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Category: Transport

  • MIL-Evening Report: Dan McGarry: Marc Neil-Jones is dead. His legacy lives on.

    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –

    In Bislama, they say, “Wan nambanga i foldaon“.

    A great tree has fallen.

    The nambanga, or banyan tree, is the centrepiece of many a Vanuatu village. Its massive network of boughs provides shade, shelter and strength. I’ve only ever seen one knocked down, and that was in the wake of category 5 cyclone Pam in 2015, whose 250 kph winds had never been seen before or since in Vanuatu.

    The blow on hearing of Marc’s passing this week feels the same.

    In fairness, Marc Neil-Jones was often more like the wind than the tree. He’s knocked a lot of stuff over since he arrived in Vanuatu in 1989 with a few thousand bucks in his pocket, a Mac and a laser printer.

    He also built the nation’s newspaper of record, and a tradition of fairness and truth in the media.

    One of my first tasks as Marc’s successor as editor-in-chief at the Vanuatu Daily Post was overseeing coverage of the 2015 bribery trial that saw more than half of the MPs in Sato Kilman’s government convicted and sentenced. The saga had started with a front page photo, showing a hand-high stack of money — a bribe offered to an MP in exchange for his vote to oust the current PM and install Moana Carcasses.

    On the witness stand, former Speaker Philip Boedoro was asked, “Why did you send the photo to the Daily Post? Why didn’t you just report it to the police?”

    “Because I knew if people saw it in the Daily Post, they would know it was true,” he replied.

    That’s a hell of a thing to say on the stand, and the fact that he could say it is indelible evidence of Neil-Jones’ legacy.

    Marc was fearless, a swashbuckler in the truest sense. If he smelt a story, he’d swoop in on it, and the devil take the hindmost. His friends are fond of recalling how he broke up an international drug smuggling operation, exposing more than 500 kg of heroin buried in a local beach, and still made it to the kava bar on time.

    Marc’s impact on the political scene was undeniable. But far too often, he paid for his courage with blood. He’s been assaulted with fists and furniture, attacked incessantly in the courts and even briefly deported.

    In 2011, he was brutally assaulted by then-Minister Harry Iauko and a truckload of henchmen, including current MP Jay Ngwele. I went to check on Marc two days later. He related how it had all played out with trademark bravado, then he chuckled as he turned to go, and said, ‘I’m getting too old for this.’

    He tried to laugh it off, but I could see in his eyes that this time was different. Eyewitnesses told me they felt that if Ngwele hadn’t convinced Iauko to relent, he might have killed him then and there.

    Trauma, age and hard living took their toll. In 2015, he announced he was going to retire from the newsroom. Marc had struggled to cope with type 1 diabetes throughout his life, and the daily stress of running the paper was affecting both body and mind.

    Marc Neil-Jones and Dan McGarry in Port Vila’s Secret Garden in 2016. Image: Del Abcede/Asia Pacific Report

    I took over the newsroom in interesting times. The pressure was intense and immediate, but Marc’s staff were more than equal to the challenge, and made my life far easier than it might have been. Due to the paper’s reputation as a bastion of fairness and honest reporting, it attracted the best that Vanuatu had to offer.

    When I joined it, there was well over a century and a half of experience in the room.

    Personally and professionally, Marc was not the easiest person to deal with. He was driven by passion, and impulse often preceded insight. More than one editorial meeting ended in fury.

    A close friend of his described him as “a unique combination of complete arsehole and loyal mate all wrapped up in a British accent and long hair”.

    That was Marc. He made you love him or hate him. Those who knew him best did both, and measure for measure, matched his fierce devotion.

    I choose to remember Marc as a giant. His shadow still looms across the Pacific, causing corrupt politicians to cast a nervous glance over their shoulder, emboldening those of us who still carry his passion for the truth.

    But today, his loss feels like a gaping hole, an absence where once a mighty nambanga stood.

    Republished from Dan McGarry’s Village Explainer with permission.

    This article was first published on Café Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press Release of the General Secretariat of the Synod and Letter on the Accompaniment Process of the Implementation Phase of the Synod

    Source: The Holy See

    Press Release of the General Secretariat of the Synod and Letter on the Accompaniment Process of the Implementation Phase of the Synod, 15.03.2025
    Press Release from the General Secretariat of the Synod
    (Saturday 15 March 2025)
    The General Secretariat of the Synod has sent to all Bishops and Eparchs and, through them, to the entire “Holy People of God” entrusted to their care, a Letter on the accompaniment process of the implementation phase of the Synod «For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission».
    This process of accompaniment and evaluation of the implementation phase, coordinated by the General Secretariat of the Synod, was approved by Pope Francis. The Holy Father requested its dissemination to the local Churches and groupings of Churches.
    Several significant meetings for evaluating the progress made in the implementation phase will conclude in 2028 with an ecclesial Assembly in Rome.
    ***
    Letter on the Accompaniment Process of the Implementation Phase of the Synod
    (Vatican, 15 March 2025)
    To the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches
    To all Bishops and Eparchs
    To the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences
    To the Presidents of the International Meetings of Episcopal Conferences
    Your Beatitude, Eminence, Excellency,
    Dear Brother in Christ,
    in a spirit of communion and co-responsibility, I write to you and to the holy People of God entrusted to your care regarding the implementation phase of the Synod «For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission». The Holy Father hopes that this phase, as outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Episcopalis Communio (n. 7, arts. 19-21), receives particular attention so that synodality is increasingly understood and lived as an essential dimension of the ordinary life of local Churches and the entire Church.
    On 11 March, the Holy Father definitively approved the start of a process of accompaniment and evaluation of the implementation phase by the General Secretariat of the Synod. This process calls upon Dioceses and Eparchies, Episcopal Conferences, and the hierarchical structures of the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as their continental groupings. They will be responsible for engaging institutes of consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, lay associations, ecclesial movements, and new communities present in their territories. It will ultimately culminate in the celebration of an ecclesial assembly in the Vatican in October 2028. For now, therefore, a new Synod will not be convened; instead, the focus will be on consolidating the path taken so far.
    In the Accompanying Note to the Final Document of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Holy Father had already specified that it «is part of the ordinary magisterium of the Successor of Peter» and and, as such, must be received accordingly. He went on to explain that it is not strictly normative but nonetheless calls on the Churches to make consistent choices. In particular, «the local Churches and groupings of Churches are now called upon to implement, in their different contexts, the authoritative proposals contained in the Document through the processes of discernment and decision-making provided for by law and by the Document itself».
    In light of these indications, therefore, the implementation phase of the Synod should be understood not as merely the “application” of directives from above, but rather as a process of “reception” of the orientations expressed in the Final Document, adapted appropriately to local cultures and the needs of communities. At the same time, it is essential to move forward together as the whole Church, harmonizing this reception across different ecclesial contexts. This is the reason for the process of accompaniment and evaluation, which in no way diminishes the responsibility of each Church.
    In line with the indications of the Final Document, the aim is to concretely realize the perspective of the exchange of gifts between Churches and within the whole Church concrete (cf. nn. 120-121). Along the way, everyone will be able to benefit from the richness and creativity of the paths taken by local Churches, gathering the fruits in their territorial groupings (Provinces, Episcopal Conferences, International Meetings of Episcopal Conferences, etc.). The process will also be an opportunity to evaluate together the choices made at the local level and recognize the progress made in terms of synodality (cf. n. 9). Thanks to this process, the Holy Father will be able to listen to and confirm the orientations deemed valid for the whole Church (cf. nn. 12 and 131). Finally, this process provides the framework within which to place the many and diverse initiatives for implementing the orientations of the Synod, particularly the results of the work of the Study Groups and the contributions of the Canonical Commission.
    It is of fundamental importance to ensure that the implementation phase serves as an opportunity to re-engage the people who have contributed and to present the fruits gathered from listening to all the Churches and the discernment of the Pastors in the Synodal Assembly: thus, the dialogue already initiated in the listening phase will continue. The process will rely on the work of synodal teams composed of priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, laymen and laywomen, accompanied by their bishop: these are fundamental tools for accompanying the ordinary synodal life of local Churches. For this reason, existing teams should be valued and possibly renewed, idle teams should be reactivated and appropriately integrated. This process will also offer Dioceses that have invested less in the synodal path an opportunity to recover the steps not yet taken and to form their own synodal teams. I invite you to communicate to the Secretariat of the Synod the composition and references of the synodal team of your Diocese or Eparchy, using the form available in the attachment.
    In this context, the announcement of the Jubilee of synodal teams and participatory bodies to be held on 24-26 October 2025, takes on particular significance. thus placing the commitment to building a Church that is increasingly synodal within the horizon of the hope that does not disappoint, which we celebrate in the Jubilee.
    The journey that will lead the whole Church to the celebration of the ecclesial assembly in October 2028 will be structured in such a way as to offer adequate and sustainable times for the implementation of the Synod’s indications, while also providing for some significant moments of evaluation:
    · March 2025: announcement of the accompaniment and evaluation process;
    · May 2025: publication of the Support Document for the implementation phase, with guidelines for its conduct;
    · June 2025 – December 2026: implementation paths in local Churches and their groupings;
    · 24-26 October 2025: Jubilee of synodal teams and participatory bodies;
    · first half of 2027: evaluation Assemblies in Dioceses and Eparchies;
    · second half of 2027: evaluation Assemblies in national and international Episcopal Conferences, Eastern hierarchical structures, and other groupings of Churches;
    · first half of 2028: continental evaluation Assemblies;
    · June 2028: publication of the Instrumentum laboris for the works of the ecclesial Assembly in October 2028;
    · October 2028: celebration of the ecclesial Assembly in the Vatican.
    As of now, the General Secretariat of the Synod is committed to accompanying and supporting the Churches on this journey.
    Your Beatitude, Eminence, Excellency,
    with this letter, I am informing you of the start of this journey before it is made public. Until then, the information contained in this letter should be considered confidential. By the end of May, we will send further communications to the Churches with more details regarding the methodology and operational procedures of the journey.
    Without the impetus of diocesan and eparchial bishops, a process like the one outlined here would not even be imaginable. As of now, I would like to express my sincere thanks to you, your collaborators, and your synodal team for your commitment to advancing a journey that is particularly close to the Holy Father’s heart, for whose health we are all praying together in these weeks.
    I greet you fraternally in the Lord, wishing you and the Church of which you are Pastor a fruitful journey toward the upcoming Easter.
    Mario Card. Grech
    Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Moroccan National Arrested for Being an Illegal Alien in Possession of Ammunition

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    BOSTON – A Moroccan national residing in Medford has been charged for unlawfully possessing ammunition as an illegal alien.

    Ayoud Haddad, 24, was charged with one count of unlawful or illegal alien in possession of ammunition. Haddad was arrested yesterday and was ordered detained pending an hearing scheduled for March 17, 2025 in federal court in Worcester. 

    According to the charging documents, Haddad, a Moroccan national, is an alien who was admitted into the United State on or about April 12, 2012, on a B-2 non-immigrant visa. Haddad’s visa was obtained by his parent on his behalf as he was a minor at the time. His visa expired on Oct. 12, 2012. 

    In the afternoon of June 6, 2024, law enforcement responded to several calls reporting shots fired outside a multi-floor apartment complex in Lawrence. Surveillance footage identified one of the vehicles believed to be allegedly involved in the shooting – a white BMW leased to Haddad. Surveillance footage also allegedly identified Haddad as the driver of the vehicle. When stopped by law enforcement on June 8, 2024, Haddad was driving the BMW which authorities had towed. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a rifle with no serial number and 20 pieces of live .223 Remington Bronze full metal jacket rifle rounds under the hood.

    In 2019, Haddad was arrested and charged by the state with carrying a firearm without a license; receiving a firearm with a defaced serial number; possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance; conspiracy to violate the drug laws; and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. It is alleged that, in or about March 2019, Haddad, was encountered by federal immigration authorities while being held at a correctional facility on these charges because his B-2 visitor visa had expired. According to the charging documents, the firearms charges were dismissed on June 10, 2019 and the remaining charges were dismissed by nolle prosequi on Sept. 4, 2020 after a period of “general continuance.”

