The law merged the Institute of Museum Services, which was established in 1976, with the Library Programs Office of the Department of Education.

By combining these two departments, Congress sought to create an overarching agency that could more cohesively and strategically support American museums and libraries. The agency’s mission, programs and funding have been reaffirmed through subsequent legislation, such as the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003.

The Conversation U.S. interviewed Devon Akmon, who is the director of the MSU Museum at Michigan State University. He explained how the agency supports the nation’s cultural institutions and local communities – and what could be lost if the agency were dissolved.

What does the Institute of Museum and Library Services do?

The agency provides financial support to a wide array of cultural and educational institutions, including art, science and history museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and historic sites. Libraries of all types – public, academic, school and research – also benefit from the agency’s funding.

Through grants, research and policy initiatives, the IMLS helps these institutions better serve their communities.

Anne-Imelda Radice, right, former director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, inspects Denver city records and neighborhood histories in 2008. The volumes were digitized to make them more accessible to the public.
Brian Brainerd/The Denver Post via Getty Images

In the 2019 fiscal year, for example, the IMLS awarded funds to libraries in Nebraska to support economic development in 30 rural communities. The project created rotating “innovation studios” in local libraries and provided residents with tools, instructional materials and programming to foster entrepreneurship and creativity. More recently, IMLS awarded a grant to the Hands On Children’s Museum to develop a toolkit that museums across the country can use to support families with relatives who are in prison.

For libraries, the IMLS might fund technology upgrades, such as virtual reality learning stations, AI-assisted research aids or digitization of rare books. The agency also pays for community programs that take place in libraries, from early childhood reading initiatives to workshops that help people land jobs.

How has the Institute of Museum and Library Services supported your work at the MSU Museum?

IMLS grants have played a vital role in enabling the MSU Museum to preserve, enhance and expand access to its collections.

For example, we’ve used IMLS grants to develop high-quality audio aids for museum visitors who are blind or have poor vision. Recent funding has supported the digitization of over 2,000 vertebrate specimens, including rare and endangered species.

Beyond financial support, the MSU Museum benefits from IMLS policy papers, professional training opportunities and resources developed through the National Leadership Grants for Museums program. Our staff members also contribute to national campaigns spearheaded by the IMLS, such as its Strategies for Countering Antisemitism & Hate initiative.

Through these efforts, the IMLS, alongside the American Alliance of Museums, operate as cornerstones of learning and innovation within the museum field.

Looking beyond Michigan State, what might be lost with its shuttering?

The IMLS is more than a grantmaking entity – it is the only federal agency dedicated to sustaining the entire museum and library ecosystem in the United States.

Its funding has sustained museums, advanced digital preservation, expanded accessibility for low-income communities and fueled innovation in educational programming. In 2024 alone, the agency distributed US$266.7 million through grants, research initiatives and policy development. For example, ExplorationWorks, a children’s museum in Helena, Montana, received $151,946 in 2024 from the IMLS to expand its early childhood programs that serve low-income and rural families.

Without this support, many institutions will struggle to hire and retain qualified staff, leading to fewer exhibitions, stalled research and reduced educational outreach.

The consequences would be particularly severe for small museums and rural museums, which lack the fundraising capacity of larger urban institutions. They’re often the only sources of cultural and historical education in their regions, and their loss would create cultural voids that cannot easily be filled.

Trump’s executive order dictated that the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other agencies be eliminated “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” What is the applicable law in this case?

I’m not a lawyer. But my understanding is that the “applicable law” in this case primarily refers to the Museum and Library Services Act, which, as I noted earlier, was created in 1996 and has been reauthorized multiple times since then.

Since the IMLS was created through this congressional legislation, it cannot simply be eliminated by an executive order. Congress would need to pass a law to repeal or defund it.

