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Category: Transport

  • MIL-Evening Report: Bringing manufacturing back from overseas isn’t an easy solution to Trump’s trade war

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, University of South Australia

    Shutterstock

    The past week has seen the United States single-handedly rewrite the underlying paradigm for global trade. And while it is fair to say that the methods are extreme, the underlying goal of the policy is not unique to the US.

    Indeed, the push to support, and expand, domestic manufacturing through policy intervention is experiencing a resurgence not seen since the 1970s.

    Many people believe the COVID pandemic exposed weaknesses in global supply chains. In reality, the pandemic simply accelerated an existing trend of slowing of integration.

    Growing concerns around trade wars and risks from climate shock existed prior to COVID with both policymakers and firms rethinking globalisation strategies.

    Countries were also becoming concerned about the manufacturing dominance of China and the potential weaponisation of economic activity.

    The risks of rising concentration

    The expansion of international trade has led to massive efficiencies in production.

    But it has also led to concentration of certain sectors in certain regions. Examples include software development in Silicon Valley, semiconductor manufacturing in Taiwan and critical minerals processing in China.

    The Apple campus in Silicon Valley: no other country has been able to match the tech hub.
    Shutterstock

    This geographic concentration started to raise concerns for many countries. Reasons include climate events disrupting supply chains, pandemics and increasingly, geopolitical concerns.

    In response to the rise in economic concentration, countries as diverse as Japan, South Korea, the European Union, India, Brazil and the US introduced policy actions to promote or return certain critical sectors to domestic production.

    Australia’s Future Made In Australia plan is a prime example of this.

    Trade disruptions

    Even before the Trump tariffs, the US and other countries were alarmed by China’s control over key manufacturing sectors, and its associated ability to disrupt trade and commerce.

    Australia experienced this first-hand when China imposed significant tariffs on wine and barley in response to Australia’s call for a COVID inquiry.

    China’s willingness to use its economic position was demonstrated on Friday when it announced not just retaliatory tariffs, but export restrictions on seven categories of rare earth minerals. These are critical to strategic US sectors affecting companies like Apple and defence contractor Lockheed Martin.

    Government support on the rise

    This shift to increased economic resilience through self-reliance has led to a big surge in government intervention through industrial policies.

    The objective of industrial policy is to target certain sectors in order to change the structure of economic activity within a country. It uses government policy to promote investment in sectors deemed under-served by markets.

    While all countries have used some level of industrial policy, historically it was mainly confined to developing economies. It has been used sparingly since the 1970s. Between 2009 and 2017, the total number of industrial policies used by countries was less than 200.

    Between 2017 and 2023 the use of industrial policy increased nine-fold. In 2023, there were roughly 2,500 industrial policy interventions put in place with two-thirds introduced by advanced economies. Almost 48% were concentrated in three: China, the EU and the US.

    Intervening in markets

    Generally, industrial policy has been out of favour with mainstream economists. It is very hard to get right as it relies on an in-depth knowledge of industries as well as an ability to predict the future.

    Providing funding for one sector means less funding available for others. This could undermine new technologies or other as-yet unseen opportunities. It involves shifting resources from existing, efficient uses to less efficient uses.

    It rarely works. A prime example are the many countries that have spent billions of dollars trying to recreate a domestic Silicon Valley with no success.

    However, Trump is trying to do just that, on an economy-wide scale, mainly through tariffs. The tariffs announced also imply the US will go it alone. The approach takes fragmentation to a new level, where bilateral negotiations are the name of the game.

    Shifting global alliances

    Meanwhile the response from other nations such as Canada, Southeast Asian economies and even Europe, is to diversify and form new alliances without the US.

    Indeed, the Canadian Prime Minister’s first trip overseas was not, as tradition dictates, to the US, but to Europe and the UK, whom he dubbed “reliable” partners.

    Becoming more isolated and pushing other countries to China may not be what the US intends, but it is happening.

    Last week, Japan and South Korea announced a joint strategy with China to promote regional trade. The EU’s trade representative went to Beijing shortly after the tariff announcement where the two nations announced plans to “deepen trade and investment” ties.

    The risks of highly integrated supply chains in the face of security concerns, or changes in a trading partner’s domestic policy, have become glaringly clear.

    How countries choose to address these concerns, especially through the widespread use of industrial policy, will create further disruption to markets. While it is considered politically expedient for security concerns, this will raise prices and limit choice in domestic markets. As the old adage reminds us, there is no free lunch.

    Susan Stone 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. Bringing manufacturing back from overseas isn’t an easy solution to Trump’s trade war – https://theconversation.com/bringing-manufacturing-back-from-overseas-isnt-an-easy-solution-to-trumps-trade-war-253744

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra, LaHood Introduce Legislation to Build More Affordable Housing in Rural Communities and Nationwide

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) – alongside more than 100 original cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives – introduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would support the financing and development of affordable housing in rural communities and nationwide.

    “In rural Iowa, access to affordable housing is critical for young families looking to plant their roots, local businesses attracting employees, and the long-term growth of our economy. However, with housing costs consistently increasing and construction projects being more difficult to finance in rural areas, we need to enact smart and cost-effective strategies to expand the housing supply and bring down prices,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m glad to work with my Ways and Means Committee colleague, Rep. Darin LaHood, to introduce the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act to expand and improve incentives in the tax code to build more housing. This commonsense policy will pay dividends for affordable housing in rural Iowa and help our families find housing options that fit their budgets.”

    “As I travel throughout Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, I frequently hear how the shortage of affordable housing impacts our communities throughout central and northwestern Illinois,” said Rep. LaHood. “To address this growing crisis across the country, Congress must strengthen tools to drive investment into affordable workforce housing and expand housing options for hardworking families nationwide. I am proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act alongside Representatives DelBene, Tenney, Beyer, Feenstra, and Panetta to strengthen our communities and support economic development.” 

    Since its creation, the Housing Credit has built or restored more than 3.5 million affordable housing units, nearly 90% of all federally funded affordable housing during that time. Roughly 8 million American households have benefited from the credit, and the economic activity that it generated has supported 5.5 million jobs and generated more than $617 billion in wages.

    The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act will support the financing of nearly two million new affordable homes across the country by:

    • Increasing the number of credits allocated to each state by 50 percent for the next two years and making the temporary 12.5 percent increase secured in 2018 permanent. These credits have already helped build more than 59,000 additional affordable housing units nationwide.
    • Increasing the number of affordable housing projects that can be built using private activity bonds. This provision stabilizes financing for workforce housing projects built using private activity bonds by decreasing the amount of private activity needed to secure Housing Credit funding. As a result, projects would have to carry less debt, and more projects would be eligible to receive funding.
    • Improving the Housing Credit program to serve at-risk and underserved communities, including veterans, victims of domestic violence, and rural Americans.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo crisis: 41,700 refugees have fled violence to Uganda

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    Some 41,000 refugees have crossed from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into Uganda since January, many of them having witnessed killings, “sexual violence and other traumatic experience during their flight,” said the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday.

    Every day since the end of last month, around 600 Congolese have been crossing the border into Uganda – which hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa – bringing the total sheltering there to nearly 600,000, out of a total of 1.8 million.

    This “risks overwhelming the country’s capacity as it also responds to the needs of over 70,000 Sudanese refugees who have arrived fleeing the two-year long war in Sudan,” says UNHCR.

    Many of the new arrivals – mostly women and children – come by foot or local transport, while there have been “increasing reports of men traveling separately from their families to avoid being forcibly recruited by armed groups,” said UNHCR.

    Children are particularly vulnerable, with many arriving in “a weakened state amidst a high prevalence of malaria and malnutrition.”

    Resources under strain

    Transit is overwhelmed, with Nyakabande, one of the main transit centres, reaching six times its capacity. Critical shortages of bathing facilities and latrines are putting people at dire risk of deadly diseases, with most already suffering poor health.

    Since January, up to nine children under five have reportedly died from malnutrition-related anemia in Nyakabande and Matanda transit centres.

    Aid cuts

    The funding crunch is significantly impacting the humanitarian response, with UNHCR having to scale back on some standard protection activities, such as legal aid for refugees, in order to prioritise the most critical needs.

    While the Ugandan authorities, UNHCR, and partners are working to strengthen support to the newly arrived refugees, vital services across the country have had to be deprioritised, including health facility closures and the loss of some 250 health workers.

    “Urgent funding is critical” in order to allow Uganda to maintain and expand these services, the agency said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: Republican incompetence is crashing the economy with reckless tariffs

    Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – April 08, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu were joined by Representatives Adam Gray, Tim Kennedy and Andrea Salinas for a press conference on the reckless Republican tariffs that are crashing the economy and draining the retirement accounts of Americans.

    CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. Pleased to be joined with Representatives Gray, Kennedy and Salinas here today. On behalf of the Vice Chair and I, we also are pleased to welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Washington, D.C. area. Look forward to catching a game this homestand.

    Donald Trump has imposed the largest tax increase in 50 years on every single American. Republican incompetence is crashing the economy with reckless tariffs and bleeding the accounts, the retirement accounts, of Americans dry. We’re watching a global recession take hold because of the boneheaded policies of one person—which will cause hardworking people to lose their jobs, potentially lose their homes and their health care. At the same time, Republicans in Congress are preparing to cut Medicaid by $880 billion so they can give a massive tax cut to billionaires. They are telling us with a straight face—that the economic growth will pay for these tax breaks—while the economy is in a tailspin. The truth is, passing the Republican budget would be a death blow to the American economy. And the people that get caught in the crossfire of this Republican Recession will be hurt the most by Medicaid as a tool that Republicans want to chip away at. Congress needs to take away the keys of economic policies like tariffs from this incompetent Administration and restore some stability to the economy. House Democrats are going to continue to prioritize the economic needs of the American people by working to bring down costs, make health care more affordable and looking out for everyday Americans. With that, I’ll turn it over to Vice Chair Ted Lieu.

    VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chairman Aguilar. As an American and as a veteran, my heart goes out to the four U.S. soldiers who tragically died in an accident in Lithuania. The Lithuanian President did a very dignified ceremony for those four U.S. soldiers. And when those four soldiers’ caskets landed at Dover Air Force Base last Friday, at a transfer ceremony, U.S. officials greeted them, elected officials greeted them, but Donald Trump was not there. Donald Trump instead chose to go to a golf tournament, and I’m just going to read to you what one of the persons at this ceremony said. He deployed to Iraq. His name is Blythe Potter. He’s a Military Police Corps veteran. He said, ‘I have never been so embarrassed to be an American.’ President Trump should have been at that transfer ceremony for the four fallen U.S. soldiers, instead of at his golf tournament. 

    I now want to also echo what Chairman Aguilar said about the tariffs. They are a tax on the American consumer. As all of you know, the way tariffs work is when the foreign products come to our ports, the American company that imported those products pays the tariff, not the foreign country. And what happens when this American company pays that tariff? Well, they’re going to pass on those costs to the consumer and the prices are going to increase. And poll after poll, we see that the overwhelming majority of American people oppose tariffs. There are ways to try to make competition more fair, but let’s not do it by increasing prices on Americans.

    And their estimates, it’s going to be about $3,800 per family in terms of increased costs. And then let me also now congratulate Susan Crawford for winning the Wisconsin Supreme Court race last week. What we saw there was the world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, tried to buy the election, spending over $20 million, and the people of Wisconsin figured that out, and they overwhelmingly elected Susan Crawford. So, what was once Elon Musk’s greatest asset, his money, has now become his greatest liability because the people now understand that he’s trying to buy elections, and they overwhelmingly vote against that.

    And then the Hands Off protests that we saw this past weekend were amazing. The American people are waking up, that Trump and Republicans’ policies are harming our nation. So now it is my honor to introduce my friend Adam Gray, who I had the honor of serving with in the California State Legislature. So thrilled he is now in Congress and represents the Central Valley.

    REP. GRAY: Good morning, and thank you Chairman Aguilar and Vice Chair Lieu for inviting me to speak with you this morning. I represent California’s San Joaquin Valley, the world’s largest agricultural region. The President’s recent announcement of tariffs on our global trade partners poses a serious risk to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley and across the country. The last time blanket tariffs went into effect under President Trump’s first administration, California farmers lost an estimated $683 million in crop revenue. The most significant losses were concentrated in tree nuts and dairy products, among others, which are top exports from the San Joaquin Valley. 

    In fact, the California delegation recently received a letter from ag industry leaders in California pleading with Congress to support common-sense measures that will protect fair competition for their products and defend our nation’s food supply. This group of producers represent more than 400 commodities and billions of dollars of revenue. They warn of uncertain market conditions, disrupted business operations, increased costs associated with retaliatory tariffs. This all poses a significant risk to family-owned farms, which account for over 95% of American agricultural operations. I grew up in the ag industry. My family owned and operated a dairy supply store. My grandparents grew pistachios. Like many Valley families, I know personally how tight budgets are. I know how one bad season can derail an operation for years. These aren’t just individual farmers or business owners who will lose jobs or shutter businesses. These are entire communities like mine in the Central Valley who rely on the ag industry to power their economy. 

    Rather than work with Congress to make precise, strategic changes to our trade policy, the President has decided to impose sloppy, blanket tariffs and stuck American farmers with the bill. I’m ready to work with anyone and everyone who is serious about rising above partisan politics to protect our ag communities from the impacts of tariffs. We must do something now. Our farmers deserve it. Our communities deserve it. With that, I’m happy to introduce my colleague, Representative Tim Kennedy.

    REP. KENNEDY: Morning. First, I want to thank Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu for not only bringing us together this morning, but for their continued leadership on this issue and so many other issues. Before Trump’s tariffs plunged us and the entire world into chaos. Western New Yorkers that I represent were sounding the alarm on the President’s trade war. As a representative of a border community in Buffalo in the Niagara region and the Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, families in my region know how important our ties are with our Canadian neighbors. In my district, trade with Canada supports tens of thousands of jobs, nearly 30,000 jobs, and brings in over a half a billion dollars in purchases by Canadians every year. Across the border, there’s $1.3 trillion of commerce every single year, billions of dollars a day, supporting states all across the northern border, but all across our great country. Again, in Western New York, Canadians pour over the border, whether it’s going to a Bills game or a Sabres game or shopping or using our restaurants, sleeping at our hotels, over 40 percent of the 5 million enplanements out of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport are Canadian citizens.

    Our economies are reliant upon each other and benefit from the tremendous relationship that we have, economically, culturally, historically and presently. However, Trump’s tariffs are putting our hardworking families in Western New York at risk, and it’s hurting our entire national and international economy. Cross-border traffic is down by double digits from last year, robbing small businesses across the country of tourism dollars. Tariffs that are being put in place across the borders, these blanket tariffs, including on things like lumber, that are hurting homeownership, especially new homeowners. They’re also stymieing development and other industries, including steel fabrication, auto manufacturing, craft brewing, logistics. Every industry across the board is worrying about supply chain disruption, skyrocketing operating costs and keeping their employees on the payroll. Businesses are going to be hurt by these tariffs. Jobs are going to be lost in our country because of these tariffs, because our economy is so tightly intertwined with Canada’s. People in my district and across the country are being hit right in their pocketbook already. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is golfing at his own club while trillions of dollars are wiped away from American citizens and hardworking families and their retirements that they were dependent upon, as we risk this Republican Recession.

    But Trump’s tariffs aren’t just robbing folks of their retirement savings and driving up the cost of housing, groceries, clothes and gas, his indiscriminate blanket tariffs are putting our allies on the same playing field as our adversaries. Trump inherited an improving economy with low unemployment, and he crashed it. He inherited the strong alliance and friendships we have with Canada, with our European allies, with our global allies, and he crushed them. Trump’s tariffs sent a message to our friends and allies that we no longer are the reliable partners that they can depend upon, and hardworking families in Western New York and across the country are paying the price. They are setting our nation down a dangerous path of chaos, stealing from American families and jeopardizing our alliances, all to justify tax cuts for the richest Americans. This is wrong, and we’re not going to stand for it. We’re not going to sit back and hang tough like the president suggests we do. We’re going to continue to use our voices and demand an end to Trump’s tariffs and get back to work creating an economy that benefits all hardworking families across this great country. With that, I yield to a wonderful Representative Salinas.