    The charge of unlawful or illegal alien in possession of ammunition provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon competition of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston; Acting Lawrence Police Chief Millix Bonilla; and Medford Police Chief Jack D. Buckley made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Wholly foreign-owned hospital granted license in Shanghai

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    DeltaHealth Hospital·Shanghai has been granted an operating license in Shanghai, making it the city’s first wholly foreign-owned hospital and China’s first foreign-owned cardiovascular specialty hospital.
    The license for wholly foreign-owned medical institutions was issued by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission on Friday, as the latest development following China’s expanded opening-up policy in the healthcare sector.
    The hospital, established as a joint venture in 2016, specializes in cardiovascular care and was included in Shanghai’s medical insurance system in 2018.
    In May 2024, Swire Pacific Limited completed a transaction to become the largest shareholder of DeltaHealth.
    In September 2024, China issued notice of the pilot program for expanding opening up in the healthcare sector, with Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin designated among the nine provinces and municipalities to launch wholly foreign-funded hospital trials.
    Experts believe this will help bring advanced medical technologies and services from overseas, meeting the growing demand for high-quality healthcare in China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sea eagle management boost

    Source: Scottish Government

    Further support to help farmers and crofters.

    Livestock farmers and crofters impacted by sea eagle predation will benefit from further support to help with the management and trial of new methods of prevention of livestock loss.  

    White-tailed eagles predate lambs and young sheep in some locations  which continues to have a significant emotional and financial impact on affected farming and crofting businesses.

    The Scottish Government will provide NatureScot with an additional £534,000 taking the total for the 2025-26 Sea Eagle Management Scheme to £970,000 ensuring more support for those worst impacted.

    This will allow the maximum standard measures payment of £1,500 to help with increased shepherding and monitoring to be increased to £1,800. The cap for the contribution to enhanced measures payment will double from £5,000 to £10,000 which will help increase the time spent by shepherds in the lambing parks during the period of lambing.

    There will also be additional support provided to be shared by farms most severely impacted and which wish to develop more bespoke approaches including indoor lambing to reduce the risk of predation.

    Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said:

    “We recognise that we need to ensure a balanced approach where species such as white tailed eagles come into conflict with agricultural activity especially sheep farming. The emotional and financial impacts for those worst affected cannot be underestimated.

    “I’ve been working with officials and NatureScot, as well as listening to the views of producers, to agree a way forward that allows our valued farmers and crofters to continue to successfully work the land at the same time as living alongside the sea eagle population.

    “With lambing season upon us again I hope this increase in support will help mitigate the impact and manage the tension between wildlife conservation efforts and our vital farming communities.”

    Robbie Kernahan, NatureScot Director of the Green Economy, said:

    “We welcome the Scottish Government’s increase in funding for this year’s Sea Eagle Management Scheme (SEMS), which will more than double the existing £436,000 available.

    “We are pleased to confirm that agreements will be extended or offered on that basis, with the focus being on those carrying out enhanced measures. New applicants and those with existing agreements will be contacted shortly with details of this year’s arrangements and payments. There will also be additional funding available to develop and test more in-depth management techniques for those suffering significant impacts.

    “We are committed to helping land managers to live alongside our most treasured and protected species. This additional funding clearly recognises that predation of livestock by sea eagles can have an impact on farms and crofts and this underpins commitments to support and offset the costs of farming and crofting in the presence of sea eagles.”

    Background

    Species reintroductions – Wildlife management – gov.scot

    Sea Eagle Management Scheme | NatureScot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: VALUE LINE, INC. ANNOUNCES EARNINGS FOR FIRST NINE MONTHS OF FISCAL 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Value Line, Inc., (NASDAQ: VALU) reported strong financial results:

    • During the nine months ended January 31, 2025, the Company’s net income of $16,735,000, or $1.78 per share, was 17.6% above net income of $14,232,000, or $1.51 per share, for the nine months ended January 31, 2024.
       
    • During the nine months ended January 31, 2025, Value Line’s income of $13,781,000 from its non-voting revenues interest in Eulav Asset Management (“EAM”) and non-voting profits interest in EAM increased $4,440,000 or 47.5% above the prior fiscal year.
       
    • For the nine months ended January 31, 2025, the Company’s total investment gains of $3,557,000 increased $1,872,000, or 111.1% above the prior fiscal year.
       
    • Retained earnings at January 31, 2025, were $112,508,000, an increase of 7.9% compared to retained earnings at April 30, 2024.
       
    • Shareholders’ equity reached $98,950,000 at January 31, 2025, an increase of 9.0% from the shareholders’ equity of $90,793,000 as of April 30, 2024.

    The Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q has been filed with the SEC and is available on the Company’s website at www.valueline.com/About/corporate_filings.aspx. Shareholders may receive a printed copy, free of charge upon request to the Company at the address above, Attn: Corporate Secretary.

    Value Line, Inc. is a leading New York based provider of investment research. The Value Line Investment Survey is one of the most widely used sources of independent equity investment research. Value Line also publishes a range of proprietary investment research in both print and digital formats including research in the areas of Mutual Funds, ETFs and Options. Value Line’s acclaimed research also enables the Company to provide specialized products such as Value Line Select, The Value Line Special Situations Service, Value Line Select ETFs, Value Line Select: Dividend Income & Growth, The New Value Line ETFs Service, The Value Line M&A Service, Information You Should Know Wealth Newsletter, The Value Line Climate Change Investing Service and certain Value Line copyrights, distributed under agreements including certain proprietary ranking system information and other proprietary information used in third party products. Value Line’s products are available to individual investors by mail, at www.valueline.com or by calling 1-800-VALUELINE or 1-800-825-8354, while institutional-level services for professional investors, advisers, corporate, academic, and municipal libraries are offered at www.ValueLinePro.com, www.ValueLineLibrary.com and by calling 1-800-531-1425.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    In this report, “Value Line,” “we,” “us,” “our” refers to Value Line, Inc. and “the Company” refers to Value Line and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.

    This report contains statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions (including certain projections and business trends) accompanied by such phrases as “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “intend” and other similar or negative expressions, that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Actual results for Value Line, Inc. (“Value Line” or “the Company”) may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the following:

    • maintaining revenue from subscriptions for the Company’s digital and print published products;
    • changes in investment trends and economic conditions, including global financial issues;
    • changes in Federal Reserve policies affecting interest rates and liquidity along with resulting effects on equity markets;
    • stability of the banking system, including the success of U.S. government policies and actions in regard to banks with liquidity or capital issues, along with the associated impact on equity markets;
    • continuation of orderly markets for equities and corporate and governmental debt securities;
    • problems protecting intellectual property rights in Company methods and trademarks;
    • protecting confidential information including customer confidential or personal information that we may possess;
    • dependence on non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EULAV Asset Management, a Delaware statutory trust (“EAM” or “EAM Trust”), which serves as the investment advisor to the Value Line Funds and engages in related distribution, marketing and administrative services;
    • fluctuations in EAM’s and third party copyright assets under management due to broadly based changes in the values of equity and debt securities, market sector variations, redemptions by investors and other factors;
    • possible changes in the valuation of EAM’s intangible assets from time to time;
    • possible changes in future revenues or collection of receivables from significant customers;
    • dependence on key executive and specialist personnel;
    • risks associated with the outsourcing of certain functions, technical facilities, and operations, including in some instances outside the U.S.;
    • risks of potential tariffs and other restrictions affecting the cost and availability of materials, equipment, and other necessary inputs to the Company’s operations;
    • competition in the fields of publishing, copyright and investment management, along with associated effects on the level and structure of prices and fees, and the mix of services delivered;
    • the impact of government regulation on the Company’s and EAM’s businesses;
    • federal and/or state legislative changes that might affect Value Line’s business;
    • the availability of free or low cost investment information through discount brokers or generally over the internet;
    • the economic and other impacts of global political and military conflicts;
    • continued availability of generally dependable energy supplies and transportation facilities in the geographic areas in which the company and certain suppliers operate;
    • terrorist attacks, cyber attacks and natural disasters;
    • the need for changes in our business plans because of unexpected events that occur;
    • widespread illnesses which may drastically affect markets, employment, and other economic conditions, and may have additional unpredictable impacts on employees, suppliers, customers, and operations;
    • changes in prices and availability of materials and other inputs and services, such as freight and postage, required by the Company;
    • other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2024 and in Part II, Item 1A of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2025; and other risks and uncertainties arising from time to time.

    These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors which may involve external factors over which we may have no control could also have material adverse effects on future results. Likewise, changes we make in our plans, objectives, strategies, or intentions, which may occur at any time in our discretion, could also have material favorable or adverse effects on our future results. Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in periodic reports required to be filed by public companies with the SEC pursuant to the SEC’s rules, we have no duty to update these statements, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, current plans, anticipated actions, and future financial conditions and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking information contained herein.

    Contact: Howard A. Brecher                                         
    Value Line, Inc.
    212-907-1500

    www.valueline.com
    www.ValueLinePro.com, www.ValueLineLibrary.com
    Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter
    Complimentary Value Line® Reports on Dow 30 Stocks

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Castellum Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock and Warrants

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Va., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Castellum, Inc. (the “Company” or “Castellum”) (NYSE-American: CTM), a cybersecurity, electronic warfare, and software services company focused on the federal government, today announced that it intends to offer and sell shares of its common stock and warrants exercisable into shares of the Company’s common stock, in a public offering. All of the shares of common stock are being offered by Castellum. Castellum initially intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. Consummation of the offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

    Maxim Group LLC is acting as the sole placement agent for the offering on a reasonable best-efforts basis.

    A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-284205) relating to the securities being offered was previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and became effective on January 24, 2025. The shares may be offered only by means of a prospectus. A preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the public offering are being filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the public offering may also be obtained by contacting Maxim Group LLC, at 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Prospectus Department, or by telephone at (212) 895-3745 or by email at syndicate@maximgrp.com. Before you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference therein, for more complete information about the Company and the proposed offering. The final terms of the offering will be disclosed in a final prospectus supplement to be filed with the SEC.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

    About Castellum, Inc.

    Castellum, Inc. (NYSE-American: CTM) is a defense-oriented technology company that is executing strategic acquisitions in the cybersecurity, MBSE, and information warfare areas – http://castellumus.com/.

    Forward-Looking Statements:

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. Words such as “will,” “would,” “believe,” and “expects,” and similar language or phrasing are indicative of forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ (sometimes materially) from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: the Company’s ability to close the described equity offering ; its ability to effectively integrate and grow its acquired companies; its ability to identify additional acquisition targets and close additional acquisitions; the impact on the Company’s revenue due to a delay in the U.S. Congress approving a federal budget; and the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of its common stock on the NYSE American LLC. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s recently filed Form 10-Q, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which can be viewed at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties, or not closing the described potential debt financing in this press release, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise.

    Contact:

    Glen Ives
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Phone: (703) 752-6157
    Contact: Info@castellumus.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77c7240e-45a9-4c58-8e4f-2318bab1b4df

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Concerned Stockholders Prevail in Delaware Court; Obtain Stockholder List Necessary for Robust Proxy Solicitation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delaware Judge Orders Ionic Digital to Immediately Provide Stockholder List

    Despite Ionic’s Continued Misrepresentations, Delaware Court Finds that Plaintiffs are Not “Surrogates” or “Shills” for Figure Markets and GXD Labs

    SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As a result of nearly six months of persistence, three determined stockholders of Ionic Digital Inc. (“Ionic Digital” or the “Company”), Tony Vejseli, Chris Villinger, and Brett Perry (collectively, the “Concerned Stockholders”) today announced that they have successfully obtained a Court order directing Ionic digital to provide a copy of the Company’s list of stockholders for the purposes of soliciting votes for their nominees in the ongoing proxy contest ahead of the Company’s first annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).

    Yesterday afternoon, Delaware Vice Chancellor Bonnie David ruled in favor of the Concerned Stockholders, ordering the Company to immediately provide a list of the Company’s stockholders and other necessary contact information to the Concerned Stockholders’ proxy solicitor, Saratoga Proxy Consulting LLC. This is an important victory for all Ionic stockholders and is the first step towards ensuring a free and fair election for the open seats on the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the Annual Meeting. The Concerned Stockholders’ proxy solicitor will now be able to contact all Ionic stockholders directly to solicit their votes in favor of their highly-qualified nominees.