President George W. Bush signs into law the Museum and Library Services Act on Sept. 25, 2003.
Tina Hager/White House via Getty Images

Additionally, the Antideficiency Act prohibits federal agencies from operating without appropriated funding. If Congress were to defund the IMLS rather than repeal its authorizing statute, the agency would be forced to cease operations due to a lack of money, even if the legal framework for its existence remained intact.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Museums are among the most trusted institutions in the country. They are rare bipartisan beacons of credibility in an era of deep division.

A 2021 American Alliance of Museums report found that 97% of Americans view museums as valuable educational assets, while 89% consider them trustworthy sources of information. A 2022 American Library Association survey revealed that 89% of voters and 92% of parents believe local public libraries have an important role to play in communities.

More than just cultural repositories, museums and libraries bring together citizens and offer learning opportunities for everyday people. By presenting science and history through engaging, evidence-based storytelling, museums help bridge ideological divides and encourage informed discourse. People of all political stripes rely on libraries for free internet access, job searches and literacy programs.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is central to this work. The agency provides leadership, while funding programs and research that help museums and libraries expand their offerings to reach all Americans.

Stripping this support would threaten the sustainability of these institutions and weaken their ability to serve as pillars of education, civic engagement and truth. I see it as a disinvestment in an informed, connected and resilient society.

Devon Akmon receives funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. He also serves as the vice chair and secretary of the board of directors for the American Alliance of Museums.

– ref. Trump administration seeks to starve libraries and museums of funding by shuttering this little-known agency – https://theconversation.com/trump-administration-seeks-to-starve-libraries-and-museums-of-funding-by-shuttering-this-little-known-agency-252455

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: 5 years on, true counts of COVID-19 deaths remain elusive − and research is hobbled by lack of data

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Dylan Thomas Doyle, Ph.D. Candidate in Information Science, University of Colorado Boulder

National COVID-19 memorial wall for the five-year anniversary on March 11, 2025, in London, England. Andrew Aitchison/In Pictures via Getty Images

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers struggled to grasp the rate of the virus’s spread and the number of related deaths. While hospitals tracked cases and deaths within their walls, the broader picture of mortality across communities remained frustratingly incomplete.

Policymakers and researchers quickly discovered a troubling pattern: Many deaths linked to the virus were never officially counted. A study analyzing data from over 3,000 U.S. counties between March 2020 and August 2022 found nearly 163,000 excess deaths from natural causes that were missing from official mortality records.

Excess deaths, meaning those that exceed the number expected based on historical trends, serve as a key indicator of underreported deaths during health crises. Many of these uncounted deaths were later tied to COVID-19 through reviews of medical records, death certificates and statistical modeling.

In addition, lack of real-time tracking for medical interventions during those early days slowed vaccine development by delaying insights into which treatments worked and how people were responding to newly circulating variants.

Five years since the beginning of COVID-19, new epidemics such as bird flu are emerging worldwide, and researchers are still finding it difficult to access the data about people’s deaths that they need to develop lifesaving interventions.

How can the U.S. mortality data system improve? I’m a technology infrastructure researcher, and my team and I design policy and technical systems to reduce inefficiency in health care and government organizations. By analyzing the flow of mortality data in the U.S., we found several areas of the system that could use updating.

Critical need for real-time data

A death record includes key details beyond just the fact of death, such as the cause, contributing conditions, demographics, place of death and sometimes medical history. This information is crucial for researchers to be able to analyze trends, identify disparities and drive medical advances.

Approximately 2.8 million death records are added to the U.S. mortality data system each year. But in 2022 – the most recent official count available – when the world was still in the throes of the pandemic, 3,279,857 deaths were recorded in the federal system. Still, this figure is widely considered to be a major undercount of true excess deaths from COVID-19.

In addition, real-time tracking of COVID-19 mortality data was severely lacking. This process involves the continuous collection, analysis and reporting of deaths from hospitals, health agencies and government databases by integrating electronic health records, lab reports and public health surveillance systems. Ideally, it provides up-to-date insights for decision-making, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, these tracking systems lagged and failed to generate comprehensive data.