    REP. SALINAS: Well, thank you, Chair Aguilar, Vice Chair Lieu and everyone for being here today. As my colleagues have already pointed out, President Trump’s tariffs have created chaos and uncertainty across the country and around the world. Many Americans have spent the last few days watching their retirement savings go up in smoke and bracing for a recession or possibly worse. But instead of doing something to stop the bleeding, Donald Trump spent the weekend, as has already been mentioned, playing golf with billionaires. In case there was any confusion about where his priorities are, he clearly is more interested in improving his golf game than improving the economy.

    Trump’s reckless and harmful approach to tariffs will devastate states like Oregon, where our economy relies heavily on trade. From wine to wood products, Oregon exports billions of dollars worth of homegrown goods every year and we import billions more. All things considered, Trump’s tariffs are going to raise taxes on Oregon businesses and families to a tune of about $7.5 billion per year. So, whether you’re a hazelnut grower in the Willamette Valley or a small business owner in Salem, hardworking Americans, not foreign countries, will end up footing the bill. And those costs add up. Experts have estimated that the average family will pay about $73 more per week, or close to $4,000 more per year for everyday necessities. It’s frankly reprehensible that this President is choosing, and I want to be clear, this is a choice, to play roulette with people’s hard-earned money, and roll the dice on whether our folks can afford food, pay the rent, send their kids to college or even retire right now.

    And don’t be fooled, this is not a market correction. It is a market disruption of the highest magnitude. I won’t stand for it. My colleagues will not stand for it. House Democrats are united in our opposition to Trump’s tariff tyranny, and we will continue to speak out against his attacks on working families. What we won’t do is let Republicans in Congress off the hook. They have the power to stop this, these tariffs, right now, and they’re refusing to fulfill their constitutional duty. Our message is clear: Democrats will not bow down to billionaires. We will fight back with everything we have to protect our constituents from the great Republican Rip Off. Thank you.

    Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Draft resolutions prepared by the Board for the shareholders’ meeting of Invalda INVL to be held on 30/04/2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The draft resolutions prepared by the Board of Invalda INVL (company code 121304349, registered office address Gynėjų str 14, Vilnius, Lithuania) are submitted to the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 30 April 2025.

    The draft resolutions of the General Shareholders Meeting:
    1. Presentation of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL consolidated annual management report for 2024.
    Shareholders of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL are presented with the Consolidated Annual Management Report of the Company for 2024 (attached). There is no voting on this issue of agenda.

    2. Presentation of the independent auditor’s report on the financial statements and consolidated annual management report of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL.
    Shareholders of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL are presented with the independent auditor’s report on the financial statements and consolidated annual management report of the Company (attached). There is no voting on this issue of agenda.

    3. Approval of the consolidated and stand-alone financial statements for 2024 of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL.
    To approve the consolidated and stand-alone financial statements for 2024 of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL (attached).

    4. Resolution regarding profit distribution of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL.
    To approve the profit distribution of the joint-stock company Invalda INVL in accordance with the draft profit distribution proposed by the Board (attached).

    5. Decision on approval of the Remuneration Report of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL.
    To approve the Remuneration Report of the public joint stock company Invalda INVL for 2024 (included into the Consolidated Annual Report as Annex 4).

    6. Resolution regarding purchase of own shares of the public joint-stock company Invalda INVL.
    Until the day of the General Shareholders meeting the reserve for the purchase of own shares which is equal to EUR 9,100 thousand is not used.
    To use the reserve (a part of it) for the purchase of own shares and to purchase shares of Invalda INVL under these conditions:
    1) The goal for the purchase of own shares is to reduce the share capital of Invalda INVL by cancelling own shares acquired by the company and/or to fulfil the obligations related to the share option schemes (options) if it is decided to choose this method of granting shares.
    2) The maximum number of shares to be acquired – the nominal value of own shares may not exceed 1/10 of the share capital.
    3) The period during which the company may purchase its own shares – 18 months from the day of this resolution.
    4) The maximum and minimal one share acquisition price: the maximum one share acquisition price – value of consolidated equity per one share calculated according to the last publicly announced data of the consolidated equity of Invalda INVL before the decision of the Board is taken; minimum one share acquisition price is EUR 1.
    5) The conditions of the selling of the purchased shares and minimal sale price: Purchased own shares (including the shares acquired before the adoption of this decision) may be cancelled by the decision of the General Shareholders Meeting or by the decision of the Board granted the right to acquire the shares for the employees upon conditions of the Rules for Granting Equity Incentives. The acquired shares will not be sold and therefore no minimum selling price and no procedure for the sale of the shares are set.
    The Board of Invalda INVL is hereby mandated to:
    (i) To initiate a reduction of the Company’s share capital within the time limits specified by law if the nominal value of the own shares acquired and held exceeds 1/10 of the share capital.
    (ii) Subject to the conditions set out in this decision and the requirements of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, take decisions regarding purchase of own shares of Invalda INVL, organise the purchase of own shares, determine the method, procedure and timing of the purchase of the shares, the number of shares and the price of the shares, and carry out any other actions relating to the purchase of own shares.
    As of the date of this resolution, the resolution of the Annual General Meeting of 30 April 2024 regarding the acquisition of own shares will expire.

    7. Resolution regarding the exercise of stock options granted to Invalda INVL Group employees in 2022.
    Pursuant to the decision of the General Meetings of Shareholders of 30 April 2022, on the basis of which stock option agreements on the acquisition of shares of Invalda INVL in 2025 were concluded with the employees of Invalda INVL and companies in which more than 50% of the shares are owned by Invalda INVL, to establish that the right of the employees to acquire the said shares is exercised by transferring to the employees own shares acquired by the company.
    To establish that, for the exercise of the stock options granted in 2022, the transfer price and the maximum number of own shares of the Company to be transferred shall be:
    A) If the shareholders’ meeting of 30 April 2025 does not approve the proposed distribution of profit and no dividends are allocated, up to a maximum of 40,862 units shall be transferred to the employees at a price per share of EUR 0.90, i.e. the purchase price of EUR 1 (one) set by the shareholders’ meeting of 30 April 2022 shall be reduced by the amount of the dividends paid prior to the signing of the share purchase agreement.
    B) If the shareholders’ meeting of 30 April 2025 approves the proposed distribution of profit and a dividend of EUR 1.25 per share is allocated, taking into account that the amount of dividends per share allocated from the date of conclusion of the option agreement to the date of signing the share purchase agreement exceeds the fixed acquisition price of EUR 1 (one), the shares shall be granted to the employees free of charge and the amount of the granted shares shall be converted in accordance with the following formula in order to preserve the economic rationale of the agreement for concluding the share purchase agreement: (0.35 (difference resulting from the payment of dividends since the conclusion of the option agreement) * number of shares allotted in 2022)/(EUR 18.80 (the higher of the closing price at the end of 2024 between the share market price and the NAV per share) – EUR 1.25 (dividends allocated)). The calculated number of shares is rounded according to mathematical rules. The number of shares to be transferred to the employees is recalculated in this way to 41,678 units.

    8. Resolution regarding the number of ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL for which employees shall be offered stock options contracts during the year 2025 and regarding the price of the shares.
    It is offered for the employees of Invalda INVL and of the companies, in which Invalda INVL owns 50% or more  shares, during the year 2025 to sign stock options contracts, on the basis of which, according to the procedures and terms established in stock options contracts, in year 2028 employees will be able to exercise the right to acquire up to 100,000 ordinary registered shares of Invalda INVL of EUR 0.29 nominal value.
    To provide that the shares will be granted free of charge. If the company has declared dividends or paid out free funds per share prior to the grant of the shares, the number of shares to be granted will be recalculated in accordance with the following formula in order to preserve the economic logic of the share purchase agreement: (dividends granted per share at the General Shareholders Meetings in 2026, 2027 and 2028 and/or free funds disbursed per share in the period 2025 – 2028 prior to the grant of the shares) * number of shares allotted in 2025)/(the higher of the price at the end of 2027 between the share market price and the NAV per share – dividends declared at the General Shareholders Meeting in 2028 and/or free funds disbursed per share in the period 2028 prior to the grant of shares). If the shares are granted before the record date for the 2028 dividend, such dividends per share shall not be included in the conversion formula. The number of shares recalculated in accordance with this formula shall be deemed to be approved by the shareholders in accordance with the Rules for Granting Equity Incentives. If in 2028 newly issued shares are granted, the issue price per share will be equal to the nominal value of the share and it will be paid in full by Invalda INVL from the company’s reserve for granting shares.

    The person authorized to provide additional information is:
    Darius Šulnis, CEO of Invalda INVL
    Darius.Sulnis@invl.com

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Audited results of Invalda INVL Group for 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Invalda INVL reported equity of EUR 222 million at the end of December 2024, or EUR 18.48 per share. These figures were 25.4% and 25.3% higher, respectively, than a year earlier, including the dividends paid last year.

    In 2024, Invalda INVL earned an audited net profit of EUR 44.4 million, compared with EUR 45.8 million in 2023, when a strategically important merger of Invalda INVL group’s retail businesses with Šiaulių bankas was completed. From last year’s profit, the company proposes a dividend payout of EUR 15 million, or EUR 1.25 per share. The proposal will be put to a vote at the general meeting of shareholders on 30 April.

    “2024 was a successful and profitable year for our clients and for the Invalda INVL group. In a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic environment, we consistently focus our work on creating long-term value by investing, ensuring asset diversification and liquidity for our clients, and growing and strengthening the managed businesses to enhance their competitiveness,” says Darius Šulnis, the CEO of Invalda INVL.

    The group generated gains of EUR 157 million for its clients last year. Client assets under management grew by 17% during the year, reaching EUR 1.68 billion at the end of December 2024.

    Strategic core business: asset management and family office activities

    Invalda INVL’s revenue from the management of assets entrusted by its clients totalled EUR 14.1 million in 2024, 16.5% less than in 2023. The decline in the period of comparison reflects the exclusion of revenue from the retail business, which was transferred to Šiaulių Bankas in early December 2023.

    The 2024 profit of strategic core business of the group, which also includes the company’s own investments in the products it manages, amounted to EUR 17.8 million, compared with EUR 39.4 million in 2023.

    The activities of the INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund (INVL BSGF) were among last year’s most significant events. In February 2024, the fund acquired the buckwheat producer and grain trader company Galinta, and near the end of the year the fund signed an agreement to acquire shares in Pehart Group, a leading producer of household and industrial paper products in Romania. The completion of that transaction will make Pehart Group the INVL BSGF’s 10th and the last investment. Also, a new milestone for the fund was launched: in March 2025, the INVL BSGF completed the sale of InMedica Group, private healthcare network, demonstrating the success of the fund’s strategy to build sector leaders. During the 6 years of the fund’s investment in InMedica Group, the company increased its revenues more than 15 times, and the group grew from 18 clinics to a network of 89 medical clinics, hospitals and laboratories.

    “The remaining portfolio companies of INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund are also being successfully strengthened, and some are already being prepared for the sale. In 2025, we will focus on generating cash flows from the fund’s portfolio along with a solid return for our investors,” Darius Šulnis says.

    Last year the preparatory work was carried out for a second-generation private equity fund, which has begun operations in 2025. Having raised EUR 305 million, INVL Private Equity Fund II,  the largest private equity fund in the Baltics, has started operations, exceeding its target size in the first closing.

    Total revenues across the Invalda INVL group’s portfolio companies of private equity funds amounted to EUR 854 million in 2024, with EBITDA totalling EUR 207 million and combined 12,500 employees at year-end.

    The investment opportunities offered by Invalda INVL Group in global third country funds have also been well received by investors in the Baltic region. The INVL Partner Global Real Estate Fund I, established early last year, attracted USD 13.25 million from investors, while the INVL Partner Power Opportunities Fund, launched in September 2024, raised USD 24.71 million.

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I is due to complete its investment phase this year and prepare to manage power generation projects that will begin producing revenue. The fund’s team will also focus on realizing value, which may include the potential sale of projects. In 2025, work began on analyzing possible scenarios for the establishment of a second renewable energy fund with a broader infrastructure strategy.

    The INVL Sustainable Timberland and Farmland Fund II entered a new geographic market in 2024 with its acquisition of forests in Romania as the fund’s total portfolio of land and forest exceeded 20,000 hectares. This year the fund will focus on improving the quality of its portfolio, undertaking value-creating transactions and seeking to ensure a steady revenue generation and achieve the targeted return for investors.

    INVL Technology earned a net profit of EUR 8.1 million in 2024, 56.6 more than in 2023. The price of the company’s shares on the stock exchange rose nearly 70% last year. In mid-March 2024, INVL Technology announced that it had signed an agreement with an investment advisor and M&A intermediary for the sale of the company’s portfolio of businesses.

    INVL Baltic Real Estate, the real estate investment company, had a consolidated net profit of EUR 2.74 million last year, which is 3.9 times the figure for 2023.  INVL Baltic Real Estate completed the sale of a property holding in Latvia last year in a transaction valued at EUR 7.45 million.

    As of late 2024, INVL Asset Management became the manager of INVL Bridge Finance, a fund that is successfully operating in the private debt market.

    The INVL Family Office continued its successful activities in Lithuania and expanded operations in the other Baltic countries. The first clients are already being served in the Family Office representative offices in Latvia and Estonia.

    Equity investments

    Invalda INVL’s other equity investments, aside from the asset management, had a EUR 32.1 million impact on earnings in 2024.

    This result was positively influenced by the strong performance of the banks in which the company holds stakes, along with their growth in value and dividend payouts. Invalda INVL has investments in Šiaulių Bankas and in maib, Moldova’s largest bank.

    The positive impact of Šiaulių Bankas on Invalda INVL’s pretax profit, including dividend payments, was EUR 23.6 million. In 2024, the bank has successfully integrated the INVL retail business, moved forward with a business transformation to strengthen the bank, and, in April this year, announced plans to change its name to Artea. Šiaulių Bankas last year earned a record EUR 79.3 million net profit and half of it has allocated to dividends. The bank’s share price on the stock exchange rose 19% during 2024. 

    During the last year, maib once again delivered solid financial results in 2024, reflecting both resilience and sustainable growth in all business segments. The bank had an unaudited net profit of EUR 73.4 million last year and paid EUR 39.4 million in dividends. Maib made the positive influence of EUR 4.8 million on Invalda INVL’s pretax profit.

    Litagra, one of the largest agribusiness groups in Lithuania, has benefited from favourable market trends.  Since the second half of 2024, the company’s revenue, EBITDA and profit have recovered and increased. Litagra had a positive influence of EUR 3.3 million on Invalda INVL’s result for 2024.

    The person authorized to provide additional information is:
    Darius Šulnis, CEO of Invalda INVL
    Darius.Sulnis@invl.com

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Royalty Pharma Appoints Vlad Coric, M.D. to the Company’s Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Royalty Pharma plc (Nasdaq: RPRX) today announced the appointment of Vlad Coric, M.D. to the company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Vlad Coric is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biohaven, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing treatments in key therapeutic areas including neuroscience, immunology and oncology.

    “I am excited to announce that we are strengthening our Board with the appointment of Vlad Coric,” said Pablo Legorreta, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Royalty Pharma. “Vlad’s entrepreneurial approach and outstanding leadership skills, honed over a distinguished career in biopharma, will serve as tremendous assets to Royalty Pharma. In addition, Vlad brings notable experience in the royalty funding space, having completed multiple transactions with us during his tenure at Biohaven. We look forward to leveraging his scientific expertise and insights to advance our position as the leading partner funding innovation in life sciences.”

    Dr. Coric successfully led Biohaven through the FDA approval and launch of Nurtec ODT for the treatment of migraine. Under his leadership, the company also filed an NDA for its second drug candidate, zavegepant, as the first intranasal CGRP antagonist for ultra-rapid relief of migraine. During his tenure, Dr. Coric oversaw Biohaven’s impressive growth from its founding through its sale to Pfizer in May of 2022 for approximately $13 billion in total consideration.