    It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Ionic Digital continues to misrepresent basic facts to its stockholders. Despite Ionic Digital’s continued insistence that the Concerned Stockholders are merely being used by Figure Markets Holdings, Inc. and GXD Labs, LLC to advance their own economic interests, the Delaware Court of Chancery (the “Delaware Court”) in fact found:

    • “[T]hat the plaintiffs are not simply ‘proxies,’ ‘surrogates,’ or ‘shills’ for Figure Markets and GXD;”
    • “[T]hat each of the plaintiffs here seeks the stock list materials because he sincerely wants to run a proxy contest to improve governance at the company. Each of the plaintiffs has credible reasons for that purpose. The stockholders want greater transparency and liquidity for their shares, which have not traded for over a year; and numerous changes to Ionic’s directors, officers, and auditor raise questions about the company’s governance and strategic direction;”
    • “Ionic suggests that Vejseli does not truly seek to represent the interests of Ionic stockholders, and instead has ‘lent his name’ to the demand… But it is clear to me, both from Vejseli’s testimony and the larger record, that that is not the case;” and
    • “I find that the plaintiffs’ stated purposes are sincere, their own, and therefore proper.” (emphases added)

    The Company’s recent press release also conveniently ignores the fact that Figure Markets and GXD Labs already agreed in the fall of 2024 that they would not receive or have access to any stocklist materials shared with the requesting stockholders. Discussions on the stockholder list NDA only broke down due to Ionic Digital’s unreasonable insistence on the inclusion of a no “Outside Funds Provision” in the NDA – i.e., a provision barring financial support from third parties for the proxy contest and related legal efforts. The Delaware Court did not find the no Outside Funds Provision to be reasonable or appropriate, stating instead “I see no basis to impose the onerous Outside Funds Provision that Ionic seeks.” (emphasis added). Instead, the Company forced the Concerned Stockholders to commence litigation in the Delaware Court in order to compel it to comply with Delaware law, when these matters could have been resolved months ago.

    Stockholders are invited to read the full transcript of the telephonic ruling here.

    While this is an important victory for Ionic Digital stockholders, the fight for a free and fair election at the Annual Meeting – where stockholders will have a real choice in who represents them on the Board – is not over. Certain of the Concerned Stockholders have filed a class action Complaint in the Delaware Court of Chancery contesting the reduction of the size of the Board, alleging that the Board breached its fiduciary duties by improperly shrinking its size in an attempt to entrench the incumbent directors and block stockholders from having a chance to effect real change at the Company. There also remains a debate around the appropriate quorum for the Annual Meeting. The Company has further challenged the validity of the Concerned Stockholders’ nominations, which the Concerned Stockholders believe were improperly rejected by the Board. The Concerned Stockholders will continue to fight to defend their nominations. These issues will be heard by the Delaware Court at a trial scheduled to be held on May 8th. Because of the importance of deciding these issues ahead of the Annual Meeting, we asked the Delaware Court to require, and the Company conceded, that the Annual Meeting will not be held until after a ruling is rendered in the Class Action litigation.

    The Concerned Stockholders will continue to post informational updates on their website and encourage their fellow stockholders to vote for their TWO nominees on the GOLD proxy card at www.ionicvote.com today!

    The Concerned Stockholders are committed to a free and fair election, where all Ionic Digital stockholders have a real choice in who represents them in the boardroom.  

    This is the chance for Ionic stockholders to finally have their voices heard!

    About the Nominating Stockholders’ Nominees

    Oliver Wiener is a Founder and Managing Partner of Kensington Merchant Partners, an investment management and corporate development advisory business focused on Financials, Fintech, Insurance, Insuretech, and Blockchain verticals, and has over 20 years of financial and investment experience, with a focus on the technology, blockchain, and fintech industries. Mr. Wiener currently serves on the board of directors of Chain Bridge I, a publicly-traded SPAC, and The National Security Group, Inc., an insurance holding company. Mr. Wiener is a founding team member of investment bank BTIG.

    Michael Abbate currently serves as an advisor to Figure Markets Holdings, Inc. (“Figure Markets”) and is a seasoned investor in the bitcoin mining, AI data center, and energy infrastructure industries. As a former Managing Partner of NovaWulf Digital Management, LP, Mr. Abbate led the stalking horse bid in the Celsius Network LLC bankruptcy and is intimately familiar with Ionic Digital’s assets and the Company’s current business structure. In addition, Mr. Abbate has over 20 years of experience in complex corporate restructuring as a Partner of investment firm King Street Capital Management.

    Contact Information 

    Saratoga Proxy Consulting LLC 
    John Ferguson / Ann Marie Mellone 
    (888) 368-0379 
    (212) 257-1311 
    info@saratogaproxy.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: JELU Coin Introduces Multi-Chain Presale, Staking Rewards, and Referral Incentives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, March 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JELU Coin, a new cryptocurrency inspired by jelly, has entered the presale market with features that go beyond the typical meme coin approach. While it carries a playful theme, the project behind it includes technical components aimed at expanding its use and accessibility.

    JELU Coin is designed to work across multiple blockchain networks. It supports Ethereum (ETH), Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Base, Polygon, Optimism (OP), Avalanche, and Arbitrum. This allows users to participate in the presale using different networks and transaction methods, including USDT, USDC, and credit cards. The flexibility in payment options is intended to make participation easier for a wider audience.

    Unlike many presale projects where users must buy tokens to earn referral bonuses, JELU Coin offers an alternative. Anyone who shares a referral link can receive 5% of the purchases made by others through their link. This feature makes it possible for more people to participate in the project’s promotion without an upfront investment.

    JELU Coin offers a staking system where early participants can earn up to 300% in rewards. Staking is designed to provide additional incentives for those who hold the coin during its initial phase.

    A cashback event is also planned for presale buyers. Instead of storing transaction data on a separate server, JELU Coin records cashback details directly on the blockchain. This method allows users to verify event-related transactions on their own.

    The JELU Coin project includes plans for an exchange that combines features of both centralized and decentralized trading platforms. It will allow cryptocurrency transactions without requiring users to complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) process. According to the project team, the exchange is close to completion and will be launched after the presale ends.

    In addition, JELU Coin is developing a security-focused wallet designed to protect assets and user data. The wallet will be compatible with thousands of services, giving users a way to manage their holdings within the broader digital asset space.

    JELU Coin presents itself as more than just a meme coin by incorporating elements that aim to increase its functionality. The presale structure, multi-chain capabilities, referral incentives, and upcoming exchange are all part of a broader effort to create a cryptocurrency that offers more than a branding concept. With the presale ongoing and future developments in progress, it remains to be seen how JELU Coin will fit into the evolving digital asset market.

    Users can visit the official website https://www.jelu.io/ for more information.

    About Company:
    JELU OÜ is a cryptocurrency company focused on developing blockchain-based financial tools. Its projects include a multi-chain token, staking options, and an upcoming hybrid exchange. The company aims to provide accessible digital asset solutions with a focus on user engagement and security.

    Media Contact
    Company Name: JELU OÜ
    Contact Person: James
    Email: contact@jelu.io
    Website: https://www.jelu.io/

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by JELU OÜ. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82b1192e-efc0-41dd-964e-2b9830d41819

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government must close Glasgow company aiding Russia say Greens

    Source: Scottish Greens

    15 Mar 2025 External Affairs

    The UK must close the loopholes in the sanctions placed on Russia.

    More in External Affairs

    The UK Government must take action to end the operations of a Glasgow-based company key to Russia’s gas exports says Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer.

    Writing to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP, Greer accused unethical businesses of exploiting loopholes in the sanctions placed on Russia and supporting their brutal invasion of Ukraine.

    Raising the example of Seapeak Maritime Ltd, based in Glasgow and London, Greer noted that the company operates seven oil tankers which export Russian liquified natural gas from Siberia to Europe. 

    Mr Greer said:

    “It’s been three years since Russia launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine, and over a decade since they seized Crimea. Their brutal and illegal war has left hundreds of thousands dead or wounded and forced many more to flee for safety. 

    “Scotland has taken a firm position in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, but Seapeak operating from an office in Glasgow shames and undermines our efforts. 

    “The Russian war machine is dependent in no small part on the profits made by their gas exports. I’m glad the UK Government has sanctioned many individuals and companies who have aided the Kremlin, but for some reason Seapeak remains untouched. They’ve made a fortune from shipping gas out of Russia, throwing a lifeline to Putin’s war economy as a result.

    “It’s time for Seapeak’s operations here to be shut down and their ships sanctioned. Ukraine desperately needs our help if it is to survive the Russian onslaught and Trump’s betrayal. The least we do is stop companies based here from enabling Putin’s regime.”

    The Green MSP has worked with Ukrainian NGO Razom We Stand since the full-scale invasion began and it was through their efforts that Seapeak’s activities were uncovered.

    Speaking on behalf of Razom We Stand, founder and executive director of the organisation, Svitlana Romanko says:

    “Three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine, we are disheartened to see that the UK and Scottish governments still allow Glasgow-based Seapeak to bring Russian gas to Europe and profit from this ongoing gas trade.

    “Let’s be brutally honest – the fossil fuel industry choosing blood money over basic human decency comes as no surprise to anyone. Every tanker of Russian gas that sets sail spits in the face of both morality and global security. They’re just counting their cash while Ukraine burns. 

    “With Seapeak’s vessels openly trading Russian LNG on the spot market, without constraints, both the UK and Scottish governments’ continued inaction is nothing short of complicity. There’s no grey area here – this is brazen war profiteering happening in Glasgow, right inside Britain itself. 

    “Each day the British and Scottish governments hesitate to curtail this home-based trade only serves to strengthen Putin’s ability to wage his war against Ukraine and Europe. 

    “This Arctic gas that Seapeak transports, represents a double catastrophe; funding Russian aggression in Ukraine and unleashing enormous carbon emissions making a mockery of our climate commitments. 

    “And it’s not only about Ukraine. The Kremlin’s continued efforts to expand its gas export infrastructure in the Arctic leads to environmental devastation and massive carbon emissions, directly undermining the urgently needed response to the climate crisis.”

    Letter to Secretary of State for Business and Trade

    Jonathan Reynolds MP
    Secretary of State for Business and Trade
    By Email

    7th March 2025

    Ending indirect support for Russia via LNG exports

    Dear Jonathan,

    As I’m sure you are aware, Russia’s brutal and illegal war against Ukraine is dependent to a significant extent on the economic returns generated by the export of fossil fuels. Three years into this war governments and businesses across the world, including our own, have adopted a wide range of measures to ensure that they are not complicit in Putin’s horrific crimes through engagement with the Russian energy industry. These measures remain incomplete however, and loopholes are being exploited by businesses who have no objection to supporting the Russian war economy.

    Last year my office was made aware of the case of Seapeak Maritime Ltd, operating out of Glasgow and London. Seapeak is involved with Yamal LNG, Russia’s largest LNG plant, as well as private joint stock company Novatek, their largest LNG exporter and second-largest gas producer.

    Seven LNG tankers, the Yakov Gakkel, Eduard Toll, Nikolay Yevgenov, Vladimir Voronin, Georgiy Ushakov, Rudolf Samoylovich and Seapeak Yamal appear to have been travelling from the Yamal LNG port at Sabetta in Siberia to different European destinations. The Sabetta port is a joint venture of Novatek and the Russian state. All seven of these ships are managed and operated by Seapeak Maritime Ltd and Seapeak Maritime Glasgow Ltd.

    Last year I worked with the Ukrainian NGO Razom We Stand and with Sky News to break this story. To my knowledge, Seapeak’s activities since then have not changed and they continue to play a key role in Russian LNG exports by operating roughly one third of all the tankers used for this work. I commend your expansion of sanctions against Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ and would urge you to take similar action against Seapeak and its fleet immediately.

    I would be happy to provide your officials with further information compiled by my office and Razom We Stand, if that would be of use.

    Best wishes,
    Ross Greer MSP

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Ongoing medical needs amid relentless attacks in eastern Ukraine

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    In eastern Ukraine, Dobropillia, Donetsk oblast (region) — less than 20 kilometres from the frontline — has recently faced some of the worst shelling since the escalation of the war in 2022. As attacks continue, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are working to ensure urgent medical care is available to those caught in the violence.

    “We hear heartbreaking stories from our patients,” says Oleksandr Makarevych, MSF Emergency Manager in Ukraine. “People tell us how they ran out of burning houses. Some were trapped inside their flats as the fire spread and couldn’t escape. One woman told us that her neighbours died in the bathroom, where they tried to hide during the attack.”

    A former city of refuge now faces frequent attacks 

    Dobropillia, a city of miners and farmers, was once home to almost 40,000 people. Now, only 20,000 people remain, despite the growing danger. Because of its location, war-wounded and vulnerable people from nearby towns — including Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, and Kostiantynivka — were evacuated to Dobropillia for emergency medical care. However, now the city is under constant threat. 

    “People are living under permanent stress,” says Thomas Marchese, MSF Programme Director in Ukraine. “Missile attacks have become more frequent. When sirens go off, people have only seconds to reach shelters — and many elderly people, people with disabilities, or families with children cannot make it in time.” 

    “Even in basements, they are not completely safe. If a building collapses, people could be trapped under rubble,” says Marchese. “For the past three years of full-scale war, we’ve witnessed these devastating consequences repeatedly — in Donetsk region, Sumy, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.”