Getting real-time COVID-19 data from hospitals and other agencies into the hands of researchers proved difficult.
Gerald Herbert/AP Photo

Without comprehensive data on prior COVID-19 infections, antibody responses and adverse events, researchers faced challenges designing clinical trials to predict how long immunity would last and optimize booster schedules.

Such data is essential in vaccine development because it helps identify who is most at risk, which variants and treatments affect survival rates, and how vaccines should be designed and distributed. And as part of the broader U.S. vital records system, mortality data is essential for medical research, including evaluating public health programs, identifying health disparities and monitoring disease.

At the heart of the problem is the inefficiency of government policy, particularly outdated public health reporting systems and slow data modernization efforts that hinder timely decision-making. These long-standing policies, such as reliance on paper-based death certificates and disjointed state-level reporting, have failed to keep pace with real-time data needs during crises such as COVID-19.

These policy shortcomings lead to delays in reporting and lack of coordination between hospital organizations, state government vital records offices and federal government agencies in collecting, standardizing and sharing death records.

History of US mortality data

The U.S. mortality data system has been cobbled together through a disparate patchwork of state and local governments, federal agencies and public health organizations over the course of more than a century and a half. It has been shaped by advances in public health, medical record-keeping and technology. From its inception to the present day, the mortality data system has been plagued by inconsistencies, inefficiencies and tensions between medical professionals, state governments and the federal government.

The first national efforts to track information about deaths began in the 1850s when the U.S. Census Bureau started collecting mortality data as part of the decennial census. However, these early efforts were inconsistent, as death registration was largely voluntary and varied widely across states.

In the early 20th century, the establishment of the National Vital Statistics System brought greater standardization to mortality data. For example, the system required all U.S. states and territories to standardize their death certificate format. It also consolidated mortality data at the federal level, whereas mortality data was previously stored at the state level.

However, state and federal reporting remained fragmented. For example, states had no unifom timeline for submitting mortality data, resulting in some states taking months or even years to finalize and release death records. Local or state-level paperwork processing practices also remained varied and at times contradictory.

Death record processing varies by state.
eric1513/iStock via Getty Images Plus

To begin to close gaps in reporting timelines to aid medical researchers, in 1981 the National Center for Health Statistics – a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – introduced the National Death Index. This is a centralized database of death records collected from state vital statistics offices, making it easier to access death data for health and medical research. The system was originally paper-based, with the aim of allowing researchers to track the deaths of study participants without navigating complex bureaucracies.

As time has passed, the National Death Index and state databases have become increasingly digital. The rise of electronic death registration systems in recent decades has improved processing speed when it comes to researchers accessing mortality data from the National Death Index. However, while the index has solved some issues related to gaps between state and federal data, other issues, such as high fees and inconsistency in state reporting times, still plague it.

Accessing the data that matters most

With the Trump administration’s increasing removal of CDC public health datasets, it is unclear whether policy reform for mortality data will be addressed anytime soon.

Experts fear that the removal of CDC datasets has now set precedent for the Trump administration to cross further lines in its attempts to influence the research and data published by the CDC. The longer-term impact of the current administration’s public health policy on mortality data and disease response are not yet clear.

What is clear is that five years since COVID-19, the U.S. mortality tracking system remains unequipped to meet emerging public health crises. Without addressing these challenges, the U.S. may not be able to respond quickly enough to public health crises threatening American lives.

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

– ref. 5 years on, true counts of COVID-19 deaths remain elusive − and research is hobbled by lack of data – https://theconversation.com/5-years-on-true-counts-of-covid-19-deaths-remain-elusive-and-research-is-hobbled-by-lack-of-data-244799

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Tyrannical leader? Why comparisons between Trump and King George III miss the mark on 18th-century British monarchy

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Carla Gardina Pestana, Professor and Joyce Appleby Endowed Chair of America in the World, University of California, Los Angeles

Are there legitimate comparisons between President Donald Trump and King George III? Rebecca Noble/Getty Images; Kean Collection/Getty Images

George III, king of Great Britain and its colonies at the time of the American Revolution, has been maligned unfairly.

