Category: Trade

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Green Deal undermining the operational efficiency of police forces – E-001286/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001286/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)

    The obsessive promotion of the Green Deal has led to the imposition of electric transport even in critical areas such as public safety, without any serious assessment of the operational efficiency of the new technologies. In Germany, according to the Police Trade Union (DPolG), patrol vehicles are being forced to abandon missions because they run out of battery power, while police officers are left stranded at charging stations instead of responding to incidents. Similar problems are also reported in the United Kingdom.

    Nevertheless, the use of electric vehicles is already expanding to police forces in other Member States, such as Greece, the Netherlands, Italy and many others, without any unified European framework for assessing the risks involved in their use in emergency responses.

    In light of this:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider it acceptable to put citizens’ safety at risk in order to achieve the objectives of the Green Deal?
    • 2.Has any study been carried out on the operational consequences of imposing electric vehicles on Member States’ security forces? If not, why not?
    • 3.Does the Commission recognise that the generalised and unconsidered application of ‘green’ policies in key areas such as policing may undermine the effectiveness of the rule of law?

    Submitted: 27.3.2025

    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Impact of Mercosur on Romanian agriculture and new EUR 1 billion fund – E-000398/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement is currently subject to legal revision and translation after which the signature and ratification process in the EU and in the Mercosur countries will be launched.

    For EU sensitive agricultural sectors, the Agreement sets clear quantitative limits as regards providing preferential access to the EU market. It also contains bilateral safeguards to counter potential negative impacts on a specific EU agricultural sector.

    For the unlikely event that the agricultural market situation in the EU is negatively impacted following the implementation of the Agreement, the Commission intends to set up a financial reserve in the context of the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework.

    The expected impact of the agreement for the EU only points to very limited price decreases for certain sensitive sectors[1] according to the Joint Research Centre study on cumulative economic impact of upcoming trade agreements on EU agriculture[2]. There is no indication of disproportionate effects at Member States level, including Romania.

    • [1] A recent assessment on the cumulative impact of upcoming trade agreements projects a reduction of EU beef production and price of 0.9% and 2.4% respectively due to the implementation of the ten FTAs covered by the study.
    • [2] https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC135540
    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Is the European defence industry represented by an American lobbyist? – E-001156/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001156/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Virginie Joron (PfE)

    Rudy Priem, lobbyist for US arms giant Raytheon/RTX, which manufactures Patriot missiles[1], has slipped into European defence industry lobbying group ASD by way of an obscure Belgian outfit involving the organisation Agoria. The erstwhile promoter of the American F-35 now has an influence on Europe’s strategic decisions.

    The La Lettre[2] newspaper reveals that Priem led the defence committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels. The organisation is the largest US lobby in Brussels and opposes absolutely any project designed to improve European autonomy on defence. It is therefore a direct rival of the French defence industry and French jobs.

    At a time when the Commission intends to take decisions on wars and our defence equipment for the future, it is important to know who is advising it, otherwise there is a risk that billions of euros from the European Defence Industry Programme will benefit US manufacturers rather than European industry.

    • 1.Is the Commission aware of Rudy Priem’s links to the US defence industry?
    • 2.What steps has the Commission taken to ensure he does not have access to confidential information and does not attend strategic meetings to determine the future of the European defence industry?
    • 3.What procedures have been put in place for the early detection and combating of foreign interference which seeks to divert our public defence funds to benefit foreign interests?

    Submitted: 19.3.2025

    • [1] Rudy Priem is registered as RTX’s person in charge of EU relations. At the same time, he is Chair of the ASD’s Economic, Legal and Trade Commission – https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/integrated-air-and-missile-defense; https://amchameu.eu/file/rudy-priem-chair-amcham-eu-security-and-defence-committee; https://transparency-register.europa.eu/searchregister-or-update/organisation-detail_en?id=87564644126-75
    • [2] https://www.lalettre.fr/fr/entreprises_defense-et-aeronautique/2025/03/18/un-americain-infiltre-au-coeur-du-lobby-europeen-de-la-defense%2C110388728-eve
    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Adoption of the ReFuelEU Aviation Act and the economic impact of mandatory minimum sustainable aviation fuel quotas in the air transport sector – E-000653/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. ReFuelEU Aviation[1] was overwhelmingly supported by the European Parliament[2] and the Council[3]. The Commission carried out an Impact Assessment before adopting the proposal which shows benefits through 250.000 net job creation and a new push for innovation and research[4]. Fuel costs derived from the 2% minimum share of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) will increase costs for airlines over the short term as SAF are currently more expensive than kerosene. However, SAF prices are expected to mean an overall cost increase for airlines of around 1% by 2029. SAF prices are expected to go down from the current levels over the medium term easing the upward pressure on costs. The EU SAF market for biofuels is growing faster and higher than the minimum legal requirements in ReFuelEU Aviation. The SAF Allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), and other tools offer financial support for the production and uptake of SAF[5]. This is allowing for the price increases to remain largely subdued over the short term. The increase in scale will lead to economies of scale, production efficiencies and industrial maturity that are expected to reduce the prices of SAF and consequently the relative price of blended SAF throughout the EU market.

    2. 20 million EU ETS allowances worth around EUR 1.6 billion are supporting the decarbonisation by compensating for the price differential between SAF and kerosene in flights covered by the EU ETS . Other EU financial instruments are also supporting SAF production scale up such as the Innovation Fund and InvestEU. The Commission will present later in 2025 a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan as part of the Clean Industrial Deal[6] which will outline short and medium-term measures to further support SAF.

    • [1] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/environment/refueleu-aviation_en
    • [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230911IPR04913/70-of-jet-fuels-at-eu-airports-will-have-to-be-green-by-2050
    • [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/10/09/refueleu-aviation-initiative-council-adopts-new-law-to-decarbonise-the-aviation-sector/
    • [4] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12303-Sustainable-aviation-fuels-ReFuelEU-Aviation_en
    • [5] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/news-your-voice/news/adoption-eu-rules-ets-support-system-accelerate-use-sustainable-aviation-fuels-2025-02-06_en
    • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/clean-industrial-deal_en
    Last updated: 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 01.04.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation
    Stock Exchange Release
    1 April 2025 at 22:30 EEST

    Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 01.04.2025

    Espoo, Finland – On 1 April 2025 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows:                

    Trading venue (MIC Code) Number of shares Weighted average price / share, EUR*
    XHEL 2,069,501 4.99
    CEUX 1,600,000 4.99
    BATE
    AQEU 146,720 4.99
    TQEX 126,006 4.99
    Total 3,942,227 4.99

    * Rounded to two decimals

    On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million.

    Total cost of transactions executed on 1 April 2025 was EUR 19,664,222. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 217,502,511 treasury shares.

    Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement.

    On behalf of Nokia Corporation

    BofA Securities Europe SA

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Iranian Company and Two Iranian Nationals Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and for Scheme to Procure U.S. Technology for Iranian Attack Drones

    Source: US State of California

    Concurrent Action with Department of the Treasury Targets Illicit Iranian Weapons Procurement Network

    A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Hossein Akbari, 63, and Reza Amidi, 62, both of Iran, and an Iranian company, Rah Roshd Company (Rah Roshd), with conspiring to procure U.S. parts for Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones), conspiring to provide material support to the IRGC – a designated foreign terrorist organization – and conspiring to commit money laundering.

    Akbari is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rah Roshd. Amidi is the company’s commercial manager and was previously the commercial manager of Qods Aviation Industries (QAI), an Iranian state-owned aerospace company. They are both citizens of Iran and remain at large.

    “Today’s charges lay bare how U.S.-made technology ended up in the hands of the Iranian military to build attack drones,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will continue to put maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. We will relentlessly dismantle illicit supply chains funneling American technology into the hands of Iran’s military and terrorist organizations and pursue those complicit in operations that threaten our country.”

    “As alleged in the complaint, the defendants conspired to obtain U.S.-origin parts needed to manufacture drones for military use in Iran and send those parts to Iran in violation of export control laws,” said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. “The charges filed today demonstrate the commitment by my office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle illicit supply chains and prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology in support of a foreign terrorist organization. The IRGC and QAI have been core players in the Iranian military regime’s production of drones, which threaten the lives of civilians, U.S. personnel and our country’s allies. These charges should serve as a warning to those who violate U.S. export control laws and who unlawfully seek to aid Iran’s drone program.”

    “The allegations in this case demonstrate the lengths Iranian companies take to evade U.S. sanctions, victimize U.S. businesses, and support the IRGC’s production of drones,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “The FBI and our partners will use all authorities to stop those who seek to evade sanctions and engage in money laundering schemes that support terrorist activities and threaten the lives and interests of Americans and our allies.”

    According to court documents, Akbari and Amidi operate Rah Roshd which procures and supplies advanced electronic, electro-optical and security systems to the Government of Iran and designs, builds, and manufactures ground support systems for UAVs. Rah Roshd’s clients include the IRGC and several Iranian state-owned aerospace companies and drone manufacturers, including QAI, Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center (SAIRC) and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG).

    Between January 2020 and the present, Amidi and Akbari used Rah Roshd in furtherance of a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions and procure U.S.-origin parts for use in Iranian-manufactured UAVs, including the Mohajer-6 UAV. At least one of those parts was manufactured by a Brooklyn, New York-based company (Company-1). In September 2022, the Ukranian Air Force shot down an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone used by the Russian military in Ukraine. The drone recovered by the Ukrainian Air Force contained parts made by several U.S. companies, including Company-1)

    To facilitate their scheme, Amidi and Akbari falsely purported to represent companies other than Rah Roshd, including a company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Company-2) and a company based in Belgium (Company-3). The defendants used a “spoofed” email address, containing a misspelled version of Company-2’s name, to communicate regarding the procurement of parts, including parts manufactured by U.S. companies. The defendants also used various “front” or “shell” companies to pay for UAV parts and to obfuscate the true end destination and the true identities of the sanctioned end users, including QAI and the IRGC, which were acquiring U.S.-made parts through Rah Roshd. Amidi and Akbari also used aliases to obfuscate their true identities in furtherance of the scheme.

    Additionally, the defendants conspired to provide material support to the IRGC by providing goods and services, including constructing military shelters, providing cameras and drone field hangers and conspiring to procure drone parts as well as parts to operate drones, including servo motors, pneumatic masts, and engines, for the benefit of the IRGC’s military campaign. The investigation uncovered correspondence from the IRGC, signed by the head of the UAV Command for the IRGC’s Aerospace Force, thanking Rah Roshd for its work on behalf of the IRGC and praising Rah Roshd’s achievements in designing and manufacturing “servo motors” for defense equipment. The letter also included a quote from the Supreme Leader of Iran regarding the importance of self-sufficiency and domestic production to strengthen Iran’s economy and “disappoint the enemies of the Islamic Republic.”  The letter also noted continued efforts of Rah Roshd “in strengthening the defensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Both Amidi and Akbari possessed documents indicating that they had purchased servo motors for delivery to Iran, including a servo motor contained in the Mohajer-6 drone. Akbari also emailed supplier companies located in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and noted that he was purchasing parts for drones to be shipped to Iran.

    Finally, Amidi and Akbari conspired to commit money laundering. They used at least three shell companies, which were all based in the UAE, to pay a PRC-based company that sent invoices to Rah Roshd for the sale of motors. Those payments were processed through U.S.-based correspondent bank accounts. The defendants also used two of these shell companies to pay a separate PRC-based company for the sale of pneumatic masts, which are a component of the operation of the Mohajer-6 drone.

    Concurrent with today’s criminal complaint, the Department of Treasury announced sanctions targeting a network of six entities and two individuals based in Iran, the UAE, and the PRC responsible for the procurement of UAV components on behalf of QAI — a leading manufacturer for Iran’s UAV program. According to the Treasury, this network has also facilitated procurement for other entities in Iran’s military-industrial complex, including Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) and SBIG. Today’s action marks the second round of sanctions targeting Iranian weapons proliferators since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 on Feb. 4, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nina C. Gupta and Lindsey R. Oken for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Rebecca Roth, Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorney Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

    Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Iranian Company and Two Iranian Nationals Charged with Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and for Scheme to Procure U.S. Technology for Iranian Attack Drones

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Concurrent Action with Department of the Treasury Targets Illicit Iranian Weapons Procurement Network

    A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Hossein Akbari, 63, and Reza Amidi, 62, both of Iran, and an Iranian company, Rah Roshd Company (Rah Roshd), with conspiring to procure U.S. parts for Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones), conspiring to provide material support to the IRGC – a designated foreign terrorist organization – and conspiring to commit money laundering.

    Akbari is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rah Roshd. Amidi is the company’s commercial manager and was previously the commercial manager of Qods Aviation Industries (QAI), an Iranian state-owned aerospace company. They are both citizens of Iran and remain at large.