    Dr. Coric has more than 20 years of drug discovery and clinical development experience at Yale School of Medicine and Bristol-Myers Squibb prior to leading Biohaven. Within the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Coric has expertise working across therapeutic areas including neurology, psychiatry, immunology, virology, oncology and immuno-oncology. During his career, he has been involved in multiple drug development programs. Dr. Coric completed his postdoctoral internship, residency and fellowship at Yale School of Medicine, earned his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and was an honors scholar in neurobiology and physiology at the University of Connecticut, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree.

    About Royalty Pharma

    Founded in 1996, Royalty Pharma is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a leading funder of innovation across the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborating with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and non-profits through small and mid-cap biotechnology companies to leading global pharmaceutical companies. Royalty Pharma has assembled a portfolio of royalties which entitles it to payments based directly on the top-line sales of many of the industry’s leading therapies. Royalty Pharma funds innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry both directly and indirectly – directly when it partners with companies to co-fund late-stage clinical trials and new product launches in exchange for future royalties, and indirectly when it acquires existing royalties from the original innovators. Royalty Pharma’s current portfolio includes royalties on more than 35 commercial products, including Vertex’s Trikafta, GSK’s Trelegy, Roche’s Evrysdi, Johnson & Johnson’s Tremfya, Biogen’s Tysabri and Spinraza, AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson’s Imbruvica, Astellas and Pfizer’s Xtandi, Novartis’ Promacta, Pfizer’s Nurtec ODT and Gilead’s Trodelvy, and 15 development-stage product candidates. For more information, visit www.royaltypharma.com.   

    Royalty Pharma Investor Relations and Communications

    +1 (212) 883-6637
    ir@royaltypharma.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Capital City Bank Group, Inc. to Announce Quarterly Earnings Results on Monday April 21, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCBG) announced today that it will release first quarter 2025 results on Monday, April 21, 2025, before the market opens. Upon release, investors may access a copy of the earnings results at the Company’s Investor Relations website, investors.ccbg.com.

    About Capital City Bank Group, Inc.
    Capital City Bank Group, Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded financial holding companies headquartered in Florida and has approximately $4.5 billion in assets. We provide a full range of banking services, including traditional deposit and credit services, mortgage banking, asset management, trust, merchant services, bankcards, securities brokerage services and financial advisory services, including the sale of life insurance, risk management and asset protection services. Our bank subsidiary, Capital City Bank, was founded in 1895 and now has 62 banking offices and 105 ATMs/ITMs in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For more information about Capital City Bank Group, Inc., visit www.ccbg.com.

    For Information Contact:
    Jep Larkin
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    850.402.8450

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Satellogic Awarded $30 Million Contract for Its AI-First Constellation Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL), a leader in high-resolution Earth observation data, has been awarded a multi-year contract valued at $30 million to provide near-daily and ultra-low latency analytics from its groundbreaking, AI-first constellation to a strategic defense and security customer. This innovative approach generates analytics directly onboard each satellite, enabling insights to be downlinked within minutes, significantly enhancing operational responsiveness and decision-making capabilities.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Satellogic will deliver multiband optical imagery captured by the satellite constellation. The constellation is uniquely designed to run AI algorithms in real time, enabling advanced defense and security surveillance applications including rapid change monitoring, detection of defense targets (e.g. aircraft and other vehicles), pattern of life assessment and monitoring of other sensitive defense sites.

    “This award demonstrates Satellogic’s capabilities in providing rapid innovation that develops new space capabilities tailored to the evolving and demanding mission requirements of allied security customers,” said Emiliano Kargieman, Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to support our international defense customers with data-driven insights designed to enhance strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.”

    The constellation’s combination of global, frequent revisit rates, high-quality multispectral imagery and rapid on-orbit processing of analytics, enable defense and intelligence analysts to quickly detect changes in infrastructure, military asset positioning, and activity patterns as they happen at critical locations worldwide. The solution is configured to deliver global coverage on a very rapid cadence to meet demanding AI-enabled defense analytics missions.

    Satellogic remains dedicated to providing innovative satellite solutions and advanced analytics tailored to the evolving requirements of the global defense and security sector.

    For more information, please visit www.satellogic.com.

    About Satellogic

    Founded in 2010 by Emiliano Kargieman and Gerardo Richarte, Satellogic (NASDAQ: SATL) is the first vertically integrated geospatial company, driving real outcomes with planetary-scale insights. Satellogic is creating and continuously enhancing the first scalable, fully automated EO platform with the ability to remap the entire planet at both high-frequency and high-resolution, providing accessible and affordable solutions for customers.

    Satellogic’s mission is to democratize access to geospatial data through its information platform of high-resolution images to help solve the world’s most pressing problems including climate change, energy supply, and food security. Using its patented Earth imaging technology, Satellogic unlocks the power of EO to deliver high-quality, planetary insights at the lowest cost in the industry.

    With more than a decade of experience in space, Satellogic has proven technology and a strong track record of delivering satellites to orbit and high-resolution data to customers at the right price point.

    To learn more, please visit: http://www.satellogic.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “should”, “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on Satellogic’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Satellogic. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve, and must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Satellogic. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) our ability to generate revenue as expected, (ii) our ability to effectively market and sell our EO services and to convert contracted revenues and our pipeline of potential contracts into actual revenues, (iii) risks related to the secured convertible notes, (iv) the potential loss of one or more of our largest customers, (v) the considerable time and expense related to our sales efforts and the length and unpredictability of our sales cycle, (vi) risks and uncertainties associated with defense-related contracts, (vii) risk related to our pricing structure, (viii) our ability to scale production of our satellites as planned, (ix) unforeseen risks, challenges and uncertainties related to our expansion into new business lines, (x) our dependence on third parties to transport and launch our satellites into space, (xi) our reliance on third-party vendors and manufacturers to build and provide certain satellite components, products, or services, (xii) our dependence on ground station and cloud-based computing infrastructure operated by third parties for value-added services, and any errors, disruption, performance problems, or failure in their or our operational infrastructure, (xiii) risk related to certain minimum service requirements in our customer contracts, (xiv) market acceptance of our EO services and our dependence upon our ability to keep pace with the latest technological advances, (xv) competition for EO services, (xvi) challenges with international operations or unexpected changes to the regulatory environment in certain markets, (xvii) unknown defects or errors in our products, (xviii) risk related to the capital-intensive nature of our business and our ability to raise adequate capital to finance our business strategies, (xix) substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, (xx) uncertainties beyond our control related to the production, launch, commissioning, and/or operation of our satellites and related ground systems, software and analytic technologies, (xxi) the failure of the market for EO services to achieve the growth potential we expect, (xxii) risks related to our satellites and related equipment becoming impaired, (xxiii) risks related to the failure of our satellites to operate as intended, (xxiv) production and launch delays, launch failures, and damage or destruction to our satellites during launch and (xxv) the impact of natural disasters, unusual or prolonged unfavorable weather conditions, epidemic outbreaks, terrorist acts and geopolitical events (including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, in the Gaza Strip and the Red Sea region) on our business and satellite launch schedules. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Satellogic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed or to be filed by Satellogic from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Satellogic assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Satellogic can give no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

    Media Contacts

    Satellogic, Inc.
    Ryan Driver, VP of Strategy & Corporate Development
    pr@satellogic.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice of Update to Proposed Resolutions for STMicroelectronics 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PR No: C3328C  

    Notice of Update to Proposed Resolutions for STMicroelectronics 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

    Amsterdam, April 8, 2025 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, announces a supplement to the agenda of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) which will be held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on May 28, 2025. 

    The Supervisory Board has resolved to propose the appointment of Ms. Simonetta Acri, as member of the Supervisory Board, for a three-year term expiring at the end of the 2028 AGM.

    This supplement to the agenda and the other previously announced agenda items for the 2025 AGM are available on the Company’s website.

    Upon the 2025 AGM there will be another vacancy in the Supervisory Board. The selection process to fill this position is ongoing and information on the outcome thereof will be shared in due course.

    About STMicroelectronics
    At ST, we are 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are on track to be carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    INVESTOR RELATIONS
    Jérôme Ramel
    EVP Corporate Development & Integrated External Communication
    Tel: +41.22.929.59.20
    jerome.ramel@st.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Alexis Breton
    Corporate External Communications
    Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08
    alexis.breton@st.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on Senior National Security Nominations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today chaired a hearing examining nominees for several senior positions at the Department of Defense and one at the Department of Energy.  
    During his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker underscored the significant responsibilities these roles entail, including the modernization of our nuclear weapons and the protection of our intelligence against China’s aggressive espionage campaign.  
    Read Senator Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered below. 
    I welcome our four witnesses and their families, and I thank them for being here this morning. 
    Mr. Brandon Williams has been nominated to be Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). As the Administrator, Mr. Williams would be responsible for rebuilding and modernizing our long-neglected nuclear weapons stockpile. Failure here is not an option. Over the past several years, we have watched as Russia, China, and North Korea have rapidly expanded their nuclear arsenals and developed new types of weapons – weapons for which we are sorely unprepared. 
    This committee is focused on ensuring that the Department of Defense and the NNSA deliver results. As the Congressional Strategic Posture Commission made clear, modernizing our country’s nuclear deterrent is a national imperative. I look forward to hearing how Mr. Williams intends to pursue this objective.
    Mr. Bradley Hansell has been nominated to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security. In addition to serving as the Secretary of Defense’s principal advisor on intelligence, counterintelligence, security, and law enforcement matters, the Under Secretary is tasked with protecting the Department’s most sensitive information from our adversaries. This includes ensuring the provision of timely and accurate intelligence to our forces, overseeing the security clearance vetting process, guarding against insider threats, and protecting our industrial base from China’s aggressive campaign of espionage and theft. 
    Mr. Hansell served as a Naval officer and an Army Green Beret. During his distinguished career in uniform, he saw first-hand that quality intelligence is crucial to executing the mission. That experience and his work in the private sector gives me confidence he will do an excellent job. I look forward to hearing Mr. Hansell outline his priorities for our intelligence and security enterprise. 
    Mr. Earl Matthews has been nominated to be the General Counsel of the Department of Defense. He has had a distinguished career as a Judge Advocate in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard, serving as the senior headquarters staff judge advocate for the D.C. National Guard. Mr. Matthews also brings extensive civilian government experience. He worked for Secretary Mattis in 2017 before moving over the Army General Counsel office, where he served as Acting General Counsel of the Army. 
    President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have taken bold and necessary steps to reform the Department of Defense. As we all know, purposeful and thoughtful reform requires purposeful and thoughtful lawyers. I am confident that Mr. Matthews possesses both qualities. I look forward to hearing his opinion about what the DOD Office of General Counsel is doing right, and I want to hear his ideas for how he would do things differently. 
    Mr. Dale Marks has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, a role which ensures the operational readiness and resiliency of the Department of Defense (DoD). If confirmed, Mr. Marks would oversee the management of military installations and infrastructure, the bedrock of the safety and well-being of service members and their families. 
    This critical position will play a key part in the implementation of several reforms from last year’s NDAA. Among them are the mandate requiring a minimum four-percent plant replacement value for DOD facilities – let me repeat that – among them are the mandate, in the NDAA, requiring a minimum four-percent plant replacement value for DOD facilities, leveraging of area-wide contracting authorities, and a review of Biden-era green energy policies that focus more on climate change than combat lethality. I look forward to hearing from Mr. Marks about how he intends to tackle these important issues. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Introduces Brian Burch, President Trump’s Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced Brian Burch, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. Ricketts made the following comments in a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
    “He’s a dedicated champion of the poor, the vulnerable, and preborn babies,” said Ricketts. “He’s been a man of great integrity, a passion for truth, justice, and patriotism. He firmly believes in the tenets of the Catholic faith, and particularly, a concept we have called the common good.”
    “We live in a time when the world’s most determined adversaries are expanding their influence, seeking to challenge our values in every region of the world,” continued Ricketts. “Now more than ever, we need principled, capable leaders who can represent our nation with moral clarity, conviction, and purpose. Brian Burch is that man.”
    “The sovereign state which includes the Vatican may be small in size, but it continues to help advance the foreign policy interests of the United States around the globe,” said Ricketts. “The global reach and moral witness of the Holy See makes this post not just important for what happens in the Vatican or in Europe, but around the entire world. Brian’s deep commitment to the Catholic faith, unwavering patriotism, and record of leadership make him an ideal candidate for this post.”
    [embedded content]
    Watch the video HERE
    TRANSCRIPT:
    Senator Ricketts: “It is my distinct honor to introduce my friend and colleague and the nominee to be US Ambassador to the Holy See, Mr. Brian Burch. 
    “I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to his family.
    “When I first met Brian, over a decade ago, he had six kids.
    “Now he’s got nine kids, and a grandchild to boot.
    “He and his wife, Sarah, live in suburban Chicago, and as we’ve talked about, often, these roles are never done alone.
    “Whoever their loved one that is serving our country needs the support of their family to be able to do the job.
    “And behind every great public servant, there is that family supporting and I know that Brian is deeply grateful for his family.
    “Our connection goes back to actually, the launch of a nationally acclaimed documentary series called Catholicism by Bishop Robert Barron, now Bishop of Rochester, Minnesota.
    “The series promotes the beauty and truth of Catholicism, and was watched by millions of Americans.
    “We connected over the hope that more people would come to know the beauty and appreciate the gift of our shared faith, something Mr. Burch has worked on for over two decades, to be able to share that and to advocate for Catholicism in the realm of politics, education and media.
    “He is also, not surprisingly, a Cubs fan.
    “I recall being with him on a balcony overlooking Wrigley Field after game seven or game five, actually, in 2016, which was a turning point in that game that led to the championship for the Chicago Cubs. 
    “Mr. Burch shares that competitive spirit.
    “He’s also a dedicated champion of the poor, the vulnerable and preborn babies.
    “He’s been a man of great integrity with a passion for truth, justice and patriotism.
    “He firmly believes in the tenets of the Catholic faith, and in particular, a concept that we have called the common good.
    “We live in a time when the world’s most determined adversaries are expanding their influence, seeking to challenge our values in every region of the world.
    “Now more than ever, we need principled, capable leaders who can represent our nation with moral clarity, conviction, and purpose. Brian Burch is that man.
    The post for which he’s been nominated to serve can easily be misunderstood or underestimated.
    “Lest we forget, it was the ambassador of the Holy See that helped facilitate the relationship between Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II that ultimately led to the downfall of the Soviet Union.
    “This relationship between the Holy See and the United States is no less important today.
    “The sovereign state, which includes the Vatican, may be small in size, but it continues to help advance the foreign policy interests of the United States around the globe. The global region, moral witness to the Holy See makes this post not just important for what happens in the Vatican or in Europe, but around the entire world.
    “Brian’s deep commitment to the Catholic faith, unwavering patriotism and record, a record of leadership, make him an ideal candidate for this post.
    “He is a leader who understands the contours of the Holy See, Catholic social teaching, and the priorities of the United States.
    “Brian’s ability to bring people together around shared values and a common purpose is a quality that will serve him well and our nation in this ambassadorial role.
    “As Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian will represent not only American interests, but the spirit of dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation that defines the very long-standing relationship the United States has had with the Vatican.
    “It’s a role that demands diplomatic skill and a profound understanding of the Catholic Church’s global mission.
    “I have every confidence that Brian Burch will carry out these responsibilities with honor, humility and a steadfast commitment to strengthening the relationship between United States and the Holy See. Brian, in a world where we are facing increasing moral and geopolitical challenges, your voice, your vision, your values, are needed now more than ever, I look forward to supporting your nomination.
    “I cannot think of a better person to represent the United States to the Holy See than you, Brian, and I urge my colleagues to support you as well.
    “You will be a fantastic ambassador for the United States.
    “I couldn’t be happier that you’re the nominee, and again, I strongly encourage all my colleagues support you as well.
    “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salinas, Mann Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Addiction Crisis, Support Individuals in Recovery

    Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Tracey Mann (KS-01) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery (PEER) Support Act, legislation that would expand access to peer-to-peer support services for those struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) are leading a companion bill in the Senate. The PEER Support Act was first introduced by Reps. Salinas and Mann during the 118th Congress.