    MSF assisting in medical evacuations

    Since 2022, MSF ambulances have been working closely with Dobropillia’s hospital, helping to transport patients to safer facilities further from the frontlines. Following the massive attack at the beginning of March, which killed 11 people and injured at least 50, MSF ambulance teams referred 25 patients from Dobropillia to hospitals in Dnipro, five of whom were in critical condition. 

    Building destroyed by shelling in Donetsk region.
    MSF

    Among those evacuated was a woman suffering severe burns to her face and eyes, along with blast injuries and head trauma. She and her husband had briefly left Dobropillia to stay with relatives in Dnipro but returned home to collect belongings — when shelling began.

    “There were so many wounded that even the hospital corridors were filled with patients,” says Serhii Tkachenko, MSF feldsher. “[The patient’s] oxygen levels were dangerously low, so we transported her with oxygen support.” 

    Another patient was a young man with an open fracture to his leg, as well as blast injuries, head, and chest trauma. 

    “He ran to help others after the first explosion but was injured when more shells landed,” says Dr Hennadii Kyslytsia, an MSF doctor. “We managed his pain and monitored his vital signs during the referral.”

    Even if the war ends tomorrow, enormous needs will remain 

    What our teams see in Dobropillia is alarming: burned-out apartment blocks, scorched land, and desperate shortages of essential medicines and services. Local authorities continue to call on residents to evacuate. The nearest transit centre for displaced people is in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk oblast, where MSF mobile clinics also operate.

    “Sometimes, patients arrive with severe injuries that were left untreated for two or three days,” says Marchese. “By the time they get to us, their condition is critical.”

    MSF teams will continue to provide emergency care, evacuate the war-wounded, and support hospitals near the frontline. Even if the war ends tomorrow, the humanitarian and medical needs in Ukraine — especially in conflict areas — will remain enormous. People will need housing, access to medical care, and psychological support to recover from trauma and stress.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Highlights Health Care Priorities to CMS Nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, laid out his health care priorities during a hearing to consider Dr. Mehmet Oz’s nomination to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Oz committed to supporting Grassley’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs, strengthen rural health care, help kids with exceptional medical needs, preserve transitional health plans and improve the agency’s responsiveness to Congress.

    Video and excerpts from Grassley follow.

    [embedded content]

    PBMs:

    “I’ve been working to hold pharmacy benefit managers accountable to lower prescription drug costs. I expect you to work with us to hold these powerful drug middlemen accountable and support rural pharmacies.”

    Rural Health Care:

    “I expect you to protect and support access to rural health care. To help achieve this, I believe CMS could take the following actions right away:

    1. Fill the open spots in the Rural Community Hospital demonstration program,
    2. Distribute the new physician residency slots to rural hospitals as the law requires, and
    3. Ensure the Rural Emergency Hospital Program is working for rural communities.”

    Kids with Exceptional Needs:

    “I expect you to take action to improve care and reduce red tape for kids with complex medical needs. This includes working with states so they can establish health homes for these kids, as my bipartisan ACE Kids law enabled.”

    Transitional Health Plans:

    “Since 2013, CMS under Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden have issued non-enforcement memos to allow transitional health plans to be maintained. About 35,000 Iowa farmers and small business owners have maintained health insurance coverage with these plans for over a decade. This is health insurance that was purchased after Obamacare became law, but before it was implemented. I expect you to keep access to these health plans.”

    Waste, Fraud and Abuse:

    “Improper payments in our major health care programs have averaged $122 billion annually over the past five years. I’m the author of major and more recent updates to the federal government’s most powerful tool in fighting fraud, the False Claims Act.

    “Since the enactment of these reforms, the federal government has recovered more than $78 billion lost to fraud. It has saved billions more by deterring would-be fraudsters. CMS with the Justice Department must aggressively go after waste, fraud, and abuse and empower whistleblowers.”

    Congressional Oversight:

    “Oversight allows us to hold bureaucrats accountable to the rule of law, and it helps keep faith with taxpayers. I expect CMS to provide timely and complete responses to congressional oversight.”

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan, Cornyn & Colleagues Introduce Outbound Investment Legislation to Counter China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    03.14.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) and 11 other senators have introduced the Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act, which would safeguard the United States’ national security against the growing threat posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) by prohibiting and requiring notification of U.S. investment in certain technologies in China.

    “Our country’s investments in innovative technology give us an enormous advantage over the Chinese Communist Party,” said Sen. Sullivan. “But this advantage is threatened when American financial institutions invest in CCP-controlled companies that develop technology—like advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonics—that could ultimately be used to kill Americans at home and Marines in the Taiwan Strait. I’m glad to once again join Senator Cornyn on legislation to put safeguards in place to ensure that American investments don’t go to support the nefarious ambitions of dictators around the world.”

    “The threat China poses to the United States’ national and economic security continues to grow, and we have a generational opportunity to confront it with the FIGHT China Act,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By prohibiting and requiring notification of U.S. investments in certain technologies in China, this bill would help ensure American ingenuity, innovation, and investment do not end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party to be weaponized against us. The need to address capital flowing from the U.S. to bad actor nations was first realized during the first Trump administration, and I look forward to finishing what we started then by getting this vital priority over the finish line.”

    Senator Sullivan previously spoke on the Senate floor emphasizing the importance of transparency in foreign investments that could pose a threat to American national security.

    In addition to Senators Sullivan and Cornyn, the FIGHT China Act is cosponsored by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Michael Bennet (D-Col.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Dave McCormick (R-Penn.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and John Fetterman (D-Penn.).

    The FIGHT China Act would cover the following investments:

    • Acquisitions, including of limited partners, equity interest, property, or other assets;
    • Loans and debt financing;
    • Joint ventures;
    • And equity interest or debt conversions.

    The legislation would establish exemptions for:

    • Transactions determined to be de minimis or in the national interest;
    • Investments in securities, derivatives of securities, or made as a limited partner in a venture capital fund, private equity fund, fund of funds, or other pooled investment fund;
    • Ancillary transactions undertaken by a financial institution;
    • Acquisitions of entire assets or entities located outside the PRC;
    • Certain transactions secondary to a covered national security transaction;
    • And certain ordinary or administrative business transactions.

    The legislation would prohibit covered investments in the PRC for development or production of:

    • Certain advanced integrated circuits;
    • Certain AI models capable of a high number of operations;
    • Quantum computers and supercomputers;
    • Materials or components for hypersonics; and
    • Any of these technologies that are on the Munitions List, intended for use with nuclear equipment or facilities, or emerging technologies subject to export controls.

    Lastly, the legislation would require U.S. persons to notify the U.S. Department of the Treasury within 14 days when making a covered investment in the PRC for the development or production of:

    • Any non-prohibited integrated circuit;
    • And any non-prohibited AI system which is used for military, surveillance, cybersecurity, penetration, forensics, or robotic system use or which meets a certain computing standard.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Statement at CMS Nomination Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo delivered the following remarks at a hearing to consider the nomination of Mehmet Oz to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

    As prepared for delivery:

    “Thank you, Dr. Oz, for being here today and for your willingness to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator.

    “My staff and I have enjoyed working with you and your team throughout this committee’s rigorous vetting process, and I appreciate your candor and responsiveness.

    “You have provided significant amounts of documentation to substantiate your tax return positions and followed all applicable law.  You have met the same due diligence standard that has applied to nominees in every previous administration.

    “Thank you for your cooperation throughout this exacting process, and for conducting yourself with kindness and professionalism.  I look forward to continuing our work together.

    “For those outside of Washington, CMS can seem like a bureaucratic black box, largely removed from the everyday challenges facing patients and clinicians. 

    “Dr. Oz, you offer a wealth of firsthand experience and expertise, having studied, practiced and taught as an accomplished physician.  In short, you understand how D.C. legalese looks on the ground and how policy plays out in practice. 

    “That is exactly the mindset we need in a CMS Administrator.

    “From our discussions, you also clearly recognize the importance of this role and the programs CMS manages, along with the tremendous responsibility that taking the helm entails.

    “As the world’s largest health insurer, CMS sets health care coverage and payment policies for tens of millions of Americans and their providers. 

    “Medicare currently enrolls more than 68 million Americans.  Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program comprise close to 80 million.  And more than 24 million consumers have selected individual-market plans. 

    “Over the course of the next 25 years, analysts project the Medicare-aged population will grow by an additional 47 percent, further underscoring the high stakes of CMS policymaking. 

    “Ensuring sustainable, stable and proactive rules of the road for these programs will necessitate a collaborative and constructive approach. 

    “Medicare seniors deserve better prescription drug affordability, along with stronger access to pharmacists and doctors.  This Committee has taken steps to achieve those goals on a broad bipartisan basis, and we look forward to working with you to advance those measures.  This includes pharmaceutical benefit manager reform, a stated priority for President Trump.

    “Your background also offers the ideal experience for guiding efforts to reform our broken clinician payment system, an issue you understand from both a policy standpoint and a pragmatic perspective.  

    “Modernizing federal health care programs will require rethinking our outdated approach to treating the symptoms–rather than the underlying causes–of chronic diseases. 

    “Equipping providers with the training to employ a diverse array of interventions, from nutrition and lifestyle changes to cutting-edge drugs and devices, will save lives and taxpayer dollars.

    “Technological advancements like telehealth also offer an opportunity to reshape health care delivery in rural communities, including in Idaho, where access to basic services remains challenging.

    “Medicare Advantage’s market-driven benefit structure provides seniors with more timely access to these and other novel approaches to care.  Its successes should serve as a model for other federal programs.

    “Similarly, Medicaid’s essential safety-net coverage relies on a balance between state-based flexibilities with key patient protections.  Based on our conversations, I am confident your experience as a physician serving Medicaid beneficiaries will be an asset to CMS. 

    “I look forward to learning more about your vision for how we can work together to strengthen our health care system for patients, providers and taxpayers.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo: No Doubt Dr. Oz is Qualified to be CMS Administrator

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.—At a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to be Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator, Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) highlighted Dr. Oz’s wealth of firsthand experience as an accomplished physician and his clear vision for creating a healthier nation.  Crapo and Dr. Oz discussed how he would address the nation’s chronic disease epidemic, as well as how he might approach reforming payment programs to improve efficiency.

    Crapo concluded the hearing with, “There is no doubt you are qualified to serve as the next Administrator of [CMS], and I look forward to voting in favor of your nomination and am urging all of my colleagues to do the same.”

    View Crapo’s opening statement here, and line of questioning here or above.

    On addressing the chronic disease epidemic

    Crapo: As an accomplished physician, you have firsthand experience with not only the bureaucratic nature of federal government payment programs, but also the impact of the chronic disease epidemic on patients from all walks of life.  I’d be curious if you would expand on your vision for CMS, and how you would integrate nutrition and lifestyle-based interventions into our health care system?

    Dr. Oz: One of the points that I mentioned at the end of my opening comment was that if we gave people, in their hands, tools and resources that are useful, not information, but tactics and support teams that could work with them to improve their wellbeing, many would take advantage of it.

    One tactic that I believe will work quite effectively is that we can get real-time information from physicians and other health providers taking care of patients, and using that real-time information give feedback to people who are worried about their wellbeing.  That’s when they’re more likely to use that advice.  That tool would allow them to both call an expert if they needed that resource.  We provide them tools to do that.  We’d reimburse some of the healthy lifestyles that would be generated by these interactions, and we’d make them an active participant in their wellbeing.  I think that dramatically changes the power dynamic.  It makes the American people feel like they actually can be the world-experts on their wellbeing.

    On payment program reforms

    Crapo: I very strongly agree with your focus on lifestyle-based interventions that can actually help people help themselves to get healthier.  I’m also interested in how you might reform our payment programs to become more efficient to save both patient lives and taxpayer dollars.

    Dr. Oz: We spend about 12 percent of the CMS budget on bureaucratic processes and the administration of the program, and most of that money is taken by middlemen in ways that I don’t think need to be true in the long term.  I believe we have the power right now, with technology that didn’t exist even three or four years ago, to automate a lot of these processes, and preauthorization is a good example.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Introduces Stop CARB Act for 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    Legislation would reduce California’s control over national emissions standards

    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced the Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden Act, or Stop CARB Act, to rein in California’s outsized influence over national emissions standards. For decades, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has used federal waivers under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to set unreasonably stringent emissions standards, forcing businesses and consumers nationwide to comply with California’s radical environmental agenda. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), James Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Justice (R-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Ted Cruz (R-TX). Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX) has introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.  

    “California has abused the Clean Air Act’s waiver provision for years, essentially imposing ridiculous emission standards on the other 49 states,” said Senator Lee. “Fortunately, the rest of the country isn’t governed by far-left extremists like California, and we shouldn’t have to answer to them. By putting an end to this overreach, our legislation will keep costs lower for hardworking American families, increase consumer choice, and restore economic freedom.”