    “Today’s charges lay bare how U.S.-made technology ended up in the hands of the Iranian military to build attack drones,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will continue to put maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. We will relentlessly dismantle illicit supply chains funneling American technology into the hands of Iran’s military and terrorist organizations and pursue those complicit in operations that threaten our country.”

    “As alleged in the complaint, the defendants conspired to obtain U.S.-origin parts needed to manufacture drones for military use in Iran and send those parts to Iran in violation of export control laws,” said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. “The charges filed today demonstrate the commitment by my office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle illicit supply chains and prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology in support of a foreign terrorist organization. The IRGC and QAI have been core players in the Iranian military regime’s production of drones, which threaten the lives of civilians, U.S. personnel and our country’s allies. These charges should serve as a warning to those who violate U.S. export control laws and who unlawfully seek to aid Iran’s drone program.”

    “The allegations in this case demonstrate the lengths Iranian companies take to evade U.S. sanctions, victimize U.S. businesses, and support the IRGC’s production of drones,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “The FBI and our partners will use all authorities to stop those who seek to evade sanctions and engage in money laundering schemes that support terrorist activities and threaten the lives and interests of Americans and our allies.”

    According to court documents, Akbari and Amidi operate Rah Roshd which procures and supplies advanced electronic, electro-optical and security systems to the Government of Iran and designs, builds, and manufactures ground support systems for UAVs. Rah Roshd’s clients include the IRGC and several Iranian state-owned aerospace companies and drone manufacturers, including QAI, Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center (SAIRC) and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG).

    Between January 2020 and the present, Amidi and Akbari used Rah Roshd in furtherance of a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions and procure U.S.-origin parts for use in Iranian-manufactured UAVs, including the Mohajer-6 UAV. At least one of those parts was manufactured by a Brooklyn, New York-based company (Company-1). In September 2022, the Ukranian Air Force shot down an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone used by the Russian military in Ukraine. The drone recovered by the Ukrainian Air Force contained parts made by several U.S. companies, including Company-1)

    To facilitate their scheme, Amidi and Akbari falsely purported to represent companies other than Rah Roshd, including a company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Company-2) and a company based in Belgium (Company-3). The defendants used a “spoofed” email address, containing a misspelled version of Company-2’s name, to communicate regarding the procurement of parts, including parts manufactured by U.S. companies. The defendants also used various “front” or “shell” companies to pay for UAV parts and to obfuscate the true end destination and the true identities of the sanctioned end users, including QAI and the IRGC, which were acquiring U.S.-made parts through Rah Roshd. Amidi and Akbari also used aliases to obfuscate their true identities in furtherance of the scheme.

    Additionally, the defendants conspired to provide material support to the IRGC by providing goods and services, including constructing military shelters, providing cameras and drone field hangers and conspiring to procure drone parts as well as parts to operate drones, including servo motors, pneumatic masts, and engines, for the benefit of the IRGC’s military campaign. The investigation uncovered correspondence from the IRGC, signed by the head of the UAV Command for the IRGC’s Aerospace Force, thanking Rah Roshd for its work on behalf of the IRGC and praising Rah Roshd’s achievements in designing and manufacturing “servo motors” for defense equipment. The letter also included a quote from the Supreme Leader of Iran regarding the importance of self-sufficiency and domestic production to strengthen Iran’s economy and “disappoint the enemies of the Islamic Republic.”  The letter also noted continued efforts of Rah Roshd “in strengthening the defensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Both Amidi and Akbari possessed documents indicating that they had purchased servo motors for delivery to Iran, including a servo motor contained in the Mohajer-6 drone. Akbari also emailed supplier companies located in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and noted that he was purchasing parts for drones to be shipped to Iran.

    Finally, Amidi and Akbari conspired to commit money laundering. They used at least three shell companies, which were all based in the UAE, to pay a PRC-based company that sent invoices to Rah Roshd for the sale of motors. Those payments were processed through U.S.-based correspondent bank accounts. The defendants also used two of these shell companies to pay a separate PRC-based company for the sale of pneumatic masts, which are a component of the operation of the Mohajer-6 drone.

    Concurrent with today’s criminal complaint, the Department of Treasury announced sanctions targeting a network of six entities and two individuals based in Iran, the UAE, and the PRC responsible for the procurement of UAV components on behalf of QAI — a leading manufacturer for Iran’s UAV program. According to the Treasury, this network has also facilitated procurement for other entities in Iran’s military-industrial complex, including Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) and SBIG. Today’s action marks the second round of sanctions targeting Iranian weapons proliferators since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 on Feb. 4, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nina C. Gupta and Lindsey R. Oken for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Rebecca Roth, Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorney Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

    Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Africa: BMA reflects on progress made since its establishment 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    BMA reflects on progress made since its establishment 

    While challenges remain, progress has been made in strengthening South Africa’s border management systems, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, said on Tuesday.

    “Beside the administrative successes relating to the establishment of the new organisation, there are operational successes, worth mentioning,” he said.

    Some of the successes since the authority’s establishment in April 2023, include intercepting stolen vehicles. The authority also successfully managed the movement of heads of state and government technocrats from all over the world as well as a higher number of journalists for the BRICS Summit that the country hosted in August 2023. 

    “We were able to apprehend or arrest over 468 000 individuals who were attempting to enter the country illegally since 1 April 2023,” he said, adding that 2 344 wanted criminals were also arrested. 

    Additionally, over 262 explosives used in the explosion of rocks during illegal mining operations and the blowing up of cash-in-transit vehicles were also confiscated.

    “The establishment of the BMA sought to create a single authority to effect border law enforcement with a single command and control. Contrary to what some people consider to be the functions of the Border Management Authority, our function is not just about stamping passports at the ports of entry,” Masiapato said.

    The Commissioner was speaking at the High-Level Colloquium on Migration, in Pretoria.

    He said the BMA exists to secure South Africa’s borders and concurrently facilitate legitimate movement of people and goods in all ports of entry and border law enforcement areas. The BMA Act provides for the BMA to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in executing its border law enforcement functions in the Ports of Entry and the Border Law Enforcement areas.

    “The Border Management Authority plays a crucial role in facilitating the smooth movement of people, goods, and services across borders while ensuring the safety and security of the country,” he said.

    The authority also works to prevent the introduction of invasive species, pests and diseases that can harm the environment and ecosystem.

    “We also ensure that all imports and exports comply with environmental regulations, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The BMA also monitors the movement of hazardous waste across borders to prevent illegal dumping and ensure compliance with international regulations.

    “We also inspect food and water imports to ensure they meet international health standards and regulations. We also monitor the movement of vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases,” the Commissioner explained.

    He told those attending the colloquium that the authority is most known for its immigration function.

    “In this regard, the BMA inspects travel documents, such as passports and visas, to ensure they are authentic and valid. We also monitor the movement of people to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and laws,” he said.

    In the last 24 months, the BMA has screened millions of travellers for infectious and communicable diseases and “those we picked up with diseases have been referred to medical facilities for further medical attention.”

    Masiapato said despite the achievements, challenges exist.

    “Illegal migration, human trafficking and transnational organised crime continue to pose serious threats to our national security and public safety,” he said.

    In June 2013, Cabinet made the decision to establish a Border Management Agency under the guidance of the Department of Home Affairs.

    President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the Border Management Authority on 5 October 2023, in Musina, Limpopo. – SAnews.gov.za

    Edwin
    Tue, 04/01/2025 – 14:29

    299 views

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI USA: Miller-Meeks Joins Congressional Ag Trade Caucus

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) announced she has officially joined the bipartisan Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus to advocate for trade policies that benefit Iowa’s farmers, ranchers, and producers.

    “Iowa leads the nation in corn, pork, and soybean production, and expanding access to international markets is essential for our rural communities to thrive,” said Miller-Meeks. “Overregulation from Washington have held our producers back for too long. By joining this caucus, I will fight to remove unfair trade barriers, open new markets for Iowa’s agricultural products, and ensure our farmers and ranchers can compete on a level playing field. Agriculture isn’t just a way of life in Iowa—it’s the backbone of our economy, and I will always stand with the hardworking men and women who feed and fuel our nation.”

    The Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus, co-founded by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Jim Costa (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), is a bipartisan effort to advance trade policies that expand market access, boost agricultural exports, and eliminate unnecessary trade restrictions.

    The caucus will focus on strengthening international competitiveness, increasing market access for U.S. agricultural products, improving supply chains, and restoring U.S. leadership in global trade negotiations.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: XploraDEX $XPL Presale Heats Up as Investors Rush to Grab the Future of AI Trading on XRP Ledger

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XRPL Ecosystem in a market desperate for real innovation, XploraDEX is turning heads and whale wallets. As the first AI-powered decentralized exchange (DEX) on the XRP Ledger, XploraDEX is building more than a trading platform, it’s launching a smarter way to engage with crypto markets.

    With its native token, $XPL Now in Presale, investor interest has skyrocketed as traders, builders, and even XRP whales position themselves for what many are calling XRPL’s most exciting DeFi opportunity of 2025.

    PARTICIPATE IN $XPL PRESALE

    Why the Hype? XploraDEX Is Changing the Game

    Most DEXs let you swap tokens. XploraDEX helps you trade smarter. Here’s how it’s shaking up XRPL:

    • AI-Powered Trade Execution: Real-time analysis, automated entries, and smart exits—no more trading on emotion.
    • Predictive Insights: Get market forecasts and risk alerts before the market moves.
    • Auto-Optimized Liquidity: AI routes your trades with minimal slippage and maximum capital efficiency.
    • Built on XRPL: Lightning-fast transactions, micro fees, and eco-friendly infrastructure.

    XploraDEX is where speed meets intelligence,and the market is noticing.

    The $XPL Token: Power, Profit, and Participation

    What makes the $XPL Token more than just another presale launch?

    • Access to premium AI tools and auto-trading bots
    • Fee discounts and platform rebates
    • Staking rewards and real yield from protocol activity
    • Governance rights to help steer the platform’s future
    • Early access to partner IDOs, launches, and ecosystem drops

    $XPL is a true utility token, designed for adoption, not just speculation.

    BUY $XPL ON PRESALE

    Presale Frenzy: Investors Are Rushing In since launch, the $XPL presale has already seen:

    • Unique wallets participating in the presale round.
    • High-volume interest from XRPL influencers and whales
    • Buzz across social platforms.

    $XPL PreSale Information

    Token Name: XploraDEX

    Total Supply: 500,000,000

    Presale Allocation: First Come, First Serve!

    DEX Listing: 25% Higher

    Liquidity Pools: Launching immediately after TGE!

    BUY $XPL TOKEN: https://sale.xploradex.io

    Each presale round is filling fast—and with tiered pricing, early buyers are locking in a better deal before the next price increase hits. “This is the opportunity XRP holders have been waiting for—an intelligent DEX that actually brings utility to the ledger,” said one early supporter.

    Don’t Get Left Behind

    The AI revolution in crypto isn’t coming, it’s already here. And XploraDEX is leading it from the frontlines of XRPL. If you missed being early on Solana, Uniswap, or Curve this is your second shot.

    Secure Your $XPL Presale Allocation Today: https://sale.xploradex.io

    Stay connected and Join the XploraDEX AI Revolution

    Website | $XPL Token Presale | X | Telegram

    Contact:
    Oliver Muller
    oliver@xploradex.io
    contact@xploradex.io

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/70c2609e-b4ef-4ae9-8b97-45370ac43de0

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: WithSecure Corporation: SHARE REPURCHASE 1.4.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WithSecure Corporation, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, 1 April 2025 at 6.30 PM (EET)
           
           
    WithSecure Corporation: SHARE REPURCHASE 1.4.2025  
           
    In the Helsinki Stock Exchange      
           
    Trade date           1.4.2025    
    Bourse trade         Buy    
    Share                  WITH    
    Amount             15 000 Shares  
    Average price/ share    0,9180 EUR  
    Total cost            13 770,00 EUR  
           
           
    WithSecure Corporation now holds a total of 311 890 shares  
    including the shares repurchased on 1.4.2025    
           
    The share buybacks are executed in compliance with Regulation   
    No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council (MAR) Article 5
    and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052.  
           
           
    On behalf of Withsecure Corporation    
           
    Nordea Bank Oyj      
           
    Janne Sarvikivi           Sami Huttunen    
           
           
    Contact information:      
    Laura Viita      
    Vice President Controlling, Investor relations and Sustainability
    WithSecure Corporation      
    Tel. +358 50 4871044      
    Investor-relations@withsecure.com      

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Car industry settles competition law case

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Car industry settles competition law case

    Car manufacturers and industry bodies have reached a settlement with the CMA after admitting to breaking competition law in relation to vehicle recycling, and related advertising claims.

    • Ten manufacturers – BMW, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Peugeot Citroen, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen – and 2 trade bodies have been fined a total of £77,688,917
    • These manufacturers illegally agreed not to compete against one another when advertising what percentage of their cars can be recycled
    • The manufacturers also illegally colluded to avoid paying third parties to recycle their customers’ scrap cars

    Following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), 10 manufacturers and 2 trade bodies have admitted their involvement in the illegal behaviour and agreed to pay fines totalling over £77 million.