    “The road to recovery is long and difficult, and at times very lonely. That is why peer support specialists are so important. These are trained experts who have been through recovery themselves, enabling them to build authentic connections with individuals who are suffering from addiction or behavioral health disorders,” said Rep. Salinas. “The bipartisan PEER Support Act breaks down barriers to entry in the profession, allowing more people to pursue this critical work and utilize their own lived experiences to help others.”

    “Addressing mental health and substance abuse across the country is crucial to revitalizing communities and restoring families,” said Rep. Mann. “Peer-to-peer support enables those with shared experiences to work towards recovery. Educating additional peer support specialists will meet an increased need in our communities and offer more lifesaving resources for individuals seeking recovery.”

    Research shows that peer-to-peer support services can significantly decrease rates of substance abuse and reduce re-hospitalization for individuals with mental illnesses. Peer support specialists are qualified experts with lived experience of mental illness or substance use who are trained to help others with their recovery. However, while peer support specialists have become an important part of treatment and recovery teams, peer support specialists face significant barriers to entering or staying in the profession. The PEER Support Act would help break down those barriers and make it easier for people to become qualified peer support specialists.

    Specifically, the PEER Support Act would:

    • Instruct the Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Department of Justice, to research states’ criminal background screening processes that may pose barriers to the certification or practice of peer support specialists, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for overcoming those barriers.
    • Codify the Office of Recovery in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to:
    • Provide leadership in the identification of new and emerging issues related to recovery support services;
    • Research and publish best practice recommendations to States and entities that employ peer specialists for training, certification, and supervision of peer support specialists;
    • Support ongoing professional development of peer support specialists;
    • Issue recommendations on the creation of career pathways for peer support specialists.
    • Direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system to create a distinct classification for peer support specialists to ensure accurate data reporting on the peer support specialist profession.

    In addition to Reps. Salinas and Mann, the legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Psychological Association Services (APA Services), Anxiety & Depression Association of America, Ballad Health, Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Face and Voices of Recovery, Fountain House, International Society for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses, Lakeshore Foundation, Mental Health America (MHA), Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA), NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association for Peer Supporters (NAPS), National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Federation of Families, Overdose Prevention Initiative, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Psychotherapy Action Network, RI International, SMART Recovery, and Trust for America’s Health (TFAH).

    “Fifty-two million adults in the U.S.—or 1 in 5 adults—have a mental health condition, and we lack the workforce to help provide much-needed services. The Bipartisan Policy Center has recommended policies advancing peer support specialists and boosting recovery services, and we believe the reintroduction of the PEER Support Act is a critical step toward addressing the shortage of behavioral health workers in this country,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action.

    “There is a growing demand for mental health and substance use care across the country, yet we face a severe shortage of mental health providers,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Peer support specialists play a vital role in bridging this gap and supporting people with behavioral health conditions, but we need to reduce barriers that will make peer services more widely available. Representative Salinas’ PEER Support Act takes meaningful steps to lower these barriers by providing essential training, education, and professional resources to strengthen and sustain the peer support workforce. NAMI is proud to endorse this critical legislation.”

    “Mental Health America (MHA) applauds Congresswoman Andrea Salinas and Congressman Tracey Mann for introducing the PEER Support Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would recognize and elevate the importance of peer support services in promoting mental health and recovery,” said Mary Giliberti, Chief Public Policy Officer for Mental Health America (MHA).  “As our nation grapples with challenges to accessing mental health and substance use care this bill would invest in peer specialists, a critical arm of the behavioral health workforce. MHA urges Congress to enact this bill into law as part of our nation’s effort to combat the ongoing substance use and mental health crises.” 

    “The PEER Support Act recognizes the significant tie between mental health and substance use disorders by expanding peer-to-peer support services. These evidence-based services are a crucial component in our overall overdose response. We commend Representatives Salinas and Mann, and Senators Kaine and Banks for leading on this issue and advancing policies that prevent overdose deaths and promote recovery,” said Libby Jones, Associate Vice President for the Overdose Prevention Initiative at Global Health Advocacy Incubator.

    To read the full text of this legislation, click here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mfume, Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Demand Answers on Tariff Impact on Port of Baltimore

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07) led a letter alongside U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD) and Representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06) and Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02) calling on the Administration to detail the repercussions of newly announced tariffs on the Port of Baltimore. This letter, sent to United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, raises the lawmakers’ concerns regarding the latest announcement on tariffs, the costs for the American consumer, and the potential shock wave to major ports, industries, and workforces.

    “The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s most vital hubs for commerce, and it plays a crucial role in national supply chains,” said the lawmakers.

    “We are especially concerned about the latest announcement on tariffs considering the economic consequences for the American consumer. These tariffs effectively serve as a sales tax on consumers, placing the burden of revenue raising on American families. While White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated recently that these tariffs are expected to raise about $600 billion a year in revenue, economists have clarified that the impact to consumers on spending will significantly reduce these revenue estimates. Instead, experts indicate these tariffs will raise prices for already-struggling consumers, trigger layoffs in industries with customers who rely on imports, and plunge our nation into a recession,” the lawmakers continued.

    The Members also emphasized the resiliency of the Port of Baltimore after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in their letter and its ability to retain its standing as the nation’s top-ranked port for wheeled farm and construction machinery and the second most utilized port for importing cars in 2024.

    Considering the importance of the Port of Baltimore’s function in the local, state, national, and global economies, the lawmakers requested a response from Secretary Lutnick to the following inquiries within the next 14 days:

    1. What mechanism is the Department of Commerce utilizing to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the tariffs issued under the Executive Order?
       
    2. What efforts will the Department of Commerce take to track how these tariffs impact everyday costs for the American consumer, and national and local economies?
       
    3. What are the long-term implications of these tariffs on our nation’s major ports, and on our national supply chains?
       
    4. How, specifically, do you expect the announced tariffs will impact automobile and light vehicle imports, coal exports, and agricultural equipment imports and exports?
       
    5. Will the Administration waive tariffs on certain goods or sectors, or provide aid to impacted small businesses, impacted workers (i.e. farmers, dockworkers, etc.), and industries, in response to significant negative economic outcomes in the United States?

    Full text of the letter can be viewed here and below. 

    April 7, 2025

    The Honorable Howard Lutnick
    Secretary of Commerce
    1401 Constitution Avenue NW
    Washington, D.C. 20230

    Re: Implications of Newly Announced Tariffs on the Port of Baltimore

    Dear Secretary Lutnick:

    We write to you today to communicate our extreme concern about the implications of the recently announced tariff regime on the Port of Baltimore (the “Port”). On April 2, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order, titled Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits (the “Executive Order”), that announced a minimum 10% tariff on all imported goods, to take effect April 5. On April 9, higher levels of “reciprocal” tariffs will be placed on goods imported from nations with which the United States has a trade deficit. This latest action comes one week after the Administration’s Executive Order titled, Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States, which announced tariffs targeted at individual industries (i.e. automobiles, steel, aluminum) and countries (i.e. Canada, Mexico, China).

    The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s most vital hubs for commerce, and it plays a crucial role in national supply chains. Last year, when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, the Port was closed for nearly two months, causing significant disruption to our economy. The state of Maryland estimates that approximately 15,000 direct jobs and 139,000 indirect jobs depend on the Port of Baltimore, generating an estimated $3.3 billion in personal revenue, $2.6 billion in business income, and more than $395 million in taxes. The local economic impact was such that the United States Small Business Administration and the United States Department of Labor responded by issuing Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Dislocated Worker Grants for businesses and workers that were directly affected by the bridge’s collapse and closure of the 
    Port.

    Despite the collapse, Baltimore’s resiliency speaks to the Port’s ability to retain its standing as our Nation’s top ranked Port for wheeled farm and construction machinery, and reigns as the nation’s second most utilized port for importing cars in 2024. In 2024, the Port of Baltimore exported more than $2.9 billion and imported nearly $23 billion in automobiles and light trucks. Additionally, the Port exported more than $2.92 billion in coal and more than $1.1 billion in agricultural equipment and materials. Overall, the Port of Baltimore exports roughly 28% of the nation’s coal, making it the second-largest coal exporting port in the United States.

    We are especially concerned about the latest announcement on tariffs considering the economic consequences for the American consumer. These tariffs effectively serve as a sales tax on consumers, placing the burden of revenue raising on American families. While White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated recently that these tariffs are expected to raise about $600 billion a year in revenue, economists have clarified that the impact to consumers on spending will significantly reduce these revenue estimates. Instead, experts indicate these tariffs will raise prices for already-struggling consumers, trigger layoffs in industries with customers who rely on imports, and plunge our nation into a recession. 

    Considering the Port of Baltimore’s critical importance to the economic wellbeing of the city, state, and our nation, we request a response to the following inquiries within 14 days:

    1. What mechanism is the Department of Commerce utilizing to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the tariffs issued under the Executive Order?
       
    2. What efforts will the Department of Commerce take to track how these tariffs impact everyday costs for the American consumer, and national and local economies? 
       
    3. What are the long-term implications of these tariffs on our nation’s major ports, and on our national supply chains?
       
    4. How, specifically, do you expect the announced tariffs will impact automobile and light vehicle imports, coal exports, and agricultural equipment imports and exports?
       
    5. Will the Administration waive tariffs on certain goods or sectors, or provide aid to impacted small businesses, impacted workers (i.e. farmers, dockworkers, etc.), and industries, in response to significant negative economic outcomes in the United States?

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. We look forward to your reply.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pettersen’s Bipartisan Proxy Voting Resolution Blocked by Speaker Johnson Despite Majority Support

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) released the following statement after Speaker Mike Johnson blocked the bipartisan Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution, despite overwhelming support from a majority of the House. The resolution—introduced with Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Mike Lawler (R-NY)—would allow new parents to vote remotely while caring for their newborns.

    After Johnson refused to implement this commonsense measure, the bipartisan coalition took the rare step of filing a discharge petition, a procedural tool allowing a majority of the body to force a vote. The Pettersen resolution advanced after the petition secured 218 signatures—a clear majority of the House—demonstrating broad support.

    But instead of following the rules and allowing a vote, Speaker Johnson tried to use procedural tactics last week to kill the measure – ultimately shutting down business in the House after not getting his way. Johnson then pushed a “vote pairing measure,” as a false solution, and has now pressured his conference to table the discharge petition for the rest of this congress. 

    “We need leaders fighting for parents and families – but today, Speaker Johnson turned his back on them. Across the country, working families are making tough decisions about where to find safe, affordable child care, how to balance long work hours and family responsibilities, and how to afford the rising costs of housing, groceries, and everyday necessities. How can Congress expect to address the issues facing families if they exclude those who understand those challenges firsthand?

    “I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from women and moms across the nation. I know that you’re as disappointed as I am that we’re not changing the rules in Congress to make it more likely that people like us have a seat at the table. But our fight is far from over. I promise that I won’t stop working on behalf of our families, moms, and most importantly our kids.”

    The resolution allows new parents—both mothers and fathers—to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks, ensuring that no lawmaker is forced to choose between caring for their family and representing their constituents. It also permits proxy voting for pregnant Members who face medical complications that prevent travel.

    Pettersen, who made history as only the 13th voting Member of Congress to give birth while in office, has been a leading voice in modernizing outdated policies that make it harder for working parents and regular people to serve. 

    The full text of the Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King: America’s Nuclear Programs a “Not Fail Mission,” Warns Against Firings at Key Department

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King, in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), spoke with Brandon Williams, the nominee to serve as the Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, about the grave importance of keeping the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) staffed amid reckless cuts and buyouts inflicted upon the department by the White House at the urging of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During the exchange, Senator King pressed Williams for his commitment to protect the NNSA workforce and ensure it is properly staffed to meet the demand as the United States seeks to bolster its nuclear arsenal and keep pace with global foes. The hearing comes on the heels of the Trump Administration firing — then scrambling to rehire — more than 300 NNSA employees without realizing they oversee the country’s weapons stockpile.

    I am gravely concerned about this memo that was mentioned on Friday of the possibility of 500 people in the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as non-essential. That is 20% of the workforce. The testimony is it is one of the greatest scientific engineering organizations in human history. I just do not understand how that wonderful organization, if that’s true, how 20% are non-essential. I did a little calculation. That is 2/10th of 1% of the budget. What is to be gained by reducing the staff by 20% of this essential agency at this moment with the rebuilding of our nuclear triad,” asked Senator King.

    “Senator King, thank you for that question and your attention on the workforce which I think is absolutely critical. If confirmed, I commit to you that I will stand up for the men and women of NNSA, that I will advocate for them. We are facing a moment in history where NNSA must perform. I think there are opportunities for us to innovate at NNSA, to deliver on the program record and the expectations that this committee has set and that we will stand up to our adversaries,” replied Williams.

    “You are absolutely right. This is a no fail mission. Because of the modernization program we are in the midst of, the demands on NNSA have never been greater, probably since the founding of the agency. I hope you will stand up for that workforce. There is an issue here not only of the people, the 500 people being non-essential, the effect on morale in the workforce is something to be considered. I hope you can address this early in your tenure and be sure that the workforce is protected, and that the morale of the agency can be maintained. Will you commit to that,” questioned Senator King.

    “If confirmed, I will certainly commit to that,” responded Williams.

    Senator King is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and also serves as the ranking member of the subcommittee on Strategic Forces — which performs critical oversight of America’s nuclear weapons arsenal. He has been a steady voice on the need to address the growing nuclear capacity of our adversaries and has previously expressed concern about Russia and China’s emerging “nightmare weapon” hypersonic missiles. Senator King has also warned extensively of the carelessness of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) antics, and raised the alarms on Constitutional overstep as the White House continues to pare down the federal workforce. He wrote a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside 36 senators, sharing the detrimental effects of  the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He also joined fellow Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) colleagues in writing a letter to the White House about the risks to national security by allowing unvetted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On holding auctions on April 9, 2025 to place OFZ issue No. 26221RMFS and issue No. 52005RMFS

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    For bidders

    We inform you that, based on the letter of the Bank of Russia and in accordance with Part I. General Part and Part II. Stock Market Section of the Rules for Conducting Trading on the Stock Market, Deposit Market and Credit Market of Moscow Exchange PJSC, the order establishes the form, time, term and procedure for holding auctions for the placement and trading of the following federal loan bonds:

    1.

    Name of the Issuer Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
    Name of security Federal loan bonds with constant coupon income
    State registration number of the issue 26221RMFS from 06.02.2017
    Date of the auction April 9, 2025
    Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
    Trade code SU26221RMFS0
    ISIN code RO000A0ZHKhFM1
    Calculation code B01
    Additional conditions of placement The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
    Trading time Trading hours: bid collection period: 12:00 – 12:30; bid execution period: 13:00 – 18:00.

    2.

    Name of the Issuer Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation
    Name of security federal loan bonds with indexed par value
    State registration number of the issue 52005RMFS from 03/09/2023
    Date of the auction April 9, 2025
    Information about the placement (trading mode, placement form) The placement of Bonds will be carried out in the Trading Mode “Placement: Auction” by holding an Auction to determine the placement price. BoardId: PACT (Settlements: Ruble)
    Trade code SE52005RMFS4
    ISIN code RO000A105SV1
    Calculation code B01
    Additional conditions of placement The share of non-competitive bids in relation to the total volume of bids submitted by the Bidder may not exceed 90%.
    Trading time Trading hours: bid collection period: 14:30 – 15:00; bid execution period: 15:30 – 18:00.

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.MO/N89268

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova met with the acting governor of the Jewish Autonomous Region Maria Kostyuk

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova held a working meeting with Acting Governor of the Jewish Autonomous Region Maria Kostyuk. The meeting took place in the Government House.

    Tatyana Golikova and Maria Kostyuk discussed the development of healthcare in the region, including issues of primary health care, dispensary observation and rehabilitation. In addition, issues of cultural development and holding cultural and touring events were considered.

    Particular attention at the meeting was paid to the implementation of support measures for participants in the special military operation and their family members.

    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 Security: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Defraud Medicare

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    A Florida man pleaded guilty on Monday to purchasing Medicare identification numbers and using those numbers to cause over $8.4 million of false and fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare.