During both the first and now the second term of President Donald Trump, commentators in the U.S. have invoked the king’s misdeeds to criticize Trump. When the president bypassed Congress to create a new government agency, appointed its head and stopped payment of millions of dollars of allocated federal funds, his critics noted that he assumed the role of Congress, a power grab that supposedly made him similar to George III. According to this criticism, the president engaged in tyranny, just as the founders accused George of doing.

As a scholar of early America, I believe, however, that George III has gotten a bad rap. He was not the all-powerful monarch that Trump allegedly aspires to be.

In the 1770s, the power of the British king was limited by the authority of Parliament. In that system, which Americans and others praised at the time as balanced, the king and the legislature each had specific duties and powers so that neither could control the government alone.

George III was not an absolutist monarch, to use the language of the day for a power-hungry ruler. The English had struggled in the previous century over the extent of the king’s power. After fighting two civil wars, executing one king, and, eventually, forcing the monarch to agree to rule with Parliament rather than on his own, they believed their liberties were safeguarded.

This system, known as limited monarchy, was the pride of Great Britain. It was also admired by the American founders. As late as 1774, in his Summary View of the Rights of British America, Thomas Jefferson praised the “free and ancient principles” of the British constitution in which “kings are the servants, not the proprietors of the people.”

Trump has been compared with King George III by many writers and commentators; the White House on Feb. 19, 2024, issued the fake magazine cover of Trump crowned like a king.
Various

No kingly tyranny

Britons, whether in Great Britain or the colonies, did fear a tyrant, a controlling and abusive leader.

Some fears came from their study of political theory, which taught that government worked best when composed of various branches that represented the concerns of the different political classes.

As this theory went, an unbalanced government would descend into tyranny with a too-powerful monarch; oligarchy under a dominant aristocratic class; or anarchy with the people out of control. They believed these perils could be avoided only by maintaining balance.

Even though the British did not fear imbalance or a tyrant king in their own case, they could see the danger threatening elsewhere in Europe.

France represented a worst-case scenario. Its absolutist kings had ruled without France’s legislature – the Estates General – for more than a century and a half at the time of the American Revolution. British poet Robert Wolseley’s often reprinted poem declared: “Let France grow proud beneath the tyrant’s lust, While the rackt people crawl and lick the dust. The mighty Genius of this isle disdains Ambitious slavery and golden chains.”

Within a few years, Anglo-American criticism of kingly tyranny in France would be validated: That country descended into a violent revolution that resulted in decades of warfare and political violence, including the execution of the entire royal family.

This experience confirmed for the British and Americans that a balanced system was best and that they should count their blessings.

Why revolt?

A list of grievances held by the American Colonies against King George III, set down in Thomas Jefferson’s first draft of the American Declaration of Independence, which ultimately included 27 grievances against the king.
MPI/Getty Images

If the American revolutionaries admired the British system and sought to copy it in the United States, why did they reject the link to Britain and revolt in the first place?

Americans did not revolt against the nature of British government. Rather they objected to their changing place within the British Empire. The revolutionary crisis had a number of roots, but most of them arose out of changes in the management of the relationship between the American Colonies and the imperial center.

From the 1760s, the British government took a more activist role in its American Colonies, limiting their geographical expansion and imposing taxes directly on the population. In the past, Colonists had been free to move west, challenged only by the indigenous residents who fought to defend their lands.

Now the British government, aiming to put an end to these wars, blocked expansion. At the same time, to pay down the debt accrued in recent war with France – and fought in part in North America – the government levied taxes not via the Colonial legislatures, as it had before, but directly on residents. This change sparked revolt and, eventually, revolution.

Turning on the king

American Colonists pull down a statue of King George III in New York City during the American Revolution.
Corbis via Getty Images

Before 1776, the Colonists believed that George III would come to their rescue and halt these changes imposed by Parliament. They thought initially that he did not realize how the new policies affected them.