    Mercedes-Benz, which was also involved in these agreements, is exempt from paying a financial penalty as it alerted the CMA to its participation via the authority’s leniency policy.

    The European Commission (EC) launched a parallel probe alongside the CMA in March 2022. The EC has today issued its own decision imposing fines for breaches of EU law.

    Advertising claims

    Amongst other sustainability information, manufacturers are legally required to include details on recyclability in their advertising materials, so customers can take this into account when considering a vehicle’s green credentials before buying.

    In this case, the CMA found that all manufacturers illegally agreed that they would not advertise if their vehicles went above the minimum recyclability requirement of 85% (even if the actual percentage was higher). With the exception of Renault, the manufacturers also agreed not to share information with their customers about the percentage of recycled material used in their vehicles.

    Failing to compete against one another in this way is illegal. It also meant customers buying a car from one of these manufactures were unable to fully compare the green credentials of vehicles when buying, which could have affected their choice.  This kind of behaviour may also lower the incentive for companies to invest in green initiatives.

    Most manufacturers took part in this practice from May 2002 to September 2017, with Jaguar Land Rover joining in September 2008. The agreement was set out in a document called the ‘ELV Charta’ – sometimes referred to as a “gentleman’s agreement” – and sought to “avoid a competitive race” amongst the manufacturers in relation to advertising claims of this kind. This agreement was referenced in emails, internal documents and meeting minutes, and certain manufacturers challenged others when they breached this agreement.

    Buyers’ cartel

    Vehicle manufactures must offer their customers a free service for recycling their old or written-off vehicles having no or negative market value (known in the industry as ‘end-of-life vehicles’ or ELVs), and this service is regularly outsourced to third parties.

    The CMA’s investigation revealed that certain manufacturers were involved in what is known as a ‘buyers’ cartel’ in relation to this service.

    From April 2004 to May 2018, 8 manufacturers – BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen – agreed amongst themselves that they would not pay companies to handle the recycling of their customers’ ELVs. This effectively meant the companies providing this service were unable to negotiate a price with manufacturers.

    While companies supplying this recycling service can often make money from ELVs, for example, by retrieving and selling the used parts and raw materials, how profitable it is can vary depending on the price of scrap metal at any given time.

    Other companies and bodies later joined the unlawful agreement, including the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), Nissan and Mitsubishi in 2006, and Jaguar Land Rover in 2016.

    Colluding to agree prices in this manner is illegal. It can impact the incentives for other companies to invest – for example, in better and greener technologies.

    Trade association involvement

    Two trade associations, ACEA and the SMMT, were involved in both illegal agreements.

    The manufacturers used ACEA meetings to facilitate these arrangements, with the association itself chairing meetings and intervening when manufacturers acted outside of the terms.

    The SMMT also attended these meetings and likewise became involved by settling a handful of disputes.

    Lucilia Falsarella Pereira, Senior Director of Competition Enforcement at the CMA, said:

    Agreeing with competitors the prices you’ll pay for a service or colluding to restrict competition is illegal and this can extend to how you advertise your products. This kind of collusion can limit consumers’ ability to make informed choices and lower the incentive for companies to invest in new initiatives.   

    Today’s fines show our commitment to taking action when competition law is broken. In accordance with our leniency policy, we’ve given discounts to those who came forward with information and co-operated at an early stage, which helps to get the swiftest outcomes.

    We recognise that competing businesses may want to work together to help the environment – in those cases our door is open to help them do so.

    Settlement and fines

    All of the car makers and industry bodies, except for Mercedes-Benz (which has been granted immunity from penalties), have now settled with the CMA – meaning they have admitted to taking part in illegal behaviour and agreed to pay fines totalling £77,688,917.

    Following the launch of the CMA’s investigation, the SMMT, Stellantis (the current owner of Peugeot Citroen, Vauxhall and Opel) and Mitsubishi approached the CMA for leniency and, as a result, have received a percentage reduction to their fines.  

    The fines for each company/industry body are:

    Car manufacturer / Industry body Fine for advertising infringement Fine for buyers’ cartel infringement Total (including any % reductions for leniency and/or settlement)
    BMW £10,660,781 £400,144 £11,060,925 (20% settlement reduction)
    Ford £12,949,433 £5,592,496 £18,541,929 (20% settlement reduction)
    Jaguar Land Rover £4,575,812 £50,592 £4,626,404 (20% settlement reduction)
    Peugeot Citroen (and owner Stellantis) £2,952,867 £2,237,080 £5,189,948 (45% leniency reduction and 20% settlement reduction)
    Mitsubishi £746,465 £152,066 £898,531 (25% leniency reduction and 20% settlement reduction)
    Nissan and Renault (formerly the same business group) £6,348,132 (shared fine); £2,800,646 (sole liability for Nissan) £3,631,695 (shared fine) £9,979,826 (shared total) and £2,800,646 (sole liability for Nissan) (20% settlement reduction)
    Toyota £3,941,996 £560,764 £4,502,760 (20% settlement reduction)
    Vauxhall and Opel £1,510,715 £670,412 £2,181,127 (45% leniency reduction and 20% settlement reduction)
    Vauxhall and Opel (and former owner General Motors) (GM is fined only as owner of both firms during part of the infringement) £1,829,904 £1,037,145 £2,867,049 (45% leniency reduction and 20% settlement reduction)
    Vauxhall and Opel (and owner Stellantis) (Stellantis is fined only as owner of both firms during part of the infringement) £22,704 £100,369 £123,072 (45% leniency reduction and 20% settlement reduction)
    Volkswagen £13,472,404 £1,283,496 £14,755,900 (20% settlement reduction)
    ACEA £91,200 £22,800 £114,000 (20% settlement reduction)
    SMMT £31,200 £15,600 £46,800 (35% leniency reduction and 20% settlement reduction)
        TOTAL £77,688,917

    The manufacturers and industry bodies have until 2 June 2025 to pay their fines.

    Notes to editors

    1. In its decision, the CMA has found a single and continuous ‘by object’ infringement of section 2(1) of the Competition Act 1998 (i.e. that the conduct had, as its object, the restriction or distortion of competition within the UK). The CMA has not made any finding as to whether the conduct at issue had the effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition, or any effect on customers.
    2. The CMA’s decision concerns the restriction of competition in the UK, whereas the EC’s decision is concerned with the restriction of competition in the EU (excluding the UK). The EC’s investigation focused on the same parties as the CMA, but did not include the SMMT.
    3. Under the CMA’s leniency policy, a business that has been involved in cartel activity may be granted immunity from penalties or a reduction in penalty in return for reporting the cartel activity and assisting the CMA with its investigation.
    4. When deciding the financial penalties, the CMA took into account a number of factors, including the seriousness of the illegal behaviour, its duration and each manufacturer’s size and UK turnover in the relevant market. Importantly, differences in fines should not be taken to indicate relative culpability.
    5. A buyers’ cartel is where members of a cartel – or companies buying a service or product – agree amongst themselves how they will individually interact with suppliers. In this case, the manufacturers involved mutually agreed the price that they would each individually pay for recycling services (zero), thereby preventing the providers of recycling services from negotiating a higher price.
    6. All trade associations must operate within the law and the CMA created guidance to help them navigate their obligations – more information can be found here: What do trade associations need to know about competition law?
    7. During the period of the agreements, Renault and Nissan formed part of the same business group. Since 8 November 2023, they no longer form part of the same business group. They are therefore jointly and severally liable for part of the fine, with Nissan being solely liable for an additional amount (in relation to the advertising infringement).
    8. The CMA has created guidance on how competing businesses can collaborate within the law, specifically when it comes to green agreements: Green Agreements Guidance.
    9. Anyone who has information about a cartel is encouraged to call the CMA cartels hotline on 020 3738 6888 or email cartelshotline@cma.gov.uk.
    10. All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the CMA press office by email on press@cma.gov.uk or by phone on 020 3738 6460.
    11. All enquiries from the general public should be directed to the CMA’s General Enquiries team on general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk or 020 3738 6000.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: COFACE SA: Disclosure of total number of voting rights and number of shares in the capital as at March 31, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COFACE SA: Disclosure of total number of voting rights and number of shares in the capital as at March 31, 2025

    Paris, April 1st, 2025 – 17.45

    Total Number of
    Shares Capital
    Theoretical Number of Voting Rights1 Number of Real
    Voting Rights2
    150,179,792 150,179,792 149,506,903

    (1)   including own shares
    (2)   excluding own shares

      Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust. You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.

    About Coface

    COFACE SA is a société anonyme (joint-stock corporation), with a Board of Directors (Conseil d’Administration) incorporated under the laws of France, and is governed by the provisions of the French Commercial Code. The Company is registered with the Nanterre Trade and Companies Register (Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés) under the number 432 413 599. The Company’s registered office is at 1 Place Costes et Bellonte, 92270 Bois Colombes, France.

    At the date of 31 December 2024, the Company’s share capital amounts to €300,359,584, divided into 150,179,792 shares, all of the same class, and all of which are fully paid up and subscribed.

    All regulated information is available on the company’s website (http://www.coface.com/Investors).

    Coface SA. is listed on Euronext Paris – Compartment A
    ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Colleagues Urge AG Bondi to Appoint A Special Counsel to Investigate Trump Administration Signal Chat National Security Breach

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 28 Senate Democrats in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether any of the government officials involved in the Signal chat security breach violated federal criminal law. On March 24, The Atlantic’s editor in chief reported that President Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz had included him in a group text chain with several high-ranking national security officials where highly sensitive, classified, or controlled information was shared and discussed over Signal—an unsecure commercial messaging app.
    “In addition to the reckless inclusion of a journalist in the chat, we are deeply concerned about this serious breach in the proper handling of such information and deliberations,” the Senators wrote. “Appointment of a Special Counsel is appropriate where the Department may have a conflict of interest or extraordinary circumstances are present, a criminal investigation is warranted, and it is in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to investigate the matter. Such circumstances are clearly present here.”
    The Signal chat group started by Mr. Waltz included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, among at least 18 other high-ranking government officials. In addition to discussing the sensitive foreign policy implications of military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, these officials proceeded to discuss key operational information regarding the precise timing of the planned attacks, the types of military aircraft and munitions to be used, and the targets and results of the strikes as they occurred. An unprecedented security breach of this magnitude involving top senior government officials presents the kind of extraordinary circumstances clearly contemplated by the Special Counsel regulations.
    “These officials conducted a highly sensitive discussion, including of clearly classified or controlled information, over the commercial messaging app Signal, including in some instances on personal devices and while traveling in foreign countries, rather than using the secure U.S. government channels and facilities that are designed and required for the sharing of such information. Despite subsequent claims to the contrary by you, President Trump, and several of the officials involved, including in testimony before Congress, some of the information they shared and discussed over Signal would almost certainly be considered classified or, at a minimum, controlled, prior to and in the immediate aftermath of an impending strike,” the Senators wrote.
    In the letter, the Senators raised concerns if the Signal chat violated federal law. For example, gross negligence in handling national defense information may violate the Espionage Act. Importantly, other laws, including the Federal Records Act, require the preservation of certain government records. Destruction of government records or property may constitute a violation of various criminal statutes. Subsequent statements to Congress and testimony before the Houseand Senate Intelligence Committees by several of the officials involved raise additional concerns about potential violations of federal criminal laws that prohibit making false statements to Congress, committing perjury in testimony to Congress, inducing another person to commit perjury, or conspiring to commit any of the foregoing actions.
    “During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you assured the American people that everyone will be held to ‘an equal, fair system of justice’ if you were confirmed as Attorney General, and that ‘no one is above the law.’ As the individuals most seriously implicated in this incident include senior officials at the highest levels, including several of your fellow cabinet members, appointment of a Special Counsel is necessary to ensure that the investigation and any ensuing prosecutions are fair, impartial, and independent and that no official, regardless of seniority or political affiliation, is above the law. The people of this country deserve the assurance that this matter will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly. To do so, we urge you to appoint a Special Counsel immediately,” the Senators concluded.
    The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY),  Ed Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Gary Peters (D-MI).
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Attorney General Bondi:
    On March 24, The Atlantic’s editor in chief reported that President Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz had included him in a group message chain with several high-ranking national security officials where highly sensitive, classified, or controlled information was shared and discussed over Signal—an unsecure commercial messaging app. In addition to the reckless inclusion of a journalist in the chat, we are deeply concerned about this serious breach in the proper handling of such information and deliberations. Given the extraordinary circumstances of this shocking incident and the significant public interests at stake, it is imperative that you immediately appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether any of the government officials involved violated federal criminal law.
    Appointment of a Special Counsel is appropriate where the Department may have a conflict of interest or extraordinary circumstances are present, a criminal investigation is warranted, and it is in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to investigate the matter. Such circumstances are clearly present here.
    The Signal chat group started by Mr. Waltz included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, among at least 18 other high-ranking government officials. In addition to discussing the sensitive foreign policy implications of military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, these officials proceeded to discuss key operational information regarding the precise timing of the planned attacks, the types of military aircraft and munitions to be used, and the targets and results of the strikes as they occurred. An unprecedented security breach of this magnitude involving top senior government officialspresents the kind of extraordinary circumstances clearly contemplated by the Special Counsel regulations.
    These officials conducted a highly sensitive discussion, including of clearly classified or controlled information, over the commercial messaging app Signal, including in some instances on personal devices and while traveling in foreign countries, rather than using the secure U.S. government channels and facilities that are designed and required for the sharing of such information. Despite subsequent claims to the contrary by you, President Trump, and several of the officials involved, including in testimony before Congress, some of the information they shared and discussed over Signal would almost certainly be considered classified or, at a minimum, controlled, prior to and in the immediate aftermath of an impending strike.
    These shockingly reckless breaches of security protocols for safeguarding sensitive and classified information clearly warrant an investigation into whether any of the government officials involved violated federal laws pertaining to the proper safeguarding and preservation of such information. For example, gross negligence in handling national defense information may violate the Espionage Act. Importantly, other laws, including the Federal Records Act, require the preservation of certain government records. Signal allows users to schedule messages for deletion after certain time periods and Mr. Waltz appears to have set the chat messages to delete initially after one week and then later in the chat changed the setting to delete messages after four weeks. Destruction of government records or property may constitute a violation of various criminal statutes. Subsequent statements to Congress and testimony before the House and Senate Intelligence Committeesby several of the officials involved raise additional concerns about potential violations of federal criminal laws that prohibit making false statements to Congress, committing perjury in testimony to Congress, inducing another person to commit perjury, or conspiring to commit any of the foregoing actions.
    Even prior to his first Administration, President Trump campaigned for the need to prosecute and “lock up” individuals who allegedly “bypass government security” or “sent and received classified information on an insecure server.” Further, as an avowedly loyal and zealous advocate for the President, you echoed these same sentiments prior to your confirmation. Given the extraordinary nature of this security breach by senior Trump Administration officials, the likelihood that these actions needlessly endangered American lives and our nation’s security, the importance of putting our nation’s security before partisan political interests, and the range of federal criminal laws that may have been violated, it is imperative that the Department of Justice conduct a thorough investigation to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether any criminal charges are warranted against any of the government officials involved.
    During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you assured the American people that everyone will be held to “an equal, fair system of justice” if you were confirmed as Attorney General, and that “no one is above the law.” As the individuals most seriously implicated in this incident include senior officials at the highest levels, including several of your fellow cabinet members, appointment of a Special Counsel is necessary to ensure that the investigation and any ensuing prosecutions are fair, impartial, and independent and that no official, regardless of seniority or political affiliation, is above the law.
    The people of this country deserve the assurance that this matter will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly. To do so, we urge you to appoint a Special Counsel immediately.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Introduces Bill to Protect Americans from Romance Scams