    “The radical liberal state of California should never be able to govern for our great state of Texas,” said Congressman Nehls. “California should not be legislating for the rest of the country. My bill will ensure that California only governs California, not hard-working patriots in my district, by repealing California’s waiver.” 

    In 1970, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, granting California the ability to apply for waivers that allow the state to set emissions standards higher than federal levels. Currently, California holds over 100 active waivers, imposing stringent requirements that affect industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to farming and construction. Other states can adopt these burdensome standards without modification, and 17 states plus the District of Columbia have done so, subjecting nearly half the nation’s new vehicle registrations to California’s draconian rules.

    The Stop CARB Act will:

    • Repeal California’s waiver exemption in Section 209 of the Clean Air Act;
    • Repeal Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, which allows other states to adopt California’s emissions standards; and
    • Nullify any active or pending waivers granted to California.

     The legislation is endorsed by the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), American Petroleum Institute (API), American Trucking Associations (ATA) and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM).

    “California should not be setting what can amount to national emission standards for new motor vehicles and nonroad engines. Yet this is exactly what can happen. If the EPA gets rid of its de facto EV mandate, that’s not the end of the war on gas-powered cars. Among other threats, California has a rule that would kill off gas-powered cars, banning the sale of new gas cars by 2035. There’s nothing de facto about it. The Biden EPA just gave the green light for California to move forward with this car-killing rule. Other states can then adopt the same requirements and even if they don’t, manufacturers may simply adopt the stringent California standards to have a single set of requirements. CEI commends Senator Lee for introducing legislation that would put an end to this attack on our cars and defend consumer freedom. It would do so by finally repealing the special and unjustified treatment California gets under the Clean Air Act. As a result, the extreme and harmful vehicle emission policies of California could no longer set national policy.”  -Daren Bakst, Director, Competitive Enterprise Institute

    “Congress must take the keys away from California regulators whose unachievable EV mandates are undermining our supply chains and derailing the tremendous progress we have made to reduce emissions.  We are grateful for Senator Lee and Representative Nehls’ leadership to restore common sense to our environmental regulations and stopping California from exporting its bad ideas to other states.  We look forward to working with Congress and the Trump Administration to develop realistic, technology-neutral federal emissions standards that will benefit our environment, preserve and create jobs, and set our industry up for success,” -Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the American Trucking Associations.  

    Stop CARB Act: One-pager | Bill text

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn-Supported HALT Fentanyl Act Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which would help keep this deadly drug off of Texas’ streets by permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I before their temporary status expires at the end of March:

    “This legislation is essential to stopping the flow of illicit fentanyl that has infiltrated our nation like a thief in the night and taken hundreds of thousands of innocent lives,” said Sen. Cornyn. “As the clock ticks down, I urge my colleagues in the House to send it to President Trump’s desk without delay, and I appreciate Attorney General Bondi and my Senate colleagues for their efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and make our communities safe again.”

    Background:

    Fentanyl is a controlled substance, and U.S. statute prohibits its use. Illicit drug manufacturers and traffickers sidestep the law by producing fentanyl-related substances – drugs that are substantially similar to fentanyl, but chemically tweaked ever so slightly – to push potent drugs into the U.S. on a technicality. Fentanyl-related overdoses account for nearly 70% of drug overdose deaths nationwide, and fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death for 18-45 year olds.

    To keep pace with rapidly evolving drugs and combat the epidemic of opioid-related deaths, in 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the leadership of President Trump, temporarily restricted all fentanyl-related substances. Since then, Congress has repeatedly extended President Trump’s temporary scheduling order. The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently extend the 2018 Schedule I classification for fentanyl-related substances, which is set to expire on March 31, 2025.

    The HALT Fentanyl Act was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Sen. Cornyn serves on, by a bipartisan vote of 16-5 on Feb. 27, 2025. Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget have endorsed the legislation.

    The HALT Fentanyl Act would:

    1. Amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently classify illicit fentanyl knockoffs, known as fentanyl-related substances, as Schedule I;
    2. Protect patients’ access to legitimate, FDA-approved fentanyl for medical purposes directed by a physician;
    3. Support law enforcement and codify existing criminal penalties to ensure illicit manufacturers and traffickers can be fully prosecuted and victims and their families receive justice;
    4. And advance scientific and medical research by streamlining registration processes and allowing more scientists to study fentanyl-related substances.

    The HALT Fentanyl Act is supported by more than 40 major advocacy groups, including a coalition of more than 200 groups made up of families personally impacted by fentanyl.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Blumenthal, Grassley, Durbin Introduce Bill to Spur Drug Pricing Competition

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Drug Competition Enhancement Act, which would spur generic and biosimilar marketplace competition by prohibiting branded drug manufacturers from engaging in “product hopping” to help lower drug prices for patients:

    “Companies who attempt to profit at the expense of Texans’ health must face consequences,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By rooting out this wrongdoing and holding bad actors in the pharmaceutical industry accountable, this legislation would spur competition in the marketplace and make drugs more affordable for patients who depend on them.”

    “Bad actors in Big Pharma have manipulated the rules and prioritized profits over patients—including by encouraging consumers to switch medications for pharmaceutical companies’ gain and leaving Americans stuck paying sky-high costs,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “The Drug Competition Enhancement Act reigns in these monopolistic practices and facilitates competition and market entry. This legislation lowers costs for consumers and puts patient care at the forefront.”

    “One of my top priorities in the Senate is reducing the cost of prescription drugs,” said Sen. Grassley. “Our bill will bring much needed transparency to drug pricing by cracking down on product hopping and giving Iowans more access to lower-cost generic drugs.”

    “Americans shouldn’t be forced to choose between their wallets and their health. But because Big Pharma games the patent system, too many patients face sky-high prescription drug costs,” said Sen. Durbin. “The bipartisan Drug Competition Enhancement Act would prevent pharmaceutical companies from using anti-competitive tactics to keep affordable medications out of reach for patients.”

    Background:

    Some pharmaceutical manufacturers have been deliberately abusing the system to prevent potential competitors from entering the marketplace using tactics like product hopping, which slow the entry of lower-cost alternatives.

    Product hopping is a practice that bad actors in the pharmaceutical industry engage in when their exclusive right to a drug is about to expire, but they do not want to compete with generic alternatives. Rather than simply competing on the merits with their old drug and any generic alternative, companies manipulate the market to move patients off the old drug and onto the new. They “hop” patients from branded product to branded product by engaging in a variety of practices to disadvantage their old drug, including destroying the inventory of their old drug, pulling it from the market, aggressively raising the price, badmouthing their old drug, or even diminishing its safety.  Then, when the market protections for the earlier drug expire and a generic or biosimilar alternative comes to market, it is difficult to switch patients to the cheaper generic or biosimilar. As a result of this abuse of the patent system, patients are stuck paying high costs for a drug that is substantially similar to their old one for many years to come.

    The legislation would put an end to this practice. It would prohibit branded drug manufacturers from engaging in anticompetitive product hopping, making that practice an antitrust violation. If companies engage in this behavior, they would risk enforcement action from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It would also facilitate entry to the market for generics and biosimilars, which drives down drug costs for patients and consumers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Oz Agrees with Sen. Warren: Cracking Down on Private Health Insurers in Medicare Advantage Will “Improve the Health Care of the American People”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    March 14, 2025

    Dr. Oz: “My goal is to improve the health care of the American people…[cutting Medicare Advantage fraud] sounds like a more rational way to do that [than cutting funding for Medicaid].” 

    The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee projects that CMS overpaid private insurers in MA by $83 billion in 2024 alone.

    Video of Exchange (YouTube)

    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on taxpayer fraud committed by private, for-profit insurers in the Medicare Advantage program. 

    The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) projects that CMS will overpay private insurers in MA by $83 billion in 2024 alone, largely due to upcoding and favorable selection tactics by the insurers. 

    An investigation led by the Health and Human Services Inspector General (HHS OIG) revealed that private insurers in MA raked in about $4.2 billion in extra CMS payments in 2022 for diagnoses from home visits the companies initiated, even though they led to no treatment. The Wall Street Journal also found that between 2018 and 2021, private insurers in MA raked in $50 billion from CMS for diagnoses that led to no treatment. 

    Dr. Oz previously called the Traditional Medicare program “highly dysfunctional” and argued that private Medicaid Advantage insurers offer cheaper and more accessible coverage. He outlined a “Medicare Advantage for All” plan, which would move all non-Medicaid eligible Americans into MA. During this time, Dr. Oz held over $500,000 in stock with the largest private insurer in Massachusetts, UnitedHealth. 

    When questioned if he would rather cut waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare Advantage, or cut funding for Medicaid during his confirmation hearing, Dr. Oz agreed that “the former sounds like a more rational way to do that.” Last month, Republicans in the House passed a spending bill with $88 billion in annual cuts to Medicaid. 

    Senator Warren has led strong oversight on Dr. Oz through his confirmation process and, ahead of his confirmation hearing, sent 176 questions demanding answers to his plan to eliminate traditional Medicare, his serious conflicts of interest, his dangerous anti-abortion views, and more.

    Transcript: Hearing to examine the nomination of Mehmet Oz, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
    Senate Finance Committee
    March 14, 2025

    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, Dr. Oz, if confirmed, you would oversee Medicare coverage for more than 66 million Americans. Nearly half have traditional Medicare, where the federal government provides health care coverage directly. The other half are on Medicare Advantage, where the federal government pays a private for-profit insurer to administer the health benefits instead. And surprise, surprise, the privatized Medicare costs a whole lot more. 

    So, let’s talk about the top trick that Medicare Advantage insurers use to gouge taxpayers up coding. I understand Senator Cassidy started on this this morning, and I just want to dig a little deeper in Medicare Advantage. Taxpayers give insurers a set amount per patient. The more diagnoses, or the more codes, the patient has, the higher the payment. Now, in theory, this covers higher costs for sicker patients, but insurance companies get the money for the codes, not actually for the services they do or don’t deliver. 

    Medicare Advantage insurers have figured out that if they can add a bunch of fake diagnoses that they don’t actually have to spend money treating, they can really boost their profits. One example, last year, the Wall Street Journal identified 66,000 Medicare Advantage patients diagnosed with diabetic cataracts who had already gotten cataract surgery. Now that is, as you know, anatomically impossible. 

    So, Dr. Oz, insurers pocketed an extra $178 million in taxpayer money last year thanks to just this one fake diagnosis. Does that sound like Medicare fraud to you?

    Dr. Mehmet Oz: Senator Warren, I appreciate you spending time with me in your office. The answer is yes, anatomically impossible. 

    And I’ll give you one more example, okay, which is sending someone to your home, which you brought up in the office. If you’re going to say it, I won’t say it, but you pointed out something that’s very real, which is if you send someone to, someone to, if an insurance company sends someone to your home, there’s probably a reason for it. And so if they’re doing ultrasounds to look for minor atherosclerotic plaques, which is not really something that needs to be treated and most Americans have, it’s primarily done to upcode you. Which has two problems. One, it’s cheating, because you’re able to charge more for those patients. But then people who truly have limb-threatening peripheral vascular disease, who have that box checked in their care, those companies—insurance companies—don’t get paid more, those doctors don’t get reimbursed more for doing what is ethically correct. So it doesn’t just help the scoundrels who are stealing from the vulnerable, it’s actually hurting the people trying to take care of those vulnerable populations. 

    Senator Warren: In fact, let’s talk about how bad that upcoding is that comes from the home visits. HHS Inspector General found that in 2022 alone, United Health used these home visits to add about $2.3 billion worth of diagnoses, diagnoses that led to absolutely no treatment. 

    And I take it, you think that sounds like fraud, as well?

    Dr. Oz: We are, I think, as an agency aware of this. I haven’t been in there yet, but if confirmed, this will be one of the topics that is relatively enjoyable to go after, because I think we have bipartisan support.

    Senator Warren: I love hearing this. So, upcoding is a scandal, and overall, we know that Medicare Advantage overpayments cost at least $83 billion in a single year. So, $83 billion—remember that number. Last month, Republicans in the House passed a budget framework that sets up $88 billion in annual cuts to health care, Medicaid funding for seniors in nursing homes, and for people with disabilities who have a home health aide, and more. 

    Dr. Oz, I have a simple question: If you had the choice, would you rather cut waste, fraud and abuse by a Fortune 50 health insurance company in Medicare Advantage or cut funding for Medicaid, which covers half of all seniors in nursing homes and one in three of America’s children?

    Dr. Oz: My goal is to improve the health care of the American people, and as you create the argument, the former sounds like a more rational way to do that.