    Corey Alston, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to illegally purchase Medicare beneficiary identification numbers in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare for COVID-19 test kits that were ineligible for reimbursement. According to court documents, Alston and his co-defendant, Latresia A. Wilson, conspired to unlawfully purchase Medicare beneficiary identification information (including Medicare Beneficiary Identification Numbers) and used that information to submit millions of dollars in claims to Medicare for COVID-19 test kits that the beneficiaries did not want or request.

    Over the course of just seven months, from July 2022 through February 2023, Alston, Wilson, and others, through companies they owned and controlled, submitted over $8.4 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare that were ineligible for reimbursement. Medicare paid over $2.6 million based on the false and fraudulent claims.

    Wilson previously pleaded guilty on June 10, 2024, to conspiracy to defraud the United States and to illegally purchase Medicare beneficiary identification. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15. Alston is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. Alston and Wilson each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Matthew W. Fodor of the FBI Tampa Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jesus Barranco of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

    The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Shane Butland and Keith Clouser and Senior Litigation Counsel Catherine Wagner of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Acting Assistant Chief Justin Woodard assisted in charging the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 8, 2025

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on April 8, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc0Dgm-_lzo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why some storms brew up to extreme dimensions in the middle of America – and why it’s happening more often

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton

    Floodwaters rise in downtown Hopkinsville, Ky., on April 4, 2025. AP Photo/George Walker IV

    A powerful storm system that stalled over states from Texas to Ohio for several days in early April 2025 wreaked havoc across the region, with deadly tornadoes, mudslides and flooding as rivers rose. More than a foot of rain fell in several areas.

    As a climate scientist who studies the water cycle, I often get questions about how extreme storms like these form and what climate change has to do with it. There’s a recipe for extreme storms, with two key ingredients.

    Recipe for a storm

    The essential conditions for storms with heavy downpours to form are moisture and atmospheric instability.

    First, in order for a storm to develop, the air needs to contain enough moisture. That moisture comes from water evaporating off oceans, lakes and land, and from trees and other plants.

    The amount of moisture the air can hold depends on its temperature. The higher the temperature, the more moisture air can hold, and the greater potential for heavy downpours. This is because at higher temperatures water molecules have more kinetic energy and therefore are more likely to exist in the vapor phase. The maximum amount of moisture possible in the air increases at about 7% per degree Celsius.

    Search and rescue firefighters check on residents in a neighborhood in Frankfort, Ky., on April 6. Floodwater filled streets downtown and in several neighborhoods in the state capital.
    AP Photo/Jon Cherry

    Warm air also supplies storm systems with more energy. When that vapor starts to condense into water or ice as it cools, it releases large amount of energy, known as latent heat. This additional energy fuels the storm system, leading to stronger winds and greater atmospheric instability.

    That leads us to the second necessary condition for a storm: atmospheric instability.

    Atmospheric instability has two components: rising air and wind shear, which is created as wind speed changes with height. The rising air, or updraft, is essential because air cools as it moves up, and as a result, water vapor condenses to form precipitation.

    As the air cools at high altitudes, it starts to sink, forming a downdraft of cool and dry air on the edge of a storm system.

    When there is little wind shear, the downdraft can suppress the updraft, and the storm system quickly dissipates as it exhausts the local moisture in the air. However, strong wind shear can tilt the storm system, so that the downdraft occurs at a different location, and the updraft of warm moist air can continue, supplying the storm with moisture and energy. This often leads to strong storm systems that can spawn tornadoes.

    Extreme downpours hit the Midwest

    It is precisely a combination of these conditions that caused the prolonged, extensive precipitation that the Midwest and Southern states saw in early April.

    The Midwest is prone to extreme storms, particularly during spring. Spring is a transition time when the cold and dry air mass from the Arctic, which dominates the region in winter, is gradually being pushed away by warm and moist air from the Gulf that dominates the region in summer.

    This clash of air masses creates atmosphere instability at the boundary, where the warm and less dense air is pushed upward above the cold and denser air, creating precipitation.

    A cold front forms when a cold air mass pushes away a warm air mass. A warm front forms when the warm air mass pushes to replace the cold air mass. A cold front usually moves faster than a warm front, but the speed is related to the temperature difference between the two air masses.

    The warm conditions before the April storm system reduced the temperature difference between these cold and warm air masses, greatly reducing the speed of the frontal movement and allowing it to stall over states from Texas to Ohio.

    The result was prolonged precipitation and repeated storms. The warm temperatures also led to high moisture content in the air masses, leading to more precipitation. In addition, strong wind shear led to a continuous supply of moisture into the storm systems, causing strong thunderstorms and dozens of tornadoes to form.

    What global warming has to do with storms

    As global temperatures rise, the warming air creates conditions that are more conducive to extreme precipitation.

    The warmer air can mean more moisture, leading to wetter and stronger storms. And since most significant warming occurs near the surface, while the upper atmosphere is cooling, this can increase wind shear and the atmospheric instability that sets the stage for strong storms.

    Polar regions are also warming two to three times as fast as the global average, reducing the temperature gradient between the poles and equator. That can weaken the global winds. Most of the weather systems in the continental U.S. are modulated by the polar jet stream, so a weaker jet stream can slow the movement of storms, creating conditions for prolonged precipitation events.

    All of these create conditions that make extreme storms and flooding much more likely in the future.

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

    – ref. Why some storms brew up to extreme dimensions in the middle of America – and why it’s happening more often – https://theconversation.com/why-some-storms-brew-up-to-extreme-dimensions-in-the-middle-of-america-and-why-its-happening-more-often-254123

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Between Pulkovo Highway and the M-11 Neva Highway, work has been completed on constructing the embankment of the future interchange

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In St. Petersburg, construction of a transport interchange to provide access to Pulkovo Airport from the M-11 Neva highway continues. As of today, work has been completed to install an embankment between these roads. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “The quality and standard of living of Russians directly depend on the condition of the road and transport network. To ensure the gradual growth of these indicators, we are carrying out systematic work to modernize the country’s main infrastructure, which increases its reliability and safety. Thus, on the instructions of the President, we are continuing the construction of a transport interchange at the 681st km of the M-11 “Neva” with a connection to Pulkovo Airport. Thanks to it, a major transport hub will appear in the region, ensuring the speed and convenience of movement for drivers and passengers. Today, specialists have completed the backfill of the roadbed between Pulkovskoe Highway and the M-11 “Neva” highway, as well as two exits at the junction with the M-11 from the airport side,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    Also, at the construction site, bored piles are being installed on all three overpasses of the future facility. The total length of the interchange with all exits will be 5.5 km.

    According to the Chairman of the Board of the state company Avtodor, Vyacheslav Petushenko, the new transport interchange will contribute to the active development of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

    “The road connecting M-11 Neva with Pulkovo will open up additional opportunities for the socio-economic development of the regions. The future facility will become a high-speed route leading to the international airport. This will stimulate the growth of tourist attractiveness and investment activity in the adjacent territories. Work is currently underway on all three overpasses as part of the interchange. The total length of the two artificial structures over Pulkovo Highway will be 614 m, they will rest on 17 supports. For the 55 m long overpass over M-11, the project provides for the construction of three supports. As of today, the construction of pile foundations for the supports of the future overpasses is 70% complete,” noted Vyacheslav Petushenko.

    The facility is scheduled to be commissioned at the end of 2026.

    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-Evening Report: A grab bag of campaign housing policies. But will they fix the affordability crisis beyond the election?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Cull, Associate professor, Western Sydney University

    Secure and affordable housing is a fundamental human right for all Australians.

    Therefore, it is unsurprising the election campaign is being played out against a backdrop of heightened voter anxiety about rental stress and housing affordability. A growing number of people are unable to access housing that meets their needs.

    And it’s not just low-income earners who are affected by housing pressures. It is also the millions of people who make up middle Australia; the very group that will help determine the election outcome.

    The solution to Australia’s housing problem is complex. We need to start thinking differently about what reform might look like.

    No cheap rents

    For most Australians, housing is their biggest and most unavoidable bill.

    The average national weekly rent for a unit is A$566 a week. It is even higher in capital cities. To afford this comfortably, renters need an annual income of $130,000.

    But for someone on the median income of $72,592 (or $58,575 after tax) half their pay packet is being swallowed by their weekly rent.

    This significantly exceeds the 30% benchmark that is a useful measure of housing affordability stress.

    Million-dollar homes

    The raw numbers are just as eye-watering for home ownership.

    The mean price of a residential dwelling in Australia is around $977,000. For house hunters in New South Wales, the figure is even higher at $1.2 million.

    Rapidly rising house prices over the past few years have contributed to larger home loans and more people with a mortgage.

    Only 13% of homes sold in 2022–23 were affordable for a median income household, with housing prices increasing more rapidly than wages.

    The cascading price pressures mean first home buyers are finding it harder to save for a deposit.

    Policy options

    There is an urgent need for housing reform to overcome the affordability and accessibility challenges. There is no shortage of options available to policymakers.

    For starters, planning rules and zoning regulations could be eased to facilitate more construction. Vacant commercial properties and office spaces could be repurposed as housing.

    Another option includes removing barriers to constructing prefabricated homes, which are more efficient and affordable to build.

    Time to be bold

    Housing reform often involves debate around negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions for property investors. There are mixed results regarding how they would impact housing affordability and accessibility. The unpopularity of such policies at the 2016 and 2019 elections have since hindered any changes.

    But more radical reforms could be considered. They include applying negative gearing to first home buyers, who would benefit by claiming the mortgage interest on their property against their income. The United States allows home-owner couples to claim mortgage interest on the first US$750,000 (A$1.19 million) of their loan to help them secure a home.



    Read more:
    The government is reviewing negative gearing and capital gains tax, but this won’t be enough to fix our housing shortage

    Overseas experience

    The US policy highlights how high housing costs are not exclusive to Australia.

    We could learn from other initiatives adopted overseas. For example, a bylaw passed in Montreal, Canada, requires new developments to include 20% social housing, 20% affordable housing and 20% family units.

    Further, Vienna is known for its progressive social housing policies, which include rental caps and housing security. The housing is high quality and often includes access to communal pools, child care, libraries and other facilities.

    Here in Australia, the major political parties are mindful that the high cost of housing is political kryptonite. They are fighting the May election armed with policies aimed at improving affordability and availability. But will these policies go far enough?



    Read more:
    The government is reviewing negative gearing and capital gains tax, but this won’t be enough to fix our housing shortage

    What the major parties are offering

    Labor plans to increase housing supply by 1.2 million homes over five years by changing zoning and planning rules. This includes 20,000 social housing homes and 10,000 affordable rentals for front-line workers such as police and nurses. It will also increase tax incentives for the build-to-rent program to increase rental supply.

    These policies are likely to improve affordability and accessibility for lower income earners. However, there will be a wait while homes are constructed. It is also expensive at around $10 billion.

    To increase supply, Labor will invest in prefabricated and modular homes, including a national certification system to streamline approvals.

    Labor will also expand the Help-to-Buy scheme so more Australians can purchase their first home, although this may push-up prices through increased demand.

    The Liberal Party’s policy centrepiece is $5 billion to fast track essential housing infrastructure such as water and sewage, to unlock up to 500,000 homes.

    The Coalition is also vowing to free up more housing by reducing immigration by 25% and capping the number of international students.

    For first home buyers, the Liberals want to allow early access to superannuation of up to $50,000, but studies suggest this could backfire by increasing house prices and hurting retirement savings.

    Dream turns to a nightmare

    Voters may find merit in one or more of the proposed policies, but bipartisanship will be essential if we are to solve the housing crisis, regardless of the election outcome.

    And genuine reform involves more than sugar-hit policies that might find favour during election campaigns. It requires bold, decisive action with investment in areas that benefit those most in need.

    Without genuine reform, even more Australians will struggle to put a roof over their heads. The ramifications will be devastating to Australia’s social and economic future.

    The Australian dream of owning a home will be at risk of becoming an even bigger nightmare.

    This is the third article in our special series, Australia’s Policy Challenges. You can read the other articles here and here

    Michelle Cull is a member of CPA Australia, the Financial Advice Association Australia and President Elect of the Academy of Financial Services in the United States. Michelle is an academic member of UniSuper’s Consultative Committee. Michelle Cull co-founded the Western Sydney University Tax Clinic which has received funding from the Australian Taxation Office as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. Michelle has previously volunteered as Chair of the Macarthur Advisory Council for the Salvation Army Australia.

    – ref. A grab bag of campaign housing policies. But will they fix the affordability crisis beyond the election? – https://theconversation.com/a-grab-bag-of-campaign-housing-policies-but-will-they-fix-the-affordability-crisis-beyond-the-election-252185

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Traffic on the four-lane section of the Baltiya highway from Moscow to the Rzhev Memorial is planned to be launched by May 9

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    April 9, 2025

    Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier.

    In the Moscow and Tver regions, comprehensive road works are underway, including the expansion of key sections of the federal highway M-9 “Baltia” to four lanes. The working traffic on the route from Moscow to the Rzhev Memorial is planned to be launched by Victory Day.

    “This year, which the President of Russia declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, the country celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Today, there are many monuments and memorials along the highways, reminding us of the courage and unbending will of our great-grandfathers, those who heroically fought for the well-being of future generations. One of them is the Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier, which is located in the Tver Region, at the 229th km of the M-9 “Baltia” road. Rosavtodor is currently actively working to expand sections to four lanes, which will not only improve the highway’s passability, but also provide more comfortable access to important military-historical and memorial complexes dedicated to the war years. By May 9, it is planned to launch working traffic on the 111-kilometer section (km 118 – km 229), where the memorial is located,” said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that the total length of the route from Moscow to the Rzhev Memorial along the M-9 “Baltia” highway is 212 km. Along 101 km (on the section km 17 – km 118) there are already four or more traffic lanes.

    The Rzhev Memorial near the federal highway M-9 “Baltia” was opened in June 2020 with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Since the opening of the memorial site, the traffic flow on the M-9 “Baltia” highway has increased significantly, including due to the tourist appeal and historical significance of the site. In particular, since 2020, it has attracted about 5 million visitors.

    After the completion of the entire complex of planned works on sections of the M-9 “Baltia” highway, the route to the monument to the soldiers of the 20th Army of the Western Front who died in 1942 during the counteroffensive near Moscow will also become more comfortable. It is located at the 134th km of the federal highway.

    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 United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families Congratulate Mexico on its Global Pro-Migration Stance, Raise Questions on the Treatment of Unaccompanied Minors and Assistance for Mexicans Abro

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families today concluded its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Mexico, with Committee Experts congratulating the State on its pro-migration stance taken around the world, while raising questions on the treatment of unaccompanied minors and assistance provided to Mexicans abroad in the United States. 

    Fatimata Diallo, Committee Chair and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, congratulated Mexico on its pro-migration stance taken around the world, including its key role in the Global Compact for Safe and Orderly Migration. The Committee appreciated that legislation and a support system were in place for migrants across all states of Mexico, and congratulated the State on the adoption of a law on enforced disappearances, and the enactment of specific measures to provide support to migrant children and adolescents. 

    Mohammed Charef, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked if the delegation could share statistical information following the reform of the migration act in 2022, including the number of children released from holding facilities and the number of children still in these facilities?  What tools and measures had been put in place at the border level to ensure there could be a review on children and adolescents before any return was taken?  How many cases of refoulment had been avoided due to the risk analysis which should be carried out on every child? 

    Pablo Ceriani Cernadas, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked what Mexico was doing at the foreign policy and foreign relations level to push for regularisation for people who had been working in the agricultural sector in the United States for years?  With the closure of the CBP 1 by Trump, some people had their asylum process for the United States interrupted; what was happening to them? 

    Ms. Diallo said the “United States Remain in Mexico policy” required migrants to remain at the border while the United States Government processed their cases; what had the Mexican State done to provide for these migrants who were forced to remain in Mexico in the hazardous border areas? 

     

    Regarding unaccompanied children and adolescents, the delegation said there was a specific standalone procedure in place to ensure migrants were duly identified, so they could be protected by the child protection system.  The National Institute of Migration could be advised to carry out an assisted return of the child or adolescent to their country of origin, if regular migration status was not possible.  No deportation order would be given to a child or adolescent.  There were more than 120 shelters and reception centres spread across the country for minor migrants.  It was here that they would be held with their families until issues regarding their migration status were resolved; 84,927 minors were handled via this process in 2024. 

    The delegation said since the new United States administration took office on 20 January 2025, there had been a harshening of migration policies and Mexico had strengthened its consular assistance in response.  Mexico had been mapping the detention of migrants by the United States’ authorities and was able to immediately respond to them.  The 10 repatriation centres which had been set up on the southern border with the United States provided health care services, nutrition, food and education to those who had been repatriated.  The Mexican Government had pursued meaningful efforts to promote the regularisation of Mexican migrants in the United States. 

    Presenting the report, Jennifer Feller, Director General of Human Rights and Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said Mexico’s geographical position and proximity made it a country of origin, transit, destination and return for migrants, which represented a challenge for authorities.  Between January and May 2024 alone, the National Institute of Migration identified 1,393,683 foreigners in an irregular situation.  In 2019, the Ministry of Health published the comprehensive health care plan for the migrant population to promote health care under a context of equality and non-discrimination.  In compliance with the March 2023 ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation on the unconstitutionality of the detention of migrants, the necessary measures were adopted to ensure that the detention of migrants did not exceed 36 hours.

    In concluding remarks, Mr. Ceriani Cernadas thanked Mexico for the constructive dialogue. The Committee was fully aware of the complexity of human movement in Mexico as a phenomenon, due to the location, the sheer number of migrants, and the voluntary or forced returns of Mexican compatriots, coupled with drug trafficking and the fact that Mexico was a neighbour of the world’s largest drug consumer.  Mexico had taken some positive steps, and the Committee looked forward to working collaboratively to find solutions to the challenges.

    Francisca E. Méndez Escobar, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Head of the Delegation, in concluding remarks, said Mexico continued to be committed to protecting the rights of migrants and upholding its international obligations.  Mexico had made progress in protecting the rights of migrant children, adolescents, women and migrant workers, and would strengthen activities in areas where challenges remained, to ensure the full implementation of the Convention. 

     

    The delegation of Mexico was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Federal Judiciary Council; and the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations Office in Geneva. 

    The webcast of Committee meetings can be found here.  All meeting summaries can be found here.  Documents and reports related to the Committee’s fortieth session can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 8 April to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Niger (CMW/C/NER/QPR/2).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the fourth periodic report of Mexico (CMW/C/MEX/4).

    Presentation of Report

    FRANCISCA E. MÉNDEZ ESCOBAR, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Head of the Delegation, said Mexico had always played a leading role at the international level to advance the agenda of the human rights of migrants.  It was an active promoter of the Convention, presented periodic resolutions on migration in the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, and served as a co-facilitator of the negotiation process of the Global Compact for Migration. While significant progress had been made, challenges remained.  By appearing before the Committee, Mexico reaffirmed its openness to international scrutiny and constructive dialogue.  Ms. Escobar then introduced the Mexican delegation. 

    JENNIFER FELLER, Director General of Human Rights and Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, said Mexico’s geographical position and proximity made it a country of origin, transit, destination and return for migrants, which represented a challenge for authorities.  In the last decade, migratory flows had grown exponentially and the transit of undocumented migrants through Mexico had grown significantly.  It was estimated that 77 per cent of migratory flows through the country were carried out irregularly.  Between January and May 2024 alone, the National Institute of Migration identified 1,393,683 foreigners in an irregular situation.  The composition of migration flows had changed significantly, encompassing a diverse range of persons who were migrating for multiple reasons. 

    This scenario was aggravated by the impacts of increasingly restrictive United States immigration policies, which limited the right to seek refuge, such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, among others.  Faced with this context, Mexico facilitated the entry and stay of people in health security conditions, providing them with vaccines and other support. Voluntary return was also facilitated for those who decided to do so.

    In 2019, the Ministry of Health published the comprehensive health care plan for the migrant population to promote health care under a context of equality and non-discrimination.  In line with the recommendations of the Committee, the law on migration was amended to prohibit the accommodation of migrant children and adolescents in migrant holding centres.  In compliance with the March 2023 ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, on the unconstitutionality of the detention of migrants, the necessary measures were adopted to ensure that the detention of migrants did not exceed 36 hours.

    Mexico had strengthened legal frameworks by incorporating a comprehensive gender perspective, and designed programmes to combat gender-based violence, human trafficking, and discrimination against women and girls.  This included the mechanism for monitoring cases of sexual torture committed against women and the comprehensive programme to prevent, address, punish and eradicate violence against women 2021-2024, which included actions focused on migrant women at risk, campaigns against sexual harassment and harassment, and strategies to encourage reporting.

    FÁTIMA RÍOS, Director General of Human Mobility and Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Mexico continued to strengthen the capacities of the authorities to combat the smuggling of migrants, from a perspective of shared responsibility, international and regional cooperation, and respect for the human rights of migrants, with the involvement of migration authorities, prosecutors’ offices, victims’ commissions, international organizations, and civil society. 

    Although there was no specific law on the smuggling of migrants, Mexico was a party to the Palermo Protocols and had a solid regulatory base.  In 2023, the national strategy to combat migrant smuggling with a gender perspective was presented to strengthen inter-institutional coordination to prevent, combat and address the crime with a comprehensive approach.  The migration law established aggravated penalties when it involved children and adolescents, or the participation of public servants.

    To coordinate migration policies and programmes among more than 20 agencies, the Inter-Ministerial Commission for Comprehensive Attention in Migration Matters was created in 2019.  In March 2025, the multi-service centre for inclusion and development, designed in collaboration with international organizations, began operating in the city of Tapachula.  This centre aimed to bring those international protection needs closer to the services provided by the Mexican State, including documentation, employment, and health services, among others.  In the face of the tightening of migration policies and the criminalisation of irregular migration in the United States, the inter-institutional strategy for comprehensive care for repatriated and returning Mexican families was reinforced in January 2025, guaranteeing their social and economic reintegration in the country.  Mexico had spearheaded numerous actions to address migration, including integrating civil society into the debate, and was committed to overcoming the challenges which remained. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, said the Committee was aware that Mexico was currently facing a complex situation in terms of human movement, which made this dialogue even more important.  The fact that the national guard reported to the army gave rise to concern.  Why had Mexico chosen to deploy the armed forces to play a role in monitoring and verifying migrants?  Had the deployment of the national guard and army had any impact on the migration flow? Had this impact been assessed? Six migrants had been killed when the national guard opened fire, and there had been other similar cases.  What had been the response of the Mexican Government to these cases?  How were the perpetrators identified and punished and what was done to ensure non-repetition?

    What had been done to promote regular migration in Mexico?  What measures had been enacted to eradicate the automatic recourse to detention and migration?  What non-custodial measures were being taken for asylum seekers in a vulnerable position, including pregnant women, to replace detention?  There had been a fire in a holding centre at the Mexican border which killed over 30 migrants.  Who had the political responsibility for this holding centre and the conditions it was in? What measures would be taken to ensure it did not happen again?

    The Committee had received reports that people intercepted in different parts of the territory were sent to the southern border and left there.  Could the delegation comment on these practices? Expulsions reportedly occurred from Mexico City and other airports.  What remedies were available to these people in airports after a decision to expel them? There had been cases where many migrants were killed by organized crime syndicates.  There was a high level of impunity with many cases being unresolved. What measures was the State taking to resolve these cases through investigations, trials and convictions? 

    What measures were being taken to address the complex matter of enforced disappearance in general and in the context of migration?  Was the act on enforced disappearance being regulated?  How had the guidelines for providing support to Mexicans abroad being strengthened?  What relationship was there between the forensic authorities in Mexico and those in other countries, to identity Mexicans who had died and inform their family members?  Was the Mexican consulate still receiving reports from El Salvador on citizens who had disappeared?

    Was data still being collected on irregular migrants?  Would the way in which data was collected be changed?  Which authorities had a say when it came to separating families?  Why were families separated?  The Committee had received information that in October 2023, the humanitarian grounds permits were suspended.  The documentation which replaced them did not have the same value as a resident permit and did not help with social, financial and employment services.  Why had the humanitarian permit been suspended? What measures had Mexico taken in response to the suspension of CBP 1?  What protective measures were being taken in this regard?  Were there any initiatives towards signing a bilateral agreement?  What was the latest situation regarding the relationship with the United States?

    MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, said Mexico always strove to ensure respect for the rights of migrants and had led the fight in the Group of 77 for the rights of migrants since the start of the 1970’s, which was appreciated.  The State was also one of the champions of the implementation of the Marrakech Compact and had enacted a plethora of laws to improve protection for unaccompanied women and minors, which deserved credit.  Nevertheless, according to information received by the Committee, despite international commitments and the legal arsenal, there were still violations of the rights of migrants, particularly those in an irregular situation.  Mexico shared an emblematic border with the United States which was over 3,500 kilometres long.  This was the deadliest land border, with around 10,000 deaths recorded per year. 

    According to information gathered, many migrants disappeared without a trace; they were abducted, killed, or robbed and thrown out of high-speed trains.  Many of those blocked on routes to the United States were highly vulnerable.  Were migrants subjected to a detention order by a judge?  How long did they stay in centres on average?  How did these detention centres function?  Who managed them?  How many people worked for the “Better Groups”?  Were they present throughout the territory?  Was their role to provide migrants with advice on their rights? According to information collected, there were huge needs in healthcare, particularly in mental health.  Was anything being done for migrants’ mental health?  Could information on the deadly fire be provided?  The Committee would like more information about the trends and the places migrants went through?  Did the State have reliable data on enforced disappearances?  Was disaggregated data on nationality, age, sex and type of migration available?  How did Mexico manage migration during the COVID-19 period? 

    FATIMATA DIALLO, Committee Chair and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, congratulated Mexico on its pro-migration stance taken around the world, including its key role in the Global Compact for Safe and Orderly Migration.  The Committee appreciated that legislation and a support system were in place for migrants across all states of Mexico, and congratulated the State on the adoption of a law on enforced disappearances, and the enactment of specific measures to provide support to migrant children and adolescents. 

    Regarding the ruling by the Supreme Court of Justice on the unconstitutional nature of some of the provisions of the migration act, what steps had been taken to ensure this jurisprudence was present in national legislation?  Could the delegation share statistical information following the reform of the migration act in 2022, including the number of children released from holding facilities and the number of children still in these facilities? A unique identification code was provided to migrant children; what was the purpose of this code?  What tools and measures had been put in place at the border level to ensure there could be a review on children and adolescents before any return was taken?  How many cases of refoulment had been avoided due to the risk analysis which should be carried out on every child?  Why did so many children and adolescents abandon the administrative process halfway through it was meant to be an alternative to irregular migration? 

    How was it ensured that the bilateral agreements with Canada did not leave migrant workers vulnerable?  Thirty per cent of women interviewed said they had been subjected to sexual harassment by the national migration guard in detention facilities.  What measures had been enacted to prevent this?  Had there been investigations and punishment of perpetrators?  What concrete measures had been enacted for the protection of domestic workers, particularly migrant domestic workers?  The Nicaraguan migration route enabled migrants in sub–Saharan Africa to try and access the United States and there had been several disappearances on this route. Did this also affect Mexico and how was the State dealing with this? 

    A Committee Expert congratulated Mexico on its ratification of the core International Labour Organization Conventions.  Why had Mexico not ratified International Labour Organization Conventions 197 and 143? How many staff were working in the labour inspectorate in Mexico?  Did they cover the entirety of Mexico?  Did they have the human and financial resources they needed to carry out their duties?  Did they have a status which ensured their independence was upheld?

    Another Committee Expert said the bilateral agreements, for example between Mexico and Canada, should be examined.   

    A Committee Expert said the Committee appreciated Mexico’s efforts and its delicate position with the United States and other countries.  What type of capacity did Mexico need to bolster its stance on migration? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the National Institute of Migration was charged with implementing the Government’s migration policy.  It had overviews of migration checks at land and air border crossings.  The institute implemented the protocol for checking migration status.  Staff were required to be properly identified as a result of the Supreme Court ruling. Once a person had been identified in a migration check, migration staff could instigate the administrative procedure. It would not be a court which decided, but rather the migration entity, which conducted the migration proceedings. 

    Migrants were taken to a holding centre and provided all the necessary information to authorities. Due to the ruling of the 36-hour time limit for holding migrants in these centres, the National Institute of Migration completed the administrative procedures within the timeframe.  If the individual in question had a genuine immigration status, they would be released quickly; however, if they did not, they would either be provided with a regular migration status if they met the conditions of the law, otherwise they would be returned or deported.  This was clearly provided for in the migration act.

    Regarding unaccompanied children and adolescents, there was a specific standalone procedure in place to ensure migrants were duly identified, so they could be protected by the child protection system.  The National Institute of Migration could be advised to carry out an assisted return of the child or adolescent to their country of origin, if regular migration status was not possible.  No deportation order would be given to a child or adolescent.  There were more than 120 shelters and reception centres spread across the country for minor migrants.  It was here that they would be held with their families until issues regarding their migration status were resolved; 84,927 minors were handled via this process in 2024.  It was hoped that up to date data for decision making would be available in April. 

    Migrants’ caravans, which entered the country via the southern border, had been met by groups providing humanitarian assistance.  This was one of the functions played by the “Better Groups”, whose main role was to provide humanitarian support and advice to migrant workers. 

    The centre for assistance and information for migrant workers had been strengthened to provide assistance to all Mexican residents in the United States.  The consular staff had been ordered to make more visits to migration centres and prisons to review cases of Mexican migrants, and to ensure their rights were being upheld and the necessary processes were being followed. A unit monitored how executive orders were impacting the migrant community. 

    In Mexico, all persons had access to free health care, regardless of their social status.  A plan was in place to guarantee that migrants had access to high quality medical health care.  Mexico was one of the few countries which chose not to close its borders during the pandemic, which meant that individuals living abroad who could not return to their home countries had remained in Mexico, and benefited from healthcare services and coverage.  A system was in place for alternative care models for unaccompanied migrants and adolescents.  A handbook on the alternative care options intended to raise awareness on these options. Work was being done to renovate shelters in key hotspots along the migration route. 

    In 2024, around 439,000 requests for asylum or refugee status were granted, with the vast majority being women.  To improve coordination between the authorities at different levels, capacity building workshops had been made available, and work had been carried out with counterparts in Ecuador and in Brazil, among other countries.  The Domestic Labour and Social Security Code had been strengthened to uphold the rights of domestic workers. International Labour Organization Convention 189 was ratified in 2020.

    The act on enforced disappearance had a system in place which provided relatives of migrant persons with the possibility of submitting requests for action on disappeared persons who could not be found in Mexico.  The Mexican consulates abroad were responsible for the implementation of this system. 

    The intervention of the national guard in public security had not been adopted alone, but in conjunction with other entities.  The Constitution was reformed so the national guard would fall under the Ministry of National Defence.  The armed forces were involved because Mexico was trying to strengthen the national guard as a security force. 

    Mexico did not have a systematic practice of enforced disappearance by the State.  There was a palpable commitment to tackling the challenges being faced by the country.  Regarding the tragic events of the first of October, where a pickup travelling at highspeed was fired on by members of the armed forces, nationals from many countries had been the victims.  The majority of the victims decided to return to their countries of origin, but had been informed of compensation processes.  Around 32 victims had been affected by the incident.   

    If a person was deprived of liberty, this was considered detention.  The right of all migrants to have a public defender was recognised.  This had led to 43 people becoming specialised to allow the federal judiciary to enter the migration centres.  Public defenders’ coverage was now better, and there had been Amparo proceedings in cases where the 36-hour holding deadline was exceeded.  A humanitarian grounds permit needed to be issued until Amparo proceedings were completed.   

    Questions by Committee Experts

    PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked about the rulings from the Supreme Court; they had not mentioned anything about the Committee.  Each year it seemed there was no solution being found to regularise migration; how effective was the State’s response?  What happened to persons with disabilities travelling through Mexico?  Were resident permits automatically provided to parents of children in Mexico?  Migrant children often worked selling sweets or in coffee production; what progress had been made in this regard?  What was being done to ensure that the women’s justice centre was aware of women’s vulnerabilities throughout the migration process?  How was sexual and reproductive health ensured for women on the move? 

    MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked how many rulings there had been regarding families who provided shelter to migrants?  How had the Supreme Court ruling been implemented in this regard? 

     

    FATIMATA DIALLO, Committee Chair and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked for statistical data on children who had left migration holding centres and those who still remained, but who should have been released?  How many temporary permits had been issued on humanitarian grounds between 2018 and 2023? Could statistics on the family reunification of migrant workers be provided?  What measures had been taken by Mexico to guarantee access to civil registration documents, particularly for unaccompanied minors?  What was being done to facilitate access to education for unaccompanied minors?  What measures had been taken to combat racism and xenophobia against migrants? 

    Over 65 per cent of Haitian migrants felt they had been impacted by racial discrimination; what was being done to eradicate this?  What measures had been taken to eradicate discrimination in the labour market and combat economic exclusion of migrants?  What were the views of migrants on the national guard and on migration policy?   

    A Committee Expert asked about the Mexican authorities’ plan to deal with the repatriation of Mexican migrants from the United States?  How would it be ensured that they would be returned with full respect to their rights?  What measures were being taken to prevent the disappearance of migrants on routes of migration to America?  What was being done to reduce the smuggling and trafficking of migrants?  What steps were being taken to reduce bureaucratic procedures and ensure better access to financial resources for migrants? Approximately how long were migrants detained during the asylum procedure?  How could this time period be reduced?  Why were the number of claims for asylum in Mexico increasing?  Could more information about the conditions in detention centres be provided?

    Another Expert asked about reports of abuse of migrants in bilateral agreements with Canada; what was the State doing to combat this? 

    A Committee Expert said many people from Latin American countries were travelling to the United States, using Mexico as a transit country.  Could information about accidents with regard to the national guard be provided?   What was being done to improve this situation? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said there were two Amparo rulings from 2022, regarding Haitian migrants who had had their migration status checked and revised when trying to board buses.  The ruling found the actions of the bus company and the government migration body were unconstitutional.  The Convention had been cited in various court rulings, although not many.  Mexico would ensure there was judicial training on the provisions of the Convention to ensure it could be cited more frequently moving forward.  The State was aiming to adopt a different approach to human trafficking to focus on those who facilitated the human trafficking, rather than those carrying out the trafficking.  There had been 95 cases involving enforced disappearances where a search order was enacted.  Data gathering efforts in this regard had been improved, thanks to a ruling from the courts.

    The State had spent the last three years working on a project to ensure that all international recommendations related to enforced disappearance could be implemented and crafted into policies at the State and federal levels.  A decision had been taken in 2011 to ensure decisions on mass graves could be shared with the relatives.  The Victims’ Commission sat alongside the court and had dealt with various cases, including the mass grave case, where the remains of 72 persons were found.   

    Regarding the fire in the migration holding centre, the Federal Public Prosecutor had intervened in real time, offering services to the victims.  This fire took place a few weeks after the Supreme Court’s ruling that migration detention could not exceed 36 hours.  Those who were in need of medical care had been sent to hospitals and the Victims’ Commission was supporting those seeking compensation. Close work had been done with consular officials to identify those who had died in the event. 

    The National Institute of Migration had begun to introduce a range of infrastructure improvements to migration centres, including medical clinic facilities, real-time simultaneous interpretation services, enhancements to the physical environment, and the additions of rescue and first aid kits and smoke detectors. Around 2,935 staff had been trained in migration holding centres on civil protection.  There were three multiservice centres in the border areas with the United States.  Mexico had added 10 centres to provide support for Mexicans who had been repatriated from the United States, which could accommodate 2,500 people each. 

    The State had seen a fall in the number of humanitarian permits being issued; there should be more mechanisms which were an alternative to requesting asylum or a stay on humanitarian grounds.  This would enable more migrants to regularise their situation.  A programme was being designed for regularising the situation of migrants, which would help to reduce delays in the asylum system.  Mexico was also seeking other channels with third countries to ensure those who reached Mexico did so with a regularised status. 

    Mexico had been working with third countries, who recognised it was Mexico’s prerogative to admit foreign nationals onto their territory.  Mexico had ratified certain procedures in airports and tried to improve the facilities of holding centres.  The majority of refusals for entry into the country were due to inconsistency in entry interviews. 

    Since January this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could issue identity documents to refugees, stateless persons and those who did not have a consular office in Mexico. This would allow more documents to be provided to migrants.  A memorandum had been signed in 2023 to try and foster family reunification, which was currently being revised, to see if it could be continued with the current United States administration.  There was permanent communication between Mexico and the Canadian Government and there was an annual review of the bilateral agreements to bring about improvements.  Mexico would review the information provided by civil society to raise any problems.

    Mexico had not and would never enter into an agreement about the refoulment of third-party nationals. These expulsions were unilateral, and Mexico would respect the Supreme Court’s rulings on guidelines for receiving and supporting these people.  A dialogue had been held with civil society organizations in the United States to step up the support provided by Mexico through its consular network.  Since 2010, justice centres had been vital to providing services to women victims of violence transiting through Mexico. Between 2019 and 2023, a budget of 400 million pesos was provided to these centres to improve the facilities and training. 

    Last year, the Ministry of Labour established a platform which provided services for job seekers in Mexico who were from other countries.  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had been working with the Mexican Government to implement local integration programmes, which had provided 50,000 jobs for refugees so far in Mexico.  All programmes supported the issuance of necessary documents, such as banking services.  The Government had been working with the banking association to ensure they would provide services to refugees and migrants. 

    Mexico recognised that education was a vital pillar for development, and there were programmes allowing the continuation of studies, including for those who had been repatriated back to Mexico.  Vocational courses were provided for returnee and repatriated Mexicans.  A raft of educational material had been designed, including handbooks which focused on the needs of migrant children and looked at ways to encourage them to pursue education.  The process for granting refugee status to Haitian migrants had been accelerated.     

    Questions by Committee Experts

    PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked what mechanisms and tools existed to ensure the recommendations of the treaty bodies were implemented?  What authorities were involved in migration checks and verifications?  Had the recommendation to create a register of detained migrants been followed up on?  What was being done to follow up on the Amparo court ruling regarding the maximum detention period of 36 hours? 

    The Committee had heard that in some cases people were held for up to 15 days before their migration cases were reviewed.  What resources were made available to detainees during the 36-hour time frame? How were the cases of children heard and deferred?  How was the child protection office in Mexico coordinating with its counterparts abroad in Honduras, Haiti and the United States to better serve children and make a decision on their case? 

    What was being done to promote the registration of the births of Mexicans abroad?  Did they automatically have the right to Mexican nationality?  What consular support services were in place for Mexicans who had been detained on migration grounds?  What was Mexico doing at the foreign policy and foreign relations level to push for regularisation for people who had been working in the agricultural sector in the United States for years?  With the closure of the CBP 1 by Trump, some people had their asylum process for the United States interrupted; what was happening to them?  Were the centres for comprehensive support and advice intended to replace the holding facilities, or would they sit alongside them? 

    MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, asked what resources were made available to the national human rights institution and the Better Group? What was being done to plug gaps with regard to data and statistics?  The number of seasonal workers in Canada was constantly increasing; these workers had to pay their own tickets to Canada and their own rent. Were the long-term health impacts of the work on these workers taken into account, due to the handling of pesticides etc? 

    FATIMATA DIALLO, Committee Chair and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, noted that the “United States Remain in Mexico policy”, required migrants to remain at the border while the United States Governments processed their cases; what had the Mexican State done to provide for these migrants who were forced to remain in Mexico in the hazardous border areas? 

    A Committee Expert said Mexico was at the very heart of migration and was a migration champion, which was honourable.  The country’s geographic location placed it at the heart of migration to the United States, which was not a State party to the Convention.  What would Mexico do to encourage the United States to regularise Mexican migrants in the United States? 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said a register had been established for children and adolescents who were being processed by the migration authorities.  There was a register for adults held in migration holding centres. The Ministry of Home Affairs was working on migration regularisation on family reunification grounds.  The migration holding centres were established and improved to address the needs of those people who had been identified by the National Migration Institute as being in an irregular status.  They had been taken there to be processed within 36 hours.  The multiservice centres, on the other hand, had been designed for people who were on the move and had international protection needs.  People on the move were provided with shelter, health services, and the opportunity to take up job offers. 

    Since the new United States administration took office on 20 January 2025 and there had been a harshening of migration policies, Mexico had strengthened its consular assistance in response.  More than 5,000 legal advice meetings had been held under this programme, bolstered through the services of legal aid officers and partnerships with civil society organizations, who could provide services to Mexicans abroad.  All the consular offices in the United States were linked to the electronic case management system; more than 1,600 cases were still active and were being followed through to their conclusion.  An app was available which had direct interaction, as well as the Mexican Assistance and Support Office, which operated 24/7. 

    Consular visits to places of deprivation of liberty had also been bolstered under the new strategy, and in the first quarter of the year there had been an average of 30 visits per day.  Mexico had been mapping the detention of migrants by the United States authorities and was able to immediately respond to them.  Advice was being given to Mexican compatriots abroad, so they could stay informed and ensure they had the proper legal protections.  The 10 repatriation centres which had been set up on the southern border with the United States provided health care services, nutrition, food and education to those who had been repatriated. 

    Mexico had pursued actions to simplify the number of hoops which had to be jumped through to ensure that the birth of a Mexican abroad could be registered.  Mexico had amended the national civil status code to ensure statelessness could be avoided.  There had been an investigation into the fire at the migration centre and various State institutions had been held responsible for failings.  There had been a 70 per cent increase in the number of Americans migrating to Mexico in recent years, partially due to the lower cost of living. 

    The Mexican Government had pursued meaningful efforts to promote the regularisation of Mexican migrants in the United States.  This included contributing to the Dreamers Programme, and forging partnerships and alliances with members of Congress and State officials to promote recognition of the positive impact of migrants. 

    The recommendations of human rights treaty bodies were channelled by a variety of thematic working groups.  Mexico had played a key role in championing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Mexico had learned that tolerance and inclusion could be an effective response to a crisis like COVID-19.

    Closing Remarks

    PABLO CERIANI CERNADAS, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, thanked Mexico for the constructive dialogue.  The Committee was fully aware of the complexity of human movement in Mexico as a phenomenon, due to the location, the sheer number of migrants, and the voluntary or forced returns of Mexican compatriots, coupled with drug trafficking and the fact that Mexico was a neighbour of the world’s largest drug consumer.  Mexico had taken some positive steps, and the Committee looked forward to working collaboratively to find solutions to the challenges.

    MOHAMMED CHAREF, Committee Expert and Co-Rapporteur for Mexico, said Mexico was one of the champions of migration around the world.  The State was in a challenging situation due to being an origin, transit and destination country.   It was hoped that Mexico would be a key promoter of general comment no. 6 and that it would continue to champion the Convention.   Mr. Charef wished the State every success in delivering on migrants’ rights.

    FRANCISCA E. MÉNDEZ ESCOBAR, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Head of the Delegation, said Mexico continued to be committed to protecting the rights of migrants and upholding its international obligations.  Mobility involved challenges, and the State should have a responsible attitude based on rights which adapted to a changing context.  Mexico had made progress in protecting the rights of migrant children, adolescents, women and migrant workers, and would strengthen activities in areas where challenges remained to ensure the full implementation of the Convention.  There were several ways in which the Committee could assist Mexico, including for the Committee to keep note of a compendium of best practices within the recommendations provided.   

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CMW25.002E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the World Meteorological Organization, and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat.

    Myanmar recovery

    Titon Mitra, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative in Myanmar, speaking from Mandalay, said that the death count in the country had exceeded 3,000 people, with thousands of people injured. The search-and-rescue operations had now turned into recovery efforts. With short medical supplies and urban waterpipe systems broken, water-borne diseases were a growing threat. Numerous people were defecating in the open, and many people were still sleeping on the streets, afraid to go back home. Eighty percent of buildings in Sagaing were reduced to rubble, and critical infrastructure, including sections of the railway bridge over the Irrawaddy River, was severely damaged. People were living on the streets in extreme temperatures, with scarce clean water and outdoor defecation leading to outbreaks of cholera, hepatitis, and typhoid. Hospitals, already strained by civil war, were overwhelmed, understaffed and operating in car parks, explained Mr. Titon. Local markets were mostly closed, inflation was rapidly growing, and transport links were severely affected, making food both scarce and expensive.

    UNDP, in collaboration with UN partners, was working to address both immediate and early recovery needs. Cash-for-work programs were supporting the poor, and efforts were underway to safely remove debris and clear access for response. In addition to immediate shelter material support, UNDP teams were assessing the damaged homes and preparing to initiate their repair in collaboration with local tradespeople. The focus was also on laying the groundwork for recovery. Mr. Mitra stressed that this crisis had a major impact on urban areas, and the relief phase had to turn into a sustainable recovery phase as soon as possible. Aid had to be provided impartially, he emphasized. The declared ceasefire should provide conditions to reach everyone in need. It had to be recognized that Myanmar was a compounded crisis, with many people having already been food insecure because of the conflict, civil disobedience and hyperinflation. The earthquake had simply compounded the already existing crisis. He hoped that Myanmar would not turn into a neglected crisis once cameras turned off. 

    Answering questions from the journalists, Mr. Mitra said that in many crises first responders came from community groups, which was unfortunately often done in an uncoordinated way. In Myanmar, road traffic was hard to manage, and coordinating both official assistance and local charitable organizations remained a challenge. Military authorities were in control of many affected areas, and the UN was very dependent on those authorities for aid coordination. Efforts had to be made to ensure that aid was not politicized. On another question, Mr. Mitra said that the day after the earthquake and the unilateral ceasefire announcement, some air strikes had still continued, but there had been a significant slowdown, nonetheless. Bias in aid distribution was not obvious, he said. UN was doing its best to make sure that aid would be delivered to those who needed it the most.

    Rolando Gómez, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), sad that United Nations Special Envoy for Myanmar, Julie Bishop, was in Myanmar, and more information would be available soon. 

    Influx of Congolese refugees in Uganda

    Matthew Crentsil, United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Representative in Uganda, speaking from Kampala, said that the situation in Uganda was becoming increasingly dire with refugee reception centres overcrowded and funding cuts. Some 41,000 refugees had arrived from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Uganda this year. UNHCR was speeding up transportation of refugees from the reception centres, which hosted six times the number of people over their capacity. Critical shortages of water, latrines and bathing facilities, particularly at the Matanda and Nyakabande transit centres, were putting people at dire risk of deadly diseases, warned Mr. Crentsil.

    More details can be found in UNHCR’s press release.

    Answering questions from the media, Mr. Crentsil explained that 41,000 refugees had arrived from DRC to Uganda in 2025, 80 percent of whom were women and children. The total number of Congolese refugees in Uganda now stood at over 580,000. Some nine children had died since the beginning of the year because of the malnutrition they had suffered from in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many refugees were reporting extreme violence, including sexual violence and killings. On some days, there could be as many 1,000 new arrivals, a significant increase compared to 2024, and fully attributable to the conflict in Goma. 

    On another question, Olga Sarrado, also for UNHCR, explained that the numbers of arrivals from DRC to Burundi had decreased in recent weeks, and the stadium in Rugombo was now serving primarily as a registration centre. Between Burundi and Uganda, there were currently 113,000 registered refugee arrivals from the DRC, of which over 70,000 in Burundi and some 41,000 in Uganda. Mr. Crentsil explained that, because of the funding cuts, UNHCR had had to give up on some services it used to provide, such as decreasing numbers of childcare givers and teachers. Refugee reception centres, water, sanitation and health were now being prioritized at the expense of some other activities. The funding was going down at a time when they needs were increasing. The budget planned for the entire year was being already used because of the high influx of refugees. Uganda hosted a total of 1.8 million refugees and was Africa’s largest refugee hosting country, reminded Ms. Sarrado. 