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G. Valadao (California)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Reps. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Craig Goldman (TX-12) to introduce the Romance Scam Prevention Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill enhances user safety on online dating platforms by requiring service providers to issue fraud ban notifications to users who have interacted with a person removed from the app. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

    “Online dating has become an increasingly common way for people to connect, but unfortunately, it’s also a tool for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting users,” said Congressman Valadao. “Romance scammers use fake identities to build trust and exploit their victims financially, which has cost Americans over a billion dollars per year. This bipartisan, bicameral bill provides transparency, empowers users to make informed decisions, and reinforces best practices to prevent online scams. I’m proud to help lead the effort to make online dating safer and protect Americans of all ages from financial fraud.

    “Dating apps are still a new frontier for criminals and scammers looking to exploit vulnerable individuals online and regulations are lagging behind,” said Rep. Pettersen. “Notifying users if they have been in contact with a potential scammer is a basic security feature that every online dating service should provide. This bill is a great step towards reducing online crime and keeping Americans safe.”

    “The exploitation of users on online dating apps is emblematic of the dark side of the digital age,” said Rep. Suozzi. “As Americans increasingly turn to online applications, lawmakers across chambers and across the aisle have a responsibility to crack down on scammers who use the internet for extortion, fraud, and other malign purposes.”

    “As millions of Americans turn to online dating services for meaningful connections, a troubling report finds that fraudulent accounts have deceived and exploited innocent Americans out of more than a billion dollars,” said Rep. Goldman. “I’m proud to support Rep. David Valadao’s Romance Scam Prevention Act, which requires online dating services to implement stronger safeguards to prevent these devastating scams. It’s important to protect Americans from malicious online users who seek to defraud them.”

    Background:

    Over 60 million Americans reported using an online dating service in 2023. As Americans continue to go online to find meaningful relationships, scammers are following suit. The Federal Trade Commission reported that romance scams resulted in victims losing over $1.1 billion in 2023 alone.

    Criminals have become exceptionally sophisticated when it comes to finding and exploiting their victims online. They use false names and stories to lure individuals into conversation before manipulating them to give up sensitive information. When an online dating service provider becomes aware of a user committing fraudulent activity, like illegally obtaining money, the online dating service provider immediately deactivates the fraudulent user’s account. However, individuals who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms, so even when a fraudulent account is removed, an individual might not know they are still communicating with someone who has been banned from the dating platform.

    This bill was written to ensure no part could interfere with an active law enforcement investigation. Fraud ban notifications are already active in Vermont, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New York.

    Read the full bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Statement Ahead of Trump’s Next Round of Tariffs, a Tax Hike on American Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—As President Trump reportedly prepares to enact blanket tariffs that will impact trade globally and plunge the economy into chaos, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement: 
    “It is obvious that Trump ‘couldn’t care less’ about the American people feeling the pain of his reckless tariffs. President Trump needs to get real: this half-baked trade war will only raise prices for consumers. Trump’s so-called ‘liberation day’ will throw the global economy into turmoil and leave Americans holding the bag,” said Senator Peter Welch. “I can support tariffs that demand accountability from bad actors like China, but it must be done in a multilateral, smart way. We should not impose sweeping tariffs on our allies and longtime partners in trade. America’s close economic ties with our trading partners are based on trust. These on-again, off-again tariffs are extremely destructive and totally unnecessary. President Trump is sticking it to our farmers, our businesses, and everyday working people.” 
    More than 18,600 Vermonters work in industries targeted by retaliatory tariffs, and thousands more will see higher costs for food, fuel, and energy. A new poll from AP-NORC found that a majority of voters—60% disapprove—of the president’s handling of trade negotiations, and 58% disapprove of his handling of the economy. 
    Senator Welch has blasted Trump’s tariffs and trade war and shared stories from constituents about how President Trump’s economic policies have impacted their businesses, farms, and communities. In March, Senator Welch hosted a roundtable in Newport with Vermont and Canadian business leaders to discuss President Trump’s Trade War. He has also held events in St. Albans and virtually to hear directly from impacted Vermonters.  

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Schumer, Democratic Senators Urge AG Bondi To Appoint A Special Counsel To Investigate Trump Administration Signal Chat National Security Breach

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    April 01, 2025
    The Senators wrote: “These shockingly reckless breaches of security protocols for safeguarding sensitive and classified information clearly warrant an investigation into whether any of the government officials involved violated federal laws”
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 29 Senate Democrats sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi urging her to appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether any of the government officials involved in the Signal chat security breach violated federal criminal law. On March 24, The Atlantic’s editor in chief reported that President Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz had included him in a group text chain with several high-ranking national security officials where highly sensitive, classified, or controlled information was shared and discussed over Signal—an unsecure commercial messaging app.
    “In addition to the reckless inclusion of a journalist in the chat, we are deeply concerned about this serious breach in the proper handling of such information and deliberations,” the Senators wrote.“Appointment of a Special Counsel is appropriate where the Department may have a conflict of interest or extraordinary circumstances are present, a criminal investigation is warranted, and it is in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to investigate the matter. Such circumstances are clearly present here.”
    The Signal chat group started by Mr. Waltz included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, among at least 18 other high-ranking government officials. In addition to discussing the sensitive foreign policy implications of military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, these officials proceeded to discuss key operational information regarding the precise timing of the planned attacks, the types of military aircraft and munitions to be used, and the targets and results of the strikes as they occurred. An unprecedented security breach of this magnitude involving top senior government officials presents the kind of extraordinary circumstances clearly contemplated by the Special Counsel regulations.
    “These officials conducted a highly sensitive discussion, including of clearly classified or controlled information, over the commercial messaging app Signal, including in some instances on personal devices and while traveling in foreign countries, rather than using the secure U.S. government channels and facilities that are designed and required for the sharing of such information. Despite subsequent claims to the contrary by you, President Trump, and several of the officials involved, including in testimony before Congress, some of the information they shared and discussed over Signal would almost certainly be considered classified or, at a minimum, controlled, prior to and in the immediate aftermath of an impending strike,” the Senators wrote.
    In the letter, the Senators raised concerns if the Signal chat violated federal law. For example, gross negligence in handling national defense information may violate the Espionage Act. Importantly, other laws, including the Federal Records Act, require the preservation of certain government records. Destruction of government records or property may constitute a violation of various criminal statutes. Subsequent statements to Congress and testimony before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees by several of the officials involved raise additional concerns about potential violations of federal criminal laws that prohibit making false statements to Congress, committing perjury in testimony to Congress, inducing another person to commit perjury, or conspiring to commit any of the foregoing actions.
    “During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you assured the American people that everyone will be held to ‘an equal, fair system of justice’ if you were confirmed as Attorney General, and that ‘no one is above the law.’ As the individuals most seriously implicated in this incident include senior officials at the highest levels, including several of your fellow cabinet members, appointment of a Special Counsel is necessary to ensure that the investigation and any ensuing prosecutions are fair, impartial, and independent and that no official, regardless of seniority or political affiliation, is above the law. The people of this country deserve the assurance that this matter will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly. To do so, we urge you to appoint a Special Counsel immediately,” the Senators concluded.
    Along with Durbin and Schumer, today’s letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY),  Ed Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Gary Peters (D-MI).
    Full text of today’s letter is available here and below:
    March 31, 2025
    Dear Attorney General Bondi:
    On March 24, The Atlantic’s editor in chief reported that President Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz had included him in a group message chain with several high-ranking national security officials where highly sensitive, classified, or controlled information was shared and discussed over Signal—an unsecure commercial messaging app. In addition to the reckless inclusion of a journalist in the chat, we are deeply concerned about this serious breach in the proper handling of such information and deliberations. Given the extraordinary circumstances of this shocking incident and the significant public interests at stake, it is imperative that you immediately appoint a Special Counsel to thoroughly and impartially investigate whether any of the government officials involved violated federal criminal law.
    Appointment of a Special Counsel is appropriate where the Department may have a conflict of interest or extraordinary circumstances are present, a criminal investigation is warranted, and it is in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to investigate the matter. Such circumstances are clearly present here.
    The Signal chat group started by Mr. Waltz included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, among at least 18 other high-ranking government officials. In addition to discussing the sensitive foreign policy implications of military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, these officials proceeded to discuss key operational information regarding the precise timing of the planned attacks, the types of military aircraft and munitions to be used, and the targets and results of the strikes as they occurred. An unprecedented security breach of this magnitude involving top senior government officials presents the kind of extraordinary circumstances clearly contemplated by the Special Counsel regulations.
    These officials conducted a highly sensitive discussion, including of clearly classified or controlled information, over the commercial messaging app Signal, including in some instances on personal devices and while traveling in foreign countries, rather than using the secure U.S. government channels and facilities that are designed and required for the sharing of such information. Despite subsequent claims to the contrary by you, President Trump, and several of the officials involved, including in testimony before Congress, some of the information they shared and discussed over Signal would almost certainly be considered classified or, at a minimum, controlled, prior to and in the immediate aftermath of an impending strike.
    These shockingly reckless breaches of security protocols for safeguarding sensitive and classified information clearly warrant an investigation into whether any of the government officials involved violated federal laws pertaining to the proper safeguarding and preservation of such information. For example, gross negligence in handling national defense information may violate the Espionage Act. Importantly, other laws, including the Federal Records Act, require the preservation of certain government records. Signal allows users to schedule messages for deletion after certain time periods and Mr. Waltz appears to have set the chat messages to delete initially after one week and then later in the chat changed the setting to delete messages after four weeks. Destruction of government records or property may constitute a violation of various criminal statutes. Subsequent statements to Congress and testimony before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees by several of the officials involved raise additional concerns about potential violations of federal criminal laws that prohibit making false statements to Congress, committing perjury in testimony to Congress, inducing another person to commit perjury, or conspiring to commit any of the foregoing actions.
    Even prior to his first Administration, President Trump campaigned for the need to prosecute and “lock up” individuals who allegedly “bypass government security” or “sent and received classified information on an insecure server.” Further, as an avowedly loyal and zealous advocate for the President, you echoed these same sentiments prior to your confirmation. Given the extraordinary nature of this security breach by senior Trump Administration officials, the likelihood that these actions needlessly endangered American lives and our nation’s security, the importance of putting our nation’s security before partisan political interests, and the range of federal criminal laws that may have been violated, it is imperative that the Department of Justice conduct a thorough investigation to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether any criminal charges are warranted against any of the government officials involved.
    During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you assured the American people that everyone will be held to “an equal, fair system of justice” if you were confirmed as Attorney General, and that “no one is above the law.” As the individuals most seriously implicated in this incident include senior officials at the highest levels, including several of your fellow cabinet members, appointment of a Special Counsel is necessary to ensure that the investigation and any ensuing prosecutions are fair, impartial, and independent and that no official, regardless of seniority or political affiliation, is above the law.
    The people of this country deserve the assurance that this matter will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly. To do so, we urge you to appoint a Special Counsel immediately.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Belgo-British Conference 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Belgo-British Conference 2025

    The biennial conference saw business, academia, government and civil society debate shared challenges in national security, public health and societal cohesion.