    Senator Warren: I appreciate that. You know, I am happy to work with Republicans to go after waste, fraud and abuse, but let’s cut out waste, fraud and abuse where it actually occurs, like upcoding in Medicare Advantage. Republicans cutting health care for seniors and for babies and for people with disabilities, while the waste and the fraud just roll right along for a multibillion-dollar insurance company is sickening, and I will fight that every step of the way. Thank you, Dr. Oz.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Presses Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump’s Pick to Oversee Medicare & Medicaid Services, on Protecting Patients from Rip-Offs 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Welch garners pledge from Oz to address excessive pricing from insurance companies 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) questioned Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides health care to over 100 million Americans. Senator Welch pressed Dr. Oz about how the Trump Administration plans to eliminate rip-offs for patients and tackle excessive pricing in private equity and Medicare Advantage to help lower prescription drug prices.  
    “The big concern I have about our health care system is it costs too much. It’s a real disgrace that we spend the most and get the least. So, many other countries—with all the problems they may have with their health care system—citizens are not anxious about whether they can afford the care that they need. Here, that’s not the case. And one of the big problems is that private equity, pharmaceutical pricing power, device manufacture pricing power, consolidation in the industry—all of this has made the cost of health care brutal. It’s brutal on taxpayers, it’s brutal on employers…we just can’t afford this,” said Senator Welch. 
    “My expectation is you’d be able to come in in six months, let’s say, and report on whether there is progress on all of these things: Squeezing out the rip-off in private equity, squeezing out the rip-off in Medicare Advantage, and having lower drug prices.” 
    Watch the exchange between Senator Welch and Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s pick for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: 

    Read excerpts of Senator Welch’s questioning below: 
    Sen. Welch: I believe a major responsibility that you would have in your job would be to fight the excessive charging…In his first term, President Trump said he favored a reference price for drugs. So, you know, we’re paying three, four, five times for the same drug that they buy in Canada or in Europe. Would you support reference pricing so that we don’t get ripped off compared to everybody else, even though we do the research?   
    Dr. Oz: President Trump has been very clear that he wants me to reduce drug prices, not just for the government payees, but also for beneficiaries. International reference pricing is a way of doing that. 
    Sen. Welch: Here’s what I think we all need: We have got to get a fair price. And it’s not a fair price when we’re paying six or seven times what they’re paying for the same thing in France, or in Canada, or wherever else, okay? So, I’m just going to stop here but say that is absolutely top of mind. President Trump has indicated a concern about this, and I hope you follow through.  
    Second, Medicare Advantage—it sounds good, but it’s an incredible rip-off in some cases…It’s going to be your job to crack down on that. Are you going have any tolerance for that kind of rip-off from our insurance companies?   
    Dr. Oz: No. I think you have identified a place where a system which was, in theory, a good one—Medicare Advantage is a community health-focused effort… 
    Sen. Welch: I understand that. I don’t mean to interrupt, but I just want to stay on this. We cannot afford to have the health care system be taken over for private profit when it doesn’t provide good service at an affordable price for our citizens. Do you agree with that?  
    Dr. Oz: I agree, and I think that the upcoding in Medicare Advantage programs has become the best example of this out there and it is something that is addressable. And I pledge, if confirmed, I will go after it.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Votes No on Republican Continuing Resolution 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today voted against congressional Republicans’ Continuing Resolution (CR), which would give the Trump Administration authority to strip funding without oversight by Congress and cut billions from previously bipartisan programs and initiatives. Senator Welch released the following expanded statement on the CR: 
    “Instead of funding the government, this bill makes drastic cuts to critical programs Vermonters rely on and gives unprecedented power to President Trump and Elon Musk to continue their reckless, illegal rampage. I could not vote for a bill that makes radical cuts—totaling billions of dollars—to funding for law enforcement, infrastructure re-development, disaster response and mitigation, cancer research, and more. I could not vote for a bill that gives a blank check to President Trump to inflict more punitive tariffs on American businesses, farmers, and families. I could not vote for a bill that allows Trump and Musk to cut federal funding at their whim and defund programs entirely without congressional approval or oversight,” said Senator Welch.  
    “It’s wrong for congressional Republicans to jeopardize Vermonters’ health, safety, and financial wellbeing so they can play games with the budget process. Republicans walked away from bipartisan negotiations on a budget because President Trump told them to.  They are, yet again, ceding Congress’s constitutional authority to Donald Trump and hurting Americans in the process,” concluded Welch. 
    The Republicans’ CR makes drastic cuts to funding, and would result in fewer jobs, higher prices, and more chaos: 

    The bill cuts more than $247 million from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program, which funds community safety and policing grants to local, state, and tribal governments. 
    The bill cuts congressionally directed medical research programs at the Department of Defense by more than half, totaling $859 million.  
    The bill gives an $8 million blank check to the Trump Administration to use for mass deportations.  
    The bill underfunds rental assistance by $500 million, which could result in fewer housing vouchers for Vermonters who need safe, affordable housing. 
    The bill only provides an additional $2.2 billion for FEMA’s disaster recovery, at a time when FEMA is estimated to require an additional $17 billion, in addition to the current funding levels, to respond to future natural disasters. 
    The bill will cut $1.4 billion in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, eliminating all funds from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which Congress passed in 2021. This could put flood recovery projects supported by the Army Corps in Vermont at risk. 
    The bill will cut the budget of the Federal Public Defender program, which would prevent them from filling vacant positions and require delayed payments to private panel attorneys. 
    The bill will cut $280 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), opening a pathway for Secretary Kennedy to remove spending from:

    Infectious diseases  
    Alzheimer’s 
    Lyme Disease  
    The Rural Residency Planning and Development Program 
    Maternal Health Innovation Program 
    Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment Program 
    Cancer Prevention Programs 
    Medication assisted treatment programs 
    First Responders grants 
    Child Abuse Prevention Program  
    Runaway and Homeless Youth Program; and  
    Elder Abuse Prevention and Adult Protective Services 

    The bill will cut $1.2 billion from the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction and related agencies, and potentially strip funding from health care efforts including:

    Homelessness prevention programs 
    Rural health  
    Suicide prevention 

    The bill will cut more than $1 billion from Washington D.C.’s budget, impacting education, law enforcement, housing and more. 

    Senator Welch announced he would vote against the bill on Wednesday. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Votes “NO” on the HALT Fentanyl Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on his “NO” vote against the HALT Fentanyl Act.  

    “As a pastor, I’ve sat with families as they’ve struggled with the anguish of a loved one suffering from addiction. I’ve seen how that anguish is even worse when that loved one is swept up in the legal system and denied the treatment they desperately need.

    “I’ve fought for aggressive action to combat the fentanyl crisis including pushing for detection efforts to prevent fentanyl from entering our country in the first place. However, I’m voting “NO” on this legislation because we cannot jail our way out of this crisis.

    “To me, this legislation repeats the mistakes of the failed War on Drugs, which turned the United States into the mass incarceration capital of the world without addressing the underlying causes of addiction or getting drugs out of our communities. The U.S. prison population increased from under 250,000 in 1975 to 1.3 million today, and nearly 2 million people after you include jails. I’ve pastored for decades in communities hollowed out by the War on Drugs; my “NO” vote today is informed by my years of counseling children who have an incarcerated parent and serving communities that will never fully recover.

    “I’m deeply committed to fighting the opioid epidemic but an incarceration-only approach will only cause more harm. We must invest in law enforcement, healthcare, and treatment to truly grapple with the root causes of this crisis. I cannot vote for ineffective and harmful policy.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Unveils Legislative Package to Address Housing Affordability and Availability Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock Unveils Legislative Package to Address Housing Affordability and Availability Crisis

    The transformative housing package addresses rising rental costs and downpayment fees, private equity’s domination of Atlanta’s housing market, and the overall lack of available housing units

    This week, Senator Reverend Warnock introduced the Downpayment Toward Equity Act, the Rent Relief Act, and the Stop Predatory Investing Act

    Senator Reverend Warnock also introduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, legislation that would build nearly three million new housing units

    During a Wednesday Senate Banking Hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock highlighted his newly introduced housing legislation and how Georgians and Americans would benefit from the legislative package

    Senator Reverend Warnock, a longtime advocate of affordable housing, has tirelessly fought to broaden the path to homeownership for hardworking Americans

    Senator Reverend Warnock during the hearing: “These are important bills that address the affordability issue and the accessibility issue around housing”

    Watch Senator Reverend Warnock at Wednesday’s Senate Banking Committee hearing HERE

    Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced a comprehensive legislative package of housing bills to address the ongoing housing affordability and availability crisis in the United States.

    The Downpayment Toward Equity Act, the Rent Relief Act, the Stop Predatory Investing Act, and the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, which Senator Warnock co-led with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), are a direct response to what Senator Warnock has heard from constituents about their inability to afford a home, and a solution to the housing crisis that millions more Americans are facing across the country.

    “We have a housing affordability and availability crisis in this country and I’m especially concerned about young Americans and their ability to pay rent or buy their first home,” said Senator Reverend Warnock during a Senate Banking Committee hearing. “Last year, we actually saw the largest increase in rental costs in a decade, while the share of first-time homebuyers reached an all-time low. Tough pickings whether you’re a renter, or looking to buy. Georgia has the lowest homeownership rate in the entire Southeast.” 

    The bills introduced in the package address each of the largest hurdles for most young people trying to buy their first home.

    The Rent Relief Act would provide much needed relief to low- and middle-class Americans by subsidizing a percentage of their rents that exceed cost burden thresholds (more than 30% of their income). It would address the rising rental costs seen around the country, allowing people to save more income that could be put toward realizing the dream of homeownership.

    The Downpayment Toward Equity Act would provide funds toward downpayment and other financial assistance for first-generation homebuyers to purchase their first home, helping alleviate what is considered the chief obstacle for young people in trying to buy their first home. 

    “Ms. Willis, what are the consequences of high rental costs and lack of affordable housing on upward mobility on the broader economy?” Senator Warnock asked Renee M. Willis, who was an expert witness for Wednesday’s Banking Committee hearing.

    “I think on an individual level when people with low incomes can’t afford housing, they’re forced to make impossible trade-offs. So, we’re talking about trade-offs between paying rent and buying groceries, or medications, or investing in their children’s education,” responded Renee M. Willis, Interim President & CEO of National Low Income Housing Coalition. “But more broadly, I’d say that researchers have found housing constraints have lowered GDP growth.”

    “For first-time home buyers, what do they cite most often as the biggest barriers?” Senator Warnock asked.

    “Two words. Downpayment costs,” responded Willis.

    The Stop Predatory Investing Act, previously led by another champion of housing, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would remove tax advantages enjoyed by private equity investors to disincentivize ownership of more than 50 single-family rental properties.

    These bills together, coupled with Senators Warnock and Warren’s American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, which would invest in building nearly three million new housing units, would address some of the most longstanding issues in the American housing market today.

    “These are important bills that address the affordability issue and the accessibility issue around housing,” said Senator Warnock at the hearing.

    During the hearing, Senator Warnock also questioned Dr. Edward Glaeser, a Professor of Economics at Harvard University, about the impact of the housing crisis on the American GDP.

    “Are you concerned about what you are seeing in the economic data about young Americans and homeownership?” Senator Warnock asked.

    “Senator, I certainly am,” said Dr. Edward Glaeser. “[One of my concerns] is a transfer of housing wealth, from the young to the old.

    “Massive transfers of wealth, and the inability to pass wealth from one generation to the next, it’s moving in the wrong direction, which has implications for all of us regardless of our generation,” continued Senator Warnock.

    Since coming to the Senate, Senator Warnock has worked to increase affordable housing and illuminate a path to homeownership, a cornerstone of the American Dream. As one of twelve brothers and sisters growing up in public housing in Savannah, Senator Warnock deeply understands the importance of having a place to call home and homeownership. In the past few years, Senator Warnock voted for government funding legislation that increased America’s housing supply, strengthened housing affordability, and addressed the homelessness crisis, including by: increasing the supply of affordable housing nationwide with funding to build 10,000 new rental and homebuyer units; extending funding for the Yes In My Backyard (“YIMBY”) grant program to support efforts to increase our nation’s housing supply and lower housing costs through state and local zoning changes; and delivering $275 million in new funding for Homeless Assistance Grants to help address homelessness in communities across the country and providing new resources to better connect people experiencing homelessness with health care services. Senator Warnock has also secured nearly $80 million in housing investments to provide affordable housing options for Georgians at all income levels and repair hazardous housing conditions in low-income housing units. 