    Conferences of Parties of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

    María Cristina Cárdenas-Fischer, Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor at the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions Secretariat, informed that the BRS Conference of Parties (COP) 2025 would be held in Geneva from 28 April to 9 May, under the theme “Make visible the invisible”. She reminded that the three Conventions addressed some of the most serious pollutants and provided a framework for a lifecycle management of waste. BRS Secretariat  wanted to increase the awareness of the Conventions and their ever-important role. The 2025 meetings would, inter alia, focus on the illegal traffic of waste; waste containing nanomaterials; listing of hazardous characteristics; listing of certain chemicals as hazardous; technical assistance; and listing three additional chemicals as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This year, the BRS COP would have a high-level segment from 30 April to 1 May, with over 30 ministers registered and probably more coming. The high-level segment would focus on circularity, means of implementation, and interlinkages with climate change and biodiversity. Finally, the speaker informed about the exhibition by the lake in Geneva which showed the impact of the three Conventions on daily life. 

    More information about the BRS COP 2025 is available here.

    Replying to questions, Ms. Cárdenas-Fischer explained that the United States was not a party to either of the three BRS Conventions. Many of the chemicals under the Stockholm Convention were used in cell phones or furniture’s upholstery, for example. She emphasized that the chemicals under consideration had undergone a thorough technical review, after which they had been nominated for consideration by the COP. Countries were allowed to opt in or opt out, she explained; some countries needed to go through a ratification process. Parties had two years after the amendments entered into force to come up with practical implementation strategies. Under the Stockholm Convention, there was a deadline to eliminate polychlorinated phenols (PCPs) by 2028, reminded Ms. Cárdenas-Fischer, which were used in electrical transformers, which could cause harm to human health and nature over time. On another question, she explained that the Basel Convention covered electrical vehicle (EV) batteries and provided guidance on how to handle transboundary movement on any kind of waste. Consumer organizations would be represented as observers in the upcoming events, said Ms. Cárdenas-Fischer. BRS Secretariat did not keep the list of pollutant countries as such. 

    Announcements

    Clare Nullis, for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), informed that the report European State of the Climate 2024, compiled by the European Union Copernicus Climate Change Service and the WMO, would be launched on 15 April at 1 pm. An embargoed press conference would be held online on 10 April at 1 pm; WMO Secretary-General would be among the speakers. Journalists could register by 9 April by sending a message to copernicus-press@ecmwf.int. Ms. Nullis said that 2025 was unfortunately continuing where 2024 had left off. Figures for March, just released by Copernicus, showed that March 2025 had been the warmest ever March in Europe, and the second warmest March globally. The Arctic Sea ice maximum was the lowest on record, she said.  

    Rolando Gómez, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), informed that the UN Secretary-General was expected to speak on Gaza at a stakeout following a Security Council meeting this afternoon. 

    Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families would end this morning its review of the report submitted by Mexico, while the review of the report of Niger would begin at 3 pm.

    This week, the Committee Against Torture was reviewing the reports of Monaco and Mauritius. 

    Finally, the Conference on Disarmament would resume its 2025 session on 12 May. 

    Responding to a question, Mr. Gómez confirmed that the Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva Director-General, Tatiana Valovaya, had briefed Member States on the impact of the budget and liquidity crisis on UNOG. The list of cost-saving measures was available here. While there were no current plans to abolish any posts, the liquidity crisis did indisputably affect UNOG’s operations. Various factors, including the COVID19 pandemic and the liquidity crisis, had all affected the ongoing Strategic Heritage Plan, explained Mr. Gómez.

    ***

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Findings from the Field: A Research Symposium for Student Scientists

    Source: NASA

    Within the scientific community, peer review has become the process norm for which an author’s research or ideas undergo careful examination by other experts in their field. It encourages each scientist to meet the high standards that they themselves, as writers and reviewers, have aided in setting. It has become essential to the academic writing practice.
    Historically, the peer review process has been limited to higher education and scholars more established in their academic careers. It has been required by only the more reputable publications, which can mean that lesser-known journals that don’t require this rigorous peer review process contain lower quality or less reliable information.
    In an effort to give scientists of all ages the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the advancement of human knowledge in a meaningful and reliable way, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) began publishing Findings from the Field, a journal of student ecological and environmental science, launched in 2017. Students conduct authentic scientific inquiry, subject their research to the peer review process, and submit their revised work for editorial board review before publication—the same process a NASA scientist must go through! This hands-on, real-world experience in scientific communication sharpens these young scientists’ skills and immerses them in the collaborative nature of research—an essential foundation for the next generation of scientists.
    After 7 years and 7 published volumes, Findings from the Field was ready to expand, and the Findings Student Research Symposium was launched. The Symposium was a success from the start, with 65 student scientists joining the event the first year and attendance climbing to 95 for year two. On March 10, 2025, GMRI (the anchor institution for the NASA Science Activation program’s Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) project) welcomed nearly 100 young scientists, ranging from grades 5-12. These students, representing eight schools across Maine and New Hampshire, came together to share their research and engage in an evolving, intergenerational scientific community—one that fosters curiosity, collaboration, and scientific discovery.
    Students presented their research through posters and live presentations, covering topics ranging from invasive green crab species, to the changing landscapes of Ash and Hemlock trees, and more. By connecting students with professional researchers, fostering peer discussions, and providing a platform for publishing legitimate scientific work, the Findings Symposium is a launch pad for the future of the scientific community.
    One important element of the Symposium is the opportunity for young scientists to dialogue with professional scientists. Students engaged with researchers from Markus Frederich’s lab at the University of New England, volunteers from local organizations like Unum and Avangrid, and expert staff from GMRI.
    Student Madalyn Bartlett from Sacoppee Valley Middle School shared, “It makes me feel really proud, because I get to talk to professional scientists that have a lot of experience in this, and it make me feel like I am contributing to something bigger than my school and my community.”
    These interactions emphasize that science isn’t confined to white coats and labs—it’s about curiosity, observation, and shared knowledge. The keynote speaker, Kat Gardner-Vandy from a former NASA Science Activation project team, Native Earth | Native Sky, reinforced this message, inspiring students to see themselves as vital contributors to science and our collective knowledge about the world.
    The Learning Ecosystems Northeast project is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB94A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about Learning Ecosystems Northeast: https://www.learningecosystemsnortheast.org/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s First Flight With Crew Important Step on Long-term Return to the Moon, Missions to Mars

    Source: NASA

    The Artemis II test flight will be NASA’s first mission with crew under Artemis. Astronauts on their first flight aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft will confirm all of the spacecraft’s systems operate as designed with crew aboard in the actual environment of deep space.  Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all.
    The unique Artemis II mission profile will build upon the uncrewed Artemis I flight test by demonstrating a broad range of SLS (Space Launch System) and Orion capabilities needed on deep space missions. This mission will prove Orion’s critical life support systems are ready to sustain our astronauts on longer duration missions ahead and allow the crew to practice operations essential to the success of Artemis III and beyond.
    Leaving Earth
    The mission will launch a crew of four astronauts from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Block 1 configuration of the SLS rocket. Orion will perform multiple maneuvers to raise its orbit around Earth and eventually place the crew on a lunar free return trajectory in which Earth’s gravity will naturally pull Orion back home after flying by the Moon. The Artemis II astronauts are NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
    The initial launch will be similar to Artemis I as SLS lofts Orion into space, and then jettisons the boosters, service module panels, and launch abort system, before the core stage engines shut down and the core stage separates from the upper stage and the spacecraft. With crew aboard this mission, Orion and the upper stage, called the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS), will then orbit Earth twice to ensure Orion’s systems are working as expected while still close to home. The spacecraft will first reach an initial orbit, flying in the shape of an ellipse, at an altitude of about 115 by 1,400 miles. The orbit will last a little over 90 minutes and will include the first firing of the ICPS to maintain Orion’s path. After the first orbit, the ICPS will raise Orion to a high-Earth orbit. This maneuver will enable the spacecraft to build up enough speed for the eventual push toward the Moon. The second, larger orbit will take approximately 23.5 hours with Orion flying in an ellipse between about 115 and 46,000 miles above Earth. For perspective, the International Space Station flies a nearly circular Earth orbit about 250 miles above our planet. 
    After the burn to enter high-Earth orbit, Orion will separate from the upper stage. The expended stage will have one final use before it is disposed through Earth’s atmosphere—the crew will use it as a target for a proximity operations demonstration. During the demonstration, mission controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will monitor Orion as the astronauts transition the spacecraft to manual mode and pilot Orion’s flight path and orientation. The crew will use Orion’s onboard cameras and the view from the spacecraft’s windows to line up with the ICPS as they approach and back away from the stage to assess Orion’s handling qualities and related hardware and software. This demonstration will provide performance data and operational experience that cannot be readily gained on the ground in preparation for critical rendezvous, proximity operations and docking, as well as undocking operations in lunar orbit beginning on Artemis III.
    Checking Critical Systems
    Following the proximity operations demonstration, the crew will turn control of Orion back to mission controllers at Johnson and spend the remainder of the orbit verifying spacecraft system performance in the space environment. They will remove the Orion Crew Survival System suit they wear for launch and spend the remainder of the in-space mission in plain clothes, until they don their suits again to prepare for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and recovery from the ocean.
    While still close to Earth, the crew will assess the performance of the life support systems necessary to generate breathable air and remove the carbon dioxide and water vapor produced when the astronauts breathe, talk, or exercise. The long orbital period around Earth provides an opportunity to test the systems during exercise periods, where the crew’s metabolic rate is the highest, and a sleep period, where the crew’s metabolic rate is the lowest. A change between the suit mode and cabin mode in the life support system, as well as performance of the system during exercise and sleep periods, will confirm the full range of life support system capabilities and ensure readiness for the lunar flyby portion of the mission.
    Orion will also checkout the communication and navigation systems to confirm they are ready for the trip to the Moon. While still in the elliptical orbit around Earth, Orion will briefly fly beyond the range of GPS satellites and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites of NASA’s Space Network to allow an early checkout of agency’s Deep Space Network communication and navigation capabilities. When Orion travels out to and around the Moon, mission control will depend on the Deep Space Network to communicate with the astronauts, send imagery to Earth, and command the spacecraft.
    After completing checkout procedures, Orion will perform the next propulsion move, called the translunar injection (TLI) burn. With the ICPS having done most of the work to put Orion into a high-Earth orbit, the service module will provide the last push needed to put Orion on a path toward the Moon. The TLI burn will send crew on an outbound trip of about four days and around the backside of the Moon where they will ultimately create a figure eight extending over 230,000 miles from Earth before Orion returns home.
    To the Moon and “Free” Ride Home
    On the remainder of the trip, astronauts will continue to evaluate the spacecraft’s systems, including demonstrating Earth departure and return operations, practicing emergency procedures, and testing the radiation shelter, among other activities.
    The Artemis II crew will travel approximately 4,600 miles beyond the far side of the Moon. From this vantage point, they will be able to see the Earth and the Moon from Orion’s windows, with the Moon close in the foreground and the Earth nearly a quarter-million miles in the background.
    With a return trip of about four days, the mission is expected to last about 10 days. Instead of requiring propulsion on the return, this fuel-efficient trajectory harnesses the Earth-Moon gravity field, ensuring that—after its trip around the far side of the Moon—Orion will be pulled back naturally by Earth’s gravity for the free return portion of the mission.
    Two Missions, Two Different Trajectories
    Following Artemis II, Orion and its crew will once again travel to the Moon, this time to make history when the next astronauts walk on the lunar surface. Beginning with Artemis III, missions will focus on establishing surface capabilities and building Gateway in orbit around the Moon.
    Through Artemis, NASA will explore more of the Moon than ever before and create an enduring presence in deep space.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet Alex Olley: Air Force Veteran Powering the Space Station 

    Source: NASA

    As an Air Force veteran from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Alex Olley now serves as a contract specialist in the International Space Station Procurement Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.  
    Olley joined NASA as a Pathways intern in January 2023 to turn his lifelong goal into a reality—bringing his unique experience in the defense and space industries to support one of humanity’s most ambitious endeavors. 

    Olley manages the procurement of supplies, services, and research for the International Space Station. His role requires sharp attention to federal regulations and a deep understanding of business practices, all while supporting the astronauts who live and work 250 miles above Earth. 
    “I take great pride in the opportunity that I get to contribute to NASA’s mission each day,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful for my time here, and it feels like a significant achievement, especially because many of my friends and family have shared how inspired they are to pursue their own goals as a result.” 

    A quote shared by Johnson’s director of the Office of Procurement, Bradley Niese, became a guiding principle that has shaped Olley’s NASA experience: “People are the mission, and if we take care of the people, the mission will take care of itself.”  
    That mindset has taught him the value of building relationships within the office, which, he says, often leads to smoother operations and greater motivation. 
    “It’s much easier to be passionate about the mission when you know everyone around you shares the same dedication,” he said. “With such a strong support system, I’ve learned that I can achieve anything, no matter how challenging or confusing the task may seem at first.” 
    Early on, however, he struggled with imposter syndrome. “I felt like I didn’t belong or wasn’t good enough to contribute meaningfully toward our goals,” said Olley. “I overcame that feeling by taking a chance and sharing my thoughts on a work process.” 
    To his surprise, his team embraced the idea—and implemented it. That moment became a turning point, eventually leading to Olley becoming one of the office leaders for a wellness initiative called Better toGether—a creative nod to their office code, “BG.” The program was designed to promote physical and mental well-being in the workplace through activities like NASA Moves, an agencywide challenge that encourages employees to track their steps and commit to at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day. Twice a week, Olley leads brief team meetings focused on desk-friendly wellness tips such as stretches to prevent carpal tunnel and improve posture.  

    As NASA looks toward the Moon and Mars through Artemis, Olley is focused on uplifting the Artemis Generation. 
    “I want to pass on my perspective on Johnson’s mission: Dare, Unite, and Explore,” he said. “DARE to take on the challenge and face it head on, UNITE with your peers, and never be afraid to EXPLORE the unknown.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA to Kick Off 31st Annual Rover Competition

    Source: NASA

    NASA’s annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge returns Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, with student teams competing at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge course near the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
    Media are invited to watch as hundreds of students from around the world attempt to navigate a complex obstacle course by piloting a vehicle of their own design and production. Media interested in attending or setting up interviews should contact Taylor Goodwin in the Marshall Office of Communications at 938-210-2891 no later than 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10. 
    In addition to the traditional human-powered rover division, this year’s competition expands the challenge to include a remote-control division. The 2025 HERC Handbook includes guidelines for the new remote-control division and updates for the human-powered division.
    Participating teams represent 35 colleges and universities, 38 high schools, and two middle schools from 20 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 other nations.
    The event is free and open to the public, with rover excursions from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT each day, or until the last rover completes the obstacle course. 
    Following the competition, NASA will host an in-person awards ceremony Saturday, April 12, at 5:30 p.m. inside the Space Camp Operations Center at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. NASA and industry sponsors will present multiple awards highlighting team successes throughout the past eight-months-long engineering design project, including awards for best rover design, best pit crew, best social media presence, and many other accomplishments. 
    About the Challenge Recognized as NASA’s leading international student challenge, the Human Exploration Rover Challenge aims to put competitors in the mindset of NASA’s Artemis campaign.  Teams pitch an engineering design for a lunar rover which simulates astronauts exploring the lunar surface while overcoming various obstacles. Eligible teams compete to be among the top three finishers in their divisions, and to win multiple awards, including best vehicle design, best rookie team, and more.  
    The annual challenge draws hundreds of students from around the world and reflects the goals of NASA’s Artemis campaign, which will establish the first long-term presence on the Moon and pave the way for eventual missions to Mars. 
    The event was launched in 1994 as the NASA Great Moonbuggy Race – a collegiate competition to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. It expanded in 1996 to include high school teams, evolving again in 2014 into the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Since its inception, more than 15,000 students have participated – with many former students now working in the aerospace industry, including with NASA.   
    The Human Exploration Rover Challenge is managed by NASA Marshall’s Southeast Regional Office of STEM Engagement and is one of eight Artemis Student Challenges. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement uses challenges and competitions to further the agency’s goal of encouraging students to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  
    To learn more about the challenge, visit: 
    https://www.nasa.gov/roverchallenge/
    Taylor Goodwin 256-544-0034Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabamataylor.goodwin@nasa.gov

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