    On Tuesday 25 March, the 25th anniversary edition of the Belgo-British conference was hosted by the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation at the Egmont Palace.

    Justice Ministers from both the UK and Belgium, Minister Annelies Verlinden and Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, gave opening remarks on the topic of Belgium and the United Kingdom: Resilient Partners in a Changing World.

    Theo Francken, Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, gave a closing speech.

    Professor Alexander Mattelaer and Michelle Haas, moderators from the Egmont Institute, and moderator Sir Robin Niblett, from the UK’s Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), facilitated discussions on national security, public health sector, and bridging generational and societal divides from expert speakers including decision-makers from politics, civil society, business and academia from both the UK and Belgium.

    The Belgian Ambassador to the UK, Jeroen Cooreman, and British Ambassador to Belgium, Anne Sherriff, were present.  

    Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden said:

    Since my appointment as Minister of Justice and the North Sea, I have placed particular importance on our bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom.  Our legal challenges transcend borders. The challenges we face whether at sea, against organised crime or in the fight against climate change are complex and interconnected. But Belgium stands ready to lead and to partner with the UK, with our neighbours and with the world.

    Justice Minister Lord Ponsonby said:

    I am delighted to attend the Belgo-British Conference to discuss the important ways our two great nations can co-operate with each other on security, trade, and innovation. In this uncertain world, it is vital that we work closely with our allies, like Belgium, so we are prepared to face current, emerging, and new challenges as one. We have enjoyed a close relationship for many years, and I look forward to our continued co-operation which will help boost security and growth in both our countries and across Europe.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Maris-Tech Enters Into Distribution Agreement with Thrikasa Technologies to Expand Presence in India

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Thrikasa Technologies will serve as key local distributor, strengthening Maris-Tech’s reach in the Indian defense markets

    Rehovot, Israel, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Maris-Tech Ltd. (Nasdaq: MTEK, MTEKW) (“Maris-Tech” or the “Company”), a global leader in video and artificial intelligence (“AI”)-based edge computing technology, today announced that it has entered into a new distribution agreement with Thrikasa Technologies (“Thrikasa”), a veteran Indian supplier of computing solutions for rugged environments. Pursuant to the agreement, Thrikasa will serve as a key distribution partner for Maris-Tech’s solutions across India.

    With its headquarters in Hyderabad, Thrikasa brings deep experience in delivering advanced technology to defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure clients across the region. The collaboration will include joint marketing, exhibition participation and coordinated sales efforts, which Maris-Tech expects will allow it to better serve Indian customers with localized expertise and support.

    “We are excited to announce this agreement with Thrikasa, a highly respected participant in India’s defense technology ecosystem,” said Israel Bar, Chief Executive Officer of Maris-Tech. “We believe that Thrikasa’s technical knowledge and trusted relationships make them an ideal collaborator, as we continue to establish our presence in India and bring our advanced edge computing and AI video solutions to the Indian market.”

    About Maris-Tech Ltd.

    Maris-Tech is a global leader in video and AI-based edge computing technology, pioneering intelligent video transmission solutions that conquer complex encoding-decoding challenges. Our miniature, lightweight, and low-power products deliver high-performance capabilities, including raw data processing, seamless transfer, advanced image processing, and AI-driven analytics. Founded by Israeli technology sector veterans, Maris-Tech serves leading manufacturers worldwide in defense, aerospace, Intelligence gathering, homeland security (HLS), and communication industries. We’re pushing the boundaries of video transmission and edge computing, driving innovation in mission-critical applications across commercial and defense sectors.

    For more information, visit https://www.maris-tech.com/

    Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company’s future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect”,” “may”, “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it is discussing: the anticipated benefits of the distribution agreement between the Company and Thrikasa and the Company’s expansion of its advanced edge computing and AI video solutions  in the Indian market. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: its ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional securities; its planned level of revenues and capital expenditures; belief that our existing cash and cash equivalents, as of December 31, 2024, will be sufficient to fund our operations through the next twelve months; its ability to market and sell our products; its plans to continue to invest in research and development to develop technology for both existing and new products; its plans to collaborate, or statements regarding the ongoing collaborations, with partner companies; its ability to maintain our relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and other partners; its ability to maintain or protect the validity of our intellectual property; its ability to retain key executive members; its ability to internally develop and protect new inventions and intellectual property; its ability to expose and educate the industry about the use of our products; its expectations regarding our tax classifications; its qualification as an emerging growth company or a foreign private issuer; interpretations of current laws and the passages of future laws; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates including those related to recent unrest and actual or potential armed conflict in Israel and other parts of the Middle East, such as the multi-front war Israel is facing; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025, and its other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations:

    Nir Bussy, CFO
    Tel: +972-72-2424022
    Nir@maris-tech.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Canada’s propane exports to Asia are growing, making up more than 40% of exports in 2024

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    April 1, 2025

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly; Canada Energy Regulator
    Note: Canada’s propane exports to the Pacific Basin include three shipments to Hawaii, according to Vortexa (less than 200,000 barrels each in 2021, 2023, and 2024).


    Canada’s propane exports have steadily increased over the last decade, reaching record highs in 2024 as new marine export terminals streamlined the flow of propane from western Canada to export destinations, particularly to Asia. U.S. propane imports from Canada have stayed relatively consistent since Canada began waterborne exports in 2019.

    Propane spot prices in Edmonton, Alberta, are typically at a discount to prices in both East Asia and Conway, Kansas, the propane market hub for the Midwest. Competitive pricing in Canada underpins the demand for Canada’s propane in both East Asia’s and the United States’ propane markets. Most propane exported from Canada to East Asia is consumed as petrochemical feedstock, while propane exported from Canada to the United States is used mostly for space-heating demand, particularly in the Upper-Midwest and Northeast during the winter.

    Data source: Bloomberg, L.P.
    Note: Propane prices were negative at Edmonton, Alberta, in 2015 because of record-high inventories with low seasonal demand, causing producers to pay for propane distribution due to limited takeaway capacity.

    Canada has two marine export terminals on the coast of British Columbia that take propane arriving by rail from Western Canada. Waterborne propane exports out of Canada began in 2019 when Canada’s AltaGas started operating the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET) with an initial capacity of 46,000 barrels per day (b/d). The plant’s capacity is now 92,000 b/d. Pembina began operating the Prince Rupert Terminal, which has a shipping capacity of 25,000 b/d of propane, in 2021. These facilities have provided Canada with its first large-scale outlets for direct propane shipments to Asia.

    Canada’s waterborne propane exports grew 10% from 2023 to 2024, with almost all going to either Japan or South Korea, according to Vortexa. Since the propane export terminals are located on the Pacific Coast, a vessel can reach East Asia 15 days faster than a vessel leaving the U.S. Gulf Coast.

    AltaGas and Dutch company Vopek are planning to build an additional propane export terminal adjacent to RIPET called the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF). The companies expect to complete the 55,000-b/d-capacity first phase by the end of 2026. The planned capacity addition is expected to lead to more waterborne propane exports to markets in Asia, and, to a lesser extent, the western coast of South America and Mexico.

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Canada Energy Regulator, and company filings
    Note: b/d=barrels per day; RIPET=Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal; REEF=Ridley Island Energy Export Facility


    The growth in Canadian propane exports comes against a backdrop of increasing global demand for propane, driven by petrochemical production, particularly in Asian markets. Until 2018, all of Canada’s propane exports went to the United States. Although the United States is still the largest destination for the country’s propane exports, it accounted for just 58% of exports in 2024 as shipments to Asia have risen sharply.

    Most of Canada’s propane exports to the United States have shipped by rail since 2015, with 81% arriving by rail last year. Shipping propane by rail is scalable in the winter months, when propane demand is at its highest in the United States. Propane shipped to the U.S. West Coast by rail typically goes to Ferndale, Washington, where Canadian company AltaGas operates a propane and butane export terminal. Propane is either re-exported to East Asia or distributed for U.S. residential or industrial consumption.

    A smaller portion of Canada’s propane exports is transported by pipeline, about 8% in 2024. From 2010 to 2014, before the Cochin Pipeline reversal, pipeline exports from Canada to the United States accounted for about 30% of Canada’s propane exports. Lines 1 and 5 of the Enbridge Mainline carry y-grade, a mix of natural gas liquids, from Alberta across the Great Lakes. Propane is extracted in Superior, Wisconsin, and Rapid River, Michigan, before the pipeline terminates in Sarnia, Ontario.

    Canada’s propane exports will likely continue growing as production increases. With additional marine export capacity expected to come online on Canada’s West Coast, most growth will be to the Pacific Basin, especially East Asia.

    Principal contributor: Josh Eiermann

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Empowering Global Users, Global Assets Releases AI Intelligent Trading System Technical Whitepaper

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
    With the rapid development of financial technology, intelligent trading and decentralized finance (DeFi) are increasingly becoming important components of the financial market. In this trend, Global Assets proudly announces the release of its AI intelligent trading system technical whitepaper, aimed at creating an efficient, secure, and intelligent trading environment for global users, further promoting technological innovation in the financial market.

    Technological Innovation Leading the Future of Trading
    Global Assets’ AI intelligent trading system combines advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and blockchain technology to monitor market data in real time around the clock and optimize trading processes. This system enhances trading efficiency through automated trading strategies, reducing the influence of human factors on market decisions, and ensuring the safety and stability of trades.

    Core features of the AI intelligent trading system include:

    Intelligent Market Analysis: AI robots can analyze market data in real time, automatically identifying potential market dynamics.

    High-Speed Trade Execution: The system can execute trading orders in milliseconds, improving trading efficiency.

    Risk Management Mechanism: A multi-layer risk management mechanism ensures the safety of trading funds and reduces risk exposure.

    Blockchain Collateral Lending to Unlock Asset Value
    Global Assets’ blockchain collateral lending service provides users with an efficient asset management tool, helping them release instant liquidity without selling assets. Through this service, users can use mainstream crypto assets as collateral to quickly obtain liquid funds.

    Key advantages of this service include:

    No Traditional Credit Review Required: Users only need to provide digital assets as collateral to secure funding.

    Fast Loan Disbursement Mechanism: The system automatically evaluates the value of the collateralized assets, with funds available instantly.

    Transparent and Secure Blockchain Mechanism: All transaction records are recorded on the blockchain, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness.

    Diverse Trading Ecosystem to Meet All Needs
    Global Assets is committed to providing users with diverse asset trading options, creating a one-stop trading ecosystem. Users can engage in cross-market trading on the same platform, meeting diverse asset allocation requirements.

    The types of trading supported by the platform include:

    Digital Currency Trading: Supports mainstream cryptocurrencies.

    Forex Trading: Covers major fiat currencies such as USD, EUR, and JPY.

    Commodity Trading: Provides trading opportunities for commodities like gold and crude oil.

    Stocks and ETFs: Connects global stock markets, offering investment choices in international markets.

    Why Choose Global Assets?

    Technology-Driven Innovation: The combination of AI and blockchain technology constructs an intelligent trading ecosystem.

    Safeguarded Fund Security: Multiple security protection mechanisms ensure the safety of user funds.

    Global Market Coverage: Supports multiple countries and regions, offering round-the-clock trading services.

    Efficient Customer Support: A professional team provides 24/7 online support.

    Conclusion
    In the context of the continuous development of global financial technology, the combination of AI intelligent trading and blockchain technology injects new vitality into the financial market. Through the release of its technical whitepaper, Global Assets demonstrates its deep strength in technological innovation and service ecology, committed to providing global users with a more efficient and intelligent trading environment. To learn more about the Global Assets AI Intelligent Trading System, please visit the official website and embark on a new era of intelligent trading!