Only in 1776 did they accept that George III supported the policy changes and would not defend their rights. It was in that context that they turned on him and declared him tyrannical, blaming him for the new policies and calling for a break with Britain. As the Declaration of Independence said: “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”

Although they complained about the tyranny of George III, their true objection was that their subordinate position within the empire gave them little leverage when opposing policies that king and Parliament agreed to impose on them.

Once independent, the founders created a system that imitated the British model of mixed governance and created barriers – the powers of Congress and the oversight of the Supreme Court – that they hoped would safeguard their liberties against the threat of renewed tyranny.

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

– ref. Tyrannical leader? Why comparisons between Trump and King George III miss the mark on 18th-century British monarchy – https://theconversation.com/tyrannical-leader-why-comparisons-between-trump-and-king-george-iii-miss-the-mark-on-18th-century-british-monarchy-251869

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear Energy Adds Two Additional Senior Nuclear Engineers to its Technical Team

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NANO Nuclear Continues to Attract Top Tier talent to Propel the Development of its Innovative Microreactor Technologies

New York, N.Y., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced the additions of James Leybourn and Simon Boddington as Senior Nuclear Engineers. Both Mr. Leybourn and Mr. Boddington are based in the U.K. and recently joined NANO Nuclear’s U.K.-based nuclear science and engineering partner Cambridge AtomWorks, led by Professors Ian Farnan and Eugene Shwageraus.

The additions of Mr. Leybourn and Mr. Boddington build upon the recently announced appointment of Andrew Steer, Ph.D. as NANO Nuclear’s Head of Regulatory Engagement. Their addition to the team brings extensive knowledge in molten salt reactor physics, deep understanding of nuclear safety cases, advanced reactor engineering and innovative fuel system design, all of which will be essential for the ongoing development of NANO Nuclear’s proprietary ‘ZEUS’ and ‘ODIN’ microreactors, as well as the KRONOS MMR^TMEnergy System and the LOKI MMR^TM.

Mr. Leybourn is a Chartered Physicist with over 12 years’ experience of Physics and Engineering within the U.K. nuclear industry. He has a proven track record of leading diverse projects, including thermal hydraulics, engineering design and safety case preparation. Prior to joining Cambridge AtomWorks, Mr. Leybourn played a key role in leading the development of a risk-informed work program and introducing systems engineering practices, including fuel route development, at MoltexFLEX, a British nuclear energy company developing advanced small modular molten salt reactors. He is a fuel route expert, having spent much of his career supporting the fuel route of the U.K. Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR) fleet. He also led significant projects supporting the AGR defueling programs and has provided support to the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor project.

Mr. Boddington is a reactor physicist with over 10 years of industry experience covering pressurized water reactors as well as thermal and fast spectrum molten salt reactor designs. Much of his experience is focused on reactor physics and he has assembled, managed and technically led the physics team that designed and delivered the molten salt MolexFLEX and SSR-W reactor concepts, with a focus on maintaining economic design objectives. He has extensive experience in applying analytical and stochastic reactor physics methods to develop core designs, including validation and verification. He graduated with an MPhys from the University of Southampton in 2014, then, completed the nuclear graduate’s scheme, before joining the Core Physics Group at Rolls-Royce.

“NANO Nuclear continues to expand its technical teams with top professionals and innovators with diverse reactor engineering expertise that we will need to propel our programs forward. These hires also reflect our commitment to becoming a global leader in advanced nuclear energy solutions,” said Professor Ian Farnan, Lead of Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Radiation and Materials of NANO Nuclear. “With expertise spanning molten salt reactor physics, fuel handling, and high-temperature thermal-hydraulics, James and Simon will significantly strengthen NANO Nuclear’s ability to develop, demonstrate, gain regulatory approval, and, eventually commercialize and deploy its next-generation microreactors.”

Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Appoints James Leybourn and Simon Boddington as Senior Nuclear Engineers.

“The talent we’ve attracted speaks volumes about the progress we’re making,” said Professor Eugene Shwageraus, Lead of Nuclear Reactor Engineering of NANO Nuclear. “NANO Nuclear’s success in recruiting top engineering minds with such outstanding credentials and experience from world-class companies underscores our leadership in next-generation nuclear energy development.”