    “The predatory practices of institutional investors who buy out single-family homes is a rapidly developing issue in affordable housing policy, and one that must be addressed head-on to protect the rights of tenants and help preserve the nation’s supply of affordable housing,” said NLIHC Interim President and CEO Renee Willis. “I applaud Senator Warnock for his leadership in introducing the ‘Stop Predatory Investing Act’, which will help ensure investors do not buy up available properties only to raise rents and displace tenants.” 

    In addition to Senator Warnock, the Downpayment Toward Equity Act is cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act is cosponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Andy Kim (D-NJ), the Stop Predatory Investing Act is co-led by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and cosponsored by Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

    Watch video of Senator Reverend Warnock’s questioning at Wednesday’s Senate Banking Committee hearing HERE.

    Read the legislative package summary HERE.

    Bill text for the Downpayment Toward Equity Act can be found HERE.

    Bill text for the Stop Predatory Investing Act can be found HERE.

    Bill text for the Rent Relief Act can be found HERE.

    Bill text for the American Housing Economic Mobility Act can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Puts Dr. Oz on Record Supporting Medicaid Access for Georgians Caught in Health Care Gap During Nomination Hearing to Oversee Medicare and Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    WATCH: Senator Reverend Warnock Puts Dr. Oz on Record Supporting Medicaid Access for Georgians Caught in Health Care Gap During Nomination Hearing to Oversee Medicare and Medicaid

    At Friday’s Senate Finance committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock questioned Dr. Oz, President Trump’s nominee to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
    Senator Reverend Warnock put Dr. Oz on record as supporting Medicaid access for Georgians caught in the health care gap as the state readies to apply for an extension
    The state’s renewal application comes at a moment when the Trump Administration and Hill Republicans are threatening major slashes in funding for health care programs that largely support low-income families and children
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “You’ll never get any pushback from me about the value of a work ethic and the purpose that work provides, which is why I think people ought to have health care so they can get back to work. Very often they can’t get back to work in Georgia because they can’t get the health care”

    Watch Senator Reverend Warnock at Friday’s CMS nominee hearing HERE

    Washington, D.C. – Today, during a Senate Finance committee hearing on the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) put Dr. Oz on the record as supporting Medicaid access for Georgians caught in the health care gap. As CMS Administrator, Dr. Oz will be responsible for approving the Georgia Pathways waiver, which is due to be extended. 

    “You’ll never get any pushback from me about the value of a work ethic and the purpose that work provides, which is why I think people ought to have health care so they can get back to work. Very often they can’t get back to work in Georgia because they can’t get the health care,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Let me give you an example. There is a woman in Dalton, Georgia that I got to know a while ago, her name is Heather Payne. […] She was among those folks who were in the gap. She couldn’t afford private insurance, but she wasn’t poor enough to get conventional Medicaid. So her health challenges and the unpredictable nature of her work as a traveling nurse made it impossible for her to meet George’s onerous work verification requirements to get Medicaid. She found out she had had a series of strokes. She had to save the money to see a neurologist, and then she found out she’d had a series of strokes. Took a long time to be able to afford to go and now she’s in the gap, and she can’t meet Georgia’s onerous work requirements. Do you think Heather Payne, a traveling nurse who spent her career providing health care to others, do you think she deserves Medicaid or not?”

    Dr. Oz replied, “Yes.” 

    “I agree with you. And since we agree, I think that the Medicaid waiver that you will be responsible for reviewing, in fact, I know it, it says that Heather does not deserve Medicaid,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.

    The state has already started the process of applying for an extension and comes at a moment when the Trump Administration and Hill Republicans are threatening major slashes in funding for health care programs that largely support low-income families and children. 

    “Georgia’s Pathways to coverage is a roadblock to care. They’ve gotten, I don’t know, 6,000 people, I think the last time I checked. And we got over 500,000 people in the gap. So I’m gonna give you a softball if you are confirmed, will you work with me and will you keep Amanda and Heather in mind as you consider whether or not to renew Georgia’s waiver–which I think is filled with unnecessary and onerous work requirements, paperwork, filling out paperwork every single month–will you keep these two people in mind?” Senator Reverend Warnock asked.

    “Heather and Amanda should be in all of our minds and many others like them. I look forward to working with you,” Dr. Oz replied.

    If confirmed, Oz would take over the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which provides health coverage to more than 100 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace, and manages a budget of $1.5 trillion. About a quarter of all federal spending runs through CMS, and Oz would take over the institution at a moment when Washington Republicans are threatening major slashes in funding for health care.

    Watch the Senator’s full remarks HERE.

    See below a transcript of key exchanges between Senator Warnock and CMS nominee Mehmet Oz (remarks have been lightly edited for clarity): 

    Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “My home state of Georgia is not only one of only ten states in the country that has still not expanded Medicaid, it also has the dubious distinction of being the only state in the country where the limited number of families who do qualify for Medicaid are required to regularly complete bureaucratic paperwork to prove they’re still working the minimum number of hours to get health care. State officials call it ‘Georgia Pathways to Coverage’. I call it ‘Georgia Pathways to Nowhere.’ The program is allowed under the state’s Medicaid waiver, which is up for renewal this year. And if confirmed as head of CMS, you would be responsible for approving or denying the state’s application to renew these onerous paperwork requirements. Dr. Oz, I’m not going to ask you to prejudge the state’s renewal application; that wouldn’t be fair, you need to see it. But since you’d oversee Medicaid if confirmed, yes or no, do you believe families should have to complete government paperwork every single month to prove they are working just to get health care when they’re sick?”

    Mehmet Oz (MO): “I am in favor of work requirements.”

    SRW: “Do you think a family should have to fill out paperwork every month just to get health care?”

    MO: “I don’t think you need to use paperwork to prove work requirements, and I don’t think that should be used as an obstacle, disingenuous effort to block people from getting on Medicaid. However, I believe we would both probably agree that there’s value in work, and it doesn’t have to be going to a job. It could be getting an education, it should be showing that you want to contribute to society. You could volunteer at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where I did a show with you once, that would, for me, fulfill the requirement.”

    SRW: “You’ll never get any pushback from me about the value of a work ethic and the purpose that work provides, which is why I think people ought to have health care so they can get back to work. Very often they can’t get back to work in Georgia because they can’t get the health care. Let me give you an example. There is a woman in Dalton, Georgia that I got to know a while ago, her name is Heather Payne. She’s a traveling nurse. And you know, as a traveling nurse, some jobs were better than others. Sometimes she had health care, sometimes she didn’t. She was among those folks who were in the gap. She couldn’t afford private insurance, but she wasn’t poor enough to get conventional Medicaid. So her health challenges and the unpredictable nature of her work as a traveling nurse made it impossible for her to meet George’s onerous work verification requirements to get Medicaid. She found out she had had a series of strokes. She had to save the money to see a neurologist, and then she found out she’d had a series of strokes. Took a long time to be able to afford to go and now she’s in the gap, and she can’t meet Georgia’s onerous work requirements. Do you think Heather Payne, a traveling nurse who spent her career providing health care to others, do you think she deserves Medicaid or not?”

    MO: “Yes.” 

    SRW: “Thank you. I agree with you. And since we agree, I think that the Medicaid waiver that you will be responsible for reviewing, in fact, I know it, it says that Heather does not deserve Medicaid.”

    […]

    SRW: “Let me tell you about another Georgian. Amanda left her two jobs in New York and moved to Warner Robins to become a full-time caregiver for her 84-year-old father, Thomas. Taking care of her father has become a full-time responsibility for Amanda. He’s 84 years old. She’s taking care of him, which means he is not in a nursing home. She’s taken on that responsibility. But with all of this, she does not have time to hold a full-time job that meets the state’s strict work requirements, and she has no income to cover her own health costs should she get sick. Dr. Oz, do you think Amanda deserves Medicaid?”

    MO: “From what you are describing, yes. These are the opportunities we have to make the system better. If we both agree that people should be trying to get off Medicaid, if they can, we should be able to create a system where we can track that, because there’s the twin paradox, which I think we touched on in the office. Two brothers are at home, one’s working every day, flipping burgers, making minimum wage. Maybe he’s cobbling together 16, $17,000, puts them right above the poverty level. And the other brother doesn’t bother working because he’ll have the exact same coverage if he doesn’t work. We want to make both of them want to move up the ladder, like every small businessman. What’s their goal? To become a big businessman.”

    SRW: “You and I have the basis for meaningful conversation. Georgia’s Pathways to coverage is a roadblock to care. They’ve gotten, I don’t know, 6,000 people, I think the last time I checked. And we got over 500,000 people in the gap. So I’m gonna give you a softball if you are confirmed, will you work with me and will you keep Amanda and Heather in mind as you consider whether or not to renew Georgia’s waiver–which I think is filled with unnecessary and onerous work requirements, paperwork, filling out paperwork every single month–will you keep these two people in mind?”

    MO: “Heather and Amanda should be in all of our minds and many others like them. I look forward to working with you.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: CLG Workshop at Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 to Address Legal and Strategic Solutions in Congo

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF), taking place from March 24-26 in Brazzaville, will feature a workshop led by legal firm CLG (formerly Centurion Law Group) that aims to address the unique challenges faced in Congo’s energy investment sector. As part of a strategy to spur energy investment and socioeconomic development, the Republic of Congo has initiated a number of strategies to drive resource monetization, project development and local capacity building.

    As such, the Mastering Business in Congo: Legal Challenges and Strategic Solutions for Success session will take place on 24 March, offering an understanding of the legal structures underpinning corporate law, taxation, immigration, labor law and regulatory compliance. During the session, a panel of legal experts from CLG will delve into all aspects of growing investments in the African energy sector, offering insights into the legal nuances that can directly influence investments decisions. 

    Set to showcase how Congo’s investment landscape can accelerate monetization of the country’s natural resources, CLG’s experience in the African market has the potential to empower businesses with effective management skills and knowledge for participating in Congo’s energy sector. The country is set to release its Gas Master Plan (https://apo-opa.co/3DF5fSI) and new Gas Code (https://apo-opa.co/3Fsijey) at CEIF 2025, with a promise to reducing energy imports in the country and raising electricity access for its population, which currently stands at 50%.

    Meanwhile, Congo is also preparing to launch an international oil and gas licensing round (https://apo-opa.co/4bu0dF8) at CEIF 2025, aiming to attract investment in both marginal and deepwater blocks. This initiative is part of the country’s strategy to increase oil production from the current 274,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 500,000 bpd by 2027. These major developments align with Congo’s broader national goals to mitigate production declines and stimulate further exploration on- and offshore. are expected to usher in a new wave of investment in sub-Saharan Africa’s fourth largest oil producing market.

    The Mastering Business in Congo: Legal Challenges and Strategic Solutions for Success will offer attendees the opportunity to master the complex regulatory landscape and learn how it affects various investment types within the energy sector. During the session, CLG will provide delegates with knowledge to develop actionable strategies to mitigate legal risks and safeguard investments from future potential strategies.

    “At CEIF 2025, we recognize that navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscape is crucial for successful investment in Congo’s growing energy sector. This workshop, led by CLG, is a pivotal opportunity for investors and stakeholders to gain valuable insights into the legal frameworks that underpin the energy market. By addressing key challenges and offering strategic solutions, we aim to empower businesses with the knowledge to unlock the full potential of Congo’s energy resources,” states Daoudou Mohammad, Tax and Legal Director, CLG.

    CLG is a leading provider of specialized legal and tax advisory services, catering to a diverse portfolio of multinational companies operating globally. With a team of experts boasting extensive experience and knowledge across multiple sectors and with offices in Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia and South Sudan; CLG delivers bespoke solutions tailored to address the unique challenges and complexities faced by clients in various industries.

    CLG’s expertise spans a wide range of industries – including energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture, and ESG to name a few –  enabling the firm to provide comprehensive guidance and support to clients navigating Africa’s dynamic business landscape. By combining technical excellence with a deep understanding of local markets and regulatory environments, CLG helps clients achieve their business objectives and capitalize on opportunities for growth and expansion.

    Registration (https://apo-opa.co/3FspgMZ) for the workshop is now open.

    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Natioanle des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks during his visit to Cox’s Bazar [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations – English

    have come to Cox’s Bazar during this holy month of Ramadan on a mission of solidarity.

    Solidarity with Rohingya refugees.

    And solidarity with the Bangladeshi people and the local communities that so generously host them.

    Fasting and having an Iftar together with you are the proof of my deep respect for your religion and your culture.

    I am here to shine a global spotlight on the plight – but also the potential of Rohingya refugees.

    The more than one million Rohingya refugees here are proud.  They are resilient. And they need the world’s support.

    After decades of discrimination and persecution, we had a massive outflow eight years ago, following the massacres that took place in Rakhine state.  
     