    Media Contact
    Company Name: Global Assets
    Website: https://global-assets.com
    Email: service@global-assets.com
    Contact: Markus Johann Fischer

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Import of certain products from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany suspended01 April 2025 The States Veterinary Officer has suspended the import of certain products from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and parts of Germany, following outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease. Fresh meat, dairy… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    01 April 2025

    The States Veterinary Officer has suspended the import of certain products from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and parts of Germany, following outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease.

    Fresh meat, dairy products, animal-by products, and live susceptible animals from Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, or the ‘Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restricted zones​’ in Germany must not be imported into Jersey. 

    Reminder ahead of the Easter Holidays: 

    Individuals can only bring certain products of susceptible animals from the EU (excluding Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and parts of Germany), EFTA states, the Faroe Islands and Greenland into Jersey for personal consumption. 

    Products* brought in from these countries must: 

    • have been produced and packaged to EU commercial standards and weigh no more than 2kg per person
    • bear an identification or health mark, or commercial labelling if it is an animal by-product, to evidence it is commercially produced. 

    *This applies to fresh meat, meat products, milk, milk products, and animal by products of susceptible species. 

    Individuals must not bring any of the listed products from Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia into Jersey for personal consumption, including commercially produced and packaged. 

    For more info, visit: Gov.je

    The States Veterinary Officer, Susana Ramos, said: “The suspension aims to protect the Island’s livestock, following the reported outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in livestock in Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. There are no known cases in Jersey. “Islanders are to be reassured that Foot and Mouth Disease is not a risk to humans. However, it is a severe contagious viral disease in livestock including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs -those with a cloven-hoof. 

    “The Animal Health and Welfare team continue to monitor the situation to determine whether any further restrictions will be necessary.”​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Academic Council discussed the development of the corporate information system and the tasks of the Office of Technological Leadership

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The meeting of the Academic Council on the last day of March traditionally began with a formal part.

    Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy awarded the “For Merit” badge of distinction to the CEO of the BuildHouse company, a 1988 graduate of the metallurgical faculty, Alexey Evstratov, noting his contribution to strengthening the university’s image, forming and replenishing the target capital of the Endowment Fund, promoting the development of the Polytechnic Museum, and involving graduates in university events and charity events.

    Andrey Rudskoy also presented the “For Merit” badges to Mikhail Volkov, Deputy General Director of the Zvezda plant for general issues; Dmitry Sachava, Head of the Advanced Technologies Marketing Department of the Computer Engineering Center; Dmitry Shamansky, Leading Specialist of the Advanced Technologies Marketing Department of the Computer Engineering Center; Nina Suratova, Head of the Scientific Literature Department and Curator of the University’s Information and Library Complex; and Natalia Sokolova, Director of the Information and Library Technologies Center.

    Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation, 1978 Physics and Mechanics Faculty graduate Alexey Borovkov was awarded a commemorative medal and gratitude from the university for facilitating the development of the Endowment Fund.

    For her great personal contribution to the development of the Endowment Fund and the Polytechnic Ambassadors’ Community and in connection with the anniversary, the university’s gratitude was received by the executive director of the fund, associate professor of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Energy of the Institute of Power Engineering and the Higher Engineering and Economics School of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade, and a 1992 graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Production Management, Olga Novikova.

    The ceremonial part continued with the presentation of diplomas for conferring scientific degrees. Aleksey Chechevikin received a diploma of candidate of technical sciences. Diplomas of candidates of economic sciences were received by employees and postgraduate students of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade: Ekaterina Mikhel (scientific supervisor – Professor Andrey Zaytsev); Victoria Brazovskaya (scientific supervisor – associate professor Svetlana Gutman); Daria Kryzhko (scientific supervisor – Professor Irina Rudskaya); Chen Leifei (scientific supervisor – Professor Alexander Babkin); Ivan Samokhvalov (scientific supervisor – Professor Vladimir Glukhov); Vitaly Nikolaenko (scientific supervisor – Professor Olga Kalinina); Vyacheslav Melekhin (scientific supervisor – Professor Mikhail Afanasyev).

    Andrey Rudskoy presented certificates of conferring the academic title of “professor” to Elena Aleksandrova, chief research fellow at the Higher School of Cybersecurity, and Olga Vlasova, director of the Scientific and Educational Center “Fundamentals of Medical and Biomedical Technologies”.

    Certificates for conferring the academic title of associate professor were received by: Maria Bortkovskaya, Konstantin Greshnevikov, Mikhail Enuchenko, Alexey Kultyshev, Anatoly Novik, Irina Ptukhina, Sergey Rozov, Nina Rumyantseva and Dmitry Sharapov.

    SPbPU Academic Secretary Dmitry Karpov announced that by order of the President of the Russian Federation, employees of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” under the leadership of Alexey Borovkov were awarded a scholarship from the Defense Industry Complex for scientists, designers, technologists and other engineering and technical workers of organizations implementing the state defense order in 2024.

    Another achievement of the SPbPU PISh is the resolution of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences dated June 25, 2024, based on the results of the competitive selection among student works in the field of “Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics and Control Processes” to a master’s student of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” Lilia Nezhinskaya awarded the medal of the Russian Academy of Sciences with a prize for young scientists. Lilia’s scientific supervisor is Alexey Borovkov.

    A letter of thanks from the Ministry of Education and Science for their contribution to the development of practice-oriented education in the Russian Federation within the framework of the Service Learning program was presented to Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov and Director of the Humanities Institute Natalia Chicherina.

    Victor Dashonok, Academic Program Development Specialist for the RISC-V Alliance, presented letters of gratitude for organizing and conducting the course “RISC-V Ecosystem: Development and System Programming” to Vera Loboda, Director of the Higher School of Electronics and Microsystems Engineering, Associate Professor Mikhail Enuchenko, Associate Professor Dmitry Budanov, as well as Pavel Drobintsev, Director of the Higher School of Software Engineering, and Assistant Nadezhda Stepina.

    Several Polytechnic University employees were awarded SPbPU honorary certificates. Head of the Department for Support of Scientific Projects and Programs Natalia Leontyeva was recognized for high professional achievements and effective work, and Chief Specialist of the Quality Control Department Igor Sechin was recognized for many years of work and high professionalism.

    Leading Manager of the Protocol and Organizational Service Anastasia Kedo, leading specialist Galina Kolmykova and specialist Maria Pagurskaya were awarded for their active participation in the implementation of particularly important projects and the holding of events at a high professional level that enhance the image of the university.

    Polytechnic athletes were also awarded honors.

    Coaches of the Student Sports Club “Black Bears-Polytech” Stepan Verbitsky, Evgeny Chupalov and Anatoly Dimitropulo, as well as students Dmitry Gultyaev, Pavel Timofeev and Petr Shlokkin presented the Polytech team, which brought from the XI tournament of the Association of Football Federations “North-West” among youth teams named after Anatoly Turchak first place cup and gold medals.

    On March 16, the Polytechnicians performed brilliantly at the Saint Petersburg University Dance Sport Championship. The university’s honor was defended by the pairs Anastasia Nazarova and Arseniy Bauman (1st place), Stefania Aldoshina and Gleb Gusev (1st place), Sofia Gordeeva and Arseniy Afonin (2nd and 3rd places). The team’s coach is Askar Isabaev.

    Students Kamilla Khakimova, Grigory Gavrilash and Maxim Telepanov took second place at the Saint Petersburg Student Sambo Competition. Coach: Grigory Galkin.

    After the congratulatory part, the members of the Academic Council moved on to the agenda of the meeting. Vice-Rector for Information Technology Andrey Lyamin spoke about the development of the university’s corporate information system.

    “The strategic goal of developing information technologies at the university is to strengthen the university’s position in the field of science, education and innovation by creating a global digital scientific and educational ecosystem, as well as dynamic and sustainable development to ensure Russia’s technological leadership,” noted Andrey Lyamin. “Information technologies at the university are developing in several directions: information infrastructure and information security, corporate and accounting information systems, portals and web resources.”

    Andrey Vladimirovich covered each area in detail, provided statistical and analytical data. He noted that special attention is paid at SPbPU to building a unified user support service (caliper@spbst.ru), in 2024, 9,685 requests were received there, user satisfaction was 4.9 out of 5. Andrei Vladimirovich also reported that a set of measures carried out by SPbPU to work with its own web portals brought the Polytechnic website tofirst place in the February ranking of media activity of Russian universities.

    The Academic Council meeting discussed personnel changes at the university. On April 1, Maria Vrublevskaya assumed the post of Vice-Rector for Personnel Policy, and Oleg Rozhdestvensky headed the SPbPU Office of Technological Leadership. Oleg Igorevich presented a report to the members of the Academic Council on the tasks of the new structural unit. He recalled that on October 29, 2024, a strategic session was held under the chairmanship of the head of the Russian government Mikhail Mishustin on the development of educational organizations that provide training for engineering personnel and scientific developments for technological leadership. Based on its results, 40 universities were to formulate development strategies until 2030–2036. SPbPU developed such a strategy, and on its basis, the University Development Program was created at the beginning of 2025, which Polytechnic successfully defended. Within the framework of this program, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Office of Technological Leadership is being created.

    Oleg Rozhdestvensky spoke in detail about the management structure for the implementation of the SPbPU Development Program and answered questions.

    The members of the Academic Council also voted to award the academic title of associate professor to representatives of the Humanities Institute: Darina Barinova, Juntao Wang, Elena Krylova and Evgenia Tsimerman.

    Scientific Secretary Dmitry Karpov reported on monitoring the implementation of the decisions of the Academic Council.

    Among the current issues discussed at the meeting were the approval of tuition fees for the 2025/2026 academic year for different categories of citizens; approval of chief designers of key scientific and technological areas; the results of the 2024 competition of educational and scientific publications; prevention of offenses and the prevention of illegal actions among young people; the introduction of a working program for the education of students and the implementation of youth policy, etc. The meeting also approved the new corporate style of the university.

    Photo archive

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: FDCTech Reports Over 111% Revenue Growth in Fiscal Year 2024, Driven by Full-Year Contributions from Strategic Acquisitions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Robust Revenue Expansion Across All Business Segments – Investment and Brokerage, Wealth Management, and Technology Solution. 

    Irvine, CA, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC” or the “Company,” PINK: FDCT), a fintech-driven firm specializing in acquiring and scaling small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, today announced audited results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

    Full Year Highlights: FY 2024 vs. FY 2023

    • Total Revenues: $26.94 million in FY 2024, up from $12.75 million in FY 2023 – an increase of 111.24% due to the consolidation of Alchemy Markets Ltd. (AML) and Alchemy Prime Ltd. (APL) for the full 2024 fiscal year, which contributed significantly to revenue expansion.
    • Net Profit: $80,027 in FY 2024 compared to a net profit of $1.57 million in FY 2023 – a higher profit in FY 2023 was mainly due to non-recurring sales in the third quarter ending December 31, 2023.
    • Gross Profit: $12.04 million in FY 2024, up from $8.88 million in FY 2023 – an increase of 92.73% due to the consolidation of AML and APL for the full 2024 fiscal year, which contributed significantly to the increase in gross profit.
    • Cash Position: $24.78 million as of December 31, 2024.
    • Working Capital Surplus: $9.42 million in FY 2024 compared to $7.46 million in FY 2023, an increase of 21.94%.

    Performance by Segement

    Investment and Brokerage

    • Revenue surged to $18.80 million in FY 2024, compared to $5.02 million in FY 2023 – an increase of 274.86% due to the consolidation of AML and APL for the full 2024 fiscal year, which contributed significantly to revenue expansion.

    Wealth Management

    • Revenue increased to $6.50 million in FY 2024 from $5.93 million in FY 2023 – an increase of 9.63%.

    Technology & Software Development

    • Revenue of $1.64 million in FY 2024 compared to $1.81 million in FY 2023 – a decrease of 9.35% as the Company focused its time and effort on integrating its technology in its subsidiaries.

    Strategic and Operational Highlights

    • Successfully integrated full-year financials from AML and APL following 2023 acquisitions.
    • AML acquired over 2,361 clients from Next Markets and 35 clients from a Cypriot broker, expanding its presence in the EU.
    • AML secured authorization in terms of article 6 of the Investment Services Act, Chapter 370 of the Laws of Malta, to offer equities and money market securities, enabling the Company to provide stocks and interest-yielding products.
    • Launched new offices in Cyprus, Malta, and the UK.
    • Ongoing development of the Condor Investing & Trading App, slated for commercialization in late 2025.

    The management is proud of the transformative growth achieved in the fiscal year 2024. With a strong capital position, scalable platform, pipeline of upcoming acquisitions, and growing international footprint, the Company is well-positioned to deliver sustained value to shareholders and clients alike in the 2025 fiscal year and beyond.

    Please visit our SEC filings or the Company’s website for more information on the full results and management’s plan.

    FDCTech, Inc.

    FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC”) is a regulatory-grade financial technology infrastructure developer designed to serve the future financial markets. Our clients include regulated and OTC brokerages and prop and algo trading firms of all sizes in forex, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, precious metals, and other asset classes. Our growth strategy involves acquiring and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, leveraging our proprietary trading technology and liquidity solutions to deliver exceptional value to our clients.

    Press Release Disclaimer

    This press release’s statements may be forward-looking statements or future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets, and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or updated status of such forward-looking statements or information provided by the third party. Therefore, in no case will the Company and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages.

    Contact Media Relations
    FDCTech, Inc.
    info@fdctech.com
    www.fdctech.com
    +1 877-445-6047
    200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 300,
    Irvine, CA, 92618

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Vocodia Holdings Corp. Issues CEO Letter and Discusses Outlook for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOCA RATON, Fla., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vocodia Holdings Corp. (OTC: VHAI) (“Vocodia”), a leader in AI software development focusing on practical AI applications, announced today that Brian Podolak, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, has issued a letter to the shareholders of Vocodia Holdings Corp. The full text is as follows:

    To My Fellow Stockholders,

    2024 was our first year as a public company—and the most difficult in our history.

    We faced market headwinds, financial constraints, and operational challenges that tested our team, our technology, and our vision. In September 2024, our stock was delisted from the CBOE and now trades on the OTC Markets. As a public company, this is not where we want to be, but I am a firm believer that with adversity also comes opportunity.

    As we enter 2025, I am optimistic about our company’s future. We have made meaningful progress, laid critical groundwork, and built real technology My focus now is on generating positive momentum, driving disciplined execution, and getting our company back on track—one milestone at a time.

    While our share price has declined, our mission remains strong. And while our access to capital remains tight, our opportunity in artificial intelligence is wide open.

    I want to walk you through where we are, what we have accomplished, and where we are going without sugarcoating anything.

    We have built real technology that solves real problems.

    Call centers are broken. Wait times are too long, quality is inconsistent, and costs are high. Most businesses know this, but they have not found a reliable, scalable way to fix it.

    Vocodia is solving that problem with Digital Intelligent Sales Agents (DISAs)—AI-powered voice bots that can do the work of human call center reps faster, cheaper, and with better results.

    • Our DISAs handle sales, service, and support across dozens of industries. They do not need breaks. They do not need sleep. And they do not complain. But they do sound human, adapt to natural conversations, and follow scripts with perfect recall.

    We have raised capital. We have invested wisely. We have moved fast.

    In 2024, we raised approximately $6 million through our IPO, giving us the runway to accelerate development and expand our sales pipeline. Our executive team personally invested $400,000 in that offering because we believe in what we are building. We are not just leading this company—we are betting on it.

    We are tightening up our operations and expanding our cap table.

    We have made tough decisions to reduce unnecessary spending and streamline our organizational structure. We have scaled back where necessary and doubled down where it matters—product development, platform stability, and customer delivery.

    We are also working closely with Alpine Securities Corporation, whom we engaged in March, to explore strategic pathways for financing, uplisting, and maximizing long-term shareholder value. We believe a more robust capital structure and a more visible market listing are both achievable—and necessary.

    We are earning recognition. And we are telling our story.

    In January, our AI platform was featured in USA Today as a solution to eliminate call center hold times—a powerful validation of our mission and technology. More recently, we formed a joint venture with Traccom Inc. to apply our Narrative AI to event monitoring and logistics—a sign of how flexible and far-reaching our technology can be.

    We are no longer just a tech startup. We are an AI infrastructure company with enterprise-grade tools that solve billion-dollar problems in telecom, retail, utilities, insurance, and more.

    Where do we go from here?

    I will not pretend that the road ahead will be easy. AI is competitive, the market is volatile, capital is still expensive, and we have much to prove.

    But I will say this: we are executing a plan grounded in real revenue, real customers, and real technology. We are not swinging blindly. We are building something with lasting value, and we believe the market will eventually reflect that value.

    Yes, we need to grow, communicate more consistently, and win back the trust of shareholders who have been disappointed by stock performance. And we will.

    The foundation is in place, the platform is scalable, the product is live, and the opportunity is massive.

    Thank you.

    To those of you who have stuck with us through the highs and lows, thank you. Your support means everything. We do not take it for granted, and we work every day to earn it.

    Vocodia’s best days are ahead of us—not behind. Let’s go build something great.

    With respect and determination,

    Brian Podolak

    Co-founder, Chairman & CEO

    Vocodia Holdings Corp.

    About Vocodia Holdings Corp.

    Vocodia is an AI software company that develops practical AI solutions, making them easily accessible for businesses through cloud-based platforms. These solutions are cost-effective and scalable to enterprise levels. Vocodia specializes in conversational AI, providing scalable enterprise-level AI sales and customer service solutions. Their Digital Intelligent Sales Agents (DISAs) are designed to sound and feel human, performing tasks that require human-like conversation, thereby reducing labor costs and enhancing communication effectiveness. For more information, please visit: http://www.vocodia.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,”, “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the risks and uncertainties more fully in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 related to the public offering (SEC File No. File No. 333-269489) and other reports we file with the SEC. As a result of these matters, changes in facts, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, our actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and undertake no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Investor Relations Contact: 
    ir@vocodia.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor will urge Fair Work Commission to give real wage rise to three million workers

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    The Labor party on Wednesday will urge the Fair Work Commission to grant a real wage increase to Australian workers on awards.

    This goes further than Labor’s recommendations in earlier years, which have been for real wages not to go backwards.

    In the new submission, Labor will say that the increase should be “economically sustainable.” It says a rise in minimum and award wages should be consistent with inflation returning sustainably to the Reserve Bank’s target band of 2% to 3%.

    The move sets up a debate between the government and opposition about what are responsible wage increases.

    The submission says: “Labor believes workers should get ahead with a real wage increase. Despite heightened global uncertainty and volatility, the Australian economy has turned a corner. Inflation is now less than one third of its peak, unemployment remains low, there are over 1 million additional people employed than in May 2022, and interest rates have started to come down.

    “Economic growth rebounded at the end of last year and the private sector is now a key contributor to growth. Importantly, real wages growth has now returned and is forecast to continue across 2024-25 and 2025-26. A soft landing in our economy looks more and more likely.”

    More than 2.9 million workers have their pay set by an award and are directly affected by the commission’s Annual Wage Review. The national minimum wage is presently $24.10 an hour, which is $915.90 for a 38 hour week, equivalent to $47,626.80 a year.

    The submission points out that women are disproportionately represented in jobs that are under awards and low paid.

    The government argues that its position is both economically responsible and fair, and will ensure low paid workers can get ahead as inflation moderates. It says that if its recommendation is accepted, this will help about three million workers, including cleaners, retail workers and early childhood educators.

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalled that during the 2022 campaign he was asked if he supported a wage increase for low paid workers.

    After he said “absolutely”, the Liberals had said this would wreck the economy,

    “Since then we’ve seen wages going up, inflation coming down and interest rates starting to fall. This campaign will again advocate for workers to get a pay rise to not only help them deal with the pressures of today, but to get ahead in the future.”

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers said: “The choice at this election is between a Labor government which has been creating jobs, getting wages moving again, rebuilding living standards and rolling out responsible cost-of-living help versus a Coalition that wants Australians working longer for less.”

    In its submission Labor says an economically sustainable real wage increase would complement the measures the government has introduced to ease cost-of-living pressures.

    Michelle Grattan 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. Labor will urge Fair Work Commission to give real wage rise to three million workers – https://theconversation.com/labor-will-urge-fair-work-commission-to-give-real-wage-rise-to-three-million-workers-253560

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI: Occidental Announces Results of Offer to Exercise Warrants at a Temporarily Reduced Price

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Occidental (NYSE: OXY) today announced the results of its offer to exercise Occidental’s outstanding publicly traded warrants (the “Warrants”) at a temporarily reduced price of $21.30 per Warrant (the “Offer”). The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 31, 2025.

    Based on the final count by Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the depositary agent for the Offer, 41,941,075 Warrants were tendered and not validly withdrawn (including 69,166 Warrants tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures available pursuant to the Offer). Occidental will issue 41,871,909 shares of Occidental’s common stock, $0.20 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and receive $891.9 million of aggregate proceeds in respect of the Warrants exercised, excluding the Warrants tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures. If all of the guaranteed deliveries are consummated in accordance with the terms of the Offer, Occidental will issue an additional 69,166 shares of Common Stock and receive an additional $1.5 million of aggregate proceeds in respect of the Warrants tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery. The Warrants that were not tendered and exercised in connection with the Offer remain in effect at an exercise price of $22.00 per Warrant.

    The Offer was subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Exercise Warrants to Purchase Common Stock of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, dated March 3, 2025, filed as an exhibit to Occidental’s Schedule TO filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 3, 2025.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Common Stock.

    About Occidental
    Occidental is an international energy company with assets primarily in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa. We are one of the largest oil and gas producers in the U.S., including a leading producer in the Permian and DJ basins, and offshore Gulf of America. Our midstream and marketing segment provides flow assurance and maximizes the value of our oil and gas, and includes our Oxy Low Carbon Ventures subsidiary, which is advancing leading-edge technologies and business solutions that economically grow our business while reducing emissions. Our chemical subsidiary OxyChem manufactures the building blocks for life-enhancing products. We are dedicated to using our global leadership in carbon management to advance a lower-carbon world.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about Occidental’s expectations, beliefs, plans or forecasts. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to: any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items or future financial position or sources of financing; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations or business strategy; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “goal,” “target,” “objective,” “commit,” “advance,” “likely” or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes are generally indicative of forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release unless an earlier date is specified. Unless legally required, Occidental does not undertake any obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes or results may differ from anticipated results, sometimes materially. Factors that could cause results to differ from those projected or assumed in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including slowdowns and recessions, domestically or internationally; Occidental’s indebtedness and other payment obligations, including the need to generate sufficient cash flows to fund operations; Occidental’s ability to successfully monetize select assets and repay or refinance debt and the impact of changes in Occidental’s credit ratings or future increases in interest rates; assumptions about energy markets; global and local commodity and commodity-futures pricing fluctuations and volatility; supply and demand considerations for, and the prices of, Occidental’s products and services; actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producing countries; results from operations and competitive conditions; future impairments of Occidental’s proved and unproved oil and gas properties or equity investments, or write-downs of productive assets, causing charges to earnings; unexpected changes in costs; inflation, its impact on markets and economic activity and related monetary policy actions by governments in response to inflation; availability of capital resources, levels of capital expenditures and contractual obligations; the regulatory approval environment, including Occidental’s ability to timely obtain or maintain permits or other government approvals, including those necessary for drilling and/or development projects; Occidental’s ability to successfully complete, or any material delay of, field developments, expansion projects, capital expenditures, efficiency projects, acquisitions or divestitures; risks associated with acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures, such as difficulties integrating businesses, uncertainty associated with financial projections or projected synergies, restructuring, increased costs and adverse tax consequences; uncertainties and liabilities associated with acquired and divested properties and businesses; uncertainties about the estimated quantities of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves; lower-than-expected production from development projects or acquisitions; Occidental’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits from prior or future streamlining actions to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes and improve Occidental’s competitiveness; exploration, drilling and other operational risks; disruptions to, capacity constraints in, or other limitations on the pipeline systems that deliver Occidental’s oil and natural gas and other processing and transportation considerations; volatility in the securities, capital or credit markets, including capital market disruptions and instability of financial institutions; government actions (including geopolitical, trade, tariff and regulatory uncertainties), war (including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East) and political conditions and events; health, safety and environmental (HSE) risks, costs and liability under existing or future federal, regional, state, provincial, tribal, local and international HSE laws, regulations and litigation (including related to climate change or remedial actions or assessments); legislative or regulatory changes, including changes relating to hydraulic fracturing or other oil and natural gas operations, retroactive royalty or production tax regimes, and deep-water and onshore drilling and permitting regulations; Occidental’s ability to recognize intended benefits from its business strategies and initiatives, such as Occidental’s low-carbon ventures businesses or announced greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets or net-zero goals; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation, government investigations and other proceedings; disruption or interruption of production or manufacturing or facility damage due to accidents, chemical releases, labor unrest, weather, power outages, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, terrorist acts or insurgent activity; the scope and duration of global or regional health pandemics or epidemics, and actions taken by government authorities and other third parties in connection therewith; the creditworthiness and performance of Occidental’s counterparties, including financial institutions, operating partners and other parties; failure of risk management; Occidental’s ability to retain and hire key personnel; supply, transportation and labor constraints; reorganization or restructuring of Occidental’s operations; changes in state, federal or international tax rates; and actions by third parties that are beyond Occidental’s control.

    Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause Occidental’s results of operations and financial position to differ from expectations can be found in Occidental’s filings with the SEC, including Occidental’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

    Contacts

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: ISS Recommends Shareholders Vote “FOR” Amplify’s Proposed Acquisition of Assets from Juniper Capital

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amplify Energy Corp. (NYSE: AMPY) (“Amplify” or the “Company”) announced that Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders vote “FOR” the Company’s proposed merger with Juniper Capital’s upstream Rocky Mountain portfolio companies. The Company issued the following statement in response to ISS’ recommendation:

    The Amplify Board of Directors (the “Board”) and management team are pleased that ISS agrees our pending merger will promote continued growth and long-term shareholder value. ISS took the time to discuss the merger with us, evaluated its benefits and assessed any potential concerns through its independent review process. We appreciate that, after conducting its diligence, ISS recommended FOR our proposed merger.

    In its report, ISS concluded1 that: “[Amplify] appears to have run a reasonable process and the proposed transaction, which was the best option available following discussions with multiple parties, appears to be better than a standalone scenario given increased scale, projected free cash flow accretion, synergy opportunities, and the increased optionality for portfolio optimization.”

    We believe this transaction represents a compelling opportunity to enhance long-term shareholder value by significantly strengthening Amplify’s financial position, diversifying its asset base, and creating operational efficiencies. We anticipate the proposed merger will:

    • Drive free cash flow and value accretion:
      • 2025 free cash flow per share projected to increase from $0.50 per share to greater than $0.70 per share2
      • Total proved reserve value projected to increase ~89%, from $688 million to $1.3 billion3
    • Increase portfolio flexibility:
      • New Rockies asset base allows Amplify the opportunity to accelerate value creation through portfolio optimization
      • Lower operating cost to improve resiliency of asset base in low or high commodity price environment
    • Enhance organic growth potential:
      • Juniper assets include multi-year inventory of identified, high quality undeveloped drilling locations
      • Proved undeveloped drilling locations adjacent to premier public company operators
    • Unlock meaningful operating synergies:
      • Pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA per BOE expected to increase 40% due to higher oil weighting and lower cost structure4
      • Pro-forma G&A per BOE expected to decrease >20% due to economies of scale5
    • Preserve shareholder value:
      • Increased free cash flow and scale, along with expected refinancing, projected to increase liquidity and flexibility
      • Free cash flow provides optionality to reduce leverage and return capital to shareholders

    The Board continues to recommend that shareholders vote “FOR” the two proposals regarding the merger. The Special Meeting of Shareholders to approve the proposals is scheduled to take place virtually on April 14, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. The methods for voting and submitting proxies are described in the distributed proxy materials for the Special Meeting.

    About Amplify Energy
    Amplify Energy Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas properties. Amplify’s operations are focused in Oklahoma, the Rockies (Bairoil), federal waters offshore Southern California (Beta), East Texas / North Louisiana, and the Eagle Ford (Non-op). For more information, visit www.amplifyenergy.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release that addresses activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Terminology such as “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s expectations of plans, goals, strategies (including measures to implement strategies), objectives and anticipated results with respect thereto. These statements address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including things such as projections of results of operations, plans for growth, goals, future capital expenditures, competitive strengths, references to future intentions and other such references. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Company and its affiliates. Please read the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and if applicable, the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://www.amplifyenergy.com/investor-relations/default.aspx or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

    Cautionary Note on Reserves and Resource Estimates
    The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved, probable and possible reserves. Any reserve estimates provided in this press release that are not specifically designated as being estimates of proved reserves may include estimated reserves or locations not necessarily calculated in accordance with, or contemplated by, the SEC’s latest reserve reporting guidelines. You are urged to consider closely the oil and gas disclosures in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports and filings with the SEC.

    Important Additional Information Regarding the Mergers Will Be Filed With the SEC.
    In connection with the proposed mergers, the Company has filed a definitive proxy statement. The definitive proxy statement has been sent to the stockholders of record of the Company. The Company may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the mergers. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AMPLIFY ARE ADVISED TO CAREFULLY READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGERS, THE PARTIES TO THE MERGERS AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MERGERS. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents filed by Amplify with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Security holders and other interested parties will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents (when available) by (1) directing your written request to: 500 Dallas Street, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas or (2) contacting our Investor Relations department by telephone at (832) 219-9044 or (832) 219-9051. Copies of the documents filed by the Company with the SEC will be available free of charge on the Company’s website at http://www.amplifyenergy.com.

    Participants in the Solicitation.
    Amplify and certain of its respective directors, executive officers and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Amplify in connection with the transaction, including a description of their respective direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is also included in Amplify’s Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and 2024 Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024. These documents are available free of charge as described above.

    Footnotes

    1) Permission to use quotation neither sought nor obtained
    2) Based on Amplify March 5, 2025, guidance and full year 2025 Juniper forecast at flat pricing; (NYMEX WTI, HH) – $71.00, $3.75. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure. Amplify believes that a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking information to the most comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP cannot be made available without unreasonable efforts. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure would require Amplify to predict the timing and likelihood of future transactions and other items that are difficult to accurately predict. This forward-looking measure, or its probable significance, can be quantified with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Accordingly, a reconciliation of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures is not provided.
    3) 2024 Year End reserves are evaluated at flat pricing: (NYMEX WTI, HH) – $70.00, $3.50
    4) Based on Amplify 3Q24 reported results, 3Q24 Juniper unaudited results adjusted for G&A synergies (pro-forma G&A excluding synergies equal to $3.38/Boe)
    5) Based on Amplify G&A per BOE in 3Q24, assuming $1 MM of incremental G&A post-merger and Juniper production in 3Q24
       

    Contacts

    Amplify Energy

    Jim Frew — Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (832) 219-9044
    jim.frew@amplifyenergy.com

    Michael Jordan — Director, Finance and Treasurer
    (832) 219-9051
    michael.jordan@amplifyenergy.com  

    FTI Consulting

    Tanner Kaufman / Brandon Elliott / Rose Zu
    amplifyenergy@fticonsulting.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Promote Fishing Practices

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 3:45PM by PIB Delhi

    ‘Fisheries’ is a state subject. While the governance of fisheries in the territorial waters of 12 nautical miles falls under the domain of the State Governments, fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond is the subject of the Union Government. The ‘National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017’ (NPMF, 2017) notified by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India provides guidance for sustainable harnessing of marine resources in the country. The conservation and management measures implemented for sustainable harnessing of marine resources inter alia include 61 days of annual fishing ban, Ban on destructive fishing practices viz. paired bottom trawling or bull trawling and use of artificial and LED lights in fishing, marine protected areas (MPAs) and protection of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species, Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets, fishing gear and mesh-size regulations, minimum legal size (MLS) of fishes, spatial-temporal restrictions, and zonation of fishing areas by the coastal States/UTs, etc.

    The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is implementing a flagship scheme “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” with a vision of ecologically healthy, economically viable and socially inclusive fisheries sector that contributes towards economic prosperity and well-being of fishers in a sustainable and responsible manner. Under PMMSY, the activities such as sea ranching and installation of artificial reefs are supported for the first time by the Government across entire coastline of India for enhancing the fish stocks and supporting livelihood of fishers. Besides, the activities such as mariculture including seaweed cultivation, open sea cage culture, bivalve culture and ornamental fisheries are also promoted under PMMSY to reduce the fishing pressure in the nearshore waters and enhancing marine production. Advisories are also issued to coastal States/UTs from time to time for preventing juvenile fishing and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

    Government schemes including PMMSY are aimed at reducing the post-harvest losses by development and modernization, strengthening of fisheries post-harvest infrastructure, value chain and marketing infrastructure including construction/ modernization and upgradation of fishing harbours/fish landing centres, setting up of markets and marketing infrastructures, providing cold-chain of transportation and storage facilities. During the last 10 years, the Government of India has approved the projects for construction/modernization of 67 Fishing Harbours and 50 Fish Landing Centres at a total cost of Rs 9,735.89 crore for safe landing and berthing of about 48,000 fishing vessels, benefitting 9 lakhs fishers and associated stakeholders. Further, the GoI has also created a dedicated fund namely ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund’ (FIDF) with a corpus of Rs 7522.48 crore in 2018-19 for providing the concessional finance. GoI has also supported for improvements in the transportation & logistics network including processing facilities. This includes 27,189 fish transportation facilities, 6,916 fish retail markets, wholesale markets and fish kiosks, 11 integrated aquaparks, 1,725 fish feed mill/plants & ice plant/cold storages and 128 value added enterprise units. Three Modern and Smart Fish Markets are being developed with facilities such as IoT, e-Trading, green technology, logistic supply chain integration, etc.

    DoF, GoI is taking various steps under the PMMSY towards providing financial assistance to fishers, which includes livelihood and nutritional support provided annually to ~5.94 lakh fisher families during the fishing ban and lean periods. Besides, the Group Accident Insurance Scheme cover was increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh benefiting 32.16 lakh fishers. The empowerment of fisheries cooperatives and entrepreneurship has been prioritized through the establishment of 2,195 Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs). Additionally, 63 FFPOs have been integrated into the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), improving access to markets and fair pricing. Under the PMMSY, financial assistance is also provided to traditional fishers for acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels, upgradation of existing fishing vessels for export competence, procurement of boats and nets by traditional fishers for better catch, vessel communication and support system and safety kits to ensure safety of fishermen at sea.

    The Government has taken several steps to increase the fish stocks, such as implementation of uniform fishing ban during monsoon season, ban on destructive fishing methods, discouraging juvenile fishing, installation of artificial reefs, promoting sea ranching, alternate/additional livelihood to coastal communities to reduce fishing pressure etc. The potential of fishery resources are estimated in regular intervals by committee of experts to ascertain the status of fish stocks and revalidation of potential of fishery resources in the Exclusive economic Zone of India. The sustainable fisheries in the maritime zones of India is ensured by way of implementation of laws, regulations and policies at national and state levels. As per the report of Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022, published by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), the marine fish stocks of the Indian waters are in good health and 91.1% of the 135 fish stocks evaluated in different regions during 2022 were found sustainable.

    The NPMF, 2017 inter alia recommends the use of Information Technology (IT) and Space Technology (ST) to ensure optimum use for harnessing the benefits in support of the fisher community. The DoF, GoI through its schemes and programs, has promoted use of IT and ST for various applications for the benefits of fishers such as providing real-time Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories and weather forecasts to fishers, use of Vessel Monitoring System/Automatic Identification System, safety kits to fishers for their safety. The Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) is provided to ensure safety of fishermen at sea. The bycatch could undermine the integrity of the marine ecosystem, therefore, DoF, GoI is providing 100% financial assistance to fishers shared between Centre and State/UTs in the ratio of 60% Central share and 40% State share without any share of fisher/beneficiary, for installation of Turtle Excluder Device (TED).

    The availability of fish and fish products throughout India is ensured through promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing practices, conservation and optimum utilization of fishery resources, promotion of aquaculture and reduction in post-harvest losses. Moreover, the DoF, GoI has been implementing various schemes and programs which inter alia promotes various activities for enhancing production and productivity of fishery resources, ensuring availability of fish as an affordable source of nutrition for the growing population, especially in low-income regions.

    This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 1st April, 2025.

    *****

    AA

    (Release ID: 2117262) Visitor Counter : 74

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEVELOPMENT OF SILK SECTOR

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:09AM by PIB Delhi

    The Government through Central Silk Board has been implementing Silk Samagra-2 scheme with an outlay of Rs. 4,679.85 crore for the overall development of sericulture industry in the country from the year 2021-22 to 2025-26.

    Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to States towards implementation of various beneficiary oriented field level critical interventions, which includes raising of kissan nurseries, silkworm rearing packages (includes assistance for plantation, irrigation, rearing house, rearing equipments and prophylactic measures), establishment of chawki rearing centres in pre-cocoon sector, support and infrastructure oriented interventions for silkworm seed sector, silk reeling, spinning, weaving, processing components meant for post cocoon sector. 

    So far, the central assistance of Rs. 1,075.58 crore has been provided to States to cover around 78,000 beneficiaries under Silk Samagra-2 scheme towards implementation of beneficiary-oriented components covering both pre and post cocoon activities/machineries for the growth and sustainability of sericulture sector.

    Additionally, through Research & Development activities, the production and productivity of silk has been improved to achieve the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in silk sector.

    Based on the proposals received from the States, central assistance of Rs 72.50 crore to Andhra Pradesh and Rs.40.66 crore to Telangana has been provided towards implementation of beneficiary-oriented components under Silk Samagra-2, during the last three years including the current year.

    The Government is implementing Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) and National Handloom Development Programme to promote Handloom sector  throughout the country including Andhra Pradesh & Telangana States. Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible Handloom agencies/workers for raw material, procurement of upgraded looms and accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, products diversification & design innovation, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of Handlooms products in domestic & overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA Scheme and Social Security, etc. In addition, to give wider exposure to all the textile stakeholders including Handloom industry, several marketing events in the form of fairs/melas, exhibitions and expos are organised through support of CSB, National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), Export Promotion Councils (EPC) of textiles including Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, with the support of Ministry of Textiles.

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

    MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    DHANYA SANAL K

     (Rajya Sabha US Q3354)

    (Release ID: 2117113) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News