“It is essential for us to strengthen our technical capabilities as we enter the next phase of development for our portfolio of energy systems,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “Bringing Mr. Leybourn and Mr. Boddington on board demonstrates NANO Nuclear’s ambitions of being an innovative and global leader in the industry. Their extensive experience will be invaluable, and I welcome them to NANO Nuclear.”

About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR^™ Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, “ZEUS”, a portable solid core battery reactor, “ODIN”, a portable low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR^™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR^™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements includes those related to the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of the appointment of the senior nuclear engineers, as well as the Company’s regulatory plans in general, as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

Attachment

The MIL Network –

March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: Data Storage Corporation to Participate in the 2025 iAccess Alpha Virtual Conference
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) (“DSC” and the “Company”), a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and IT automation, that integrates with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, today announced that its management will be participating in the iAccess Alpha Virtual Best Ideas Spring Investment Conference 2025 being held March 25 and 26, 2025.

Why Investors Should Tune In:
- Gain insight into DSC’s expanding footprint in cloud hosting and IT modernization.
- Learn about the Company’s scalable, secure, and high-performance cloud solutions.
- Understand how DSC leverages partnerships with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud to drive innovation.
Chuck Piluso, CEO of Data Storage Corporation, and Chris Panagiotakos, CFO of Data Storage Corporation, will be presenting at 10:00 a.m. ET on March 25, sharing insights into DSC’s business strategy, growth trajectory, and market opportunities. Management will also participate in one-on-one meetings with investors on March 26. The live webcast of the Company’s presentation will be available at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3083/52117, and a replay will be accessible afterward. The presentation will also be available on the company’s website under the “News & Events” tab, https://www.dtst.com/news-events/ir-calendar.

For more information about the iAccess Alpha Virtual Best Ideas Spring Investment Conference 2025, or to register and schedule a one-on-one meeting with Data Storage Corporation, please visit the conference website at: https://www.iaccessalpha.com/home.

About Data Storage Corporation
Data Storage Corporation (Nasdaq: DTST) through its subsidiaries is a leading provider of multi-cloud hosting, fully managed cloud services, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, IT automation, and voice & data solutions. Recognizing that data migration is a critical step in transitioning from on-premises systems to the cloud, DTST provides comprehensive migration services to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient data transfer, minimizing downtime and optimizing performance.

Through its CloudFirst platform, built on IBM Power Cloud infrastructure, DTST delivers high-performance, scalable, and secure cloud solutions with interoperability across its infrastructure partners, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

With data centers supporting cloud platform deployments across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, DTST provides mission-critical cloud services to a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations.

As a leader in the multi-billion-dollar cloud hosting and business continuity market, DTST is recognized for its expertise in cloud infrastructure, IT modernization, and data migration, enabling clients to transition to the cloud with confidence and operational continuity.

For more information, please visit www.dtst.com or follow us on X @DataStorageCorp.

Safe Harbor Provision

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include the Company’s ability to grow its presence in Europe. These risks should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was initially made. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

Contact:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
212-671-1020
DTST@crescendo-ir.com

The MIL Network –
March 21, 2025
MIL-OSI: High Wire Networks Secures New Bundle Contract, Showcasing the Power of Integrated Cybersecurity Solutions

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BATAVIA, Ill., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI) has finalized a new bundled services contract with an MSP partner, demonstrating the growing momentum behind its integrated approach to cybersecurity.

High Wire – Overwatch’s newly launched managed cybersecurity service bundles — CORE, PROACTIVE, and COMPLETE — are purpose-built to provide partners and their customers with flexible, scalable protection tailored to growing security threats and aligned with strategic business objectives.

The signed contract, valued at more than $275,000 over 24 months, includes the CORE bundle, which delivers essential coverage for critical threat vectors, including network, email, endpoint, and phishing protection. This foundational package is ideal for organizations seeking strong baseline defenses with simplified deployment and ongoing support.

“Our bundle offerings are designed to help partners deliver greater value, faster time-to-protection, and long-term security maturity to their customers,” said Mark Dallmeier, Chief Revenue Officer at Overwatch. “Our partners gain a true competitive edge by moving beyond transactional service delivery and embracing an integrated, consultative approach. Bundles like CORE don’t just protect — they empower. They provide an unfair advantage in the marketplace by reducing complexity, driving operational efficiency, and improving security posture from day one.”

The partner CEO based in New Jersey emphasized the real-world benefits of the bundled approach, saying, “The new bundled offerings from Overwatch allow us to simplify cybersecurity solutions for our clients, eliminating the friction of multiple proposals, approvals, and lengthy decision-making processes. With fixed costs and license counts, we can confidently offer proof-of-concept trials without restrictions, ensuring clients experience the full value of a comprehensive security approach.

The CORE bundle delivers protection across key attack surfaces—endpoints, network traffic, email, and even end-user security awareness training—providing layered defense against modern threats. Relying on endpoint protection, or any single offering, alone is like installing a state-of-the-art security system but leaving the front door unlocked. Overwatch’s integrated approach enables us to provide truly effective, proactive security for our clients,” he continued.

“Since introducing the CORE bundle, our clients’ response has been overwhelmingly positive. They recognize the growing risks and immediately see the value in the alerting and reporting capabilities we can now provide. Clients also report a drastic reduction—if not total elimination—of malicious email threats, reinforcing the power of this comprehensive security strategy,” he concluded.

Overwatch is committed to giving partners and their customers an unfair advantage by providing the tools, scalability, and support needed to outperform in a rapidly changing threat environment. By continuing to invest in solutions that make cybersecurity more accessible, profitable, and impactful, High Wire – Overwatch empowers its partners to deliver next-generation security across their client base — transforming the economics of managed cybersecurity and driving stronger outcomes at scale.

About High Wire Networks

High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI) is a fast-growing, award-winning global provider of managed cybersecurity. Through over 200 channel partners, it delivers trusted managed services for more than 1,100 managed security customers worldwide. End customers include Fortune 500 companies and many of the nation’s largest government agencies. Its U.S.-based 24/7 Network Operations Center and Security Operations Center is in Chicago, Illinois.

High Wire was ranked by Frost & Sullivan as a Top 15 Managed Security Service Provider in the Americas for 2024. It was also named to CRN’s MSP 500 and Elite 150 lists of the nation’s top IT-managed service providers for 2023 and 2024.

Learn more at HighWireNetworks.com. Follow the company on X, view its extensive video series on YouTube or connect on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

The above news release contains forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to, statements identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hope,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and other variations or negative expressions of these terms, including statements related to expected market trends and the Company’s performance, are all “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to a wide range of external factors, uncertainties, business risks, and other risks identified in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based except as required by applicable law and regulations.

Media Contact:
Lori Aleman
Director of Marketing
O: 630-635-8477 | C: 602-920-0902
lori.aleman@highwirenetworks.com

The MIL Network –

March 21, 2025

Category: Politics

South Africa’s role in African human rights system

A missing piece

Why direct individual access matters

The right moment

Funding: threat to global TB efforts

Joint statement with civil society

New guidance on TB and lung health

Redesigning existing towns and cities

Low density and car-dependent

1. Stagger Lee (1978)

2. Casey Jones (1970)

3. Terrapin Station (1977)

Productivity push?

Incentives and stability

The US as a global talent magnet

Stemming the inflow of students

Where have US students gone?

Why so little?

IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Fourth and Final Reviews of Kosovo’s Stand-By Arrangement and Resilience and Sustainability Facility Arrangement

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

UK, France and Switzerland announce new anti-corruption alliance

Share this page

Updates to this page

Europe at the ready

Putin’s options

Has Putin overplayed his hand?

Critical need for real-time data

History of US mortality data

Accessing the data that matters most

No kingly tyranny

Why revolt?

Turning on the king