    Many others arrived more recently, escaping brutal violations of human rights, triggered generalized anti-Muslim hate.

    This is especially significant as the world tomorrow officially marks International Day to Combat Islamophobia. 

    Rohingya refugees have come here for what people anywhere seek: protection, dignity, safety for them and their families. 

    I met and spoke with many of you today – and was inspired by your courage and moved by your determination.  

    Many shared harrowing accounts of their ordeals in Myanmar and their journeys here. 

    They want to go home — Myanmar is their homeland. And returning in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner is the primary solution to this crisis. 

    My message to all parties in Myanmar is clear: exercise maximum restraint, prioritize the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and prevent further incitement of communal tension and violence – paving the way for democracy to take root and to create the conditions for Rohingyas to be able to go back home as they all want.   
     
    But the situation in Myanmar remains dire, including in Rakhine state.

    Until the conflict and systematic persecution ends, we must support those who need protection here in Bangladesh. 

    I have to confess that we are on the verge of a deep humanitarian crisis with the announced cuts by several countries of their financial assistance, we are facing a dramatic risk, a risk to reduce the food rations to the Rohingya refugees to a level that would be 40 per cent of 2025. 

    That would be an unmitigated disaster that we cannot accept because people will suffer and even people will die. 

    And so, my voice will not end until the international community understands that they have the obligation to invest now to support the Rohingya refugees here in Bangladesh and to make sure that the people who have already suffered so much will not have an additional problem.  We will do everything to solve the problem of food rations. 

    Humanitarian assistance is important – but we must recognize the enormous support of the Bangladeshi people sharing their land, forests, scarce water and meager
    resources.

    I was last in Cox’s Bazar in 2018 – and have seen many improvements in the camps.  

    But the challenges are great on so many levels. 

    These camps — and the communities that host them — are on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

    Summers are scorching, and the chance of fires skyrocket.  

    In the cyclone and monsoon seasons – floods and dangerous landslides destroy homes
    and lives.  

    In addition to essential food aid, people here are also hungry for education, skills and opportunities for independence.
     
    Some Rohingya families feel they have no option but to risk everything on perilous sea journeys. 

    So we have a special obligation to ensure the aid reaches Rohingya refugees, and show
    that the world has not forgotten them. 

    That is why the cuts by the international community of the aid to Rohingya refugees is unacceptable. 

    I repeat: Cox’s Bazar is ground zero for the impact of budget cuts on people in desperate need and we must do everything to make sure that that does not happen. 

    The solution must be found in Myanmar.

    We will not give up until conditions allow for the voluntary, safe and sustainable return for all refugees here. 

    Until then, I urge the international community not to reduce the support to Rohingya refugees. 

    They must step up and guarantee your well-being.   

    This is the holy month of Ramadan, the month of solidarity.  It would be unacceptable that in the month of solidarity, the international community would reduce the support to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.  We will do everything not to make it happen. 

    Ramadan Kareem. 
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa engages EU on new investment package

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    With the 8th South Africa-European Union (SA-EU) Summit underway, President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa intends to hold further constructive discussions on a new investment package by the EU, to South Africa.

    “Through this we aim to consolidate cooperation in areas such as science and technology, education and skills development, climate action, peace and security, health and critical minerals,” the President said on Thursday.

    This as he is co-chairing the summit with the President of the European Council, António Luís Santos da Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, at Tuynhuys, in Cape Town.

    READ | Summit to strengthen SA-EU relations

    Held in the Western Cape, the 8th Summit takes place within the framework of the Strategic Partnership between South Africa and the European Union. 

    “As one of South Africa’s most important trade and investment partners, the European Union can play a catalytic role in unleashing the productive capacity of our economy and equip our people, especially the youth, to participate in the economy of the future. 

    “We hope we can continue to rely on the support of the European Union and its member states in our efforts to alleviate poverty, transition to a low-carbon economy, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and grow our industrial capacity,” the President explained.

    In addition, the President welcomed the EU’s support for multilateral institutions and the fundamental principles of the United Nations.

    “This Summit is taking place at a time of global uncertainty characterised by rising unilateralism, economic nationalism and a retreat from international law and human rights.

    “We hope to work closely with the European Union and other partners to strengthen and reform institutions of global governance to make them more inclusive and capable of meeting the challenges of the present and the future. 

    We should collectively strengthen our voice in defence of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including respect for international law and international humanitarian law. We welcome the support of the European Union for Africa’s developmental needs.”

    Partnership

    He emphasised that African relations with the European Union should be built on a mutually beneficial partnership in the spirit of shared ownership, responsibility, respect and mutual accountability. 

    “Today we will discuss our shared interest to advance peace, security, stability and sustainable development on the continent and across the world. This Summit affirms our long-standing and close relationship, which is underpinned by the South Africa-European Union Strategic Partnership. 

    “This is a partnership based on shared values and common interests. A partnership that seeks to create prosperity for our citizens and promote peace, safety and stability.

    “We share a commitment to inclusive multilateralism as the most effective means to address the most pressing challenges facing the world.  We agree on the need to strengthen economic cooperation and resolve challenges in our trade relations,” the President said.

    Reforms 

    He mentioned that South Africa is forging ahead with far-reaching structural reforms to support economic recovery. 

    “We are modernising and transforming key industries such as energy, water, transport and digital communications. We have already made considerable progress, supported by institutions such as the European Investment Bank. 

    “These reforms are contributing to the improvement of the country’s competitiveness and investment environment,” the President said. 

    According to the Presidency, the Summit follows a series of preparatory engagements that included the Joint Cooperation Council (JCC) held in January in Brussels. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa-European Union Summit concludes

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the European Union’s €4.7 billion Global Gateway Investment Package aimed at supporting strategic investment projects.

    The President was speaking during a press briefing following the 8th South Africa-European Union Summit held in Cape Town on Thursday.

    The package is aimed at supporting:
    •    A clean and just energy transition in South Africa
    •    Digital and physical connectivity infrastructure
    •    The local pharmaceutical industry.

    “The investment package covers areas such as critical raw mineral processing, green hydrogen, renewable energy, transport and digital infrastructure, local vaccine and pharmaceutical production, and resources for skills development.

    “To boost the competitiveness of our economies, we agreed to launch negotiations towards a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership. This will support the development of cleaner value chains for raw materials and local beneficiation, renewable and low carbon energy, and clean technology,” President Ramaphosa said.

    Furthermore, the partnership will also serve as a platform for “regulatory cooperation between the European Union and South Africa in areas of mutual interest related to clean supply chains”.

    “This partnership is expected, for example, to deliver short and long term solutions to enable Sasol to export sustainable fuel, especially aviation fuel, to the European Union,” the President added.

    Strengthening ties

    President Ramaphosa noted that the summit – the first such held in seven years – reflects mutual commitment to “enhancing our Strategic Partnership for the mutual benefit of our people”.

    As a regional bloc, the European Union (EU) is South Africa’s biggest trading partner recording some €49.5 billion in total trade in 2023 with EU foreign direct investment into South Africa reaching around €71 billion in 2022.

    “Today’s Summit focused on strengthening our trade and investment relations, which are vital for the growth of our economies and the achievement of our development goals,” the President noted.

    Discussions also focussed on other areas including green energy, science and health.

    “We have prioritised the transition to green energy, ensuring that this process is just and inclusive and safeguards the livelihoods of those most affected by the transition. We also had discussions on our robust cooperation in education; science, technology and innovation; and health.

    “We have recognised the vital importance of developing the skills and capabilities of young people, starting from early childhood development through to the training of young people in the skills of the future,” President Ramaphosa explained.

    Global developments 

    On the global stage, President Ramaphosa said, “we reaffirmed our commitment to multilateralism, the rule of law and the central role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace and security”.

    “We also expressed our resolve to resist actions that undermine multilateral cooperation. We reinforced our belief that the institutions of global governance must be reformed to make them representative and fit for purpose. 

    “We agreed that addressing the root causes of conflict is essential for achieving durable peace, security and stability in Africa.”

    Turning to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), President Ramaphosa said South Africa calls on parties to assist in addressing the “dire situation of the people” caught in the blaze of the war.

    “As South Africa, we have made a call for a humanitarian intervention for displaced people in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

    “As we work to achieve a ceasefire and achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the DRC, we are calling on the United Nations, African Union and EU to help to address the dire situation of the people affected by the fighting,” he said.
    Reflecting on the outcomes of the Summit, President Ramaphosa described it as having further strengthened the strategic partnership.

    “Today’s Summit has further strengthened our Strategic Partnership, which will support our efforts to drive inclusive economic growth, create jobs, eradicate poverty and address global challenges in a spirit of solidarity, collaboration and partnership.

    “On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, it has been a pleasure to host you today, reaffirming our commitment to building strong, mutually beneficial relations with the European Union,” President Ramaphosa concluded. 

    In his opening remarks at the summit, the President said that as one of South Africa’s most important trade and investment partners, the European Union can play a catalytic role in unleashing the productive capacity of our economy and equip our people, especially the youth, to participate in the economy of the future.

    READ | President Ramaphosa engages EU on new investment package

    “We hope we can continue to rely on the support of the European Union and its member states in our efforts to alleviate poverty, transition to a low-carbon economy, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and grow our industrial capacity,” the President explained. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Police rescue kidnapped Pakistani businessman

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Friday, March 14, 2025

    Police rescued a 55-year-old Pakistani businessman and arrested four kidnappers in different locations in Gauteng on Thursday, following an intelligence-led operation. 

    “According to a preliminary report, the victim was kidnapped in Graaff-Reinet, in the Eastern Cape, earlier last month, by an unknown group of individuals who introduced themselves to the victim as immigration officials,” the South African Police Service 9SAPS) said in a statement. 

    “The victim allegedly accompanied these individuals to the nearest police station, but never returned home,” the police said.

    The victim’s family reported the kidnapping to the police after the kidnappers had allegedly demanded a ransom for the release of the victim.

    A multi-disciplinary team comprising members from National Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Eastern Cape (DPCI – HAWKS), DPCI Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Soweto Flying Squad and private security arrested two South Africans and two Pakistani nationals.

    One kidnapper was arrested in Killarney and an unlicensed firearm was seized during the arrest. 

    The team also seized a vehicle during the operation.

    The suspect led the team to the location of the victim in Evaton where two more kidnappers were arrested.

    Further investigation resulted in the arrest of a fourth kidnapper in Benoni. A vehicle which is believed to have been used in the commission of the crime was also seized.

    The four suspects are expected to appear before a magistrate’s court soon, while further investigations continue. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Roundtable thrashes out job creation measures 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Strengthening collaboration between government and private sector is crucial for driving economic growth and creating sustainable employment, said the Department of Employment and Labour.

    This as the department in collaboration with the North West Provincial Government, organised labour, business, and social partners, convened a round table to address key labour challenges and strategies for economic growth. 

    Thursday’s session focused on identifying obstacles hindering economic expansion and job creation, with stakeholders highlighting government red tape as a major impediment to progress. 

    Participants emphasised the importance of strengthening advocacy for existing government and private sector programmes to drive sustainable employment. 

    In response to concerns raised by some attendees, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, stated that to tackle the unemployment crisis, the department through its Public Employment Services (PES) Division has been working to facilitate job creation in collaboration with government, business, labour, and civil society. 

    She highlighted Career and Jobs Fairs as a key initiative in addressing unemployment, providing a vital platform for job seekers to connect with potential employers.

    “These Jobs Fairs serves as a bridge between job seekers and potential employers, ensuring that unemployed individuals, particularly the youth will gain direct access to job opportunities, training programmes and skills development initiatives.

    “The Jobs Fairs play a crucial role in empowering unemployed work seekers by offering a structured and supportive environment where they can explore various career paths, receive guidance on employability, and interact with industry professionals,” Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said. 

    North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi reiterated the province’s commitment to youth empowerment, aligning with the seventh administration’s priority agenda. 

    “Youth empowerment remains an apex priority of the 7th administration and in my acceptance speech last year as well as the Province’s 2025 Policy Statement, I highlighted a litany of intervention measures to address this scourge. 

     “However, addressing a problem of this magnitude needs all of us to work together as government, the private sector, labour, business, civil society, Dikgosi and all other stakeholders to respond to this challenge,” the Premier said. 

    Thursday’s session is expected to be followed by a handover of the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) contracts by the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Friday, 14 March 2025.

    The handover will run simultaneously with a Jobs/Career Fair where jobseekers and unemployed graduates will receive career counselling and apply for available opportunities on the Employment Services South Africa (ESSA) portal, among other services that will be rendered.

    ESSA is an online recruitment service of the Department of Employment and Labour, available to all South African citizens. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –